Children's Home run by Suffolk County Council in Suffolk

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:

 The staff have strong relationships with young people that effectively underpin the work that takes place.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The service is helping young people to significantly reduce high risk behaviours. This is particularly in regard to young people who go missing.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The young people report feeling safe. They are able to identify people who they can share concerns with.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The service is working effectively with a range of external professionals to ensure that they meet young people’s needs.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 There is a strong ethos regarding the importance of education, which is reflected in the progress of most young people.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Where progress for young people is not happening, or is happening at a slower pace, the staff continue to strive to make a difference.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The staff are proactive and advocate on behalf of young people.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff manage difficult situations with care and consideration.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The staff support young people to develop friendships and relationships as well as promoting family contact.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 There is insufficient work taking place to support young people to develop the skills they need for independence.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The statement of purpose is out of date and some paperwork needs to improve to ensure greater accuracy and analysis. This includes the bullying log, consequences log and risk assessments.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Staffing levels are fragile and training is not currently provided in some key areas; this has the potential to limit the leisure activities and responses young people experience.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Not all staff have participated in fire drills and the décor of the building requires attention.

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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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard with particular reference to supporting young people to develop independence skills the registered provider must ensure that staff:

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Requirement Due date

(2) (b) (vi) help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult. 23/11/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 15 (3) (a)) 09/11/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

Ensure that the décor of the building is consistently maintained to promote homely, domestic environment. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15 paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

Ensure that children are offered a wide range of activities both inside and outside of the home (where appropriate) and are encouraged to participate in those activities. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 31 paragraph 6.5)

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Recommendations

Ensure that procedures for dealing with allegations of bullying are in place and staff have the skills required to intervene, protect and address bullying behaviours effectively. With particular regard to reviewing and monitoring. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 39 paragraph 8.16) Ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them with particular regard to ensuring that different plans and assessments are consistent with one another. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 42 paragraph 9.5)  Ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills to recognise and be alert for any signs that might indicate a child is in any way at risk of harm. The registered person should ensure that skills in safeguarding are gained, refreshed and recorded in the homes workforce plan. This is with particular regard to the provision of training in child sexual exploitation, missing and sexual health. (The Guide to the

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Recommendations

Quality Standards, page 43 paragraph 9.12)  Ensure that the effectiveness of any use of consequences is monitored. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 46 paragraph 9.36)

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Recommendations

Ensure that staffing levels meet the needs of children and enable flexible response to unexpected events or opportunities. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 54 paragraph 10.15)  Ensure that good employment practice is maintained and the performance management of staff includes ensuring staff are experienced in responding to fire drills to safeguard and minimise potential risks to children placed in the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61 paragraph 13.1)

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Information about this children's home

This home provides medium and long-term placements for up to seven young people who have emotional and or behavioural difficulties. A local authority owns and operates the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Good

The staff know the young people well and are able to discuss their needs, interests and vulnerabilities. They show interest in young people and listen to their day-to- day experiences. The young people feel at home. One social worker said: ‘He feels very important, he feels very valued and all staff play a part in that, including the night staff.’ Another professional who works with young people at risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE) said: ‘All of the staff know what is going on. From the cleaner to the handyman, they are all very impressive.’ As a result, the staff build good relationships with the young people that underpin the quality of work and the progress young people make.

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Good

The young people are able to identify means to raise concerns. During the inspection it was clear that the manager had established a rapport with them and they were regularly coming to see him to discuss issues. This provides a valuable route for young people to draw attention to issues that concern them.

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Good

There is a strong culture of educational aspiration. Young people are encouraged to attend school and praised when they do. An education professional said: ‘The constant message from staff is that not attending is not good enough. The message to young people is you must attend.’ If young people do not get up on time for school, staff expect them to attend later in the day. A deputy head teacher said: ‘One of the things I have been particularly impressed with is that when she has struggled to get up in the morning they get her up as quick as they can and she still comes in. This is great and has had a positive impact on both attendance and engagement. She is doing well, despite having had a very turbulent time.’ As a result, most young people are making progress in their education.

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Good

Young people have access to leisure activities. However, they reported feeling bored and voiced the opinion that some activities were not suitable for their age and ability. Some staff observations in supervision records reinforce this. A young person said: ‘We don’t get to do much’, whilst another said: ‘I know there are budget restraints but we need to be able to do more.’ Boredom could be a potential push factor in relation to young people who go missing.

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Good

Independence work is an area for improvement. At present, there is limited planned work to prepare young people for adulthood. There is little planning in relation to budgeting and independent living. Some work takes place on an opportunistic level. However, this is not structured or focused. As a result, young people are not currently developing the independence skills that they will need as adults.

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Good

The staff support young people’s health needs. They attempt to ensure that when young people need specialist services, the services provide help in a timely manner. They are proactive and advocate on behalf of young people when service provision is not timely. One young person was pleased to receive a letter from mental health professionals during the inspection. She said: ‘See, this is good. This is them listening to me.’ Staff have chased appointments for this young person and are closely monitoring professional responses to try and ensure her health needs are met. Young people get access to the support they need and see that staff are there to support them.

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Good

Young people move into the home in a planned manner. The staff take a structured approach to admissions. They establish links with the police in advance of young people being placed in the home. A community police officer said: ‘We have a very good relationship. I know about the young people before they arrive and will be looking to make sure I meet them in the first couple of days.’ Pre- admission assessments take place. These take account of the needs of all young people living in the home, including the likely impact of new young people joining the group.

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Good

Some young people in the home frequently display challenging and at times aggressive behaviour. The staff attempt to manage these situations without the need for sanctions or physical interventions. They manage difficult situations with care and consideration.

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Good

The staff support young people’s relationships with friends and partners with careful consideration of any associated risks. They facilitate contact between young people and family members. A social worker said: ‘They have been very, very supportive in relation to contact. Despite difficulties, the home has made sure that contact takes place and have been very good at maintaining this.’ The staff challenge contact arrangements they feel are not in young people’s best interests. A professional said: ‘They have challenged me on the issue of contact and were sticking up for the young person on this one, which is good to know.’ This means that young people are able to maintain appropriate friendships and familial bonds.

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Good

The young people report feeling safe. They are able to identify people who they can share concerns with. When young people have raised concerns, the manager has addressed them appropriately. A young person said: ‘I feel safe. I know you have to ask and I know that I do feel safe.’ Another young person said: ‘I feel safe. The staff are real good because they are very supportive. They don’t shout. They treat us fairly.’

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Good

The home completes thorough risk assessments and behaviour management plans. Careful co-ordination is needed to ensure that these are updated in such a way as to maintain consistency between the documents. One behaviour management plan contained information that was out of date.

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Good

Some young people in the home have a history of going missing and some are recognised as being at risk of CSE. The home works closely with the local police and specialist services to ensure that there is a joined up approach to managing the risks that arise from these incidents. A CSE specialist said: ‘I am so glad I have the opportunity to speak with you. I am so very impressed with the work that takes place at the home. The staff go out of their way to keep the young people safe. They are so hot on it. They do not simply ring us and say this is now over to you, they are proactive.’ Police report that staff in the home share concerns as appropriate. An officer said: ‘We have no concerns about the way in which the home has managed CSE or missing.’ Partnership working is effective and impacting positively on young people.

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Good

Most young people who go missing have seen a significant reduction in the number of incidents since they came to the home. The staff have worked in partnership with young people, their families and partners to enable this reduction. Young people are able to recognise the difference this makes for them. One young person said: ‘How do they keep me safe? They don’t let me do crazy stuff. They tell you what is safe and what is not. They do what parents should do. They make sure you come back. When I first moved in I was well bad and was going missing so much the police were going to move me to Edinburgh. But I’ve not been missing since. That is a really big improvement.’ The young people have return interviews after an incident of missing from care. The home is proactive in requesting these and chases workers to ensure that they take place. Consequently, the home is effective at reducing the incidences of young people going missing and of actual or

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Good

The staff attempt to support young people to manage their behaviour in safe ways. They explore this with young people in key work sessions. The staff impose rules and boundaries. Although young people often push against these, they recognise the need to have them and the positive effect. One young person said: ‘Living here has impacted on my life in a massive way. It has changed my life. I’ve matured up. I don’t like the rules but they have helped. Now I’m here and I’m fresh and clean.’

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Good

The staff use consequences appropriately. However, records of consequences lack analysis of the effectiveness of the sanction. This means that the understanding of what works to support young people is not as thorough as it could be. The staff attempt to de-escalate situations to avoid the need for physical interventions. When these are necessary, staff carry them out appropriately and make clear records. The staff seek the views of young people who have been involved. They are alert to the dynamics of the grouping and monitor this. They are aware of some of the triggers that young people are vulnerable to. The service is working with young people who have high risk behaviour. However, staff are not risk averse. They work in such a way as to minimise the likelihood of police involvement. By working collaboratively with young people, risks are reducing and young people are safer as a result.

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Good

Regular fire drills and tests take place. However, there is a limited overview regarding which staff have experienced a fire drill.

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Requires improvement

A permanent, suitably experienced registered manager effectively and efficiently manages the home. Registered in September 2015, the manager has been in post since February 2015. He is undertaking the level five qualification. An experienced line manager and a mentor support him. He is reflective in his practice and has a good relationship with the young people in the home. He is highly regarded by staff and external professionals. The management team have a good understanding of young people’s needs and progress. They are able to talk about them with insight and analysis.

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Requires improvement

The management team notify the appropriate authorities of any significant events. They take necessary action following the incident to ensure that the young person’s needs are met and that they are safe and protected.

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Requires improvement

Most young people are making progress in relation to their starting points. One young person with a significant history of going missing has not been missing once since coming to the home. Another has not been missing for months. Some young people are beginning to engage with therapists. There is increased engagement with education. An education professional stated: ‘They have been nothing less than fantastic. I’ve been doing this job for a long time and if you had told me that she was going to manage mainstream and get into college I would not have believed you. They really get what she needs and how to respond to her.’ A social worker said: ‘He has such stability now. His 100% school attendance is wonderful.’ Where progress is not taking place, robust efforts and engagement with other agencies are ensuring that new approaches are undertaken. This contributes to the culture of high aspirations. Staffing levels within the home are fragile. The home is currently operating at full

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Requires improvement

capacity. The group of young people are complex and challenging. Each young person has their own high level of needs. The staffing levels are relatively low in relation to this. This limits the time that staff can spend with young people on a one to one basis and the capacity to undertake various activities within the home.

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Requires improvement

There is no separate bullying log and there is limited analysis of incidents. Incidents of bullying are noted in the generic incident log. This is due to change imminently. The plan is for a separate bullying log which will have the potential to enable a clearer understanding of bullying issues within the home.

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Requires improvement

The staff build strong relationships with other agencies and professionals. A police officer said: ‘They are excellent at sharing information. The multi-agency work with the home is excellent.’ An education professional said: ‘They are very easy to work with.’ A substance misuse worker said: ‘The staff are brilliant. They are really proactive at getting us in if they have the slightest concerns.’ This ensures a joined up, multi-professional response for young people.

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Requires improvement

Managers provide regular supervision and staff report feeling supported by the management team. Supervisions consider the emotional impact of the job and include reflection on practice. Training and development activities are provided. However, staff have not yet received training in relation to CSE or missing children. Plans are in place to address this, but in the interim staff are missing out on an opportunity to reflect and reinforce knowledge in these key areas. In addition, some staff have not received training in relation to sexual health.

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Requires improvement

The home does not feel or look like a family home for young people. This is primarily a result of its size. The art work in the corridors is of a high quality and the work that has begun to improve the lounge area is positive. However, some of the walls require paintwork to be touched up in a large number of places, the bathroom upstairs is stained, the carpet in the lounge needs cleaning and the garden requires some attention.

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Requires improvement

The statement of purpose sets out the ethos and objectives of the home. However, this is out of date and does not reflect current staffing or some areas of practice.

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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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