Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

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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Leadership and Management

An energetic, child focussed and inspirational management team work together collectively to provide the stability, vision, flexibility and the commitment which allows the home to continue developing and adapting to the ever-changing needs of young people cared for. Management and care staff work tirelessly and with a team centred approach to ensure young people’s needs are fully supported and met. This includes times of unexpected crises, where they go that extra mile to combat that crisis, whilst at the same time ensuring the needs of the other young people continue to be met. Excellent working relationships allow the home to access and work collaboratively with external agencies which ensure young people receive a strong, focused multi- agency response to meet their specific needs. The internal monitoring of the home is rigorous and undertaken with consistency. This allows for shortfalls to be identified and addressed quickly. This is reflected in

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Leadership and Management

the monthly planning produced by the manager which compliments the long-term plans for future development.

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Keeping young people safe

The home has an excellent record in working supportively with young people who have histories of unsafe behaviour, which reduces significantly as they journey through the home. Safeguarding young people is given the highest priority with the home working cohesively and collaboratively with partner agencies to keep vulnerable young safe. Young people live in an environment where they confirm they feel safe.

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Experiences and progress of young people

Outstanding, trusting relationships between staff and young people promotes high levels of communication. This ensures young people live in an inclusive environment where they contribute positively towards the running of the home. Based on their starting points, young people make significant progress in all areas of their lives. Any challenges or set backs are dealt with supportively and sensitively, allowing young people to move on and progress socially, emotionally and educationally. Staff and young people enjoy each-others company. There is an excellent balance between staff and young people doing things together and young people being encouraged to adopt a more independent life-style as they mature.

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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 must appoint the independent person and is ultimately responsible for making sure that appointment does not give rise to a conflict of interest that would, or appear to, compromise the ability of that person to reach a rigorous and impartial judgement of the quality of that home's care (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 65, paragraph 15.6)

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Information about this children's home

The home can accommodate a maximum of six young people of either gender with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a local authority and only considers referrals from that authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/02/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

p.5

outstanding

The home excels in working with young people who at the point of admission are often in crises and living a lifestyle that is recognised as unsociable and sometimes unsafe. They move into a caring, supportive and nurturing environment which is non-judgemental and treats them as a unique individual.

p.6

outstanding

Needs are quickly identified and translated into plans and strategies designed to meet those needs. Comprehensive plans and assessments of risk which are individualised are reviewed regularly to keep them current. Young people have input and ownership of their plans, giving them a greater understanding and commitment to the plans in place. As a result, they have clear goals to aim for which translates into them developing higher aspirations and ambition for their future.

p.6

outstanding

Young people are usually happy to be in the home and recognise some of the benefits they have gained. For example, one young person says; `This is my home. It’s made me much more independent. I can travel to college, home, to see my boyfriend all my own. I wouldn’t have done that before.’ Social workers also acknowledge the positive development made by young people with one saying; `She has done really well. It’s definitely been the right placement.’

p.6

outstanding

Building trust through the development of strong relationships that remain intact during challenging period’s, is an area of strength. Young people benefit from being looked after by a staff group that is experienced and have remained together for some years. They regularly go beyond what is normally expected of them. For example, as a number of challenges arose during the inspection, staff did not hesitate to work extra hours to ensure both young people and their colleagues were fully supported. This is an ethos and way of working that is recognised by others. For example a social worker says the young person in her charge; `Has developed strong, trusting relationships with staff who understand and can manage her.’ An independent reviewing officer in writing about the home describes it as; `Warm, welcoming and friendly staff. Children appear happy and settled. Staff will go above and beyond for example, facilitating a holiday for a young resident with his

p.6

outstanding

family.’ The home has had sustained success in getting young people to adopt a more acceptable lifestyle to the one they may have experienced. For example, previously all the young people living at the home have experienced periods of rejection or time away from their education. All are now in full time education or further education placements spread around the local community, re-engaging positively with their education. Attendance has been regular and it is possible to chart their significant educational development based on the length of stay in the home. Health needs are being well met. The home has well established links with community based services that provide for young people’s day to day health needs. They can also be linked into more specialised services when required. Young people benefit from the strong links the home has with visiting services that cover issues linked to drugs, alcohol and smoking, along with sexual and mental

p.6

outstanding

health. Levels of consultation between staff are high. This gives young people opportunities to contribute to daily life in the home and towards its operation. For example, as well as making choices around food, activities and other areas affecting daily life, young people contribute towards the annual appraisal of staff. This gives them a sense of belonging and proof that their views and opinions are taken seriously. Young people have access to information which helps their understanding around their rights. For example, this area figures in the guide to the home which is in the process of being re-developed. Earlier this month, members from the children’s rights team were invited to attend a young people’s meeting. This gave young people a greater insight into what is available to them and a number made direct requests to the team, which are currently being followed up. Young people are encouraged to produce future boards where they identify areas

p.7

outstanding

that are important to them. Alongside this they all keep both a ‘scrap’ and a ‘look’ book which captures a young person’s journey through the home in words and photographs. They provide a record of events and celebrate their achievements and successes. Their quality is outstanding and they give a young person a permanent record they can keep. The home has recently been re-furbished and upgraded to an excellent standard. It provides young people with comfortable, homely accommodation in which they are relaxed and at ease in. Single occupancy bedrooms are decorated to reflect the taste of the occupant. Judgement grade

p.7

outstanding

The home has developed and sustained positive working relationships with the external agencies charged with keeping young people safe. This allows for a multi- disciplinary approach in dealing with incidents of a safeguarding nature or should young people go missing. This enhances their safety.

p.8

outstanding

Young people speak well of the home and staff, whilst confirming they feel safe. One young person summed up the feelings of others when saying to the inspector; ` The staff here genuinely care about us. They don’t come here just for wages; they really care about keeping us safe and our futures.’

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outstanding

The home is caring for young people who are at different stages of their journey, some being in a long-term placement, with others who have only been accommodated for a short period. Serious challenges or unsafe behaviour is handled well in a non-punitive environment that supports and gets young people to learn from mistakes, rather than punish. This builds trust, solidifying the strong relationships that exist.

p.8

outstanding

The home has an outstanding record of turning unsafe and unruly behaviour around and getting young people to invest into more appropriate lifestyles. For example, by not getting into potentially dangerous situations when away from the home. The success for this is reflected in the relatively low number of serious behaviour management events, incidents of young people going missing or incidents requiring physical intervention.

p.8

outstanding

None of the young people complained or raised issues around bullying. Staff are vigilant and well deployed to deal quickly with issues as they arise. Young people know that bullying is not tolerated and confirm staff act quickly and decisively if an incident occurs. This is view is supported by an independent reviewing officer who when commenting on bullying writes; `This happened to one of the young people in the home and was dealt with quickly.’

p.8

outstanding

Young people benefit from having a stable staff team, including managers, who have worked together for some years. The managers and staff provide a high level of care that is consistent. Staff are child-focused and advocate strongly on young people’s behalf when necessary. For example, during reviews or at young people’s place of education. This is another link in the chain of relationships that promotes trust and provides young people with excellent adult role models. The proof of the long-lasting relationships developed can be seen in the busy on-going work and support of ex-residents who still have contact with the home. Judgement grade

p.8

outstanding

The home is managed by an experienced manager who has been in post for eight years. She is qualified in social work as well as leadership and management. She and her staff remain child-focused, prioritising their needs at all times.

p.9

outstanding

The manager and her management team are well supported by a group of staff who have all been together for some years. Collectively, they have developed the ethos, culture and working practices of the home that have proved to be successful over recent years. This is not allowed to stagnate, with adaptations taking place to meet the ever changing needs of the young people they care for. For example, staff meetings are structured to include elements of learning based on the needs of the current group.

p.9

outstanding

Aspirations for young people are high and being in care is not accepted as a barrier to young people living and experiencing lifestyles that are deemed normal for their age. This is reflected in the ambitious plans in place for the forthcoming summer holiday. For example, young people are having a summer holiday that meets and suites individual needs. This means up to four different holidays being planned, two of them overseas. All young people have passports and bank accounts. One is currently learning to drive with another about to apply for a provisional license.

p.9

outstanding

Staff feel well supported in their role. This was evident during the inspection where staff worked flexibly to support personal issues affecting three young people as well as supporting each other. For example by staying on duty, or coming on duty early so young people’s needs could be met and other staff could be relieved to rest.

p.9

outstanding

Records show the formal supervision of staff, along with annual appraisal is taking place with consistency. Involvement in an active training programme allows staff to update current skills and develop new ones. For example, all staff recently completed specific training on child sexual abuse, as well as updating their core training programme.

p.9

outstanding

As a result, staff have the opportunity to modernise old skills and develop new ones. This ensures they refresh their knowledge and develop their learning so they can meet the ever changing needs of young people they care for. The benefit for young people is being looked after by a highly motivated staff group who have the confidence, skills and ability to understand and meet their complex, individual needs.

p.9

outstanding

High quality, rigorous and consistent internal monitoring that is evaluative, allows managers to identify areas that require change. Short-term planning compliments the long-term plans in place. The Registered Manager and her team use this to reflect on practice and identify areas for continued improvement.

p.9

outstanding

The external monitoring of the home is taking place with consistency. The authority is currently reviewing its current arrangements regarding who carries out these monitoring visits to ensure they are sufficiently independent and meet with new regulatory requirements. A recommendation has been made to allow for the review to be concluded and for any changes to be implemented.

p.10

outstanding

Following the previous inspection, no requirements or recommendations have been carried over to this inspection. Ofsted have not received any complaints about the home, or raised any issues of concern based on the information received about 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. 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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