Children's Home run by White Orchid Care Limited in Milton Keynes

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceeds the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Strong leadership and management coupled with comprehensive training enables staff to understand and meet the needs of each young person. Staff are very adept at keeping young people safe.  Young people are offered a wide variety of activities and are encouraged and supported in maintaining friendships from school and in the community.  Young people, through the homes therapist, are taught the skills they need to develop self-coping strategies to manage their behaviour, these are incorporated into the homes placement plans.  The home is extremely vibrant, warm and welcoming and young people are clearly at the heart of the home.  There are excellent links with other professionals including from the police, health and Local Authority Designated Officer.  Incidents of behaviour management have been successfully reduced because conflict management is effective.  Relationships between staff and young people are extremely positive. Young

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

people feel safe and have trusted adults in the home they can talk to.  Risks to young people are identified and acted upon.  The needs of the young people are fully incorporated into care planning and regularly reviewed.  The home is maintained to a high standard and has the feel of a family home.  There is a robust monitoring system which is fed back to staff in weekly team meetings.  There has been sustained improvement in the lives of the young people living in the home.  The manager and the staff have high aspirations for the young people.  There is effective challenging of professionals to ensure the best outcome for the young people.  The home facilitates and supports family contact.

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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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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 record keeping reflects children’s views.

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Information about this children's home

 This service is a 52 week, four bedded therapeutic children’s home for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties aged between 9 and 14 years old, and is run by a small private organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.5

outstanding

The young people have progressed above and beyond expectations since their admission. There is a stable consistent staff team which has enabled young people to build and maintain positive relationships with staff. Young people spoken to said that they feel safe and know that they can talk to staff if they are worried or upset. Staff spend quality time with the young people and interaction is positive. They are available when the young people return from school and were observed asking them about their day and supporting them to complete home work.

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outstanding

All aspects of the young people’s lives are monitored and assessed from the point of arrival where a comprehensive assessment is completed by the homes therapist. These are reviewed every three months and evaluated by the manager and the therapist and incorporated into the placement plan. One social worker reported that ‘the therapist has stuck with X who has been very challenging; I believe other therapists would have left him by now. X is now engaging because he knows the therapist won’t leave him’.

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outstanding

The young people’s placement plans are of a high standard covering all their needs. These are monitored weekly by the manager and regularly updated.

p.6

outstanding

The key workers complete a monthly summary of work to be undertaken in weekly key work sessions. The manager then monitors these to ensure the work has been undertaken and the outcome.

p.6

outstanding

The young people are registered with a local GP and dentist. Young people are supported to attend routine health appointments and more special health appointments. There is a comprehensive health plan on file. The manager has met with the practice manager of the local surgery to ensure all health needs are met.

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outstanding

The young people have been successfully supported and encouraged to maintain relationships in the home as well as with friends from school, and in the community. For example they have had sleep overs at friends as well as friends having sleep overs in the home. Young people are encouraged to have friends from their local community to come in to play creating a high level of acceptance in the community.

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outstanding

There is a wide variety of activities which the young people participate in. Holiday activities are discussed in young people’s meetings and staff facilitate their requests. The young people are making plans for going away over the summer and all young people have chosen a different holiday. A social worker commented that, ‘the range of activities has given X the opportunity to have new experiences which has improved her social and emotional being’.

p.6

outstanding

A young people’s meeting was observed over dinner, which was positive and all young people engaged. Each young person has a memory box and a scrap book filled with things that are important to them. Staff actively support young people to build positive memories of their time in the home

p.7

outstanding

The young people participated in fund raising for red nose day and raised £50 by selling tea, coffee and cakes they had made giving them a well-developed sense of community spirit. This was well supported by staff.

p.7

outstanding

All young people have a pet which they have worked towards. Staff support young people in looking after their animals and these are seen as an important part of the young people’s lives.

p.7

outstanding

The home is decorated to a high standard. Young people are involved in making choices about how the home is decorated and they have personalised their bedrooms. Staff respect each young person’s privacy, staff were observed knocking on a young person’s door and asking permission before entering. There are photos of young people and staff doing various activities displayed around the home.

p.7

outstanding

In the communal bathroom there are toys for the children to play with in the bath. This has been introduced so that young people can play without having to ask for, or admit they play with them, allowing them to experience regression should they choose.

p.7

outstanding

There is a chores list on the fridge for the young people and they are happy to take part in the daily maintenance of their environment. There is also a list of staff who will be working that day so that the young people are always aware of who will be caring for them.

p.7

outstanding

Education is a significant part of young people’s lives and is actively supported by staff, who transport the young people to and from school. There is effective communication with schools. One teacher reported that ‘education is seen as an important part of X’s life and staff encourage and motivate X to attend. Home work is always completed. X is contributing to school life and staff come and support school events’. Young people have access to a laptop which is monitored by staff to ensure that young people are safe when using the internet. Young people are expected to read to staff every day and a book club operates in the home where they can purchase books, this supports the development of their literacy skills.

p.7

outstanding

The young people are proactive in supporting age-appropriate independence such as completing chores, preparing snacks, keeping their room tidy and baking cakes.

p.7

outstanding

Family contact is supported by the home. One parent spoken to said ‘the staff supervise contact and are always accommodating. I am always made to feel welcome when I visit the home. X is very happy there and staff are always there for X’

p.8

good

The home challenges bullying and discrimination. These are discussed as part of the weekly young people’s meetings as well as staff meetings. Incidents of bullying are recorded and monitored by the manager.

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good

Risk assessments are individualised and comprehensive. Any concerns are shared with the social worker and parents. They are regularly reviewed and updated when needed. There are generic risk assessments for around the home and external activities.

p.8

good

The local police officer and police community support officer periodically visit the young people at the home to build relationships and talk to them about how to keep themselves safe.

p.8

good

There is comprehensive policy outlining actions to be taken in the event of a young person leaving the home. Staff spoken to have a good understanding of the action they needed to take. The home has sent a copy of the ‘Children Missing from Care’ policy to the local Police. The manager has been proactive in arranging training for staff on Child Sexual Exploitation and Radicalisation.

p.8

good

Behaviour management plans are effective in supporting staff to help the young people modify their more disruptive behaviour, based on a risk assessed approach to care that allows young people to develop skills in managing their behaviour and learn more appropriate ways to deal with frustrations. The plans provide clear and concise information for staff about how best to support young people in behaviour management in a way that meets their needs and preferences.

p.8

good

There is a comprehensive policy in place for young people using the internet. Young people are spoken to about internet safety and have watched a video about child exploitation and on-line protection. Staff monitor the young people when on devices with internet access and a weekly check is done to ensure parental controls remain in place.

p.8

good

Recruitment is robust, all checks are verified and signed off by the manager and Disclosure and Barring Service checks are updated every two years. As part of the recruitment process staff will complete a shadow shift and young people are given the opportunity to feedback to the manager.

p.9

good

There have been no Child Protection concerns in the home but there is evidence that there is good consultation with the Local Authorities Designated Officer for safeguarding.

p.9

outstanding

The registered manager has been in post since January 2015. She has a social work degree and a Level 5 Diploma in Management. She is enrolled on the Level 5 Residential Management Diploma. She is passionate about and committed to the work of the home and young people. Staff are inspired and motivated by her dedication for the best outcomes for the young people.

p.9

outstanding

The manager and the staff alike are ambitious for the young people living in the home. They have high aspirations for the young people to achieve their full potential and celebrate their achievements and talk about these with pride.

p.9

outstanding

The quality of professional relationships is strong and links are firmly established. An education provider stated that, ‘we are kept up to date with any issues that may have an impact on X’s day at school’; a social worker reported that ‘staff always keep me updated.’

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outstanding

Staff meetings are weekly and the young people are discussed; along with monitoring issues and training. The homes therapist also attends every other week so staff can talk to him about strategies for working with the young people.

p.9

outstanding

Supervisions are monthly. Staff report that they feel supported and value supervision as a way of enhancing their practice and delivering better outcomes for the young people.

p.9

outstanding

Feedback is collected from a number of sources, including young people, parents, staff, social workers and other external agencies. This then feeds into the development plan.

p.9

outstanding

Parents and social workers reported that the home facilitates contact with the young people, staff understand the importance of this for both families and young people one parent said that, ‘X has progressed well and staff are very supportive of them both.’ Another stated that ‘the home keeps in regular contact with me, the staff are very welcoming when I visit.’

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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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