Children's Home run by Salford City Council in Salford

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 make progress in the home. Positive experiences influence them to develop their social skills and build confidence   Staff members are nurturing and good role models for young people. Interactions between each other are built on mutual respect and trust. This provides long lasting relationships, which young people benefit from   From their starting point young people make progress in relation to their health and education. Their social and psychological well-being is supported. This prepares them well for later life  Staff members spend time with young people, and listen to them. Authorised decisions are made and include young people’s input. This ensures care planning is followed and decisions made are in agreement with young people   Partnership working is effective. The manager and staff members consult with other professionals to support young people   Young people are safe in the home and previous risk taking behaviour is

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The children's home provision is good because:

changed. Staff members are skilled and use positive intervention techniques. This reduces the number of difficult incidents and as a result young people become less aggressive   Consistent messages and well organised strategies ensure absences and missing from home incidents are managed well. This protects young people as staff members know where they are  There is clear management oversight. Development and monitoring in the home is effective. Strengths and weaknesses are known and acted upon. These systems support young people to make continual progress  The manager challenges other professionals to ensure young people receive the services they provide.  Staff members feel supported. They receive good quality training which is specific to meeting the needs of young people  The registered manager demonstrated during this visit the steps she is taking to rectify some shortfalls identified. These are in relation to staffing numbers,

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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

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

The registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (Regulation 13 (1) (d) 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):  The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs as recorded in the child's relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, paragraph 11.4 page 56)  A record of supervision should be kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33(4) (b). (The Guide to the Quality Standards, paragraph 13.3 page 61)

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Information about this children's home

 The home is registered to accommodate five young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties  The home is operated by a local authority  The home’s overall aim is to provide high quality care in a safe, warm and welcoming environment where young people are supported to reach their potential. We seek to promote well-being and self-esteem by building positive relationships based on respect and understanding, 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

11/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.5

good

From their starting point young people make good progress in the home. This is achieved by providing them with individualised care. They experience a range of activities. Staff members are enthusiastic, good role models and consistent in their approach. Young people respond well to these arrangements and their confidence and self-belief is improved.

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good

Positive relationships exist between staff members and young people which are built on mutual respect and trust. The home is a nurturing environment where staff and young people spend time together. Young people are actively involved in the day-to-day running of the home and contribute to decisions made. This gives them a sense of belonging and ensures they feel listened to.

p.6

good

Young people are positive about the home and recognise the achievements they have made, which are celebrated with them. There is a strong focus on their educational needs as these have often been disorderly before moving into the home. One young person says, ‘I feel well supported here and it’s great. I have achieved so much, and I know what I want and where I need to be, it’s not been easy, but I have made it.’

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good

Young people are enjoying their summer break and some are awaiting results from their examinations. One young person successfully passed seven GCSE’s in year 10, and took two more in year 11. Young people are supported and encourage to engage with their education programmes. All young people have education or training provisions in place for when the holiday period is over.

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good

Activities and weekend breaks are enjoyed and have an educational element to them. Young people have recently enjoyed a break in London, taking in the sights, history and attractions the city has to offer. Picture boards display their enjoyment during this trip and other activity projects. Young people who refuse to engage as a group are allocated outreach workers. This provides them with individualised support and a varied activity programme. These arrangements ensure all young people benefit and enjoy leisure interests and hobbies.

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good

Young people are regularly visited by an information technology expert. This provides them with fun and educational projects. One young person has contributed to a cookery book which is being designed by young people and when complete will be published for young people in care. Such projects enable young people to discover, learn and prepare them well for adult life. Young people have completed their programme of independence, in line with their next step plan, and successfully moved on to independent living or returned to their family home.

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good

Young people’s health needs are identified and met. They are registered with local health services and attend routine appointments. Staff members maintain good relationships with specialist services that provide specific support to young people. For example, drug and alcohol services, sexual health and smoking cessation. As a result, their social and psychological well-being is improved.

p.7

good

Young people know their arrangements for contact with their family and friends. Some have regular overnight contact and the manager has secured delegated authority from social workers. This enables staff members to make arrangements for young people in a way any reasonable parent would. A social worker confirms this and says, ‘He has regular contact with mum which has been a real achievement for this home.’ Where restrictions are in place young people are supported to maintain contact in line with their agreed plan.

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good

Where young people are new to the home they are welcomed sensitively and in most cases with careful considered planning. They receive information about the home, prior to or after moving in, including how to make a complaint. ‘However’ some are placed in an emergency or by direction from the courts, where considered planning cannot take place effectively. As a result, a recommendation is made to consider minimising any negative impact on them or on the existing group.

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good

The manager does challenge senior managers if she feels placement request to the home will have an impact on the current group of young people.

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good

The home has been through a period of instability and this has been managed well and is now settled. This has been achieved by identifying risks between young people and having agreeable strategies in place. Young people feel safe in the home although have placed themselves at risk within the local community. Multi- agency meetings have ensured negative relationships between young people and other young people from a nearby home have been disrupted. This has had a positive impact on young people and prevented them from being criminalised.

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good

There are no safeguarding concerns and staff members are trained to recognise, respond and report any suspicions of abuse. Social workers confirm their young people are safe in this home and young people say they are safe and feel safe. Young people fully understand the risks that the use of the internet may pose. They are regularly educated about issues around social media sites and how to use these effectively and safely.

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good

The actions taken by staff members have reduced the number of absences and missing from home incidents. When young people are absent or missing they are provided an opportunity to have a safe return interview. Records show that these have regularly taken place without concerns being raised by young people. During most of these incidents young people whereabouts are known as they are with family members.

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good

Young people have detailed risk management plans which are understood by staff and reduce any risks associated with young people offending, misusing drugs or alcohol and going missing. Responses to any concerns are prompt and staff ensure the relevant services are available and young people receive support. Staff advocate on behalf of young people and secure changes to their plans in agreement with their social workers and youth justice workers. This provides young people with more opportunities while ensuring all protective measures are in place.

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good

Effective behaviour management strategies, a good parenting model and sound relationships enable young people to recognise and change their behaviour. They learn tolerance, respect, are less aggressive and value each other’s differences. Restraint is not used and rewards for incentives are in place and favourable to sanctions being imposed. These measures have a positive impact on young people, they reflect on their negative behaviour, and this provides them with a sense of personal responsibility.

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good

Staff members have worked at this home for a considerable time and all are vetted on a regular basis. There is careful selection and recruitment procedures in place to ensure any new permanent or pool staff are vetted before they commence work in the home. This is overseen by the manager and prevents any unsuitable people being recruited and having the opportunity to harm young people or place them at risk.

p.8

good

All visitors are required to show identity and sign in the visitor’s book. They are not left unsupervised with young people. Regular health and safety checks and fire drills take place and all appliances are certified by professional contractors. These arrangements keep young people, staff and visitors safe. Judgement grade

p.8

good

The home has a registered manager who is supported by a deputy and senior. Together they have the experience and relevant qualifications to effectively lead their team and provide a good quality service to young people.

p.9

good

Young people are the focus of handovers between shifts, during team meetings and during staff supervisions. This ensures their needs are prioritised and their progress is assessed. As a result, all young people who live in the home are progressing well and being supported to achieve their targets in their care plans.

p.9

good

The management team know the strengths and weaknesses of the home and a development plan is in place. The registered manager demonstrated well the areas for improvement. She is working with senior managers in the authority to find a solution and improve the services provided to young people.

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good

Staff members confirm regular training is available and this is specific to meet the needs of young people. They feel supported and receive regular supervision. Records of supervision are kept in the home. ‘However’, these need to be completed on a regular basis. As a result, a recommendation is made. This is to ensure all staff, including the registered manager, have an up to date record of their supervision and that these are signed for agreement.

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good

The home is meeting the aims and objectives as described in its Statement of Purpose document. This has been updated to accurately reflect the current staffing in the home. Young people receive information about the home and this incorporates details of the services they can expect to receive from the home.

p.9

good

All staff working in this home have done so for a considerable time. All are qualified to Level 3 or above and have the necessary skills and experience to carry out their role. Two staff members have left the home and cover for maternity leave is required. This has resulted in a shortfall in staffing hours. As a result, a requirement is made. This is to ensure the home is fully staffed to meet the needs of all young people the home can accommodate.

p.9

good

There has been minimal impact on young people, and the management team are covering shifts. Senior management within the authority have agreed to restrict the numbers of young people to three. This is until the current recruitment drive has been completed, when sufficient staffing in the home will enable the number of young people to return back to five.

p.9

good

Regular monitoring arrangements are in place. Each month a registered manager is accompanied by a councillor to check and produce a report on how the home is effectively safeguarding young people and if the conduct of the home promotes their well-being. The management team audit and report on the homes administration systems in line with regulations. These arrangements also take into account the views of young people, their families and social workers. Any shortfalls identified in any reports are quickly acted on to improve the services in the home.

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good

Young people have access to the information written about them. Their case files provide a good overview of previous experiences and day-to-day needs. Each month a report on their outcomes is completed and this provides good evidence of the progress young people make, or identifies any areas where they need more support. Social workers confirm they receive monthly progress reports in relation to their young person.

p.10

good

The registered manager is not afraid to challenge other professionals within the authority if she feels services are not being provided to her young people. This ensures young people receive the services to meet their needs.

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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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