Children's Home run by Trafford Borough Council in Trafford

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 management team and staff members reflect on their practices and have made significant improvements from lessons learned following the homes previous inspection Relationships between staff members and young people are good. They work as a cohesive team to put together strategies to enable young people to progress. The atmosphere in the home is supportive and friendly Staff are committed to young people’s individual needs and work hard to improve young people’s experiences and quality of care Young people attend school and work placements regularly and are making good progress Partnership working is effective. The management team and staff members work well with other professionals to address and improve young people’s health, emotional, social and psychological well-being Young people learn independence skills taking into account their age and understanding. This successfully supports them as they move on to the next stage

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The children's home provision is good because:

of their lives Staff members have undertaken further training in safeguarding to enhance their understanding and application of keeping young people safe There is a clear understanding of any risks associated with young people. Boundaries are distinct, with reward schemes and praise helping young people to develop acceptable behaviour and self-regulation skills Staff members feel supported, through effective supervision, personal development and training, which enhances their skills and provides young people with levels of improved care There is a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses and the development plan clearly sets out work completed and areas for improvement Improved systems for monitoring and analysing the services the home provides and evaluating young people’s progress, support care plans and delivers the aim of the placement

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Information about this children's home

This section should outline:  The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and/or learning difficulties  The home is local authority managed  The staff are committed to providing a service to young people accommodated in the home, which is needs led and proactive. Young people accommodated in the home will be treated as individuals and given every opportunity to develop, physically, educationally, socially and emotionally with the support of staff, as written in the home's statement of purpose

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

27/01/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.4

good

At the last inspection, some young people’s behaviour and risks were a serious cause for concern and alternative placements were sought. For some, secure accommodation was the only option to protect their welfare. Since that time the home has suspended admissions, to provide time for staff to reflect, improve systems and undertake further training. As a result, the home has made good progress following the last inspection.

p.5

good

Young people who have continued to live at the home, have made steady progress. Individualised care and support is provided to them and is having a positive impact. For example, one young person has recently successfully moved on from the home to her own flat, and the other young person is approaching his final preparation before moving to foster carers. Both have been well supported by staff members and have made significant progress from their starting point in the home.

p.5

good

The atmosphere in the home is supportive and friendly with very positive relationships existing between young people and staff members who know young people well. Staff are nurturing and good role models for young people. These positive trusting relationships enable young people to grow in confidence and staff members spend time with them on a daily basis. One young person, who returned to the home to collect some belongings said, ‘This home is the best and if I could come back I would. I have achieved so much, getting a job and getting my flat, thanks to all the support from my staff.’

p.5

good

Young people’s physical health needs are met through maintaining registration with their own health care services or by registering with the local health centre. Detailed information is within young people’s health care plans, which have been improved and now include all necessary health information, including their medical assessment by the looked after children’s nurse. Medication is managed safely in the home and regular audits ensure all medication brought into the home is accountable.

p.5

good

Young people have access to and engage with specialist services, such as, child and adolescent mental health service and behaviour therapy provided by a psychologist. This approach engages young people and helps them to understand, address and improve their emotional, social and psychological well-being. There is good information and leaflets in the home advising young people of support services in relation to drugs, alcohol, sexual relationships and smoking. There are no current issues or concerns for young people. They do not smoke, take drugs or consume alcohol.

p.5

good

Young people attend school or work placements regularly. Staff members encourage and support consistent levels of engagement in education or the workplace. This promotes young people’s learning and work experiences and they continue to make progress.

p.6

good

Young people’s care plans have been revised and show clear objectives, about support for young people to meet their objectives alongside written evaluations of the impact of the care provided. Care plans clearly show where young people are making progress or where more support and work is needed to support them to meet their objectives. This improved level of planning ensures that staff are consistent in their approach and young people’s daily routines are known and met. A compliance notice in respect of the care planning standard issued on 04 September 2015 has been met.

p.6

good

Young people’s care plans support the local authority plan. A social worker and a safeguarding officer confirmed the home works effectively in partnership with them. They have no concerns about the care provided to young people and are regularly kept updated. A social worker says, ‘Staff have done wonders for him and they go above and beyond to meet his needs.’

p.6

good

Young people are listened to and consulted about all aspects of how the home operates. This includes regular key worker discussions, meetings with staff members and completion of feedback questionnaires. Young people’s views are recorded and include responses from staff members. Improvements have been made to recording any concerns or complaints young people make and are complete from the initial complaint up to the outcome of the investigation. These arrangements develop young people’s self-respect knowing their views are valued.

p.6

good

Young people’s contact arrangements are known by them and written into their plans. This ensures young people remain in touch with family and friends who are important to them.

p.6

good

Young people learn independence skills taking into account their age and understanding. These opportunities are preparing young people well for future life. They are clear about expectations for them to transition smoothly into independent living or foster care. Young people have memory boxes and scrap books. These are filled with memorabilia, pictures and comments from staff and take these with them when they leave. This allows them to reflect back at their time spent in the home. Judgement grade

p.6

good

In addition to the suspension of admissions into the home following the last inspection, the home has changed the statement of purpose document and no longer admits young people in an emergency. There is a new admissions policy. Only planned admissions taking into account all known risks and likely impact of an admission will take place. These steps will ensure young people are compatible with each other and their safety is not compromised in the home.

p.7

good

Young people are safe in the home and say they feel safe. They trust the staff who look after them and there are no concerns of young people being suspected or subjected to sexual exploitation. Young people say there is no bullying in the home. Refresher training on what constitutes bullying has been completed since the last inspection. Staff members demonstrate how to recognise, challenge and support young people who may be bullied, or bullying others.

p.7

good

Professionals confirm the home maintains effective links with them, and staff encourage and involve young people in their review meetings. This enables everyone to discuss and agree daily living routines and plans for young people’s future.

p.7

good

All staff members have completed further training in safeguarding. The safeguarding officer has joined them in their team meeting. To refresh and explain her role and the staff member’s role and responsibilities to protect young people. This is to ensure any suspicion of abuse or any allegation is referred to the appropriate authorities charged with protecting young people. The safeguarding officer has no concerns about the home and says, ‘Staff are very receptive and I am confident any future issues will be referred appropriately.’

p.7

good

A review of young people’s risk assessments has taken place and is implemented to cover all known and suspected risks. These are detailed and include strategies for responding to risk, such as, young people being missing from home and child sexual exploitation. There are no risks with the current young person placed. A compliance notice in respect of the protection of children standard issued on 04 September 2015 is met.

p.7

good

In October 2015 staff members completed training around practice in relation to a nurtured heart approach. This model focusses on praising and rewarding young people for all they achieve. Young people have responded positively to this approach and their behaviour and how they feel about themselves has improved.

p.7

good

Refresher training in physical intervention has been completed. This ensures staff members know when to intervene where young people may present a risk to themselves or others. There have been no restraints since the last inspection. Rewards feature more than sanctions imposed for inappropriate behaviour. Improvements to young people’s behaviour management plans and control and discipline records ensure that detailed records are maintained and are evaluated for their effectiveness.

p.7

good

The home has been fully decorated including re-decoration of all bedrooms. One bathroom has been finished and includes all new fixtures and fittings, with on- going work being carried out to a second bathroom. There are many facilities in the home, including, a room with gym equipment, education room, arts and crafts room and a pamper room for hair, nails and beauty. Young people are supported to continue with their own hobbies and interests outside of the home and have enjoyed trips out and holidays with staff members.

p.8

good

A review of recruitment records is completed and ensures all staff members working in the home are suitable to do so. All visitors sign into the home, and an explanation is given about how to evacuate the home in case of an emergency or fire. There are no health and safety issues and all domestic appliances are checked for safety. These measures ensure young people, staff and visitors are safe when in the home.

p.8

good

The manager appointed in March 2015 resigned from their post in October 2015. Since this time an interim manager who has the necessary qualifications and experience has been appointed. Action and development plans following the last inspection have been implemented. As a result, significant changes in the home, including further training for staff members and a complete review and implementation of the home’s administration systems, including young people’s case files has taken place.

p.8

good

These changes have taken place at a time when the numbers of young people living in the home have been low. The management team and staff members demonstrate a clear understanding of the young people and the progress they have made, in line with their agreed plans.

p.8

good

All staff members including the interim manager are receiving regular supervision. They attend team meetings, completed refresher training and have sufficient time for discussion of young people’s needs during handovers between shifts. Staff members say they are and feel supported in the work they carryout in the home.

p.8

good

Changes to the homes statement of purpose document have been made. The document describes the current management arrangements, staff training and the use of monitoring equipment. This document is available to parents, placing social workers and is available in the home. A copy has been sent to Ofsted as required by regulation.

p.8

good

A change to independent monitoring visits has been made, with a signed contract from an independent organisation being in place. This includes arrangements and consent for them to access the homes records including young people’s information. The management team have produced an internal monitoring document which covers and reports on young people’s progress in relation to the quality standards for children’s homes. These measures improve how the home learns from practice and include feedback from young people, parents and placing social workers.

p.9

good

The management team and staff members demonstrate well their knowledge of responsibilities of informing all appropriate agencies, including Ofsted should an incident in the home occur or suspicion of abuse be known. These arrangements have been strengthened following the last inspection and further protect young people.

p.9

good

At the last inspection 17 requirements and 10 recommendations were made. These have been met and a detailed action plan has been received by Ofsted. There have been significant improvements made since the last inspection. These improvements will need to be tested out for effectiveness when the home is operating at full capacity.

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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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