Children's Home run by Isle of Wight Council in Isle of Wight

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:

 Young people make excellent progress while living in the home or accessing the service for short breaks. Parents are complimentary of the service and enthuse about the skills, knowledge and commitment of staff when looking after their child.  Young people are central to all planning. Staff consult parents, social workers and other key professionals prior to placement and continue consultation throughout their stay.  Young people’s demeanour and actions demonstrate they feel safe in the environment and they will approach staff with any worries or concerns they may have. Staff have a good understanding of individual vulnerabilities and how to protect young people.  Positive behaviour is actively promoted within the home and service and there is a minimal use of restraint. Staff have an excellent understanding of triggers and anxieties and effectively support individuals to manage their distress or frustration.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Plans and risk assessments have been strengthened in light of this and now include more detail of the expectations of night staff and supervision levels during waking hours.  Young people’s needs are met through the effective deployment of staff. The team are enthusiastic about their roles and clearly enjoy being with young people.  Areas for improvement include: ensuring reports produced as a result of independent monthly visits are forwarded to Ofsted; refurbishing a bathroom; producing pre-admission impact assessments and continually reviewing restrictive practice.

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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

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month. The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person's report to HMCI. (Regulation 44 (1)(7)(a)) 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):  ensure the design of the home includes any necessary adaptation to meet the needs of children with disabilities or specific health issues. This relates specifically to refurbishing one bathroom (The Guide to Quality Standards, page 17, paragraph 3.24)  where a child has an EHC plan or statement of special educational needs in which a specific type of restraint is provided for use as part of the child's day to day routine, including adaptations to the environment such as locking doors and shutters on windows, ensure any restraints are kept under review to ensure continued relevancy (The Guide to Quality Standards, page 50, paragraph 9.61)  evidence full consideration is given to the impact the placement of a new child or young person will have on the existing group of children (also known as an

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Recommendations

impact risk assessment). (The Guide to Quality Standards, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned and run by the local authority. It provides care and accommodation for up to 6 children and young people and short breaks for up to 4 children and young people with learning and/or physical disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

13/01/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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good

Young people make excellent progress while living in the home or accessing the service for short breaks. Parents are complimentary of the service and enthuse about the skills, knowledge and commitment of staff when looking after their child. They say that staff ‘understand’ their children and they have ‘no concerns’ about their child when they are at the home. Young people are enthusiastic about the home and short breaks service exclaiming it is ‘fantastic, brilliant and fun’. They identify staff they like and even appreciate being ‘nagged’ to complete their daily tasks and exercises.

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good

Staff take a keen interest in young people’s views and ideas about how the home and service should be run or improved. Records of group and individual meetings highlight changes brought about through individual views, including activities on offer and menu choices to how the building is decorated and used. If financial constraints restrict opportunities, the service has continued support from a linked charity ensuring key opportunities or experiences are not missed. Clear records demonstrate the consultation process and indicate that young people’s voices are key to planning within the service.

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good

All young people attend education as planned. Strong links between local schools and staff in the service ensures plans and goals are consistent. Daily hand overs enable staff to share any issues or worries the young person may have in either setting, enabling a proactive and consistent response. When individuals are out of education through illness or awaiting new placements, tutors engage them in house, ensuring they do not miss essential learning. In addition to formal education, young people access a range of socially and emotionally stimulating activities both in the home and community. Those who live in the home have opportunities to engage in clubs alone or as part of a group. All who live in the home or access the service for short breaks engage in physical activities such as trips to the beach or parks and leisurely pursuits including visiting a winter wonderland and trips to the theatre. Young people are afforded the opportunity to

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good

relax and spend time alone if they wish. Staff are attuned to individual needs and give space and privacy as appropriate.

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good

Young people learn key skills for independence and adulthood, reflective of their understanding and ability. All are stretched to reach their full potential and plans and targets are clear and measurable. Records and graphs alongside photo diaries document individual’s progress. Parents and social workers comment positively about progress young people have made, such as reduction in incidents, increased self-care skills or making simple meals for themselves.

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good

Young people benefit from guidance in healthy lifestyles and what this means for them. They are encouraged to engage in physical activities and eat a balanced diet. They are guided in how to look after themselves and keep safe alone and in public. Young people are supported to manage their behaviour and staff give space and time for them to work through their issues or anxieties and when able, consider how to manage these differently in the future.

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good

Young people are central to all planning. Staff consult parents, social workers and other key professionals prior to placement and continue consultation throughout their stay. Young people are treated with dignity and respect and once the perimeter has been made more secure, they will be afforded greater freedom and access to the home and grounds.

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requires improvement

Young people’s demeanour and actions demonstrate they feel safe in the environment and they will approach staff with any worries or concerns they may have. Staff have a good understanding of individual vulnerabilities and how to protect young people. They have recently benefitted from safeguarding training, including exploitation in all forms and radicalisation. They are confident in processes to follow should they be concerned for an individual’s safety or well- being.

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requires improvement

Safeguarding and child protection concerns are reported swiftly to appropriate agencies and professionals. Procedures have recently been strengthened to ensure timely referral. A serious incident where a young person left the building unnoticed highlighted weaknesses and gaps in risk assessments and individual plans. For example, the care plan did not indicate the night time routine including observations and checks night staff should undertake for the individual involved. Plans and risk assessments have been strengthened in light of this and now include more detail of the expectations of night staff and supervision levels during waking hours. The full investigation regarding the incident is ongoing. In response, young people who are missing from care will experience an increasingly proactive response as plans and expectations of staff are now well defined. Joint working with parents, police and social workers has assisted in this.

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requires improvement

Safety of the environment is improving with higher, non-intrusive fencing and areas in the building can be locked to reduce the risk of them exiting the building unaccompanied. Young people at risk of being missing now have a greater staffing presence in order to pre-empt any incidents. The current level of restrictive practice can be intrusive and remains under review to ensure it remains necessary and appropriate.

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requires improvement

Positive behaviour is actively promoted within the home and service and there is a minimal use of restraint. Staff have an excellent understanding of triggers and anxieties and effectively support individuals to manage their distress or frustration. Staff deploy a range of de-escalation strategies, particularly during transitions when anxiety can be more prevalent. Young people make significant progress in reducing harmful behaviours, including self-injury. They are supported to learn appropriate behaviour through consistency in approach, role modelling and positive reinforcement.

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requires improvement

Young people are protected from avoidable risks such as fire and trips and falls through regular checks of the environment and systems. A leak in a bathroom has resulted in flooring becoming unsafe and remedial work is due to take place. The bathroom itself requires refurbishment due to items rusting and mould and mildew.

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requires improvement

Staff vetting and pre-employment checks are undertaken by the local authority recruitment team. Evidence of verification of references was unavailable, however this was remedied during the inspection.

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good

The home is effectively managed and run by a committed leadership team. The Registered Manager has been in post since January 2014 and holds qualifications relevant to the role. Assistant managers with many years’ experience, are keen to learn new skills and drive the service forwards. The management team have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses within the home and short breaks service. Visits by an independent person have not always been completed on a monthly basis, but information within their reports informs improvements within the service. The reports, while available to the home, have not be sent to Ofsted since April 2015. Any areas for improvement are clearly identified in the homes’ development plan. Manager’s respond proactively to any incidents or concerns through close working with external partner agencies and implementing changes to procedures to prevent any reoccurrence of issues.

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good

Young people’s needs are met through the effective deployment of staff. The team are enthusiastic about their roles and clearly enjoy being with those they care for. Staff say they have the training they need to complete their roles effectively. They have regular supervision and feel supported by senior staff and each other. New staff benefit from a structured induction and higher levels of supervision and support throughout their probation period.

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good

The Statement of Purpose is an accurate account of the service provided and updated annually.

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good

Relationships with partner agencies and services is a particular strength within the home. Staff liaise effectively with education, child and adolescent mental health teams, social workers and health, among others, to share information and create cohesive plans. Parents are central to all care and planning and the young person’s voice is evident throughout all plans. Pre-placement planning is thorough and initial plans identify needs, vulnerabilities and purpose of the placement. A formalised impact assessment is not available however, to ensure individuals who live together or access short breaks at the same time are compatible.

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good

Young people’s records are comprehensive and provide them with an excellent understanding of the time spent in the home or service. Achievements and activities are clearly recorded with accompanying photographs. Progress monitoring is of a particularly high standard. Graphs and visual representations demonstrate starting points and identify success in reaching agreed targets and goals.

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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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