Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

None

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

p.2

None

Six requirements were made at the last full inspection. Four have been addressed in full. The home immediately ensured that any agency staff used were suitably qualified and experienced to meet the young people’s unique and highly complex needs. They then stopped using them altogether in August 2015 as it was found to be exacerbating the difficulties in re-establishing consistency and stability.

p.2

None

Monthly monitoring reports produced following a review of the quality of care provided in the home now demonstrate consultations with parents and relatives of the young people living in the home. However, a recommendation was made to ensure these visits were undertaken by individuals sufficiently independent. This has not been addressed, so a requirement has been made. Also, there are still some inaccuracies in these reports, for example, the number of restraints, suggesting the process is not always robust.

p.2

None

The most recent six monthly manager’s report is an honest analysis of the review period April to September 2015 and shows a particularly challenging time throughout. As recommended at the last inspection, this report includes the views of young people. However, it was not forwarded to Ofsted within 28 days of completion as is legally required. The manager has recently designed a weekly checklist for duty managers. This is to ensure that all documentation is closely scrutinised and quality assured so it is maintained at a satisfactory. This will inform her next qualitative report.

p.2

None

A more effective system is now in place for ensuring a revised copy of the home’s statement of purpose is received by Ofsted within 28 days of any amendments.

p.2

None

The home’s location risk assessment was strengthened in October 2015 to include all known hot spots. However, this was revised at a specific point in time when the home was relatively more settled and police involvement was less intense, so some of the information is already out of date. It includes some very useful crime statistics but does not evaluate how these might impact on the known risks of the young people.

p.2

None

Following the last inspection small safes were purchased for each young person to securely store personal items. However, two have been damaged, so this recommendation is repeated.

p.3

None

The major regulatory shortfall is the fact that the majority of the young people are still not engaging in full time education, training or employment, so a compliance notice has been served. One academically bright young person has not been in education for 11 months and has fallen considerably behind her peers. This will negatively impact on her future employment prospects. Another young person with only sporadic attendance up to the end of term in July 2015, did not return to school following the summer holidays and up until her discharge in October. One young person has a school place but refuses to attend.

p.3

None

It is acknowledged that the manager has recently been particularly pro-active in preventing an exclusion. Since the last inspection the staff are also now ensuring that young people are up and ready to learn each morning. One young person received a few hours tutoring within the home. Staff are also requesting work for them to complete in the home, but these are not suitable arrangements long term. Moreover, it does not meet each young person’s legal right to full time education.

p.3

None

Staff are particularly frustrated when they successfully secure specialist educational provisions to meet young people’s highly complex needs and then the school cannot manage their behaviours and they are sent home. One member of staff said, ‘His school will ring us up to bring him home over minor issues yet they are supposed to be a specialist school for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.’

p.3

None

Two out of four specialist schools within this local authority have already refused to take one young person. Moreover, the panel only meet once a month to explore funding for external alternatives and during that period young people are not being educated.

p.3

None

Young people are cared for by an extremely committed and resilient staff team, but the current group are not investing in the placement and abiding by the most basic house rules. They consistently voice how much they like this home and want to stay, for example, ‘I really like it here. The staff are like my family and I’m able to talk to them about anything.’ However, their actions are putting their placements in jeopardy.

p.3

None

Comments from staff include, ‘We have never had this culture here before’, ‘One young person’s risks have increased four-fold. She used to feel safe with one-to- one staffing but now she resents it and just runs’, ‘We don’t what a repeat of 2015’ and, ‘One young person is particularly verbally and physically challenging. If we go one day without a challenge that is progress.’ As an example, it has taken 12 weeks of patience and persistence in encouraging one young person to take his prescribed medication which is starting to help him relax and feel less anxious.

p.3

None

All the young people smoke tobacco and some regularly use illicit drugs. This results in mood swings, poor diets and erratic sleep patterns which all negatively impact on continued good health. Staff consistently ensure the timely provision of appropriate specialist services to meet young people’s more complex needs, but most refuse to engage, so they are not having the desired positive impact.

p.4

None

There are on-going discussions with young people about keeping themselves safe in the community and online. In fact, one young person recently designed and did a presentation about child sexual exploitation to a group of professionals, which is now part of the authority’s mandatory course. This shows excellent understanding, but in practice she and the other young people are still frequently engaging in risk taking behaviours and placing themselves in highly vulnerable situations.

p.4

None

There have been a number of admissions and discharges since the last inspection. However, impact risk assessments are not consistently sufficiently robust. In particular, they do not clearly demonstrate how the home will manage the known risks of all the young people. Moreover, some significant safeguarding information, about negative associations that were already firmly established in the local community prior to admission, was not made available during the referral process. This has heightened some young people’s risks and vulnerabilities.

p.4

None

This has also resulted in some unsuitable matches and has negatively impacted on the stability of other young people already living in the home. For example, over the summer there were four young people who were all at risk of child sexual exploitation. Consequently, the progress and experiences for young people have been variable since the last inspection. This has included placement disruptions to keep everyone safe.

p.4

None

A key strength of this home is the on-going practical and emotional support to young people who have left the home. This has ensured that some young people have continued to successfully live independently or with their families.

p.4

None

The staff also did some good focussed work with an asylum seeking young person in promoting his heritage and establishing contacts in the community. As a result he is now living independently with appropriate on-going support that meets his specific cultural needs and religious preferences.

p.4

None

Two young people have received custodial sentences since the last inspection. Two young people returned to live back home as it was acknowledged that their risks of sexual exploitation were heightened at this home. This was because other young people introduced them to individuals who would harbour them and supply them with drugs when they were missing. One young person’s risk taking behaviours have regressed beyond those exhibited over 12 months ago. Moreover, she now has the confidence to independently travel further afield so the challenge to locate her quickly and safely has increased. A specialist placement is actively being sought to try to keep her safe.

p.4

None

Independent return interviews are not being consistently completed in a timely manner. This is an important safeguard to inform the review of individual risk assessments and consider new strategies to try to avoid a re-occurrence.

p.5

None

During the summer there was a significant increase in young people going missing together and putting themselves at risk of drug misuse and sexual exploitation. This included one young person who, up until then, had not gone missing for four months. There was also an increase in restraints due to assaults on staff and criminal damage. The use of incentives to encourage good behaviour and effort was no longer effective and sanctions were imposed.

p.5

None

Excellent partnership working is firmly established with the local police. This has helped to safeguard and protect some young people living at the home and from the local community by, for example, sharing intelligence and serving nine harbouring notices. The staff will also not hesitate to knock on known drug dealer’s doors, regardless of the hour, to find young people. Moreover, they have recently established effective working relationships with the managers of a local bail hostel and a private landlord to try to prevent young people repeatedly staying at known addresses.

p.5

None

This is a very passionate and dedicated staff team who have demonstrated tremendous resilience throughout a sustained challenging time. Professionals are highly complementary about the stalwart efforts of the staff and the partnership working to try to keep young people safe, but overall it has had limited impact. In fact some young people are now putting themselves at higher risk.

p.5

None

Recent comments from stakeholders include, ‘I am impressed with the tenacity of the staff who are doing all they can to limit risks and maintain young people’s safety’, ‘I am pleased with the level of communication. I am kept fully informed and the information is detailed and accurate. The staff demonstrate a high degree of knowledge and skill and have done all they possibly can to try to safeguard one young person but we are now all extremely worried for her emotional well-being and safety’ and, ‘I cannot praise this team enough. The commitment in supporting young people’s challenging behaviours is commendable. There is ample evidence of inter-agency working to try to safeguard them but unfortunately missing from homes have increased.’

p.5

None

The current group of young people did enjoy two meals out together over the Christmas holidays. However, although positive activities continue to be offered generally young people are actively choosing to engage in more negative pursuits. One member of staff said, ‘Young people requested a holiday in the summer. We booked it but they then changed their mind. We also paid for tickets to a theme park and made a packed lunch but on the day they refused to go.’

p.6

None

The staff work well with parents and ensure all young people benefit from regular and constructive contact with family and friends in line with any legal directions and personal preferences. They are also strong and effective advocates. For example, they supported one young person through protracted court proceedings to enable her to have contact with her brother. Most recently staff negotiated overnight stays for one young person with his grandma. This was at his request, but he has not taken up this opportunity. The negative pulls in the community are proving too great.

p.6

None

Despite extensive criminal damage by young people over a sustained period of time, the staff have worked tirelessly to maintain a good standard of accommodation in the communal areas. This negative behaviour is still continuing, with one young person regularly and purposely flooding the bathroom. On the day of this inspection a member of staff was cleaning up after a wet toilet roll fight. This escalated to a physical altercation between two young people and one young person running away.

p.6

None

The new conservatory has been furnished since the last inspection. The walls in the corridors are kept clean but are noticeably devoid of pictures and photographs that create a homely ambience. These have all been destroyed.

p.6

None

One young person’s bedroom is in a very poor state with graffiti on the walls and dirty windows. This young person has extremely low–esteem and research has demonstrated that the physical environment has a significant impact on emotional well-being. Another young person’s bedroom is very sparse, but he has recently engaged in a key worker session and agreed to go with staff to buy items to personalise it.

p.6

None

Apart from one member of staff on maternity leave, the team has remained stable since the last inspection. Two young people were actively involved in recruiting for her replacement, thereby developing some good skills needed for future successful independent living.

p.6

None

This team are suitably qualified for their respective roles and some have achieved or commenced management qualifications to aid career progression. This means that young people are cared for by an experienced, stable and resilient staff team who continue to place the well-being of all the young people at the centre of their practice, irrespective of the significant challenges they present. They remain highly appreciative of the clear direction, support and regular supervision from the management team, but realistically the last 10 months has taken its toll on morale. Comments include, ‘This manager went over and beyond to get me on the training which will help me to gain a promotion’, ‘The manager and deputy are amazing. They are so supportive and we couldn’t wish for any better to get us through this very difficult time’ and, ‘Our managers are very staff oriented so the team are loyal to them.’

p.6

None

The manager, mindful of young people’s needs and her staff has stood firm, with support from her line manager, to resist new admissions if it was not in the best interests of the young people already in placement. This is to try to avoid a repeat of, ‘The disastrous mix of young people in the summer.’ High staffing levels and waking watch continue, however the manager is acutely aware of the immense pressure for beds and the fact that this is a six-bedded home.

p.7

None

Moving forward the home has recently secured monthly meetings with the police, youth offending team, housing and education to ensure a multi-agency approach to meeting young people’s holistic needs.

p.7

Information about this children's home

This is a local authority children’s home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people at any given time who may be experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.8

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.8

Recent inspection history

17/07/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

p.8

Recent inspection history

20/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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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.

p.9

Requirement Due date

To meet the education standard the home must ensure that: young people who are not attending school have access to educational and training support throughout their period of exclusion or non –attendance; help young people to return to school as soon as possible; and, help young people above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment. (Regulation 8(2)(viii)and(ix)) 18/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

Review the home's location risk assessment in consultation with other relevant safeguarding agencies to ensure it always accurately reflects the current vulnerabilities and the actions taken to reduce these. (Regulation 46) 21/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

Supply to Ofsted a report of any review on the quality of care provided in the home within 28 days of the date on which the review was completed. (Regulation 45(4)(a)) 30/04/2016

p.9

Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports

p.9

Requirement Due date

Ensure that an independent person undertakes a robust monitoring visit to the children’s home at least once a month and produces a report on how well children are safeguarded and their well-being is promoted. (Regulation 44 (1) and (4)) 29/02/2016

p.9

Requirement Due date

To meet the health and well-being standard the home must 31/03/2016 clearly demonstrate that all the young people’s physical, mental and emotional needs are met and they are helped to lead a healthy lifestyle. (Regulation 10(1))

p.9

Requirement Due date

To meet the protection of children standard the premises must be furnished and maintained to a standard that protects each child from avoidable hazards to the child's health and safety. (Regulation 12(2)(d)) 29/02/2016

p.10

Requirement Due date

To meet the care planning standard, the registered person must demonstrate that the home only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (Regulation 14 (2)) 29/02/2016

p.10

Requirement Due date

* This requirement is subject to statutory requirement notice.

p.10

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.10

Recommendations

 Provide each young person with a lockable cabinet or drawers to securely store personal items. (The Guide, page 16, paragraph 3.19)

p.10

Recommendations

 Ensure there is an effective system in place for ensuring all young people have the opportunity to talk to an independent person on the safe return from being missing about their reasons for going missing. (The Guide, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.11

Information about this inspection

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 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

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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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