Children's Home run by Crystal Care Solutions Limited in Wigan

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:

 Relationships between young people, registered manager and staff members are positive, supportive and friendly. Staff members work as a cohesive team and follow agreed strategies to enable young people to progress  Young people enjoy positive experiences from their starting points in the home, they benefit from well-planned activities and holidays   Improvements in education and behaviour lead to a reduction in risk taking that enables young people to plan and prepare well for their future  Young people are listened to and their views are understood and taken into account, giving them a sense of belonging and increasing their confidence   Detailed risk assessments are understood by staff members and help young people to be safe and stay safe  Partnership working is effective and reduces absences and missing from home incidents  Clear and consistent boundaries give young people security and help change

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The children's home provision is good because:

behaviour and contribute to their well-being  The registered manager leads her staff team effectively she is supportive and has a clear understanding of the progress young people are making in respect of the plan for them  Robust monitoring systems identify weakness and improve the care provided to young people  The home is registered to accommodate two young people, only single occupancy has taken place since registration in June 2014  Behaviour management plans show risk levels but have not been updated

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Recommendation

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  The behaviour management strategy should be understood and applied at all times by staff, and must be kept under review and revised where appropriate. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, paragraph 9.34 page 46)

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Information about this children's home

This section should outline:  The home is registered to accommodate two young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties  The home is privately owned  All young people will have access to a wide range of facilities and resources in the home. The home provides short-term to long-term residential placement for young people as written in the home's Statement of Purpose

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.5

good

The home has accommodated three young people since registration. All were single occupancy placements. Two of the placements have been successful and both young people’s progress has enabled them to experience a stable and supportive environment. One young person stayed at the home for a short period of time, and while staff members were unable to meet their specific health needs they did support them and advocate on their behalf.

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good

Since registration there has been little change in the staff team. This has provided young people with consistency. Relationships between staff and young people are strong with positive outcomes achieved. The young person says, ‘It’s good here, we have a laugh and my staff care about me and help me to change my ways’. Staff members spend time with young people and are good role models for them. As a result, young people benefit and have a sense of belonging, and say, ‘It feels like a home, and is better than my last home’.

p.6

good

Although the young person is on school holiday, they have made significant progress in their education, considering their past experiences. They attend and engage in their education plan. The manager has worked with the virtual head and secured private tuition for the young person. Plans are in place to increase these educational hours as the young person is responding well and learning. This will take place when the new term begins and remain in place until an appropriate school placement is found.

p.6

good

There are good arrangements to ensure young people’s health needs are identified and met. Health assessments are completed and kept up to date. This organisation has a psychologist and the manager and staff work in partnership with local drug and alcohol services. This ensures young people’s social and psychological needs are addressed and their well-being is improved. The young person is being supported to cut down their smoking habit, has attended cessation appointments and is using an e-cigarette. They regularly work out at a local gym and these arrangements promote a healthy lifestyle and improve fitness.

p.6

good

Effective arrangements, such as, key worker sessions, daily conversations and meetings with staff, ensure young people’s views are taken into account. They confirm staff listen and respond to them on a daily basis. Complaints information is easily accessible and young people have contact details of independent organisations and an advocate, should they need to talk with someone independent of the home. There have been no complaints made about the home since the last inspection.

p.6

good

Good partnership working with the young person’s social worker and parents ensure plans are agreed and followed. Reports are produced outlining progress and sent to parents and placing authorities each week. One parent said, ‘Where he is now, is how I envisaged what care should be like, it’s like a jewel in the crown, I’m really happy with this placement’.

p.7

good

Well organised plans ensure young people remain in touch with those people important in their life. Sound arrangements are in place to ensure the distance between the home and the young person’s friends and family are maintained. The manager has secured delegated authority, from the social worker to make these arrangements and the young person’s family has stayed overnight in the home, as part of an agreed contact plan.

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good

Participation is encouraged on a daily basis with staff supporting young people to engage. They contribute to menus and activity planning, and enjoy well organised theme nights. Young people enjoy holiday breaks and are able to continue with their preferred hobbies and interests.

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good

Young people are actively involved in their plans for their future. They take responsibility for daily chores and developing self-care skills. The young person is making progress in this respect and in agreement with his social worker a reduction in staffing levels is being introduced. These arrangements are in line with the young person’s contact plans, and they are working towards an outcome where a return to the family home is planned.

p.7

good

There are no safeguarding concerns at present. Staff members are trained to recognise, respond and report any suspicions of abuse. Their training is regularly refreshed to keep them up to date with current guidance. Training includes Internet safety, bullying and social networking. This keeps staff informed of young people’s social trends and how to keep them safe. The young person confirms they are safe and feel safe in the home.

p.7

good

Detailed risk assessments are in place prior to, and after moving into the home and reflect past concerns. They have agreed strategies known by all staff members should a response be needed in relation to behaviour which causes concern. This protects young people and allows them to take controlled risks. Significant progress has been made and the young person’s risks are low.

p.7

good

Incidents of being absent or missing from home have reduced to zero. This has been achieved through staff working effectively in partnership with the police, social worker and parent. A local police officer is a regular visitor to the home and she has a good relationship with the young person and staff team.

p.8

good

Incentives and rewards are varied and capture young people’s interests. This enables them to change behaviours and relationships in the home are improved. The young person is aware of the consequences to inappropriate behaviour and has received rewards for their positive behaviours. There have been no sanctions imposed. All staff members are trained in behaviour management and use de- escalation techniques, to change young people’s behaviour. No restraints have taken place since the last inspection.

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good

Behaviour management plans are detailed and follow on from the risk assessment documents. ‘However’, these have not been updated. As a result, a recommendation is made. This is to ensure behaviour management plans show the progress young people make in placement. The young person has made significant improvements in reducing all of his risk taking behaviours, and this progress is not reflected in his behaviour management plan.

p.8

good

Visitors to the home are required to show proof of identity and sign the visitor’s book. They are informed upon arrival of the fire evacuation procedure and assembly point. All appliances are checked regularly and there are no health and safety concerns inside or outside of the home. These arrangements ensure young people; staff and visitors are protected and kept safe in the home.

p.8

good

The manager was interviewed by Ofsted in June 2014 as part of this homes registration process. As a result, she became the registered manager for this home. She has previously been a registered manager and has the relevant qualifications and experience to carry out this role. She has responsibility of managing another home close by. This is achievable as she has the support of a competent deputy and team leaders.

p.8

good

Staff members are supported well by the management team and confirm they receive regular supervision, complete appraisals and attend team meetings. These opportunities ensure the needs of young people are at the forefront of the care provided in the home. Staff members have their performance monitored with opportunities to identify future learning needs.

p.8

good

The management team know the strengths and weaknesses of the home, together they lead staff effectively ensuring young people’s needs are met and progress is made. Partnership working is good with placing authorities and parents and young people are involved in decisions about their future.

p.9

good

Robust procedures ensure all staff members are checked before commencing work in the home. These arrangements prevent unsuitable people being recruited and having the opportunity to harm young people or place them at risk.

p.9

good

Staff members are sufficient in number; all are trained in line with the organisations procedures and up to date with current guidance. Delegated duties give them responsibility and a sense of shared ownership and is overseen by the registered manager. This means the home is run efficiently and in line with the aims and objectives described in its Statement of Purpose document.

p.9

good

Monitoring activities promote positive outcomes for young people. An independent person reports on the quality of care provided to young people each month. Any identified actions are promptly addressed, by the manager. These arrangements allow robust scrutiny of the home, the skills of staff members and the progress young people make. Equally the management team monitor the administration systems and this contributes to a report produced for Ofsted in line with regulation. This keeps the regulator informed of the quality of care provided and any actions considered necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of services provided to young people.

p.9

good

Careful consideration is given by the registered manager when assessing new referral requests. She is supported in any decisions made by the responsible individual. This ensures young people are only accommodated if the home can meet all of their needs. This scrutiny ensures young people will only be placed together when all risks have been considered and there will be no impact on either of them.

p.9

good

The home is a detached property and situated out of town. Transport links are frequent and used to access the local town centre. The home is warm, nicely decorated and has good quality fixtures and fittings.

p.9

good

Young people have access to their records that are detailed and provide young people with an understanding about their histories, background and experiences.

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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

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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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