Esther House

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection, carried out in June 2015, the manager for the home has been registered by Ofsted. This has increased the stability of the management arrangements for the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection there were a number of requirements and recommendations made and all but two have been met. The statement of the home’s purpose still requires some amendment and updates so that it clearly sets out the matters required in regulations. When it has been reviewed it must be provided to HMCI. A requirement relating to the recording of complaints has not been met. This is because there have not been any complaints made. There have been some amendments made to the recording guidance that staff should follow. Both of these issues will be followed up at the next inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Areas that have been addressed have led to improvements. Unnecessary intrusions into young people’s lives are minimised as the bedroom door alarm system can now be set on individual doors and only used if there is a safeguarding need. The manager ensures that Ofsted are notified of significant events so that the regulator can monitor the actions taken. Records of safeguarding incidents, missing from care episodes, physical interventions and room searches are now comprehensively maintained and risk assessment updates are clearly written and more easily understood. There have been improvements in the formal support given to young people through supporting them to engage in regular house meetings and keywork sessions; these are also arenas where young people can voice their views wishes and feelings on a regular basis. When a young person refuses to take their medication this is now clearly recorded so that any patterns of refusal can be easily

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

monitored and action taken where necessary.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have good relationships with staff who care about them. Staff want young people to do well in their lives. Staff are guided in caring for each young person by using and applying the comprehensive, up-to-date care plans. Staff really get to know each young person well and they value them as individuals. They support young people to develop aspirations for their futures and help them to see these through. They also support young people to have meaningful contact with their family so that relationships can be re-established or maintained. Staff do supervise some young people when they meet with their parents but have not been trained to do this specialised piece of work. There is good use of diversion techniques that support young people to modify their negative behaviours. Staff are skilled at defusing unwanted behaviours and support young people well to reflect on their actions. This leads to them

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

developing a clearer understanding about how poor decisions lead to problems for them. When young people make poor decisions, such as being missing, taking part in bullying behaviour, using alcohol or illicit drugs, staff take action to minimise the risks to the young people. For example, they update risk assessments and revise the protective strategies. They manage to achieve a balance between putting in safeguards and supporting young people to take responsibility for their own safety and actions which stands them in good stead for their futures. Young people who have moved on from the home, in a planned and co-ordinated way, have progressed well in their more independent living situations and are living healthier and more productive lives. The positive developments in their lives, made as a result of living in the home, have supported these successes. For example, self-harming behaviours and drug and alcohol use have decreased, their emotional

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

well-being improved and they engaged with services that supported them. They also developed the ability to reflect on their actions and behave in more responsible and mature ways. The home accepts emergency placements and respite placements and since the last inspection there have been a few of these. In respect to respite placements these have been to support young people’s substantive placements when they are at risk or breakdown and overall these have been successful. When issues have arisen following emergency placements the home has been quick to recognise if what they could offer was not what the young person needed. The arrangements for monitoring the quality of care and practice in the home are effective. Monitoring reports provide a good view about what has occurred in the home and generally if shortfalls are found strategies to address these are included. However, the views of young people, parents and others are not routinely included

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

in all monitoring activities and there is little emphasis on using the monitoring process as a tool for continuous improvement beyond meeting regulations and standards. The manager and staff have developed good working relationships with other agencies and professionals and through the interagency approach taken young people are safeguarded and their overall well-being is promoted.

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is registered to take up to four young people with emotional or behaviour difficulties. The home is owned by a private organisation. The organisation is registered to provide education to young people it cares for.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/06/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

09/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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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 be able to demonstrate there has been effective handling and monitoring of a complaint the registered person should ensure:

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Requirement Due date

A record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 18/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

In order that the statement of purpose is a clear and useful document:

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Requirement Due date

16. —(1) The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. (3) The registered person must— (a) keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and (b) notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (1) (3) (a) and (b)) 18/12/2015

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Requirement Due date

44. —(1) The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. (2) When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person— (a) if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires. 31/12/2015

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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 appropriate forms of contact are promoted and facilitated for each child, including where appropriate visits to the child in the home; visits by the child to relatives and/or friends; letters, emails and texts; use of social media and other forms of contact via the internet; this is with specific reference to ensuring that staff who supervise contact have received training in this area of work (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 58 paragraph 11.8)

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Recommendations

 ensure the report of the review of the quality of care clearly identifies any actions required for the next 6 months of delivery within the home and how those actions will be addressed. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for continuous improvement in the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 65 paragraph 15.4)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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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