Children's Home run by Back on Track Children’s Services SE LTD in Kent

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:

 A culture of warmth and respect exists in this home. Interactions between staff and young people are typically harmonious and beneficial for all. Young people say they feel well supported in their day-to-day care because of their trusting relationships with the staff.  Placing social workers value the quality and impact of these relationships. Their comments include, ‘[name of child] is making sustained and pleasing progress with opportunities to be more independent’. Another social worker states, ‘[name of child] is being well supported and nurtured, which is something they have missed out on in the past’.  Staff members implementation of effective guidance helps young people to maintain their day-to-day good health. Young people heed the advice they receive from staff. They gain valuable insights into staying healthy through a good diet, exercise and the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices.

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The children's home provision is good because:

They are successfully engaging and taking a greater responsibility for their own health needs.  The educational arrangements, including private tutors and college courses are tailored to suit the individual needs of young people. Consequently, good progress occurs and individuals exceed previous expectations. Examples include, taking GCSE exams and securing a place on a training and education course after a long time out of education.  Young people gain real insights into their own more challenging behaviours. Through external support and strong relationships with staff, they learn to understand why they sometimes find things difficult to cope with. This improved self- awareness increases their self-confidence and ability to manage difficult situations. One young person says, ’without the staff helping and guiding me I don't know where I would be now’.  Care plans provide clarity and direction for staff to implement in practice.

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The children's home provision is good because:

They use styles and strategies that work for individuals and achieve good results, such as reducing risky behaviours. Young people directly influence these plans. They are enabled to take greater control in setting their own goals and targets. This increases their chances of success and responsibility.  Effective leadership and management arrangements include regular team meetings and practice based supervision. These forums provide support and direction for staff to follow in order to care effectively for the young people.

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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

Make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children's home. (Regulation 23(1)). More specifically, accurate records must be maintained in respect of homely remedies. 30/07/2015

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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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Recommendations

Ensure that the home comply with relevant health and safety legislations. In this respect the fire safety plan should identify the fire safety equipment and its location. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Information about this children's home

The home is privately owned and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

01/04/2015 CH - Interim Monitoring Visit

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Recent inspection history

23/10/2014 CH - Interim Declined in effectiveness

p.5

good

Young people clearly enjoy their time with staff. Observations made by inspectors saw much appropriate humour and banter, combined with clear boundaries being maintained. A harmonious environment is typically experienced by the young people and they say, ’staff always have time for you’.

p.6

good

Staff actively encourage young people to express their views, thoughts and opinions. They use forums such as house meetings and key worker sessions to reinforce young peoples’ right to be heard and have their say. This provides young people with increased levels of self-confidence in the knowledge that they are valued,, listened to and that staff respond. One young person said, ’staff are always asking me my opinion and they care about what I say’. New games and garden equipment has been purchased as a result of listening to young people. They have successfully negotiated changes to mealtimes, activities and the amount of time they can spend unsupervised in order to develop their independence skills.

p.6

good

Young people’s more diverse needs are clearly explained within placement plans. These effectively describe the specific one-to-one support that is most likely to engage individuals and help them to achieve their specific goals. This includes how staff are to communicate verbal instructions and present information to young people in ways that make sense to them. This attention to detail increases young peoples’ chances of success.

p.6

good

Staff successfully encourage young people to think about the importance of their education. Individual plans provide access to learning providers and learning styles which best suit their needs. One young person is currently pursuing academic exams while another has begun induction in a vocational further education course. Young people say that staff really push them towards learning and regularly discuss career options for their futures with them. One young person said, ’I didn't really consider my education much but now I know what a difference a good education can make for my future’.

p.6

good

Good support and consistent guidance from staff has enabled young people to develop skills, in cooking, personal hygiene and managing money that will support them in later life. They say they enjoy this learning and feel this has been made easier because of the support they receive. One young person commented, ’I can go out now, use public transport and buy my own clothes, because staff have helped me to do this’ and ‘I previously felt quite anxious about going out, but I don’t now’. Young people have therefore gained confidence and developed skills that will be essential for independence.

p.6

good

Staff effectively promote young peoples’ wellbeing which enables young people to better understand their health needs and take increased responsibilities for their healthcare. Young people gain increased insights into the importance of healthcare and the lifestyle choices that they make. They gain better understanding of the dangers of smoking, and using substances.

p.7

good

Young people who had previously engaged in harmful behaviours now understand how these negatively impacted on their health and well-being. One young person have made significant steps and ceased self-abusive behaviours. This demonstrates that young people change their behaviour because their insights have increased. This distinction is extremely important because it demonstrates that staff have successfully created more effective internal mechanisms that supports young people to think for themselves and make good choices.

p.7

good

Young people say that they enjoy their food, saying it is well prepared, nutritious and enjoyable. Young people choose from wide and varied choices and staff know young people's likes and dislikes making mealtimes pleasant and enjoyable experiences. Young people, with assistance from staff, make good choices about healthy and nutritious foods.

p.7

good

Prompt registration with community medical services ensures that young people receive necessary treatments with their GP, dentist and ophthalmic services. One young person has been very well supported, through some difficult and painful treatments. Treatments have only been successful because of the sensitive and supportive encouragement from staff.

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good

While overall prescribed medications are managed well, this is not the same in the case of homely remedies such as paracetamol and similar products. A record of homely remedies coming into the home is not made and therefore staff cannot accurately determine how much stock they have. This introduces weaknesses into the medication systems.

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good

Young people say they feel safe because they say staff make them feel safe. Staff help them to reflect and avoid previous behaviours that placed them at risk. Effective strategies reduce risk-taking behaviour such as substance misuse and episodes of going missing. Staff develop risk assessments jointly with young people which results in risk management being better understood and achievable. Good quality key working sessions demonstrate regular discussions with young people around risks. Comments from young people include, ’I don't take risks like I used to, staff worry about me and I don't want to let myself down or them down’.

p.7

good

Young people have recently undertaken online training in exploitation and keeping themselves safe. They say that this has raised their awareness of ‘online gaming’, meeting strangers that they have met online and protecting their identities. One young person commented ‘I used to share all kinds of information when I was online, playing games, but now I’m more careful’. Staff members gain confidence through their training in working with young people to teach them about exploitation from strangers and people they may know.

p.8

good

Young people do not typically go missing or become absent from this home and there are few episodes of this type of behaviour. Staff members are aware that there are often triggers and warning signs when young people are unsettled or more likely to go missing and their prompt, effective support deters this. Robust protocols with the local police and other community agencies are agreed and deployed to protect children should they go missing making young people safer as a result.

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good

Clear and consistent boundaries are in place, which the young people describe as fair and reasonable. Proportionate sanctions are used to address behaviours that are more challenging with young people taking part in and influencing the type of sanction that is given. This successfully supports young people managing their own behaviour, increasing their levels of self-control and self-awareness. One young person said, ‘sometimes I can play up, but when I can see staff have had enough, I stop’.

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good

There is infrequent use of physical restraint in the home because successful de- escalation techniques negate the need for physical control. Young people meet with staff following restraints to talk about what happened, and how felt about it. As a result, young people feel very much part of behaviour management strategies.

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good

Young people are protected from avoidable hazards through effective health and safety practices. Environmental risk assessments have been developed and implemented, supported by fire safety practices and procedures which include regular fire evacuation drills. Although, the home is equipped with fire safety equipment, the fire safety plan failed to identify all the equipment in place. Therefore, the plan does not form a reliable source of information as part of the fire risk assessment process.

p.8

good

Good monitoring of all visitors to the home ensures young people are protected from unsuitable people. All new staff members are supervised in their contact with young people until all the necessary checks have been undertaken. Comprehensive recruitment and interview process ensure that only staff that are competent and sufficiently skilled are successful in gaining employment.

p.8

good

The manager has been in post since November 2014. She has applied for registration with Ofsted and is waiting for confirmation of the outcome of Ofsted’s assessment of her suitability. She is currently working towards the required qualification for the role and is scheduled to complete the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management by November 2015.

p.9

good

Ofsted has taken enforcement action since the last inspection. Managers have an action plan in place to address weaknesses. They understand that their internal monitoring systems are not yet firmly embedded and are working to improve in this area. However, external independent monitoring identifies areas for development. This compensate for the current internal monitoring weaknesses.

p.9

good

The manager has focused on remedying weaknesses and the home’s development plan is in the initial stage of identifying longer-term improvements and targets for continuous improvement.

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good

The manager provides effective leadership to a stable staff team who are committed to meeting the individual needs of young people and supporting them to achieve positive outcomes. Staff undertake a comprehensive training programme, including more specialised areas, such as child sexual exploitation and e-safety to meet the specific needs of young people. This ensures that they have the knowledge and understanding to perform their role competently. The staff team works collaboratively and with a consistent approach, establishing positive, trusting relationships amongst themselves and with young people.

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good

Staff receive regular supervision, which is focused on the progress of young people and the effectiveness of strategies to promote young peoples’ positive outcomes. These regular, individual supervision sessions include appropriate challenge to staff members practice when necessary, ensuring staff develop safe and effective practice to support young people.

p.9

good

The home’s statement of purpose is currently under review. Managers are consulting with staff to gain their views on the accuracy of the document in terms of what the home provides for young people. The current document clearly sets out the ethos and objectives of the home. The home is operating according to its statement of purpose.

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good

Managers ensure the home is working effectively with external partners and agencies to provide a wide-ranging support system for young people. Such partnership working includes close liaison with the young person’s social worker, direct involvement with health specialists and engagement with education providers. The home proactively identifies and engages with relevant people and agencies to promote the best interests of young people.

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good

Admissions to the home are carefully considered. A new process is in place where managers clearly assess and evaluate the needs of the new admission in relation to the impact on the existing group of young people.

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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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