Children's Home run by Beaufort Care Group Ltd in Dorset

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.2

The children's home provision is good because:

 The staff in this home provide high quality, nurturing care and support to the young people, and adapt this constantly to encompass their individual differences and rapidly changing needs.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Regular, effective key working sessions and imaginative residents’ meetings help the young people to engage with their staff and participate in the running of the home.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 The same flair and imagination within the staff team has helped the young people to start to collect memories of their time in the home. The staff have embarked on a major project to contribute to the young people’s life stories, which will help them to develop their sense of culture and personal identity.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Since their admission, the young people have made good progress in most areas of their lives. In particular, they are showing increasing confidence in their staff and are starting to build trust. Some young people are learning to regulate their own behaviour and to interact with adults confidently.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 The home’s physical environment provides a spacious, homely and relaxing place to live, attractively decorated with the young people’s own artwork. The young people have access to a relaxing garden and woods beyond, in which they can explore and have fun.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 The home provides a self-contained flat for young people who are approaching independence. This is a very good resource which enables the young people to continue to learn life skills in a supportive environment.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 The recently-appointed prospective registered manager has already made a positive impact on the home. She is ambitious for the young people and challenges any perceived injustice very assertively to promote their best interests.  The staff are well trained, supervised and supported to work with the young people. Managers are accessible, visible and provide clear leadership to bring some stability to the home following the previous manager’s promotion and departure.

p.3

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:

p.4

Recommendations

Ensure that the information set out in the Statement of Purpose supports the essential process of agreement between the registered person and placing authority that a placement in that home is the right one for that child, and that the home will be able to respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs. Emergency admissions should not be taken unless the home’s Statement of Purpose and its capacity and support systems mean that it has the capability to care for children admitted at very short notice while continuing to offer high quality care to children already living in the home. In particular, ensure that the statement of purpose is updated to provide clear and accurate information about the current management arrangements and restriction of movement inside the home by locking internal doors at night. In addition, review the provision for ‘unplanned’ placements. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations April 2015, paragraph 3.6)

p.4

Recommendations

Ensure that the use of monitoring equipment is supported by a written policy describing how this will support the safeguarding and well-being of those living and working in the home in accordance with Regulation 24. In particular, ensure that the door alarm consent forms provided for young people are written in a way that does not increase the young people’s anxiety and place pressure on them to sign. Also, ensure that the statement of purpose does not contain misleading information about the use of door alarms (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations April 2015, Paragraph 3.16)

p.4

Recommendations

Ensure that staff recruitment safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, record the detail of the conversation with the referee to verify each reference. (Guidance to the Children’s Homes Regulations April 2015, paragraph 13.1)

p.4

Information about this children's home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children and young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private company that has several other homes in the same area of southern England. One of the bedrooms is situated in a self-contained independence flat, which shares the garden with the main home.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

23/02/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

Good

The young people in this home receive very good quality care that is tailored to their unique and complex needs. The staff team is exceptionally dedicated and works really hard to deliver the best possible experiences for the young people. One member of staff who responded to the Ofsted survey in the spring of 2015, said that the home has ‘a friendly atmosphere; everyone that works here really cares about the young people and the quality of care they receive, to get the best outcomes.’

p.6

Good

The young people have made good progress since they arrived in this home, in particular, in relation to their health and wellbeing, resilience and confidence. One young person had 16 previous placements, and has now had a relatively long period of stability. The young people both struggle with the boundaries inherent in traditional mainstream education, but are working constructively on this challenge. They are focusing on learning to regulate their behaviour, and the staff are helping the young people to benefit from family contact and involvement. The manager describes the young people’s achievements as ‘massive’. One young person has been able to manage a day trip with a member of staff; something that could not have been envisaged when he first arrived. He thanked her on the journey home, saying that he had a great day and had really enjoyed himself. It is unprecedented that this young person could say that he has been happy and

p.6

Good

enjoyed something without prompting. Another young person is now making good progress towards starting at a specialist education resource, after a very difficult and turbulent time in school. Some young people are learning to communicate more effectively with their staff team and have been exploring their family history and identity. Social workers who responded to the Ofsted survey were very positive about the home. One commented, ‘one of the best residential settings I have seen in my X years as a social worker. They put the young person at ease very quickly.’

p.6

Good

The young people receive very positive and constructive day-to-day experiences. They engage in numerous activities with the staff and go to the local community farm. The farm provides valuable opportunities for the young people to interact with animals and become involved in the daily routines of their care. The home has lots of photos of the young people working on the farm, which they clearly find very fulfilling. Young people who find interactional activities really difficult have been given a great deal of support to learn these skills. This is now beginning to have some positive impact on their lives.

p.6

Good

The young people are kept safe in the home, and any potentially unsafe situations are managed effectively. The registered manager and her staff work very well with other agencies, including placing authorities, schools and the police, to ensure that every possible step is taken to prevent young people from coming to harm.

p.7

Good

Following a period of uncertainty for the staff and young people earlier this year when the former manager left, the home now has a registered manager again. The new manager has already started to make a very positive impact and has helped the staff team, as well as the young people, to progress and develop.

p.7

Good

There are no breaches of regulation at this inspection, and three recommendations were made to support further improvement.

p.7

Good

The young people’s progress shows that they are beginning to feel increasingly confident in the staff and secure in the home. The staff are well trained in safeguarding children and young people. Risks are minimised through clear policies and procedures about children who make disclosures or go missing, and the staff understand what is expected of them in these eventualities.

p.7

Good

When allegations are made, the home responds appropriately and consults with the local authority designated officer for child protection. This helps to ensure that the correct procedures are followed, in line with statutory guidance.

p.7

Good

The young people have complex needs, and some find it difficult to avoid situations where they may be at risk. The home manages this through good quality individual risk assessments and working together closely as a team. The manager is skilled in deploying her team effectively and knows when additional support is needed. In addition, all the young people’s activities are carefully evaluated to help the staff to make informed decisions that promote the young people’s safety.

p.7

Good

The staff are skilled in identifying when the young people are becoming tense and anxious. They respond quickly to distract the young people and occupy them separately, according to the strategies in their behaviour management plans. There have been some challenging incidents with the present residents, but there are signs that some young people are beginning to tell the staff that they are approaching a point where they may lose control. This is significant progress. Some young people have been physically restrained on a number of occasions. The methods used have been appropriate, and the staff receive regularly-updated training to ensure that they hold the young people safely.

p.7

Good

Both the young people have gone missing from home, but the overwhelming majority of these incidents relate to one young person. Initially, this young woman went missing for short periods, but recently, she has begun to stay away for up to six hours. This is concerning, but the staff have acted correctly on each occasion when this young person has been missing. The manager and staff usually know where she is, and that she is relatively safe.

p.8

Good

In view of the young person’s increasing absences, the manager has requested a multi-agency risk management meeting to review their safety. The young person has recently begun to contact the staff to ask to be collected, which is a positive development.

p.8

Good

Three staff recruitment files were inspected, and were found to be very well organised. The member of head office staff responsible for them is robust in her search for the necessary information. She obtains Disclosure and Barring Service checks, proof of identity, qualification certificates, at least two written references and a full employment history on each employee. There is a risk assessment in place for each member of staff, in case of concerns about health or other matters. The only minor shortfall relates to the telephone verification of references. This is currently recorded with the verifier’s initials and the date, but the conversation is not recorded. A recommendation has been made.

p.8

Good

The home has been through some changes in the management team over the past six months. The previous registered manager was promoted to another position within the company. There was a brief period between appointments, and the new manager arrived in post in July 2015. Her registration was confirmed on 28 October 2015.

p.8

Good

The manager is an experienced childcare practitioner. She holds the level 5 award in leadership for health and social care (children and young people’s residential management). In the past few weeks, the company’s senior leadership team has also changed, including the operations director who oversees this home. The home’s leaders and managers are very child-focused. They are able to cite numerous examples of how the young people’s needs are met, and how they have responded to the very good quality of care provided. The registered manager says that the home’s strength is in the staff team. She is careful to support the cohesive team structure and ensure that the young people receive consistent messages. The manager is very proud of her team and their commitment to the young people is impressive. For example, staff will often contact the home when off shift to find out how a young person has managed a difficult day. One of the staff commented,

p.8

Good

‘the team don’t regard it as a job….it’s family from family’.

p.9

Good

The manager has creative ideas about team development. She has listened to comments from her staff, and likes their suggestion that individual team members are made responsible for specific areas of practice. The plan is that they will focus on learning about this area and will feed back their knowledge to their colleagues. For example, one member of staff specifically helps a young person with their education. Having a consistent member of staff who is employed solely to meet this need is reassuring for the young person, who finds education very stressful.

p.9

Good

The manager is also very keen to engage young people so that they are fully involved in their plans and assessments of risk. She already discusses any changes with them and encourages them to become involved. One young person has helped to write their own independence plan as a result of this intervention.

p.9

Good

The home has a practice manager to help guide and support the team in the daily challenges of their work. As a result, the staff’s knowledge and practice is regularly monitored and refreshed. The practice manager also deputises for the registered manager when required. It is a measure of the team’s commitment that the practice manager came in on her annual leave day to be present for this inspection.

p.9

Good

The single recommendation at the interim inspection concerned the visibility of the senior management and the effectiveness of external monitoring. This inspection found that internal management monitoring is highly effective. The manager and practice manager are well aware of how the young people are progressing against their targets. There is an independent visitor who reports on the home each month. Her reports are very clear and provide the company with a valuable tool for further improvement. This recommendation is now met.

p.9

Good

The staff say that they are very well supervised and supported. They receive regular supervision and appraisals. The manager was quick to help and advise her staff during fluid and potentially challenging situations that arose during the inspection.

p.9

Good

Team members receive all the necessary training to enable them to practice in a therapeutic manner. The team are either undertaking their level 3 awards in the care of children and young people, or they have completed them. The staff also benefit from training in attachment theory and professional consultation with a clinical practitioner. This helps the staff to reflect on various interventions with the young people, and to enhance their understanding of children’s attachment difficulties.

p.9

Good

The home has sound, comprehensive placement plans to support the staff’s practice. These documents are kept up to date and provide sufficient information for the staff to work effectively with the young people.

p.10

Good

The home’s physical environment is attractive and very well maintained to provide a high quality environment for the young people. It is kept clean, tidy and well maintained. The communal areas are very attractively decorated with examples of the young people’s art work. One young person showed the inspector his bedroom, and it was nicely personalised. There is a pleasant garden leading to woods behind the house, providing opportunities for exploration and fun.

p.10

Good

The home’s statement of purpose meets regulatory requirements, but requires further amendment. As a result of discussions with the manager during the inspection, a number of elements were promptly updated and sent to the inspector, but other more fundamental shortfalls remain.

p.10

Good

For example, the document refers to ‘unplanned’ placements, in the context of emergency admissions. In practice, no child would be admitted to this home without some degree of planning, and the statement of purpose goes on to explain very clearly that a minimum level of risk assessment is required. The term ‘unplanned’ is therefore conveying a misleading impression to local authority commissioners.

p.10

Good

Discussion took place during the inspection about the description in the statement of purpose about the use of alarms on bedroom doors. These devices may be used, subject to individual risk assessment, to alert staff to any young person who leaves their room during the night. The issue is not with the decision to use them for the young people resident at the moment, because this has been appropriately risk assessed. The problem is that the statement of purpose claims that ‘the alarms do make young people feel safe and limit the need for waking night personnel.’ This statement is open to misinterpretation. Alarms merely monitor and alert, whereas a skilled staff member has the capacity to make judgments and support young people in difficulty.

p.10

Good

In addition, the young people are asked to sign a consent form for the use of the alarms. The phrasing of the consent form implies that they will be at risk of harm if they do not sign. This could potentially increase their anxiety about living in the home and place pressure on them to sign the form. This shortfall is common to some other homes within the company, so this requires review at a strategic level. A recommendation has been made.

p.10

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.

p.11

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

p.11

What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

p.11

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

p.12

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 .

p.12

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,

p.13

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.13

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.13

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

p.13