Children's Home run by ROC Northwest 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:

 The young people at this home have very diverse needs and the home has a particular strength in planning for their individual requirements whilst maintaining a cohesive and ‘family’ feel to the home.  Young people are cared for by staff who are committed to them, they feel that staff genuinely care and want the best for them. They enjoy close and trusting relationships which enable them to feel safe and to make emotional and social progress.  Participation in education is positive and the home is a good advocate for young people whose educational provision does not fully meet their needs. Some young people are making extremely good educational progress.  Staff communicate well with young people about their individual safeguarding concerns and are pro-active in involving other agencies to support them in this.  Young people are involved in a wide variety of activities outside the home which promotes their social development and encourages them to be active,

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The children's home provision is good because:

healthy and develop interests.  The home benefits from strong leadership which is effective in promoting positive outcomes and providing high levels of care.  The environment of the home is warm and welcoming. Visitors from families and external agencies report being made to feel welcome and have commented on the home’s calm atmosphere.  Relationships between young people are generally very positive. Where young people do not get along, this is addressed and each young person is supported. An area noted for improvement is in the recording of work undertaken with young people who bully others.  There are clear and firm boundaries in place to keep young people safe, and staff are confident in implementing measures that may not be popular with young people but are required to ensure their safety. Clear procedures are in place to safeguard children although there has been one occasion when these were not fully followed.

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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

In order to meet the positive relationship standard the registered person must ensure that staff understand and communicate to children that bullying is unacceptable (2)(a)(xii) 21.02.2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure that staff understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. Specifically this relates to staff contacting the police in the event of inappropriate images being identified on a young people's mobile device (2)(a)(v) 21.02.2016

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to accommodate up to five young people of either gender who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, physical or learning disabilities, mental disorders and sensory impairment. The home provides accommodation for up to four young people in the main building and one young person in an annex attached to the building. This is designed as a semi- independent living space.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

27/02/2014 Interim Satisfactory Progress

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good

The individual needs of the young people living at this home are well identified and understood with each young person having a highly individualised care plan. The young people’s needs differ significantly and staff are adept at offering care and support at a variety of different levels.

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good

For young people who have very specific health or care needs, training is provided so that staff are confidently able to care for and support them to a very good standard.

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good

Communication with young people is a strength of the home. The young people use a variety of communication methods and they are well supported to express themselves. Staff are highly attuned to the more subtle forms of communication some young people use.

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good

Some young people make exceptional progress from their starting points, others make good progress in areas such as health, education and social and emotional development. For some young people progress slows or ceases and this is understood and addressed by the staff team. Staff are creative in their approach to ensuring progress is continuous, they are not afraid to try new ideas and work well alongside other professionals in developing strategies for progression. Young people are supported to gain independence and prepare to move on as they approach transitional periods.

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good

The strength of the relationships formed between staff and young people helps young people to feel settled and secure in their environment. They are confident that they will be listened to and their views taken into account. For one young person the relationships formed with staff have allowed him to take giant steps in addressing some very complex and entrenched behaviours.

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good

Young people, external agencies and families give consistently positive feedback in respect of the level of care given at the home. Young people report feeling happy with the care they received and their home environment. They report positive relationships with staff and each other.

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good

Young people know how to make a complaint should they wish to do so, and are confident that they would be supported to complain to other agencies should their services be deficient. Young people are regularly encouraged to speak to an advocate or independent visitor to share their views. There are a range of forums through which young people can express their views. Some key-worker sessions are extremely detailed and evidence in-depth discussions regarding wishes and feelings.

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good

All young people are engaging in education at the home, although this takes a variety of different forms. The home advocates effectively for those young people who do not have a full package of education and support young people to achieve their educational potential. Some young people, whilst not in mainstream school, are making exceptional academic progress.

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good

Young people are encouraged to be active and follow a healthy lifestyle. Staff are enthusiastic in promoting participation in activities and external clubs and groups such as scouts, judo, boxing and horse riding. This allows young people to mix with their peers, develop social relationships and have new experiences.

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good

Young people in the home report feeling safe. They understand why measures are put in place which help to ensure their safety and report that they are regularly spoken to about their risk assessments and safeguarding plans. Young people understand what they need to achieve before rules and boundaries can be reconsidered and potentially allow them greater freedoms. They feel the boundaries are reasonable and fair and this results in good levels of cooperation with plans and improved safeguarding outcomes. One young person commented ‘ I understand they ( the rules) are here to help and protect me and keep me safe’.

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good

Staff are trained in safeguarding as part of the induction process and there are regular refresher and higher level courses which enables continuous development. There are a number of policies and procedures in place to safeguard young people which staff are confident in implementing. Some policies, such as the missing child policy, are agreed with external agencies to ensure a cohesive response to young people who go missing.

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good

Some young people go missing from home. Detailed chronologies ensure thorough recording of these incidents and evidence that staff adopt a robust approach to locating and returning young people and to ensuring good communication with external agencies and family members. For young people at risk of child sexual exploitation there is strong evidence of collaborative work and challenge to placing authorities who are not providing an effective response.

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good

There is recognition that social networking and media are significant risks to young people’s safety. Training is in place to ensure that all staff understand and recognise the risks. Young people’s internet access is risk assessed and where necessary limited and closely monitored. There has been one occasion where staff have not followed procedures for responding to inappropriate use of a mobile device, this has been addressed and staff are now clear on the procedure for reporting concerns. Although this has raised a requirement the incident was addressed correctly and there was no negative impact on the young person’s welfare. Some young people have contracts in relation to their use of social media and these are effective in promoting their safety.

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good

Each young person has a range of individual risk assessments which clearly detail their areas of high risk. The assessments are subject to regular review and update as young people’s behaviours evolve. For some young people areas of risk reduce significantly whilst in placement. For others, after a period of being settled, their risks increase. The home readily adapts their response to changing risks, thus ensuring that young people’s needs are always met.

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good

Young people benefit from clear and consistent boundaries and have a positive response to these. Sanctions are used infrequently and positive behaviour is promoted through praise and reward. All staff are skilled in de-escalating and diverting incidents of challenging behaviour and staff and young people report physical intervention is used only when absolutely necessary. When physical intervention is used the records are detailed and thorough, staff and young people are able to comment, there is management oversight and the outcome is linked to any changes made to the young person’s risk assessment or personal care plan.

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good

Young people have risk assessments in relation to bullying. There have been incidences of bullying in the home and although there has been a pro–active and effective response to this, there is no evidence of direct work with the young person to address the issue and improve their understanding of the impact of their behaviour.

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good

The physical environment of the home is safe. Regular safety checks of the home and equipment are undertaken. Fire drills are regular and ensure young people and staff are confident in evacuating the house in the event of a fire. One young person has made extremely good progress in their ability to cooperate with fire drills, thus improving his safety. Judgement grade

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good

The home is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager who has been in post since March 2014. There is a clear structure to the staff team with shift leaders and a deputy manager in post. Each member of staff understands their role and the responsibilities delegated to them. Staff report an inclusive ethos to the management of the home with the manager regularly seeking their views and suggestions for development and improvement.

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good

Young people’s needs are clearly prioritised and there is commitment and drive to promote their development and progression. There are systems in place for monitoring progress to ensure it is continuous and regular liaison with placing authorities to ensure that progress is in line with the plan for young people.

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good

Staff report feeling supported in their roles with high quality induction and supervision and a wide range of training which is specific to the needs of the young people. Yearly performance appraisals help staff to develop their skills. Young people’s views are gathered to assist in the performance appraisal of staff.

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good

Although a recruitment process is underway the home is staffed to a high level ensuring that young people receive the individual attention they need. Where there are gaps in the staffing rota these are mainly covered by permanent staff as overtime, this means that young people benefit from continuous care from known adults.

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good

The manager of this home has a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses and makes good use of monitoring systems to inform improvement. There is a development plan in place to promote development of the home and address areas identified for improvement.

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good

The home is achieving its aims and objectives as set out in its statement of purpose which is a useful document providing full information to placing authorities and young people’s families about the care and services provided by the home.

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good

Feedback from external agencies is consistently positive. The home develops strong links with local agencies to ensure the holistic needs of the young people are met. Placing authorities report good levels of communication and consultation in respect of young people, and families report very favourably in respect of the support and flexibility they are offered.

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good

At the previous inspection two requirements and two recommendations were made, these have all been met. Risk assessments contain up to date information and any updates are effectively communicated to the full staff team through the handover book and team meetings; staff duty rotas contain full names of staff and are consistent with other records relating to staffing in the home; there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities of the home; and there is an effective system in place to notify the relevant authorities of significant events.

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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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