Children's Home run by My Choice Children’s Homes Limited in West Sussex

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:

 Young people develop an improved sense of security and over time begin to reduce the frequency and severity of dangerous behaviour.  Staff are sensitive to the needs of young people and are committed to supporting them to manage feelings of anxiety and distress.  Risk management is robust, and this helps ensure young people are safe in the home, and increasingly safe when away from the home.  Good partnership working ensures young people have access to specialist support services to meet their needs.  Young people are given excellent support to prepare for moving on from the home, and are encouraged to develop their independent living skills according to their ability.  Family contact is well planned and young people enjoy improved relationships with family members.  Areas for development include the leadership and management arrangements, training and managing complaints.  Young people’s plans would benefit from the inclusion of specific targets and

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The children's home provision is good because:

goals the young people are aiming towards.

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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

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children's home if there is no registered manger in respect of the home. (Regulation 27 (1) (a)) 30/09/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development, with specific regard to providing up to date training in the use of physical restraint. (Regulation 33 (4) (a)) 30/09/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children; specifically, ensure all aspects of a child's complaint are investigated. (Regulation 39 (1)) 30/09/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure effective care planning contributes towards the success of placements; specifically, ensure the goals set out in young people's placement plans are specific to their needs, measurable and achievable. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56, paragraph 11.2)

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately run children's home. The organisation currently manages eight homes in total. It offers accommodation for up to two young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/01/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.5

good

Young people are supported to develop positive relationships with staff. One young person expressed the view that staff members do not always comfort them when they are upset, but observation of practice and daily records indicate that staff are sensitive and responsive to young people’s wishes and feelings. Staff were observed welcoming young people back into the home following contact with family, and engaged them in conversation about how the visit had gone.

p.6

good

This has been a stable placement for some young people who have previously experienced significant disruption and trauma. As young people settle into the home, they become more secure and develop more appropriate ways of managing their anxiety and distress. Consequently, there is a reduction in the severity of challenging behaviours.

p.6

good

A pro-active approach is taken to securing specialist support services for young people, as outlined in the statement of purpose. Some young people have been able to engage in therapeutic counselling, despite this causing them some anxiety. Staff encourage young people to overcome their fears by talking through these in key-work sessions. One young person said she had discussed past traumatic events with staff, and that her ‘favourite member of staff is my key-worker’.

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good

All young people have educational provision, either within the organisation’s school or external colleges. Attendance for some young people has not been consistently good. Staff have discussed adopting new strategies for encouraging better attendance in team meetings, and have shared information with other professionals in formal personal education plan meetings. This has ensured a co- ordinated approach to further planning.

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good

Young people are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and are provided with information about sexual health and relationships. External professionals have been consulted regarding diet and weight loss when necessary. A healthy diet is provided, and young people are encouraged to get involved in food preparation and cooking.

p.6

good

Staff provide young people with excellent support when they are preparing to leave the home. They encourage young people to engage in all planning meetings and to express their views on suitable transitional arrangements. Staff have a good understanding of how the young people will adapt to change, and ensure they have all the necessary information and resources to address their questions. Outreach support is also offered following a young person’s move.

p.6

good

Staff clearly place young people at the centre of their practice, although one member of staff was not immediately familiar with professional assessments relating to one of the residents. However, managers were able to give detailed verbal accounts of how the staff member supports young people in practice, and key-work records demonstrate that the staff member communicates effectively with young people.

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good

Young people say they are treated with respect and receive enough privacy, although one young person objects to the level of staff supervision. They are able to telephone family members when they need to. Staff recognise the importance of young people being able to express their views, and have supported one young person to access a local advocacy service.

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good

The importance of well-planned and supported contact with family members is recognised. Where appropriate, staff communicate well with parents and encourage them to take an active role in the planning process. This has resulted in better family contact and improved relationships for all the young people.

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good

Staff take pro-active steps towards keeping young people safe and protected from harm. They have a good understanding of the needs and vulnerabilities of each young person, and use this knowledge to develop risk assessments to enhance their safety.

p.7

good

The manager and staff members’ review and updates risk assessments following any significant event, such as young people harming themselves. They are also used to inform and amend strategies for caring for young people and managing challenging behaviour. This ensures that young people receive a consistent response from staff and are familiar with the boundaries and expectations within the home.

p.7

good

In recent months there has been a decrease in the number of times young people go missing. Since the last full inspection in May 2014 there have been sixteen missing episodes. However, only one of these occurred between the months of April and June this year. This change attributed to effective interventions being deployed, such as rewards and sanctions for young people who respond well to this approach.

p.7

good

The decrease in missing episodes also reflects that over time, young people become more stable and secure. Challenging behaviour becomes less frequent and dangerous as young people respond to the consistent care they receive. On the occasions young people do still go missing, staff respond quickly, by searching for them and following agreed protocols. All incidents are recorded in detail, and demonstrate the efforts staff go to in order to locate the young person.

p.8

good

One young person, in conversation with the inspector, was not able to identify a member of staff they would share any concerns with. However, records of key- work sessions indicate that all young people are able discuss sensitive issues with staff, and verbalise what is troubling them.

p.8

good

Young people are closely supervised in the home, and staff are vigilant to any signs of bullying, which is then challenged. Staff members understand the difficulties some young people have in maintaining positive relationships with their peers, and guide them in developing new strategies for managing social interaction.

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good

On the rare occasion physical restraint is used, this is done so, only to protect young people from harming themselves or others. The manager monitors the records involving the use of physical restraint. Young people are encouraged to engage in a de-brief session following an incident, and are asked if they require a medical examination.

p.8

good

Many staff members have not received updated training in the use of physical restraint. This includes the manager, whose training is significantly out of date. This compromises young peoples’ safety in the event of restraint having to be used.

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good

Good working relationships have been established with the police. A Police Community Support Officer regularly visits the home and offers young people advice and guidance on how to keep safe in the community. The regularity of these visits means the young people are familiar with the Officer, and this promotes better communication.

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good

Procedures which are effective, have also been agreed with the police regarding response times for reporting certain young people missing, in recognition of their high level of need and vulnerability.

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good

Staff members’ monitor young people’s access to the internet and use of social media sites. Internet access is controlled in the home, and staff know which young people have internet access on mobile phones, enabling them to monitor access. This approach is complemented by discussing the risks associated with social media with young people in key-work sessions, and in lessons delivered in the organisation’s school.

p.8

good

The response to any allegations made against staff is robust. Action is taken to safeguard young people who have raised concerns, and both the member of staff and young person receive good support during the investigation process. Information is promptly shared with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), and the organisation co-operates well with any subsequent police investigations. The LADO stated the organisation was ‘very good at consulting and sharing information’.

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good

Recruitment procedures are thorough and minimise the possibility of unsuitable adults being employed in the home. Background checks are undertaken on potential new staff, and any gaps in the applicant’s employment history are examined. New staff are informed of the home’s child protection and whistle blowing policies during their induction, prior to attending safeguarding and child sexual exploitation training.

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good

Regular safety checks are undertaken to ensure the health and safety of young people and staff. Young people and staff take part in fire drills, and all fire safety equipment is serviced and maintained. This ensures young people live in a safe environment.

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inadequate

The manager came into post in October 2014, following the previous registered manager’s resignation. His application to become registered manager was not made within the required timescale. Further documentation is required to enable Ofsted to process the application. Due to the significant period the home has been without a registered manager, as set out in Ofsted’s guidance on registered managers’ leadership and management is judged to be ‘inadequate’.

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inadequate

The manager has suitable experience for the role. He is currently studying for the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare. He anticipates completing this course by the end of 2015.

p.9

inadequate

There is a sufficient number of experienced and qualified staff to meet the needs of the young people. They seek to build trusting relationships and maintain consistent boundaries. Agency staff are occasionally used to cover annual leave, but the manager ensures these are staff who are familiar with the home and know the young people. Consequently, the quality of care delivered is not compromised.

p.9

inadequate

Staff feel well supported, and benefit from regular, structured supervision which provides them with the opportunity to reflect on their practice. Team meetings enable all staff to review their practice and the effectiveness of strategies used to support young people. New staff members undertake a comprehensive induction process, which has a strong emphasis on protecting the welfare of young people.

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inadequate

The organisation provides a training programme which specifically focuses on the needs of young people admitted to the home, and reflects the statement of purpose. However, many staff, including the manager, have not received up to date training on the use of physical restraint.

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inadequate

All young people have placement plans which are reviewed and updated. These plans do not always define clear goals and targets young people are working towards. They are not specific to young people’s particular needs and do not contribute towards measuring young people’s progress.

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inadequate

Effective procedures are used to monitor the quality of care provided. The independent visitor provides evaluative reports and challenges any identified shortfalls in good practice. The manager promptly acts on recommendations from the independent visitor. Questionnaires for all stakeholders and young people are also used as a tool for monitoring the quality of services.

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inadequate

Despite this commitment to improving the quality of care, the complaints procedure has not effectively contributed to the process. On one occasion, all aspects of a young person’s complaint was not considered sufficiently and thoroughly investigated. Not all young people currently have confidence in the complaints procedure.

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inadequate

The manager ensures strong links are maintained with external agencies offering specialist support to young people. This has been an effective way of securing additional support when young people are experiencing difficulties, particularly related to their mental health. Effective partnership working with the police has resulted in officers visiting the home to provide young people with advice and guidance on how to keep safe.

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inadequate

Leaders and managers prioritise the welfare and protection of young people. They ensure the relevant authorities are notified of all significant events relating to protection of the residents. This approach is mirrored in the practice of care staff, making the home a safe environment.

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inadequate

The home is maintained to a high standard, and provides a comfortable, homely environment for the 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

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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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