Children's Home run by Inspire Children’s Services Limited in Lancashire

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 are happy, settled and safe at this home and benefit from the security of long term placements.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people are respected and treated as individuals in their own right and are actively involved in influencing their day-to-day care.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The home is always sufficiently staffed to safeguard and promote the welfare of the young people and to effectively meet their unique needs and diverse personal preferences.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 This experienced staff team are strong and effective advocates for the young people.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Frequent family contact is firmly established so young people maintain a strong sense of identity and a good understanding of their background.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Parents are actively involved in care planning.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 There is good evidence of effective partnership working with parents, social workers, health and education professionals.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Placing authorities are consistently highly satisfied with the quality of care provided at this home.

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The children's home provision is good because:

To further strengthen the quality of care provided at the home one requirement and four recommendations are made. This is to ensure: stringent internal and external monitoring systems are in place to identify and address any shortfalls in processes and recordings; adequate fire precautions are always strictly adhered to; effective arrangements are in place to promote young people’s specific health and educational needs; and, there is clear documentary evidence that young people are helped to understand why some wishes cannot be realised as it is not deemed to be in their best interests at that time.

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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

Take adequate precautions against the risk of fire by: ensuring at all times that the means of escape are unobstructed; and, young people fully understand the importance of a prompt response to fire drills. (Regulation 25) 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

 To meet the children's views, wishes and feelings standard the home must demonstrate that they have carefully explained to a child, so it is fully understood by them, why some requests are refused because they are not in their best interests. (The Guide, page 22, paragraph 4.9)

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Recommendations

 To meet the health and well-being standard staff must demonstrate the skills and knowledge to be able to help each child understand and work to change negative behaviours in key areas of health and well-being including, but not limited to, nutrition and healthy diets, in a way that is appropriate to each child's age and understanding. (The Guide, page 35, paragraph 7.18)

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Recommendations

 To meet the education standard the home must challenge one child's education provider to ensure he can reach his full education potential and in particular, have the opportunity to take a wide range of national examinations. (The Guide, page 28, paragraph 5.11)

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Recommendations

 Strengthen the internal and external monitoring systems in place to ensure flexibility to review the specific circumstances and risks of the home at any particular time including, but not limited to: healthy eating; frequency of supervision; quality of complaint records; ensuring recommendations following investigations are addressed; robust fire safety processes; and; securing external feedback to inform the home's location risk assessment. (The Guide, page 65, paragraphs 15.4 and 15.5)

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Information about this children's home

This is a private children’s home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people at any given time who may be experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is part of a wider company that provides other registered children’s homes, outreach services and semi-independent accommodation. They also have a school registered with Ofsted where some of the children looked after attend.

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good

Although this home was only registered at the end of January this year, both boys moved in together with the same staff team from another home that was closing. This allowed for a very smooth transition, so they settled quickly. They were also able to choose their bedrooms and the décor. They really like this new home which offers a wider choice of communal rooms. A basketball net, trampoline and board games have recently been purchased at their request.

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good

Comments from young people include, ‘This home is much bigger than the other one we all lived in so I can have time on my own if I want to. I use my bedroom, the games room and the conservatory’ and, ‘I chose my favourite football team’s wallpaper for my room which is not the same as the other young persons. We both have fish and I have moved my bed closer to the tank because the noise helps me get to sleep. I like my window open and the radiator turned off when I am in bed even in the winter.’

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good

Frequent family contact is firmly established so they maintain a strong sense of identity and a good understanding of their background. One young person really enjoyed doing life story work and visiting significant places with his key worker. This added important detail to past events.

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good

Initially, for one young person contact was closely supervised by two staff to ensure it was a safe and positive experience for everyone involved. It then reduced to only one member of staff and for the last eight months has been unsupervised at the family’s home. One young person is really excited to be having his first overnight stay at home on Christmas Eve. One young person said, ‘I was having some trouble at home so I went to one place and then here and I understand that I will be here for a while. I am happy about that and get on with everyone. I see my family. I ring my mum every night and see her two times a week.’

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good

There is a good range of opportunities for young people to expresses their wishes and feelings and, if it is deemed to be in their best interests, they are positively responded to. For example, one young person felt the gap between Sunday and Friday was too long before seeing his parents again so staff have introduced Tuesday contact. He is very pleased with this. Staff’s successful advocacy also re- established and has maintained contact for another young person after two years, which he is thrilled about.

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good

There is a good system in place whereby the manager responds in writing to young people’s concerns and requests in a child friendly manner. However, this process is not always followed. For example, one young person frequently completes internal questionnaires demonstrating that he is happy and feels safe at this home. However, he consistently feels his daily routines ‘require improvements.’ Basically, he wants to stay out later at night. He remains particularly vulnerable and his free-time is severely restricted, but it is not evident that this is explained to him. Moreover, it has not been identified through the monitoring processes in place.

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good

Young people are actively supported to attend and positively contribute to their reviews. One young person confidently told the participants that he is still happy and safe in this placement but needs more help with his independence skills. In response, he is currently really enjoying lots of train journeys with a member of staff. This is to gradually build his confidence to eventually use public transport independently. He enjoys a particularly good relationship with this member of staff who is very skilled at stepping back and discretely observing. This mean the young person learns, sometimes by his mistakes, but is still kept safe.

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good

There are good opportunities for all the young people to develop the practical and social skills needed for future successful independent living. Positive social interactions have significantly improved in this placement. Also, as young people’s confidence and self-esteem continues to increase their personal hygiene also improves. One young person particularly loves honing his cooking skills.

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good

Comments from young people include, ‘I have made a friend at school and we go out together every Saturday now’, ‘I feel I can do most things by myself now but I know staff are always there if I need help’, ‘I put some of my pocket money in my bank account and I take full control of it’ and, ‘I am good at cooking and baking. I really like the culture nights and enjoyed learning to cook Italian food.’

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good

Young people know how to formally complain and have exercised that right. They are listened to, fully investigated and outcomes reached in a timely manner. This resulted in one young person receiving more regular visits from his social worker which was the outcome he desired. This example provides further evidence that the staff are strong and effective advocates for the young people. In turn young people know that their views genuinely matter, which makes them feel valued and respected and boosts their self-esteem.

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good

One young person has stopped smoking in this placement. The other never started. Neither do they take illegal drugs or drink alcohol. One young person recognises his improved physical appearance. Initially his eyes were black through lack of sleep and they employed a waking night. Now he sleeps right through without any medication, which is excellent progress and shows how safe and secure he now feels.

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good

However, one young person is significantly overweight and this is increasing. His body mass index and body fat ratio are very high. Research clearly indicates that this negatively impacts on continued good health and emotional well-being. In fact, he has previously been bullied as a direct result. Menu records do not demonstrate a particularly healthy diet and this is not specifically monitored by the service. In the summer months he walked five miles a day and enjoyed trampolining but this has stopped. He still enjoys football and swimming but these physical activities are having little impact. In response, the home are in consultations with his emotional health worker and have just arranged for the specialist nurse for children looked after to visit more frequently.

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good

Both young people have excellent school attendance and are making very good academic progress from their individual starting points.

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good

Prior to this placement one young person had a particularly poor attendance record and was risking exclusion due to his behaviours. Initially, staff were supporting him full time in the classroom and every break time. This gradually decreased so, for example, staff were still available in the staff room. Now he is dropped off at the school gate. Moreover, he has enjoyed an excellent school year in 2014/15 and received 51 excellence awards and four trophies in recognition. His end of school report concludes, ‘This is his most successful year to date. He has been more settled in lessons, worked hard and made good progress. He has come on in leaps and bounds in maths, his reading, spelling and football skills have much improved and he has made some delicious meals.’ He is now a prefect and on track to achieve six GCSE’s and to progress to college, but he is finding the recent transition to year 10 difficult.

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good

One young person attends the company’s school and now has the potential to achieve well in the core subjects. However, he feels frustrated about the lack of subject choices for GCSE’s, having a clear talent in performing arts.

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good

These boys have lived together for over twelve months and had a great time on holiday together over the summer holidays. In general, however, although on paper they have the same clinical diagnoses, they are very different and much prefer to pursue their own interests. This is fully understood by staff who provide highly individualised care. Currently one young person is particularly enjoying fishing. Another loves political debates.

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good

Young people benefit from a wide range of constructive activities which demonstrably increases their competences and confidences. Comments from young people include, ‘I really like sewing and I have my own machine, being pampered by staff and going to drama club. I have already been in a public performance and raised money for a children’s hospital where I used to stay’, ‘I sold raffle tickets at a charity rugby match for a cancer charity and they gave me my own England rugby ball’ and, ‘I like knitting and chatting with my key worker who I get on really well with.’

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good

One young person recently enjoyed a school trip to France. This is indicative of his improved behaviours. Staff were very clear that this would not have been agreed 12 months previously.

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good

Feedback from placing authorities on the quality of care provided at this home is consistently positive. Recent comments from social workers include, 'This placement more than meets my young person’s needs and he is happy here. Communication is always prompt and good and the staff are always keen to assist’ and, 'I am full of praise for this placement. It is a very positive experience for my young person and there is good communication with me.'

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good

A quality assurance visit was undertaken by a placing authority in April 2015 with positive outcomes. They identified four key strengths namely: the additional support from staff to enable one young person to reach his educational potential; the range of activities on offer; the support to maintain family contact; and, the high standard of décor in the home.

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good

Young people are happy and relaxed in this home. They feel particularly safe and secure in the knowledge that it is a long term placement until they feel ready to move into independence or return home. Consequently, despite complex histories, the young people have never gone missing from this home or re-offended. There has been no criminal damage in the home and no cause for the police to be called. One young person used to hoard food. This behaviour has ceased altogether.

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good

Moreover, they now feel comfortable enough to start opening up to staff about their traumatic pasts. One young person said, ‘Sometimes I like to write down my feelings so staff have given me my own journal.’

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good

A social worker said, 'I am very happy with the care provided at this home and the lines of communication with this manager and his staff team. They work very hard with my young person and his family to ensure that he is happy and safe.'

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good

The young people respond extremely well to the clear and consistent boundaries and routines in place. This has had a marked positive impact on their behaviours and general emotional well-being. In fact, within one month of admission, extreme behaviours displayed by one young person, including shaking, screaming and rocking ceased altogether. Consequently, they have never needed to be restrained in this placement. One young person said, ‘I like watching my television or listening to music while I have a warm milky drink. It helps me settle at night so I no longer have medication to help me sleep.’ Medication to relieve anxieties has also stopped in this placement.

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good

Improved behaviours have been recognised by the young people’s schools. A teacher wrote, ‘His maturity, self-esteem and confidence have grown and his ability to self-manage his behaviour has been outstanding. He will now accept his part in any wrong doing, complete the sanction, and learn from the experience which is such a huge step forward’ and, ‘He has more confidence to appropriately voice any anxieties and is now a pleasure to work with. He is kind, polite, helpful and well- mannered.’

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good

One young person was assessed as having serious, life threatening self-harm risks prior to this placement. There have been no further incidences for over the last 12 months. Recently he displayed self- injurious behaviours by making himself sick after meals. Staff worked closely with mum, which he hadn’t expected, and this behaviour quickly stopped. In turn, she felt valued and respected as a parent and fully involved in her son’s care.

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good

There is clear evidence of ongoing direct work with young people to ensure that they keep themselves safe online and when out in the community. They have also been involved in creating a display on anti-bullying to raise their awareness.

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good

One young person has been in this placement for four years. This is outstanding especially given that a number of previous placements disrupted very quickly at the instigation of his parents. They have continued to complain over a sustained period of time about different care staff at this home and other professionals. To date they have been generally unfounded, so legal advice is being sought by the placing authority. Nevertheless, at a very recent review these same parents told the independent reviewing officer, ‘There have been ups and downs but overall we are very happy with this placement and with our son’s progress. He is doing really well and is maturing. We are very appreciative of the help and support he is receiving. The staff provide him with the safety and stability he needs and with varied activities to meet his health and physical needs.’

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good

All staff are suitably trained to ensure an effective response to any safeguarding concerns. Correct reporting procedures are always followed and at the conclusion of each investigation safeguarding agencies are satisfied that the young person remains safe and happy.

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good

Because the home’s allegations policy in respect to the suspension of staff reads as a last resort rather than a neutral act to safeguard that individual from further allegations. As a result, this policy is currently being reviewed. There is also no documentary evidence of a thorough risk assessment before deciding not to suspend a staff member during a recent investigation. The quality and accuracy of the correspondence is variable and the member of staff has not undertaken refresher training. This was a recommendation by the local authority designated officer as a means of trying to prevent another allegation. This demonstrates that the monitoring systems in place are not always sufficiently robust.

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good

With the marked exception of regularly checking that the means of escape are always kept clear, all the other required internal health and safety checks are completed in a timely manner to ensure a safe and well-maintained building. This is particularly relevant at this home because the back door, which is a fire escape, is in the small utility room that has several items on the floor and is used to dry clothes. In response, the manager has decided to include this on the daily handover with immediate effect.

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good

Young people take part in monthly fire drills to ensure that they know exactly what to do in the event of a real fire. However, it has been noted by staff that they were ‘slow to respond’ and ‘reluctant to leave’ on two recent occasions with no follow up. This has not been highlighted by the internal and external monitoring processes in place. It is particularly pertinent because a room search recently took place when a lighter was found and confiscated. The young person was present throughout. Direct work was undertaken to try to prevent a re-occurrence. He said, ‘The DVD about how a fire can spread really shocked me.’

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good

The manager has sought external feedback to inform the location risk assessment but has had limited responses. What has been confirmed is that this home, which is always well-staffed 24 hours a day, is located in a low crime rate with no significant concerns about drugs. Moreover, the manager is now an active member of an online information service. This ensures that the team are always fully up to date with any known risks in the local community.

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good

Robust recruitment and selection processes ensure a safe and competent workforce. Judgement grade

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good

This is the first inspection since registration in January 2015 so there are no previous requirements or recommendations and the home remains financially viable.

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good

The statement of purpose is regularly reviewed and revised as necessary to ensure it always accurately reflects the current aims, policies, practices and staffing of the home. Personalised children’s guides ensure the young people know about the services available to them within the home and the wider company and the expectations on them in respect to behaviour.

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good

This home is well-managed by a suitably qualified and experienced individual with a good track record with Ofsted. In turn, he benefits from appropriate deputising arrangements. Together they ensure that the home is always sufficiently staffed to safeguard and promote the welfare of the young people and to effectively meet their unique needs and diverse personal preferences.

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good

Staff confirm that their managers provide very clear direction and good support. They are also very positive about how the company as a whole has continued to develop. In particular they welcome the increased training and promotion opportunities. A new training officer has been employed since the last inspection who has significantly strengthened the range and quality of courses on offer.

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good

There is only one unqualified member of staff and the manager receives regular updates on progress from his assessor. This confirms that he is, ‘Ahead of target’ to complete within the next six months.

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good

Comments from staff include, ‘I have worked for this organisation for five years and it is very good. In particular, there is now more in depth training, for example, on child sexual exploitation and attachment. This course was highly relevant and gave us a much deeper understanding of the complexity of our young people’s needs’ and, ‘They are very flexible to meet our individual needs. I have a specific rota so I can take and pick my own child up from nursery’ and, ‘We get good support from the manager and deputy. They are both very hands on and we are a good consistent team.’

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good

With one noticeable exception, all staff have benefited from good quality monthly individual supervision sessions. However, this one shortfall was not identified through the internal and external monitoring processes in place. Also, the home’s supervision policy does not actually stipulate how frequent supervision should be so it would make any challenge difficult.

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good

Reports from independent visitors on the quality of care provided in the home do not consistently demonstrate a robust process. Since registration, there has been limited evaluation and repeated phrases. The most recent report had some minor inaccuracies which had not been challenged by the service. A new visitor has been appointed in an attempt to strengthen this process. He has already identified three key strengths of this particular home, namely: 'This home is well managed’; ‘It has a strong and experienced staff team who clearly understand the young people’; and, ‘There is significant evidence of partnership working with parents, social workers, health and education professionals.'

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good

Notifications of significant events are forwarded to Ofsted in a timely manner. These demonstrate that appropriate action is always taken in full collaboration with relevant agencies to safeguard and protect the young person. They also identify appropriate actions taken to try to prevent a re-occurrence.

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good

An important ongoing development since the last inspection is ensuring that the voice of the child is heard in all key documents, including individual placement plans and risk assessments, so they are more meaningful to each child.

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good

However, in general, the main shortfall identified during this inspection is the lack of stringent monitoring of the quality of recordings. This is to better evidence the consistently exceptionally good and established practices within this home. In response, the company as a whole have already commenced a major review of all their policies and recording formats used.

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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

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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