Children's Home run by Beaufort Care Group Ltd in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Parents and professionals agree that this children’s home delivers good quality care to young people with very complex needs. As a result, young people who have had poor outcomes in other establishments have made good progress here in most areas of their lives.  Relationships between staff and young people are warm and supportive, with clear boundaries. Staff provide highly effective direct work to guide young people through the most complex and challenging situations.  Some young people have made good progress in their educational attendance and attainment. Others have not been in education, training or regular employment when they arrived, but inspired by staff, they have now acquired the confidence to apply for jobs and apprenticeships.  The quality of the home’s environment has improved considerably since the previous inspection. The refurbished areas of the home provide a pleasant and relaxing environment for young people.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people are fully consulted about every aspect of their daily lives. They can contribute to their care decisions and are responsible for their own health plans, menu and choice of activities.  Staff are very good at restoring and facilitating positive, regular contact between young people and family members or friends. Parents and grandparents are pleased with their children’s progress in the home and commented favourably on the care provided.  Young people are kept safe in the home. Some still take risks, but professionals agree that overall, young people’s safety has improved since admission. For example, incidents of going missing have reduced in frequency in the past six months. Young people’s increasing maturity and stability is reflected in the fact that there have been no restraints since the previous inspection.  The requirement and both recommendations from the interim inspection have

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The children's home provision is good because:

been met.  There are three breaches of regulation and quality standards which do not directly affect young people’s welfare or safety. The home took action during the inspection on the requirements and recommendations made.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

5: Engaging with the wider system to ensure children's needs are met: seek to secure the input and services required to meet each child's needs. In particular, the manager must challenge the local authority where they believe that an independent return home interview has not taken place, verify that essential checks have been carried out on adults with whom young people stay overnight and take appropriate steps to escalate concerns, including with the placing and host local authorities and the child or young person’s allocated social worker and the police. 31/07/2015

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard: the registered person must ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child's health. In particular, the home must complete remedial works to the downstairs extension to repair condensation damage and provide effective ventilation. 31/07/2015

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Requirement Due date

45: Review of quality of care: the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided for children. In particular, ensure that the outcomes of any complaints, the dates and times when young people return from being absent and the timing and detail of independent ‘return home’ interviews are recorded promptly. (Regulation 45 (2) (c)) 31/07/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Description

3.9 Homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. In particular, ensure that the first floor bathroom arrangements provide attractive and domestic-style facilities. 8.13 Staff should encourage an enthusiasm for positive behaviour through the use of positive behaviour strategies in line with the child’s relevant plans. In particular, staff should provide ways for young people to earn relief from at least part of their financial sanctions.

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Information about this children's home

This privately-owned home is registered for up to four young people of either gender, who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home accommodates vulnerable young people who may be traumatised, sometimes with associated attachment and conduct difficulties. Admission is assessed on an individual basis, in line with the home’s statement of purpose.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

12/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

18/02/2014 CH - Interim Inadequate Progress

p.5

good

Young people receive very high quality, consistent care and support in this home. Staff respond patiently to young people’s difficulties in a calm, non-judgemental way. They encourage them to make wise decisions; for example, about keeping in touch with staff when they are out of the home, and not misusing harmful substances.

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good

The requirement made at the previous inspection about the quality of key work session recording, clearly linking the work to identified needs, has now been actioned. Although young people do not always make the right choices, they are now much more confident, resilient and open about their difficulties. For example, they talk with their keyworkers about the challenges in their lives, which is the first step towards moving forward and making changes.

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good

Behaviour management is generally very effective, resulting in an impressive reduction in the need for physical interventions. External professionals commented on the clear boundaries within the home which have helped young people to improve their behaviour. Some young people had a history of offending prior to coming to this home. They have successfully completed court orders relating to past offences, and there has been no recent offending.

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good

Since their admission, some young people have made good overall progress in education, with improvements in both attainment and attendance. They attend school or college every day and have successfully re-integrated back into education after a temporary exclusion.

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good

Other young people are not currently in education, training or employment, but this was the case when they arrived in the home. They have, however, made some progress in this regard. For example, they took the initiative and successfully applied for a job in a busy and challenging environment. The job proved impossible to sustain, but this was valuable learning. As a result, young people have now set their sights towards more realistic goals and are working towards obtaining an apprenticeship.

p.6

good

Young people have been brought back into their home borough from out-of-area placements and consequently, now enjoy much more frequent, positive contact with their extended families and friends. Staff offer support for these visits and also engage with young people’s partners as far as possible. This work has helped to build trust with young people and to establish relationships that may support them when they leave care.

p.6

good

Young people are fully consulted about their choice of bedrooms, diet and activities. They are involved in plans and discussions about their aspirations, contact and any other issue that is important to them. A parent said that their child had chosen their bedroom and were happy with it.

p.7

good

The children’s home is situated in a Victorian house in a suburb of a large coastal town. The home is well located within easy reach of a wide range of amenities. The home sustained a great deal of damage earlier this year. This required extensive renovation work, which is still under way. The works have taken place over a period of time in order to minimise disruption for young people and staff. Those parts of the home that have been renovated, for example, some of the bedrooms, the hallway, lounge and kitchen, have been completed to a very good standard.

p.7

good

The staff sleeping-in room still shows signs of damage from earlier incidents. The room is cluttered and although it has been repainted, it does not yet provide a relaxing space where staff can rest when young people are asleep.

p.7

good

The home’s original upstairs bathroom appears to have been divided to provide two very narrow bathrooms. The intention was presumably to provide additional facilities, but the subdivision of the room has meant that the toilets have had to be placed awkwardly along the long wall to fit them in, and the small basins are only suitable for hand-washing. The awkward layout has inadvertently created an institutional feel. A recommendation has been made to improve these facilities.

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good

The garden is currently under development. There is a pleasant seating area which provides an attractive space for young people and staff. The new manager has some creative ideas for bringing the garden into greater use.

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good

Some young people are learning essential life skills in the home. One young person had a successful two-week trial period in an independence-training flat. Although she was glad to return to the home, the exercise was successful because it provided experience in terms of self-care, cooking and budgeting.

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good

Young people enjoy a healthy diet in the home. They can help staff to prepare meals each week, comprising wholesome, home-made foods. The curry prepared on the day of the inspection looked and smelled delicious.

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good

Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own health and manage their healthcare plans. Although there is limited engagement with this, some young people manage their own medication, which helps to prepare them for independent living. In order to improve their wellbeing, young people receive very sound, clear advice on sexual health, relationships, substance misuse and other important matters.

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requires improvement

This outcome area requires improvement because although day-to-day practice and communication with the placing authority is generally good, the staff have not been as assertive as they should have been in obtaining and recording all the available safeguarding information. For example, some young people who are approaching adulthood spend significant periods of time away from the home, including overnight stays with friends. The home was unaware, prior to this inspection, that the local authority had carried out checks on adult members of the household. They were also unaware, and hence had not recorded, that a social worker had carried out independent ‘return’ interviews with a young person who occasionally goes missing or absent from the home.

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requires improvement

When concerns arise about young people’s safety, the home contacts the local authority and Ofsted promptly as required, but staff have not always driven hard enough to be involved in multi-agency meetings to share important information that could help the home to care for young people even more effectively. A requirement has been made which has already been actioned.

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requires improvement

At the time of the inspection, there was a problem with condensation in the downstairs bathroom and the adjacent utility area, which houses a washing machine and tumble drier. There was mould on the ceiling and upper walls. Mould is potentially harmful to health in certain vulnerable individuals. A requirement has been made which again, has already been actioned. After the inspection, the inspector was told that major works have been carried out to remedy the ventilation problem, and new equipment installed to remove excess moisture from the air.

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requires improvement

Young people who damage school property have to repay significant sums of money, and there is no documented opportunity for them to hasten the reparation process through positive behaviour. The chance to earn some remission would help young people to learn the important life skills of negotiation and participation. A recommendation has been made.

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requires improvement

In spite of these shortfalls, young people are kept safe in this home, and safeguarding is the staff’s top priority. For example, the premises are secure, and any breaches in security are dealt with quickly and decisively. Close circuit TV is used very effectively, as described in the statement of purpose, to ensure that members of the public do not access the home, as this has been a problem in the past few months. This is monitored in the staff office and is not intrusive.

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requires improvement

The interim manager ensures that risk assessments are robust and regularly updated in line with young people’s care plans. This provides staff with clear strategies to help them to manage young people’s care and behaviour.

p.9

requires improvement

Effective behaviour management has meant that there have been no physical interventions for several months. Consequences and rewards are generally fair and consistent, and the recommendation made at the previous inspection to record the time period over which fines are to be paid has been actioned.

p.9

requires improvement

Staff fully understand young people’s vulnerabilities and the risks that they face in their everyday lives. For example, staff have led some excellent key worker sessions with young people who have used legal highs, in order to reduce the risks to health as far as possible. The former registered manager very bravely confronted a shop proprietor who is selling legal highs in the locality. The home has worked with the police to evaluate this risk and has incorporated this information into their location risk assessment. As a result of the staff’s and the young person’s efforts, legal high use has declined and although it is not possible to be confident that it has ceased altogether, these harmful substances are no longer found within the home.

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requires improvement

There were 31instances of young people going missing over the last 12 months. The present young people have reduced their incidents of going missing to a very low level, with a small recent rise in short-term absences. This is a good achievement.

p.9

Good

Although the home does not currently have a registered manager in post and the previous manager left approximately two weeks before this inspection, leadership and management arrangements are sound.

p.10

Good

The company acted very quickly to appoint a new manager, who holds National Vocational Qualification at level 4 in leadership and management. The previous manager has returned to the home to meet with the proposed manager and hand over essential information, which is good practice.

p.10

Good

There is an excellent practice manager in post, who was drafted in from another home approximately three months ago. The practice manager has requested to stay at this home, where she has been instrumental in improving the home’s recording systems and supporting the young people and staff.

p.10

Good

The company’s former operations manager has also recently left, and a former registered manager who knows the company and the homes very well has been appointed to this role. She oversees the home extremely effectively, and leads by example. This inspires managers and staff to put young people at the centre of their practice and strive for further improvement. Professionals commented that leadership and management have improved over the past few months. They say that their young people have done well there and given their complex needs, it is unlikely that they would have made better progress elsewhere.

p.10

Good

Although there was a period this year when staff were not receiving regular supervision, this has now been addressed and all supervision sessions and appraisals are up to date. The interim manager has worked really hard to refocus on supporting staff, particularly in difficult key working roles. This strong and inclusive management style has helped to deliver the exceptionally good quality direct work that has made a significant difference to outcomes for young people.

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Good

The home has a good training programme for staff. Staff complete their full induction and subsequently, higher-level courses as required. All staff are up to date in essential training such as physical intervention, safeguarding, drugs and alcohol misuse and child sexual exploitation. The company provides specific staff training to meet young people’s individual needs. Staff and managers receive quarterly group supervision from a consultant in attachment theory, who also provides specific staff training.

p.10

Good

The leaders and managers of the home are passionate about the service and hold young people central to everything they do. The interim manager has a very good grasp of the home’s strengths and areas for development. For example, managers agree with the findings of this inspection that the quality of the staff team, their dedication and skills in engaging young people, are a key strength of this home. They acknowledge that some areas, such as the refurbishment of the home and completing the current paperwork audit are still to be completed.

p.10

Good

The home has an effective statement of purpose that has been written in line with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Schedule 1. Leaders and managers are aware of the new regulations and quality standards. Some have been engaged in the conferences for providers and have a good understanding of the principles of the new inspection framework. This shows that they are up to date and keen to work with the regulator to improve outcomes for young people.

p.10

Good

The children’s guide has been updated and improved to address one of the recommendations of the last inspection. It now contains all the relevant information to support young people when they arrive at the home, and to guide them during their stay. Some minor amendments to update professional contact details were made immediately after the inspection.

p.11

Good

The home is subject to generally effective internal and external monitoring. The independent visitor conducts detailed monthly inspections and consults with young people, parents and staff. She makes clear and robust recommendations for improvement. The home’s managers ensure that these are acted upon. During the management changes over the past three months, staff have on a few occasions missed recording important safeguarding information such as the dates and times of young people’s return from being missing or absent, and the outcome of one complaint, so a requirement has been made.

p.11

Good

The home has very good relationships with other agencies, particularly the placing authority. There are regular meetings with commissioners and team managers to ensure effective communication. The local authority uses the service to bring very vulnerable young people back into the borough that was previously placed out of the area, sometimes because of risks to their safety. This requires close partnership with the home and generally, this has been effective in making a positive difference to young people’s lives.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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