Children's Home run by Surrey County Council in Surrey

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:

 Staff provide young people with individual and consistent care that effectively supports and nurtures their personal development, leading to improvements in their behaviour, confidence and independence  Good quality personalised care planning ensures staff respond with consistency enabling young people to feel secure in their placement.  The management team clearly prioritise the young people’s needs, and respond promptly to any concerns. They challenge other professionals and strongly advocate for young people.  Young people understand the routines and boundaries in the home. This results in socially acceptable behaviour and encourages effective group living for most young people.  Professionals describe the home as ‘a well-run service providing high standards of care. The managers and team have created something rarely seen and a shining example of best practice.’  Parents report very positively on their involvement with their child's care and

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The children's home provision is good because:

high levels of satisfaction with the care provided by the staff team.  Young people are supported and guided in developing a range of practical skills in self-care and for independent living.  Independence is promoted at different levels across each of area in the home, such as using a fork without assistance or helping to prepare an evening meal.

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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 protection of children standard the registered person is required to ensure:

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Requirement Due date

‘12(d) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. This specifically relates to ensuring bedrooms are free from hazards and have the necessary adaptations to ensure they are comfortable. 06/10/2015

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Requirement Due date

Ensure the registered person keeps the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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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 the behaviour management strategies are understood and applied by staff and in particular ensure it is consistent in all paperwork. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 46, paragraph 9.34)

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Recommendations

 Ensure no more than half the staff on duty at any time are from an external agency. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 54, paragraph 10.17)

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Recommendations

 Ensure external agency staff’s qualifications and skills are taken into account before they commence work. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 54, paragraph 10.16)

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Information about this children's home

This service is owned and run by the local authority, providing care and accommodation for up to four young people and short breaks for up to 16 young people with learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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good

‘Through the all-round ethos of putting the holistic needs of children first, the managers and team have created something rarely seen and a shining example of best practice,’ was an external professional’s view of this service. It is evident the staff team have a good understanding of the individual needs of young people and have a person centred approach. Consequently this has enabled good relationships to form where young people receive consistency and security. They have limited relationships with each other, largely due to the impact of their disabilities yet most young people recognise the residential or short break group to which they belong. For some young people this means developing a tolerance and understanding of others.

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good

Progress for young people at the home is good and some have made considerable progress from their starting point upon arrival at the home. Staff are proud to report on achievements and how young people continue to develop skills and grow in confidence. Examples of progress include the reduction in incidents of challenging behaviour and the development of independence skills. Comments from professionals and parents include, ‘they have turned children’s lives around,’ and ‘I have been very impressed how they have developed a strategy for managing a very challenging young person, who previously had very negative experiences in respite/residential services.’

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good

Young people's views are gained on all areas of their care in the home. Staff are able to communicate extremely effectively with those young people with communication difficulties and actively seek the views of all young people as part of their everyday practice. Staff have an excellent knowledge of each young person's needs which enables them to tell if someone is unhappy and to respond accordingly.

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good

Placement planning ensures that all key aspects of care are recorded, the 24 hour support plan provides key information in an easy-to-read style. This information is also present in shift planning documentation. This ensures information is used fluidly across the shifts and provides clarity to staff on how to provide support with care needs.

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good

The home works closely with the schools, and plans to enhance further the communication between the settings. Some young people have the opportunity to undertake a residential learning programme this enables specific targets to be addressed across both the school and the residential settings. This ensures consistency in approach and an opportunity for maximising young people's ability to be independent. Independence is promoted at different levels across each of area in the home, such as using a fork without assistance or helping to prepare an evening meal. Personalised care planning and targets identify how young people can be supported to complete tasks themselves and move on to additional more complex tasks as each one is achieved. Encouragement and praise are given at every level of achievement, this enables young people to have the confidence to try new skills and make progress in their personal and social development. The staff team have

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good

successfully supported young people to move on to adult care provisions: these transitions are managed well.

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good

Young people thrive in an environment where they take part in a wide range of activities and events. Activities are extremely creative and are tailored to the needs of individual young people. This involvement has enhanced and developed social interaction.

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good

This home provides a stable and safe environment where safeguarding of young people is given high regard. Staff are trained in safe care practices and supported by policies and procedures. Young people’s demeanour indicates they feel safe with staff. Young people can identify staff they can go to if they are worried or upset. Staff are aware of each young person’s vulnerabilities and work effectively to protect them.

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good

Parents and professionals report that this is a safe environment for young people. Parents said, ‘it’s a safe and secure environment,’ and ‘I have confidence my child will be properly cared for while he is there.’ Staff supervision and appropriate security to the building ensures that the risk of young people going missing is minimised, indeed there have been no such incidents to report. Measures have been taken to lock the front door and there are fobs in some areas but this has not led to excessive locked doors internally, young people can freely move around their area of the home.

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good

The support needs of young people accessing the service are considered prior to placement and this enables any particular vulnerabilities to be taken into account. Young people are encouraged to treat each other with respect through appropriate role modelling and re-enforcement of boundaries. This has enabled a relaxed atmosphere to be created and a sense of security. Careful decision making in relation to recent admissions has resulted in changes in the environment in one area of the home and adaptations have been made to ensure all young people’s needs can be met safely. Staff are trained in the management and de-escalation of behaviour. The need to physically intervene is rare; on the few occasions it has taken place suitable records have been made. Staff are consistent in their management of behaviours and this has enabled aggressive behaviours of some young people to significantly reduce. Positive behaviour is consistently promoted. The recent challenges for the

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good

staff team has resulted in very individual behaviour strategies being implemented to enable staff to keep young people and themselves safe. How staff deploy this is not reflected in all the care planning documentation; there are inconsistencies. This could lead to staff deploying different techniques. The behaviour management policy in operation has not been revised for a number of years and does not reflect recent guidance and legislation. This does not enable staff to be aware of up-to- date information. Sanctions, when used, are consistent and proportionate to the young people’s needs and understanding. Staff work with the young people in a restorative manner; this is enabling young people to take ownership and have a sense of personal responsibility. There is a close relationship with the local police team; they have been working with some young people in the home and this has enabled them to understand the impact of their behaviours on others.

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good

Allegations or suspicions of harm are promptly and appropriately shared with external safeguarding agencies. Staff attend relevant professionals meetings and share appropriate information about young people's well-being. This demonstrates effective partnership working.

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good

Young people are protected from fire and other hazards through regular checks and procedures such as evacuations. Due to the challenging and destructive behaviours displayed in recent weeks, one bedroom is not adequately maintained. The radiator has been removed due to damage and is awaiting replacement, and there are temporarily no bedframe and or window blinds. The staff have been replacing items on a daily basis, at the time of inspection the bedroom was in a poor state of repair and required immediate attention. The management team took some action as a result and are looking for more permanent adaptations. Judgement grade

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good

The Registered Manager and staff team are committed to and focused on improving the quality of care in the home. The manager has an active role within the home both working with the young people and working in partnership with parents and outside agencies. The manager has been in post since December 2012 and is registered with Ofsted. She is suitably qualified for the role. Staff describe the management team as approachable and knowledgeable. Comments included, ‘the management team have continually made the best (and sometimes very hard) decisions for the young people in our care, and it’s evident that the young people are their focus.’ The management team clearly prioritise the young people’s needs, and respond promptly to any concerns. They will challenge and strongly advocate for young people if they feel they require additional services and support in respect of their care planning. A clear and comprehensive Statement of Purpose is in place. This is informative

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good

and outlines the service’s aims and objectives. Staff and management are very familiar with the aims and know how they are implemented in practice. As a result they have a strong understanding of the impact the home has had on young people’s progress.

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good

Staff are enthusiastic and committed to the young people in their care. They have formed good relationships with young people and speak positively about them. Their level of experience, and the support provided to them, are such that the staff sufficiently meet the needs of the young people. Staff report that they are very well supported by the manager and assistant manager. Staff undertake regular training which provides them with the competencies necessary to fulfil their role. There have been minimal changes to the staff team; this ensures that a stable staff group care for young people. Any shortfalls on the rota are covered by regular bank and agency staff known to the young people. High staffing ratios are required to support the young people currently in placement. Due to cancellation by staff at short notice, at the time of the inspection over half the staff on shift were from an external agency. On discussion and through observation these agency staff

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good

compliment the staff skills. However, their skills and qualifications have not been fully taken into account prior to offering shifts. In particular training with regard to safeguarding children has not been explored. The manager has good systems in place to monitor the service. Regular file audits, monthly reports, supervision and appraisal of staff all contribute to a good understanding of the strengths of the service and any areas requiring improvement. Monthly quality assurance monitoring of the quality of care is completed by the manager and a designated person from the organisation. There is clear evidence that the manager seeks the views of the young people and parents and uses this to further improve the quality of care. There is a development plan in place which focuses on improving outcomes for young people. The management team is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. They work very closely with the young people, staff and professionals to make sure

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good

the young people are the priority and they develop and achieve as a result of this placement.

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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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