Children's Home run by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council in Blackburn with Darwen

Requires improvement

The children's home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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because:

The home has experienced a period of instability and crisis over recent months. This has been caused by a number of factors which have resulted in some serious incidents in the home. Young people experience variable outcomes as they settle into life at this home. Some young people with significant behavioural challenges have since moved to alternative placements. This has improved the group dynamics to some degree. Staff understand and have the skills to manage incidents of bullying. However, interventions have not always been effective. As a result young people have not always been able to build and maintain positive relationships with one another. The making of suitable placements is not sufficiently robust. The assessment of risk in relation to the impact of admissions has not been robustly managed, which has impacted on the group dynamic within the home. Staffing numbers is not sufficient. During times of crisis, insufficient staffing

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because:

numbers has weakened the effectiveness of some interventions to assure young people's safety and welfare. There is little evidence of the work undertaken with young people to ensure they know how to keep themselves safe online. This means that not all young people are safeguarded from the risk presented when using the internet. Medication records do not make it clear the agreed prescribes dosage. Records made in this way lack clarity and could potentially lead to errors in administrating medication.

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because:

There are some repeated issues in the quality of record keeping. Physical intervention and incidents records are not consistently completed within timescales. Nor do they confirm that the Registered Manager has spoken with young people following the measure.

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because:

There have been missed opportunities to evaluate and review feedback from young people about the quality of care they receive. The home cannot thereby confidently demonstrate the difference it has made to the lives of young people.

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The children's home strengths

A particular strength of the home is the stability of the staff team, which allows young people to develop warm and trusting relationships with staff that they respect. Despite some of the recent difficulties young people have forged positive relationships with staff. Staff spoken to during the inspection recognise the home has had a period of instability and crisis. Nevertheless, they continue to express commitment and enthusiasm for their role and have genuine aspirations for young people in their care. Contact between young people and their families is well supported and facilitated. This promotes young people’s sense of belonging and ensures they keep connected with their families. The home is decorated and furnished to a good standard and provides a homely and welcoming environment for young people. Staff report feeling well supported in their roles. They feel listened to by managers and able to make suggestions on how to improve the care provided to

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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

In order to meet the protection of children standard with particular reference to the admission of young people [2][b] the registered person must ensure that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (2)(b)) 03/08/2015

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the register person must ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (Regulation 13 (2)(d)) 03/08/2015

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the positive relationship standard the registered manager must ensure that staff have the skills to recognize incidents or indications of bullying and how to deal with them, and that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (2)(a)(xiii)(b)) 03/08/2015

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)) 03/08/2015

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 48 hours if the use of the measure, the registered manager, or a person who is authorized by the registered person adds to the record 03/08/2015 confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the feedback and opinions of children about the children's home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it. (Regulation 45 (2)(b)) 03/08/2015

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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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Recommendations

 The home should consider whether and how it can support the child to access a computer and the internet safely. This specifically relates to ensuring that risks relating to e-safety is reflected in young people’s records. (The Guide page 29 5.19)

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Recommendations

 Records must be kept of the administration of all medication. This specifically relates to ensuring that medication records clearly document the agreed prescribed dosage. (The Guide page 35 7.15)

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Recommendations

 Children should be in full-time education whilst they are of compulsory school age, unless their personal education plan contained within the care plan or other relevant plan states otherwise. The home must aim to support full time attendance at school unless the child’s relevant plan indicates this is not in their best interests. (The Guide page 28 5.14)

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority run home. The home provides care and accommodation for up to 6 young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/02/2015 CH – Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

17/02/2014 CH – Interim Satisfactory Progress

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requires improvement

The home has experienced a period of instability and crisis over recent months. This has been caused by a number of factors which have resulted in some serious incidents both in the home and the community. Some of the challenging placements have ended and the number of young people living in the home has reduced. This has helped improve the dynamics between most young people.

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requires improvement

Young people spoken with during the inspection report that they have good relationships with staff. One young person reported, ‘the best thing about here is the staff, I get on with them and they take me out on activities.’ Comments in young people’s feedback are also positive, for example ‘the home feels very homely and I get encouraged to better myself. I have a good relationship with my key worker and some of the other staff.’ This demonstrates that young people are building positive relationships with staff despite some of the recent challenges.

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requires improvement

Despite some of the positive relationships that exist in the home incidents of bullying have increased; contributing factors include the previous and current mix of young people. Evidence gathered at this inspection highlights occasions where young people have felt ‘bullied’ by other young people in the home. Staff spoken with during the inspection demonstrate a good awareness of bullying and promote a culture where this is not tolerated. However, there is little evidence of qualitative work undertaken with young people to help them rebuild and maintain positive relationships with each other. Furthermore there is no clear system in place for the recording and monitoring of bullying. This means that staff are not able to effectively monitor any emerging patterns in bullying and intervene accordingly.

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requires improvement

The education arrangements for young people are mixed. Some young people have maintained excellent attendance, completed exams and are looking forward to further study at a local college. However, not all have had prompt access to full time education. This significantly limits their potential to achieve and hinders opportunities for them to improve their life changes. That said, the home has strong partnerships with education and they do promote high expectations to help young people get back on track. The team also ensure that young people have access to tutors and education materials to support their learning in the home.

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requires improvement

A serious medication issue has been fully investigated by the provider. Immediate action was taken and new protocols have been implemented. This is positive and demonstrates that the manager takes immediate action to address shortfalls. However, medication records do not clearly document the agreed prescribed dosage. Records lack clarity, and therefore have the potential to seriously compromise young people’s health and well-being.

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requires improvement

Staff encourage young people’s individual interests and ensure they have access to community facilities. For some this has been very successful, for example participating in overnight trips with cadets, youth clubs and swimming. Other young people prefer to see friends or family. A key strength of the home is its engagement with families, including those who prefer not to engage with children’s services. This has been beneficial in improving contact arrangements and helped promote more positive family relationships.

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requires improvement

Young people are well prepared for moving onto adulthood. They have good transition plans and are supported to develop all of the necessary life skills needed for independence. Staff help young people test their independence skills within the home. For example, cooking meals, doing laundry and cleaning their bedrooms. This enables young people to develop confidence in a safe and supported environment.

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requires improvement

Young people’s individual risk assessments clearly identify the actions staff need to take to reduce the likelihood of disruptive or unsafe behaviour. This is good practice. However, the assessment of risk in relation to the impact of admissions has not been robustly managed. This has undoubtedly impacted on the group dynamics. For example, there is no evidence to show how the admission of young people may impact on the risky behaviour of others, such as behaviour management concerns, missing from care incidents and anti-social behaviour. This has weakened the effectiveness of staff interventions to ensure young people's safety and welfare.

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requires improvement

Staff do make use of incentive systems to promote more socially acceptable behaviour. However, the effectiveness of some of these strategies is variable. Over recent months there have been a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour. For example, staff and young people being physically assaulted by other residents. Staff spoken with during the inspection confirm that agreed behaviour management strategies have been tested in recent months. Staff said that they have ‘spread ourselves too thinly, because we have been dealing with increased levels of challenging behaviour. It has been a difficult time but we’ve done our utmost to keep young people safe.’ Staff demonstrate a clear commitment to getting things back on track and action has been taken to address these issues. That said, the increase in incidents undoubtedly impacted on the group dynamics which compromised young people’s safety and wellbeing.

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requires improvement

Whilst there have been some improvements, there are some repeated issues in the quality of record keeping. For example, physical intervention and incident records do not comply with children’s homes regulations. They are not consistently recorded within timescales and the Registered Manager does not record that she has spoken with the young people following an intervention. This means that young people are not given the opportunity to express their views about the incident. Furthermore, this does not drive robust management oversight nor promote learning.

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requires improvement

A new computer has been recently purchased. This has the correct protection software installed on it which will help protect young people when they go online. Staff recognise the benefits and risks of young people using the internet and demonstrate basic knowledge of E-safety. Although some measures have been taken to address internet safety there is little evidence of any work undertaken with young people to ensure they know how to keep themselves safe. To date, this has not impacted negatively, but the potential created by the new computer will require robust oversight.

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requires improvement

Young people are actively discouraged from leaving the home without authorisation. However, when young people do go missing or fail to return home on time, staff are proactive. They go out and look for them and are often able to persuade them to return home. Local missing from care protocols are followed appropriately and effective communication between the home, social care and the police promotes young people’s safety.

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requires improvement

The selection and recruitment of staff is thorough. This prevents unsuitable adults from being able to work with young people in this home. Since the last inspection there have been no reported allegations relating to any staff. Staff spoken with during the inspection had a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures and reporting of concerns. Judgement grade

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requires improvement

The manager was registered with Ofsted in February 2015. She is suitably qualified and supported by senior managers to ensure the effective operation of the home. At the last inspection, four requirements and two good practice recommendations were made. Good progress has been made in some of these. For example, the home has improved the recording of notifications and Ofsted is now notified in a timely manner. Further improvements have been made to the way in which young people’s files are organised. Plans are updated on a regular basis and young people are encouraged to have a significant interest in how their care is planned and reviewed. However, there are some recurring themes, such as the recording of behaviour management and incidents. The manager is aware of these issues and has developed new systems. However, these are not fully embedded in practice and the effectiveness cannot be fully evaluated.

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requires improvement

Staff report high levels of satisfaction with the training and supervision provided by managers. During the inspection several members of staff praised the manager for her leadership skills and commitment to driving improvements within the home. Staff report feeling more able to make suggestions and are confident that their views are taken seriously. The quality of relationships between staff, managers and other professionals is all very good. Professionals spoken with during this inspection speak highly of staff and feel they are kept fully informed at all times. This demonstrates staff are able to work collaboratively with others to ensure the holistic needs of young people are met.

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requires improvement

The home has a well-established, core staff group who are qualified and suitably experienced. However, evidence gathered at this inspection highlights that staffing ratios are insufficient, particularly during times of instability and crisis. This has been addressed by the manager. The rota has now been adapted to ensure more flexibility and additional staff are available if required.

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requires improvement

The manager is committed to developing the service in line with young people’s needs, wishes and feelings. She makes good efforts to seek the views of young people, parents and placing authorities. An example of this practice is the recent involvement of young people in the staff appraisals. The manager’s monitoring of service improvements, Regulation 45 reports, do not reflect the consultation undertaken with young people nor does the report evaluate or reflect the views of young people about the facilities and the quality of care they receive. This shortfall relates to the quality of the report as opposed to the quality of the consultation undertaken.

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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

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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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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