Children's Home run by Crystal Care Solutions Limited in Cheshire East

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 say this is a good home, where they are safe, happy and well cared for. All the young people gave the home ten out of ten rating, noting that staff were the best thing about the home.  Alternative educational placements are quickly sourced to meet each young person’s individual needs. When difficulties arise, the manager successfully challenges the authorities on their duties to the young person. This means attendance within education is good and young people have aspirations for their future.  Most professionals speak about the excellent communication between the home and themselves. One professional said, ‘I am kept informed and updated regularly. I rarely have to contact the home because they always let me know what’s happening.’ In contrast to this, one professional thought that communication could be better, especially when an incident had occurred.  Some young people’s contact has increased due to the home building up

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The children's home provision is good because:

good relationships with parents. This means that plans for young people to return home are going well.  Young people contribute to good individualised risk assessments that identify their vulnerabilities, their impact on each other and on the community. Staff work closely with them to make better choices. In addition to this, therapists have an input in implementing strategies that have been discussed with young people. This ensures that staff work consistently.  Young people’s emotional, sexual and general health needs are prioritised. They receive weekly therapy and therapists work closely with staff on a daily basis. Although young people say their cultural needs are well met there is little information within their health plan, to demonstrate this.  The Registered Manager has been in post for ten months. He has made significant improvements in the home, especially around challenging local authorities, ensuring the continuity of staffing arrangements and improving

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The children's home provision is good because:

recordings. However, not all documents have been signed by the author, not all visitors have signed out of the building and the deputy manager has not received supervision training. These short falls are not currently impacting on the good outcomes but have the potential to do so. In addition to this, the home requires some decoration and repair. This does not ensure that young people live in a homely environment.

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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

In order to meet the health and well-being standard the registered person must ensure – 10 (1) (b) that children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being. This is specifically in relation to ensuring cultural needs are fully identified and met 16/09/2015

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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 there is a strong working relationship between the home and the authority with parental responsibility for a child placed there. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 11, paragraph 2.5)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that young people live in a homely environment. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all records are signed. This is specifically in relation to all visitors signing out. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that records are signed and dated by the author. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 62, paragraph 14.3)   Ensure that staff receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified person. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 61, paragraph 13.2) 

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is owned by a private company. It is a specialist service that provides care and accommodation for up to four young males.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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good

The home’s Statement of Purpose clearly identifies the procedures for the planned admissions to this home. Young people discussed the good arrangements of visiting the home prior to being admitted. One young person said, ‘This made me less nervous because I knew where I was going.’ Wherever possible staff also visit them. All the young people said that staff had taken the time to go through the welcome pack with them, so they were clear on the rules, boundaries and expectations of the home.

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good

Young people say that they all get on with each other well. They do not report bullying as an issue. But staff identified that some young people used discriminative or racist language towards each other. They completed individual key worker sessions and completed a project on ‘Black Pride’ with young people. As a result, young people said that they now understand how some nicknames or previously learnt language can be offensive to others.

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good

Young people say that their views, wishes and feelings are sought on all aspects of their care. They say that their understanding is checked, that they are included in the decision making and can influence how they are cared for. They also say that the homes complaint system is accessible and that they have independent advocates. This means that they are able to confidently raise any concerns they may have, through a variety of ways.

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good

The home works closely with a range of educational services to ensure young people receive education tailored to their needs. For example, staff have liaised closely with a college to ensure that the young person can access further education safely. Several professionals said that young people, who have refused education in the past, are now engaging well. One professional said, ‘There has been a definite improvement and this is down to the structure and boundaries within the home.’ Young people’s attendance is very good and they have aspirations for their future. One young person said, ‘I want to work with animals, I don’t know how yet but staff are supporting me to look at options for voluntary work.’ Another said ‘I am doing a sports course at college and will then look at what I want to specifically do, but definitely something sport related.’

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good

Young people enjoy good health. They are well supported to attend routine health check-ups and any health concerns are quickly addressed. They are also well supported to take responsibility for administering their own medication as part of preparing for semi-independence. All young people engage with therapists as part of their placement plan. Therapists are integral to the planning and implementation of young people’s care from when young people first arrive at the home through to decisions about suitable semi-independence accommodation. They are at the home for two full days a week and attend staff meetings. The collaborative approach means that staff know and understand the work being undertaken, what strategies have been agreed and how these can be implemented on a daily basis. This ensures that young people receive consistency of care.

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good

Young people say that their cultural needs are met. One young person said, ‘I get toiletry money to buy stuff for my hair and skin and I have made some food.’ However, there is no information in their health plans that show that consideration has been given to dietary, genetic or additional health needs. Further to this, there is little information around how the home has embraced the young person’s culture. This does not adequately ensure that young people have the opportunity to explore their heritage and improve their self-esteem.

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good

Most young people have benefitted from good contact arrangements. The home has worked closely with parents to repair relationships and this has resulted in young people moving from supervised to unsupervised contact and in one case a young person is now having overnight contact with a view to returning home. Good contact plans also show the arrangements for visits and included any restrictions that have been identified by the local authority. This means that they only have contact with suitable adults.

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good

Young people are well prepared for semi-independence. Staff support and prepare them by assessing and developing their skills as part of clear independence plans that includes support with cooking, cleaning and personal hygiene and works up to general maintenance and discussion about career opportunities. Some young people receive a weekly allowance and are learning to budget for their needs. One young person said. ‘I plan, shop and cook for three days a week. I now realise how much everything costs but I think I am a good cook.’ As a result, young people said that they were being well prepared for living on their own.

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good

Young people say they feel safe and protected in this home. They all report that the best thing is the relationships they have with staff. One young person said, ‘You can go to anyone of them, they listen, give good advice but most importantly they discuss the negative or positive choices available and then it is up to us to decide.’ Another young person said, ‘They are here for you no matter what and they give honest answers.’ Therefore, young people put their progress down to these open, respectful and honest relationships. They said that safety issues are explored openly within therapy and that staff continue this through keyworker sessions. Professionals say that safety is the main priority at this home. They discussed how young people have been able to move forward in their lives from full supervision of their movements to unsupervised time within the community. One professional said, ‘This home has been excellent in ensuring he understands

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good

the risks he presents and how he can lessen these.’

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good

The present group of young people have not been reported missing from this home. Staff were clear on the missing from home protocol for their area and their roles and responsibilities in searching for and reporting young people. There have been no safeguarding issues to report. But when incidents do occur they are reported promptly to the relevant parties.

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good

Generally, young people behave very well and respond to firm but fair boundaries. One professional said, ‘Staff respond to him in a calm manner which makes all the difference.’ Another said, ‘The structure and boundaries in place have ensured that he is engaging in education and therapy. In the past he has refused to engage.’ Very clear plans and risk assessments inform practice and care. They are individualised and address each young person’s vulnerability. They are reviewed on a weekly basis by therapists and discussed in depth at team meetings. When young people have been held this has been done in accordance with staff training. Records of restraint are well maintained and young people are able to comment on the reason for the restraint but more importantly, they have discussions of what could have been differently to avoid the restraint.

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good

Young people say sanctions are fair. They say they are often given the chance to make something good through reparation. For example, one young person is helping to redecorate the lounge after damaging it. In addition to this, the manager often rewards individual progress or group stability. For example, the young people recently went to a theme park to celebrate a period of good behaviour by them all. This means that young people are learning that there are consequences for their actions.

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good

The manager has worked hard to ensure that the staff team has remained stable. When bank staff are used to cover sickness or holidays, he has ensured that they have been the same people. Staff also say this has had a positive effect on communication between them and that consistency of care remains high. A professional said, ‘This staff team have a ‘can do attitude’ and this contributes to young people’s care and safety.’

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good

Staff ensure that all health and safety issues are addressed, so that the environment remains safe for young people. However, there are several outstanding repairs needed. Such as a broken light switch that has been taped over and an ill-fitting kitchen cupboard. Other things such as a lack of pictures, ornaments, a stained landing and stair carpet and a dirty curtain impact on the home being comfortable and homely. Renewals of certificates are in place for safety equipment and fire evacuations are completed regularly.

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good

The manager was registered with Ofsted in November 2014. He has the relevant qualifications and experience to lead the staff group and manage the home. He is support by a qualified senior member of staff. He has made improvements within the home around the quality of recording, ensuring that there is a stable staff team and working with a range of professionals to secure good outcomes for young people. He has successfully challenged the placing local authority on several occasions, on behalf of young people. For example, when the local authority and placing authority could not agree on being responsible for a young person’s education. Therefore, young people said he was approachable, listened to them and made sure things happened. Professionals also commented on the improvements within the home since his appointment. One professional said, ‘It is much improved and there is a deeper, cohesive working. This is down to the

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good

manager and his forward thinking. Staff now trust him and can reflect on their own behaviours. He takes on advice to improve his own learning and filters this down to staff.’ He continued to say, ‘Staff are good at looking at the function of behaviour in context and not giving knee jerking responses. They are proactive rather than reactive.’

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good

Most staff are qualified in caring for young people. Other staff have started and are at different stages of completing the appropriate award. Staff say that supervision is of a good quality and that they are able to discuss practice issues and areas for development. The supervision of staff is spilt between the manager and senior. But the senior member of staff has not had supervision training, to ensure that she is suitably skilled in delivering this.

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good

Staff say that team meetings are frequent, informative and an arena to discuss practice, developments and the progress of young people. Therapists attend these meetings to ensure that any new developments are fully discuss and that there is consistency in delivering care. Staff have received all mandatory training which is refreshed within timescales. They receive additional training that supports young people’s individual needs such as the Chimp Paradox. This is about staff recognising their own emotions and regulating them. They are then able to calmly respond to difficult or challenging behaviour. Professionals comment that this has been a success in de-escalating previous negative behaviours. The quality of information held at the home has improved. Especially in having the young person’s views, feelings and thoughts as the basis of care and planning. But some documents have not been signed by the author, staff, manager or social

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good

worker. For instance, one young person’s placement plan has not been signed by anyone. Therefore, it is unclear whether everyone is in agreement with the plan. Further to this, staff do not routinely record when visitors have left the home. This does not ensure that staff know where visitors are at all times, that young people are fully safeguard and it has the potential to impact on the responses of the emergency services such as if there was a fire.

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good

Several professionals commented on the good communication between the home and themselves. One professional said, ‘He (young person) is well prepared for my visits and because I am well informed, statutory reviews go well.’ In contrast to this, one professional said that there was a delay in notifying her of a recent incident. She also said that staff often telephone her to clarify things when she thought she had been very clear. This does not ensure that all parties are satisfied with the level of communication. The manager was unaware of these issues and has been proactive in scheduling an appointment to resolve these issues.

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good

An independent visitor monitor’s the home on a monthly basis. These reports reflect the findings on the quality of care within the home. The manager uses this report in his monitoring record to evaluate the recordings and care given in the home. Ofsted receives these timely. As part of this process, the visitor and manager routinely consult with a range of professionals, parents, stakeholders and young people to incorporate their views, suggestions and findings into the outcome of the quality of care. One parent said, ‘My son is doing really well. The home has been fantastic. They often telephone me to seek my views. I feel part of this service.’

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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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