Children's Home run by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council in Blackburn with Darwen

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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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 This is an outstanding service because young people and their families receive highly effective support.  The short breaks service provides young people with positive experiences and space to start to look at the difficulties they experience at home. Young people spoken with during the inspection were overwhelmingly positive about the support they receive from staff. They confirmed that they feel safe and enjoy staying.  Staff are positive, enthusiastic and highly motivated professionals. They genuinely care about the young people and invest in their success.  Staff work hard to ensure that young people enjoy their short breaks. They provide young people with positive experiences, space and time to start to look the challenges they face at home and in other aspects of their lives.  Young people enjoy warm and trusting relationships with staff whom they respect. They feel able to talk with staff about their feelings and what is going on

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

for them.  Staff are exceptional when raising young people’s awareness of risk. They achieve this through highly effective group workshops, individual sessions and general discussions. Young people trust staff and feel able to talk to them about their feelings and what’s going on in their lives.  The home has very strong links with specialist services such as the local substance misuse service, CAMHs and the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) team. As a result there has been a dramatic reduction in risk taking behaviour and the young people’s health and well-being has improved immensely.  The Registered Manager is highly thought of by young people, staff, external professionals and families. She has a clear vision for the service and is has excellent motivational skills.  Strong leadership and management ensure that practice is effectively monitored and that any weaknesses are identified and addressed in a timely

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

manner. The whole team strive for continuing improvement in the interests of young people.

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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

 All staff must have their performance and fitness to carry out their role formally appraised at least once annually. This appraisal should take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and children in the home's care. (The Guide, page 61, 13.5)

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is owned and run by a local authority. The home provides short break accommodation for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The service has two main functions. This first is to provide short-term intensive outreach work within the community. The second is to provide short break care. The home can accommodate up to four young people on a short break. It is also able to provide accommodation in emergency situations, such as a placement breakdown. Currently, 44 young people access the service, 13 of which are receiving short breaks.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.5

outstanding

This is a highly effective service which helps young people and their families build and strengthen their relationships and work through their problems. Information gathered at this inspection highlights that the service has consistently achieved positive outcomes. They have been successful in enabling young people to continue to live with their parents and prevent them from becoming looked after by the local authority. A social worker commented: ‘the support provided by the Adolescent Support Unit (ASU) is invaluable and has had a huge impact on young people and their families. ASU supports young people and their families to try and prevent breakdowns and all the feedback I have had from young people and families since working with the ASU has been very positive.’ Parents also speak highly of the service, one said: ‘there was an immediate change in my daughter’s behaviour. From the first week she went to the ASU I saw a big change in her and

p.6

outstanding

she’s doing really well. The support they offer is absolutely brilliant and my daughter enjoys going. She says that going to the ASU is the highlight of her week. I can’t fault this service, it’s fantastic. It really has helped us out a lot and things are much better at home.’ A clear testament to the impact the service is having on the lives of young people and their families.

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outstanding

The short breaks service provides young people with positive experiences, space and time to start to look at the difficulties they experience at home and other areas of their life. These often include risks of child sexual exploitation, substance misuse and anti-social behaviour. However, the team also provide additional services to young people and their families. This includes providing emotional support and guidance to parents to manage difficult and risky behaviour. Evidence suggests that this has had a direct impact on helping parent’s awareness of key issues. It has also enabled them to implement preventative strategies, improve family competency and strengthen relationships. Young people confirm that they look forward to coming and enjoy their stay. They also enjoy the activities and find them helpful. They feel that coming to the home gives them a break from difficult situations at home. Comments made by young

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outstanding

people include: ‘I get on better with family now, because I get time out. It’s a change to get away for a bit. We don’t argue as much at home now.’ Another stated: ‘coming here is part of my life, it’s totally normal to me and my mates know I come here. This place is like family, staff are good and I wouldn’t change any of them. I like coming, it’s really helped me. I’d definitely rate the ASU as outstanding.’ There is no doubt that young people are benefiting immensely from the service they receive. Their comments clearly evidence their views about the quality of the support provided and the difference it makes to them and their relationships with their family. Staff are confident, passionate and insightful. They have strong communication skills and are able to build and sustain trusting relationships quickly with young people. They demonstrate unconditional positive regard for young people. They teach them that making mistakes is a part of life; it is not disastrous and

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outstanding

relationship can be sustained during challenging times. The ethos of the home is one of mutual respect, support, care and commitment. The strong relationships between young people and staff are evident. Staff demonstrate high aspirations and a genuine drive to help young people achieve. This has been confirmed by professional stakeholders who said: ‘ASU’s care is outstanding. The young people that I work with truly value this provision. Their needs are met to the highest standards whenever they stay. It’s just like a home to the children when they walk in. It is a relaxed atmosphere and they always enjoy going.’ The wishes and feelings of young people are central to all aspects of service delivery. The home continues to demonstrate a conscientious approach to young people’s participation in decision making. Young people are routinely involved in individual and group consultations and have a real say over what is important to

p.7

outstanding

them. In order to maximise participation the service has regular young people’s meetings. In addition, they facilitate group sessions such as the ‘young crew at ASU’ group. Young people determine what they eat, activities they’d like to do and in which room they would like to sleep in when they visit. On a broader level, young people have been involved in the recruitment of staff. They attended interview training, devised their own questions and took part in the interviews. This clearly demonstrates meaningful engagement where their views are genuinely valued, respected and acted upon. As a short break service the overall responsibility for young people’s health and education needs remain with their parents or carers. That said, staff work effectively with parents and schools to promote young people’s participation and achievement in education. Young people are encouraged to have high expectations of themselves and their abilities. Staff ensure that all achievements are recognised

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outstanding

and celebrated. Furthermore, young people benefit from learning opportunities created within the home. These include; work around budgeting, shopping, preparing meals and personal care, all of which help promote the development of social skills, confidence and self-esteem.

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outstanding

The house is suitably located and is maintained to a very high standard. Staff undoubtedly create a welcoming and homely environment where young people feel safe and extremely well cared for. Judgement grade

p.7

outstanding

Excellent arrangements are in place to safeguard and protect young people. Pro- active safeguarding measures mean that young people have a strong sense of safety and well-being. Young people say they feel safe, secure and well cared for. They benefit from a calm and friendly atmosphere where positive relationships are promoted. Everyone gets on well and there is a harmonious atmosphere in the home.

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outstanding

The welfare and safety of young people is always the most important consideration for staff. Staff have excellent links with other agencies, who provide access to up- to-date advice and guidance in order to ensure everyday practice protects young people from harm. External agencies confirmed that the home maintains regular contact with them and are pro-active in seeking advice when needed. This ensures a collaborative approach to safeguarding which further protects young people from harm.

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outstanding

Staff are consistently clear about what action they would take in response to any emerging concerns. This means that staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and give the safety and well-being of young people the highest priority at all times. Staff have effectively tackled issues arising from Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) concerns. They have all received training on this issue and are highly alert to the signs and triggers. Furthermore, effective service level agreements are in place with specialist services; this ensures a co-ordinated approach to any concerns that arise. Evidence gathered at this inspection highlights that the risk of CSE has dramatically reduced for one young person, when she started accessing the service she was assessed as high risk. Through the dogged determination of the staff and effective collaboration the risk has reduced to low.

p.8

outstanding

Staff are exceptional when raising young people’s awareness of risk. They achieve this through group workshops, individual sessions and general discussions. For example, young people recently participated in a session around on-line safety. Staff empowered young people to keep themselves safe when using the internet by encouraging them to make online-safety pledges. This has proved to be effective as young people are learning to reflect on their past behaviour and are now better equipped to keep themselves safe.

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outstanding

Young people’s safety is strengthened by exceptional partnership working with other safeguarding professionals. The home has regular professional drop in sessions which enables staff, social workers and, where appropriate, parents to come and discuss any issues or concerns they have and receive co-ordinated support from a range of professionals. This further demonstrates that young people’s safety and protection is given maximum priority.

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outstanding

The home has excellent reporting and recoding systems. All significant incidents are clearly recorded and shared with placing social workers and parents and when necessary the manager ensures that Ofsted are also notified. This enables external scrutiny of the home’s safeguarding practices.

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outstanding

Young people benefit from having their short breaks in an effectively managed home. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2007. She has the relevant management qualifications to undertake the role and has worked in social care for many years. The manager is an enthusiastic, committed and passionate leader who places the welfare and safety of young people at the heart of her practice. Excellent leadership and management ensures the team are well trained and motivated to drive the service forward, and achieve improved experiences for young people.

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outstanding

The home’s Statement of Purpose is up to date, comprehensive and distinctly defines the service aims and objectives. Full information is also clearly contained in a recently updated children guide, which is given to all young people as part of their induction to the service. This ensures that young people, parents and stakeholders have a clear understanding of the service they expect to receive from the very start.

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outstanding

The home is without doubt, well resourced. There is a sufficient number of experienced staff to meet the individual needs of young people. An unquestionable strength of the home is the stability of the team. Staff are enthusiastic, competent and are totally committed to young people. The manager fosters a clear determination, energy and motivation to improve the home, and this is an ethos the team embrace. Young people are respected, valued and enabled to achieve their full potential by well-trained and forward thinking staff. This successful approach promotes the effective development of a child-centred service.

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outstanding

Staff regularly receive high quality supervision that effectively develops their professional practice. Staff report that this is reflective and extremely beneficial to their learning and development. One staff members said: ‘I can’t tell you how good she (the manager) is. She puts you out of your comfort zone to help you develop. I have achieved so much because of her management style. She has really enabled me to develop.’

p.10

outstanding

There is good evidence in staff meeting records that information about new legislation, frameworks and policy is discussed with the team. This ensures that the team are fully informed of practice and legislation developments. Appraisals on staff performance are undertaken annually by the manager. This enables the manager to critically appraise staff competency and make joint decisions about development opportunities. However, currently these do not take into account the views of young people, families or professionals. This is a missed opportunity to undertake a more holistic review of professional practice and would further assist the manager in identifying development needs within the team.

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outstanding

The manager is diligent in her monitoring of all aspects of the service, in particular practices associated with the safety and protection of young people. She utilises a range of very effective quality assurance tools which not only look at the operation of the home; but provide a detailed and evaluative measure of impact the service has had on the lives of young people and their families. In addition to this, the manager proactively seeks the views of young people, their families and professionals. This informs the home’s development plan which clearly sets out how the home intends to improve the service it currently provides.

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outstanding

Young people’s records provide a detailed account of their needs, experiences and progress and the actions staff must take in order to support them. Records include; a narrative of day to day arrangements; behaviour analysis; what has gone well and an evaluation of progress since the start of their journey with the service. When young people read their records, be it now or in the future they will clearly see how much progress they have made.

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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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