Children's Home run by Supporting Futures Limited in Liverpool

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 are well cared for by staff who demonstrate a strong commitment to meeting their individual needs and keeping them safe.  Young people have built trusted and secure relationships with their staff  Young people are well supported to maintain contact with important people in their lives. This enables young people to maintain their identity.  Young people are provided with appropriate support to address their health needs.  Young people are now fully engaged in education. Their attendance is very good and they are achieving academically and in sports.  Staff tackle risk extremely well and are teaching young people how to manage difficult emotions more effectively. As a result, incidents of them going missing from home have reduced significantly.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The manager and deputy are new to the role and are making positive changes to practice and recording systems.  Policies and procedures, including in relation to behaviour management and safeguarding, have not been updated to reflect changes in legislation and guidance.  The statement of purpose and children’s guide are currently being reviewed. They should reflect the ethos and objectives of the home and provide young people with all information they need to know.  Medication records are not robust and do not contain all required information

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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

7: The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the children's views, wishes and feelings standard the registered person must — 2(a) ensure that staff— (c) keep the children's guide and the home's complaints procedure under review and seek children's comments before revising either document. 30/09/2015

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must 2(a) lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose; (b) ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; (g) demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on— (i) research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 30/09/2015

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Requirement Due date

14: The care planning standard In order to meet the care planning standard the registered person must ensure (1) that children – (a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children's home; and (2) (b) that arrangements are in place to – (i) ensure the effective induction of each child into the home. 30/09/2015 Specifically, ensure all the required information is secured prior to a young person’s admission to enable a thorough assessment of the home’s capacity to meet the needs of young people so that they receive the care and support as outlined in the Statement of Purpose. Also ensure placement plans identify current needs and how these are met and when required revised.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28days of the revision. (Regulation 16(3)(a)(b)) 30/09/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children's home. In particular the registered person must ensure that a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1)(2)(c)) 30/09/2015

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Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that persons working at the home and, so far as reasonably practicable, children are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire. (Regulation 25 (1)(d)) 30/09/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children's safety. The registered person may only employ an individual to work at the children's home; if the individual is of integrity and good character; has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform; and full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 32 (1)(2)(a)(3)(a)(b)(d) ) 30/09/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out how appropriate 30/09/2015 behaviour is to be promoted in the children's home; and the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b)(2))

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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 when a child is found after being missing from care, they must be offered an independent return interview. Independent return interviews provide an opportunity to uncover information that can help protect children from risk of going missing again, from risks they may have been exposed to while missing or from risk factors in their home. (Statutory guidance on children who run away or go missing from home or care , page 14, paragraph 31)

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Information about this children's home

The children's home is run by a private organisation and registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four 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 Interim Improved effectiveness

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good

A warm caring environment is provided for young people, where staff are committed to building positive, trusting relationships. During the last few months a number of staff have left the service including both the registered manager and interim manager. Staff who know the young people well have made sure they have always been on shift with new members of the team. This ensures continuity of care for young people. One young person said ‘It’s decent living here; the staff are fair to us all and will help you when you do make a mistake.’ Because positive relationships are achieved, young people continue to develop emotional resilience, increase their confidence and are able to talk openly about events in their lives.

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good

Young people are fully engaged in their education timetable, which is consistent with their individual needs and circumstances. Their good attendance has been supported and sustained because staff closely monitor progress through regular dialogue with education providers. The home’s routines prioritise and promote learning as being an important aspect to young people’s future success. Young people acknowledge that this approach has benefited them because they are now more engaged in learning than previously. Staff said ‘It’s our job to work with schools to make sure our young people are doing the best that they can, without their education it may limit what job opportunities are available when they get older.’ One young person had recently received their GCSE results and was very pleased with what he had achieved. While another young person had attended the school sports day for the first time and broke the school records for the long jump, running and shot put. This was an

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good

outstanding achievement. The young person had proudly been presented with certificates and medals and these were displayed within the home.

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good

Young people have access to a range of social, leisure and recreational activities. Staff have established good links within the local community. Young people are accessing boxing groups, gym clubs and dirt biking. Staff take an active interest to learn about young people’s hobbies from the beginning of their placement to ensure they have every opportunity to try new things and develop their individual interests and talents. One young person said, ‘I was asked about what I would like to try and I said dirt biking, I was surprised by how quick the staff organised this for me’. Another young person had tried ‘ramp works’, but after a couple of visits decided he no longer wanted to attend, he was trying to decide what he would like to try next. The opportunities available to young people increase their confidence and self-esteem and enable them to make new friends in their local communities.

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good

Young people maintain positive relationships with people who play a significant role in their lives. They are supported to sustain and develop family contacts with appropriate people. Staff are available for young people during and after contact sessions and have a good understanding of the support they may need. For example, staff have organised and facilitated contact for young people who are placed a long distance away from their family home to ensure they maintain meaningful and safe contact. One father said, ‘The difference in my son since he has moved to the home is really noticeable he is a lot calmer. The staff keep me up to date with everything and anything that is going on in his life, it’s really important to me’.

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requires improvement

Young people said they felt safe living at the home and are able to talk to staff if they were worried or upset. However, not all the young people fully understood how to make a complaint. This does not provide opportunities for young people to raise any concerns they may have with someone independent of the home.

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requires improvement

The frequency with which young people going missing from care has significantly reduced. If young people go missing, staff act appropriately and in a timely manner notifying the police and local authorities so action can be taken to find them. Any serious concerns are escalated to multi-disciplinary strategy meetings. This ensures all safeguarding professionals are working together to assess and minimise risk. However the records do not reflect what action is taken when young people return home. Return home interviews are not routinely completed. This prevents young people from having an independent person to speak to following each missing episode. The staff monitor young people’s use of the internet. The home’s computer, which is used by young people, has safeguards that prevent them accessing inappropriate sites. Additionally the computer is situated in the dining room area to enable on going monitoring. Young people said ‘I know the staff have to make sure

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requires improvement

we’re safe, so they stop us going on sites that are bad.’ Staff have supported young people through key working sessions to understand the importance of internet safety. When young people have attempted to access inappropriate websites, staff have been aware due to the security settings in place. They have been able to support young people through this and have identified outside agencies that can offer further advice and guidance to maintain their safety.

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requires improvement

Risk assessments are in place and outline measures needed to support the young people in their environment, in the community and during activities. However insufficient action has been taken to ensure their review and update. When young people have moved into the home previously identified risks have not been considered and there are no strategies in place to support the young person appropriately. This is of particular concern where there had been self-harmful behaviour and cannabis misuse. Therefore the manager cannot be assured that all staff are aware of the risks associated with behaviours or whether additional safeguards are required to reduce risks to the young person or others.

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requires improvement

Medication records do not provide an accurate record of what medication young people are prescribed and the frequency it should be administered. Staff have also failed to seek medical advice when young people have refused to take prescribed medicines for significant periods of time. For example young people have taken medication on an ad hoc basis, sometimes with periods of ten to twenty days in- between. Direct work has not been completed to help young people understand the importance of taking their medication on a daily basis and the impact on their well-being. It also does not ensure that medicines are reviewed and monitored in accordance with the prescription provided.

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requires improvement

Young people do not always benefit from clear and consistent boundaries in behaviour management. For example, being grounded for two days after returning home late from their friend’s home. Consequences can be disproportionate and punitive, with no clear overview of why the decision was reached. All records are completed by the manager; this includes both the description of the behaviour that led to the consequence, the consequence being given and the overview of its effectiveness. However, on occasions the manager was not on the shift to observe the behaviour described. This does not provide an accurate record of the event and does not enable staff to deal with behaviours effectively. Records also did not show that the consequence given resulted in the young person learning from their actions. This does not help staff to evaluate and identify the effectiveness of the measure used in helping young people make changes to their behaviours.

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requires improvement

The home has continued to develop good networks and relationships with a wide range of agencies and professionals. For example; staff work closely with social workers, education providers, the police and independent reviewing officers. They all reported that the staff team work hard and actively promote the needs of young people. One social worker said ‘communication is excellent; staff provide regular updates on the young person’s progress and shortfalls. They are also creative in coming up with different ways of working with young people’.

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requires improvement

The interim manager has applied to be the registered manager and attended his formal interview. He has already identified areas of improvement, including updating both the Statement of Purpose and children’s guide to reflect the new children’s home regulations and ensure that young people are aware of the care and support they can expect to receive. He has also highlighted paperwork and effective monitoring as further areas of improvement. Staff all said the new manager is very supportive and approachable and encourages them to share new ideas and be actively involved in the day to day running of the home. For example, improving the home environment with new furnishings and considering the rewards systems for young people and how they can be improved.

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requires improvement

Staff have not been given regular opportunities to reflect on their practice, performance and development. Supervision has not taken place on a regular basis and new starters have not received adequate support and development as stated in the homes supervision policy. However things have improved since the interim manager and deputy have started working at the home. Staff said ‘we can now talk to the manager or the deputy and they will listen.’ Staff are now expected to prepare for supervision and there is a clear agenda. This focuses on the needs of the young people and the developmental needs of the staff member. For example, staff had requested additional training around medication, due to the needs of a young person. A training session was provided for all staff which they said ‘helped them understand how medication can help young people become more focused’. Effective supervision is of vital importance to improving the quality of care provided

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requires improvement

There have been organisational failings in the recruitment and selection of staff. On occasions references have not always been verified and when staff apply for internal promotions limited paperwork is completed without formal procedures being followed. However these issues had already been identified by the new management team and they have already made steps forward to address these shortfalls, For example requesting outstanding references and verifying information. This will ensure that young people are looked after by suitably vetted staff.

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requires improvement

Leaders and managers do not robustly promote the safety of the environment. Health and safety checks have not been completed and fire alarm testing and evacuation procedures had failed to be adhered to. This does not ensure that all young people know what to do if there is a fire and potentially puts their safety at risk. Staff were smoking in the garden of the home and this was evident from the cigarette ends. This is against the home’s own policies and health and safety procedures. This is a poor example for young people and does not promote healthy lifestyles.

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requires improvement

The independent monitoring of the home has been ineffective. Concerns as highlighted in this inspection have not been identified including, health and safety, adequate staffing and a failure to follow the organisations policies and procedures. It also did not identify a number of policies that need updating including safeguarding, behaviour management and bullying. As a result action to improve the quality of care within the home has been impeded.

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requires improvement

Since the new management team have been in place they have already started to take action to address the failings identified within this inspection. They have resumed regular monitoring of the home and have identified key areas for improvement and development. This will improve the quality of care provided and the development of the home.

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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. procedures set out in 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

regulates and inspects to 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

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Information about this inspection

Policy Team, 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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