Children's Home run by Building Bridges Care Homes Ltd in St Helens

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:

Managerial oversight is highly effective and inspires committed staff members to support and provide young people with outstanding care From their starting point in the home, young people make excellent progress and benefit from a wide range of experiences, all of which are specific to addressing their individual needs Staff members are highly nurturing and work to a model of positive parenting that gets to the heart of young people’s needs and secures long lasting relationships Young people are listened to and fully involved in decisions made about them, their contributions to individual care plans is evident, enabling them to be involved in decisions and know their plans for the future Partnership working with external agencies is purposeful, providing young people with support to identify and address their psychological, social and emotional well-being Staff members work to a conflict resolution model, and positively

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

reinforce non-aggressive behaviour, enabling young people to change their way and achieve objectives This is a safe and stable home. Young people’s risks are managed extremely well through known strategies. An experienced, energetic and insightful staff team work hard to maximise young people’s opportunities for recovery from early childhood trauma Staff members are qualified, supported well and encouraged to develop professionally, their training needs are met Excellent systems for monitoring and analysing young people’s progress support the local authority plan and delivers the aims of the placement

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Information about this children's home

 The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people with emotional and/or learning difficulties  The home is privately owned  An underpinning ethos of the home is one of positive re-enforcement achieved by working with young people to ensure the identification and achievement of realistic goals based on their individual needs and honouring and respecting their rights, 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

24/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

06/11/2013 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

p.4

outstanding

Young people experience very positive changes from their starting point in the home and continue to make excellent progress. Their previous disruptive lives have often been characterised by levels of trauma, neglect, sexual, physical and emotional abuse. Young people are supported to successfully change their ways and turn their life around.

p.5

outstanding

Positive, trusting relationships with staff enable young people to develop confidence and a sense of belonging, they know young people very well. They demonstrate an excellent understanding of young people’s individual personalities, interests, strengths and needs. Staff are creative and capture young people’s imagination, enabling them to engage and secure long lasting relationships, building their confidence and self-esteem.

p.5

outstanding

Young people are very much involved in the daily operation of the home, their views, wishes and feelings are listened to and acted upon and they feel valued. Young people have a strong sense of belonging in the home. One young person says, ‘I can trust anyone in this home, the staff really do care and help me, without their support I do not know how I would be now.’ Another says, ‘It is just like a family home, where you get to do lots of fun stuff, and staff help me with my education, I really do like it here.’ Collectively young people feel listened to and have no concerns about the care they are provided with.

p.5

outstanding

Young people know how to complain and feel confident that any concerns they raise will be acted upon. They have information that helped to devised, advising them of advocacy services and independent organisations young people can speak with. Records for complaints received are detailed, with the one complaint received following the previous inspection being fully resolved, and the young person being satisfied with the outcome. Young people say they are confident to speak with staff knowing they will take them seriously.

p.5

outstanding

Effective partnership working with external agencies and support groups provide young people with professional support. Staff members consistently work alongside any agreed interventions or therapy to support and meet young people’s individual specific needs. This promotes young people’s identity and improves their psychological, social and emotional development.

p.5

outstanding

Young people are registered with local health services and all of their physical health needs are met. Detailed health plans show routine appointments are attended and include young people’s written contributions. This level of working together ensures young people fully understand any need for medical intervention, which is monitored regularly. Procedures followed by staff members ensure any medication brought into the home is stored securely, administered safely, recorded and returned to the pharmacy. These arrangements ensure all medication in the home is accountable and young people receive medication as prescribed for them.

p.5

outstanding

Care planning is of a high standard and promotes young people’s individual objectives, and shows agreement by them. Staff members detailed knowledge of young people and their specific vulnerabilities, together with their considerable skill and commitment, result in successful behaviour management and positive outcomes for young people.

p.6

outstanding

Young people are involved in their review meetings and have their own placement plan written in their words. This allows them to fully understand and agree any decisions made about them, including arrangements for family contact. Their daily routine is structured around learning and they are involved in the daily routines in the home.

p.6

outstanding

Young people are supported to succeed in education and some have completed examinations and have secured work based placements. Regular attendance and engagement in learning at school is achieved. This is excellent progress as most young people either refused or did not attend education prior to living in the home. Their achievements have been celebrated and they enjoy learning or preparing for life when they move on from the home.

p.6

outstanding

Opportunities to develop independence skills are preparing young people well for future life. They contribute to the pathway plan and are clear about expectations for them to transition smoothly into independent living. Staff members keep in touch with young people who have moved on and positive feedback has been received, such as, ‘Thank you all for looking after me for all these years how did you cope and also helping me with everything. I have so many nice memories living here that I will never forget and I will never forget you all.’

p.6

outstanding

Young people are safe and say they feel safe in the home. Previous risk taking behaviour has significantly reduced. Their participation and understanding of the messages presented to them has contributed to a positive change in their circumstances. For example, regular discussions with staff members which consistently makes them aware of the dangers while away from the home, and how to keep safe. As a result, they have age-appropriate arrangements in place and allowed to take controlled risks. Young people respond well and keep themselves safe.

p.6

outstanding

Incidents of young people being absent or missing from the home have significantly reduced. This has been achieved through multi-agency working with partner agencies charged with protecting young people. Police and social workers confirm staff follow agreed strategies and support young people well and keep them safe.

p.7

outstanding

Staff are trained in safeguarding practices and fully understand issues relating to child sexual exploitation, grooming and Internet safety. Effective safeguarding measures in the home protect young people and when issues of concern arise these are promptly referred to the relevant agencies. There are no issues or concerns in relation to young people experimenting with drugs, legal highs or alcohol consumption. Young people are educated well in relation to the social implications these substances can have on them.

p.7

outstanding

The management team and staff members are fully aware of the statutory guidance to follow should an allegation be made and share young people’s concerns with the appropriate agencies. Considerable support is given to the person making the allegation and the person who is subject of the allegation.

p.7

outstanding

Thorough planning for admissions and risk assessments are in place. This reduces any likely impact of a young person’s placement on them or on others already living in the home. Staff members demonstrate well their knowledge of individual and group risk and know the agreed strategies to follow. Risk assessments are regularly monitored and updated.

p.7

outstanding

Staff members are highly nurturing and work to a conflict resolution model. They positively reinforce non-aggressive behaviour and are very good role models to young people. This approach reduces conflict between young people in the home and there are no issues of bullying or the need to use restraint. Young people respond positively to the incentive and reward scheme, and earn financial rewards for their improved behaviour. This money is put towards activities or purchasing household items for when they move on from the home. Rewards feature far more than consequences imposed for inappropriate behaviour in the records maintained in the home.

p.7

outstanding

Robust recruitment procedures are followed and include young people’s involvement, as part of a new staff member’s interview. Existing staff members are checked regularly and all visitors to the home are asked for identity and sign into the home. These measures ensure young people are not looked after by unsuitable persons.

p.7

outstanding

The home has been fully redecorated and new furniture purchased. Young people confirm their involvement in suggestions for colour schemes and have personalised their bedrooms to their own taste. Young people respect and are proud of their environment and they experience the same opportunities as they would find in a family home.

p.7

outstanding

There are no health and safety issues inside or outside of the home and regular checks and professional maintenance is carried out on domestic appliances including, fire, water temperatures and food storage. Young people know how to evacuate the home in case of fire. They have completed courses which are certificated in relation to fire safety, food hygiene and first aid. This benefits them now and in later life, young people are proud of their achievements.

p.8

outstanding

The registered manager is qualified and has a wealth of experience of working with young people. She is supported by an experienced assistant manager. Together they share their knowledge and skills throughout the staff team. This creates an environment that provides young people with consistency and well planned care that enables them to progress. Management oversight is highly effective.

p.8

outstanding

The home is staffed sufficiently to meet the needs of young people. Staff members are enthusiastic and have opportunities to develop their professional knowledge through good quality training and delegated tasks given to them. For example, each staff member has completed a presentation to the rest of the staff in respect of the quality standards introduced for children’s homes in April 2015. This has had a positive impact on them and enabled them to bring about changes in the administration and care plans in the home.

p.8

outstanding

Discussions around key areas ensure the team is up to date with research, theory, guidance and legislation. This is integrated into practice and provides young people with a high level of support and care.

p.8

outstanding

Staff members feel supported and collectively agree supervision is regular, purposeful and worthwhile. Annual appraisals feed into supervision and young people are asked to make comments about staff members during this process. These arrangements enable staff to evaluate their practice and identify future learning opportunities. The majority of staff in the home are qualified to level 3 or above.

p.8

outstanding

Comprehensive monitoring systems result in high standards of care. The independent person visits the home each month and produces a detailed, evaluated and effective report. Shortfalls identified in monitoring visits or audits by the management team are discussed during team meetings and supervision and are quickly rectified. This maintains a high level of care provided to young people.

p.8

outstanding

The management team fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of the home. There is a detailed development plan in place identifying areas for future improvement and developments already implemented. This plan is clear as to how the home proposes to maintain a high level of care resulting in very positive outcomes for young people.

p.9

outstanding

The management team and staff members have a clear understanding of individual objectives and the progress young people achieve and have made. Young people’s progress is measured, regularly analysed and communicated back to their family and social worker. This ensures they are aware of the progress young people make and that the home is caring for them as agreed in their care plan. Partnership working is informative and effective.

p.9

outstanding

The home is operating in line with its statement of purpose document and this is kept updated and provides a good description of the services the home provides, including the staff, their qualifications and experiences. Young people have created a welcome to this home booklet and parents’ guide, describing in their words the quality of service the home provides.

p.9

outstanding

Young people’s case records are detailed and involve contributions from them. Young people have memory boxes with mementoes, comments from staff and pictures of activities they have been involved in. This information clearly tells the story of young people’s time in the home and is useful for them to reflect back on the progress they have made from their starting point in the home.

p.9

outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made at the inspection.

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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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