Children's Home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Cheshire West and Chester

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.2

The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people’s needs are now being consistently met. In particular, their safety, emotional well-being and education needs are clearly set out and there is increased engagement in plans.  Relationships between staff and young people have improved through sharing activities that are tailored to individual tastes and preferences, and recognise young people’s unique needs.  Young people are now engaging on a regular basis in their education placements. They are now supported by staff that recognise their efforts and achievements.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Placing authorities confirm the home has made a number of improvements, which is having a positive impact on the lives of young people.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Managers have helped staff to reflect on their learning and practice, and have supported a more open culture within the home.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Leaders and managers now have a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. A clear development plan has been formulated to ensure that improvements are fully embedded into practice and sustained.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Work has been undertaken to address all of the requirements made at the last inspection, this needs to be built upon and sustained to continually promote better outcomes for all young people.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Independent visits are not always effective as they do not provide an up-to- date account of safeguarding or welfare concerns. They also provide contradictory information; the registered manager has challenged information provided.

p.3

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.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulations 44 and 45) to ensure continuous improvement. Those undertaking the role should be skilled in anticipating difficulties and reviewing incidents, such as learning from disruptions and placement breakdowns. They are responsible for proactively implementing lessons learned and sustaining good practice. In particular, if the information provided is inaccurate this will need to be challenged and amended. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page55, paragraph 24)

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 Interim sustained effectiveness

p.5

Recent inspection history

22/01/2014 Interim Satisfactory Progress

p.5

good

A full inspection was completed in November 2015. Concerns were identified around the safety and well-being of the young people and the home was judged as inadequate. Since this inspection one young person has remained living in the home and another young person was supported to more to a more appropriate placement. A transition plan was devised and staff supported the young person to move from the placement in a positive way. Before she left staff arranged a celebratory event and the young person had a book with photographs of her stay in the home, to take with her as she moved on. This ensures young people have memories to take with them into adulthood

p.6

good

The Registered manager and staff have worked hard to address issues around stability and life experiences, for young people. Consequently, young people appear happier and can see the changes that have taken place since the last inspection and how this has affected them. For example, one young people said that staff are now more consistent and if ‘one says no they all say no.’ This ensures young people have clear boundaries in place and staff maintain a consistent approach.

p.6

good

Young people have been supported to return to their education provisions and staff have all engaged in training around the importance of education. Staff said ‘We are all clear about what we need to do if we have concerns about any areas of education and we all understand the importance of promoting this’. A new education-planning document is in place, which enables staff to identify each individual young person’s ongoing needs in relation to their education. The document sets out professionals responsibilities, such as the designated virtual head teacher for each individual young person. This will ensure that a multi-agency approach will be taken in relation to young people’s education and their individual needs will not be allowed to drift. If young people refuse to attend their education provision, individual plans have been designed and a clear routine has been put in place. This will ensure that young people understand the importance of education

p.6

good

and the support available to them. Staff have developed and improved young people’s health plans. These now contain all relevant information. When issues are identified around health concerns these are now followed up and clear outcomes evidenced. For example, any outstanding hospital or medical appointments are addressed, ensuring there is support, advice and guidance available to young people. This helps promote young people’s health and well-being.

p.6

good

Young people had also been taking part in more activities with different members of the staff team. This has enabled them, to start to develop positive and trusting relationships with different adults caring for them. This has strengthened relationships.

p.7

good

Young person’s records are now up to date and Local Authority documentation has been received. Placement plans, risk assessments and behaviour management plans have all been updated and contain all relevant information. These evidence young people’s individual needs and identify any vulnerability. There are also clear action plans and how staff will meet young people’s needs. They are now regularly reviewed, and signed by all staff to make sure everyone is aware of any changes. This ensures that young people’s needs are being met and a consistent approach is used, by a competent staff team.

p.7

good

Young people now benefit from detailed risk managements plans. They have been re-designed in consultation with young people and staff. They show the progress young people are making in reducing risks and are updated to include immediate changes in approach. For example, if there are new triggers identified these are added by the staff on duty and not left until the manager is available. This ensures that staff are all identifying new risks and updating records accordingly. One staff member said ‘ Since the last inspection we have all been more involved in looking at the paperwork and attended training to help us understand the importance of paperwork and why it needs to be up to date.’

p.7

good

Missing from care policies and procedures have been update and provide staff with clear guidance on what needs to happen if young people’s whereabouts are unknown. Staff use a more hands on approach and will check the local area and speak to family and friends, if they are unable to locate the young person. Missing from care meetings are requested and when they do not take place evidence provided showed the action the staff have taken. This included sending emails in regards to the Local Authorities responsibility in organising this, in accordance with their own safeguarding policies. When young people return after missing from care episodes, they are offered return home interviews with an independent person. These are used as an opportunity to learn, helping reduce risks and ensuring the safety of young people. . Behaviour management plans have been updated and discussions have taken place with staff in team meetings around appropriate responses following any incidents.

p.7

good

This has included a review of all consequences imposed on young people. This ensures a consistent approach is used that is not punitive but more effective. The manager has a clear overview of all consequences and young people are also provided with a chance to share their views on what has happened. This provides young people with the opportunity to learn reflect and improve their behaviour.

p.8

good

Since the last inspection, staff have attended training on safeguarding including child sexual exploitation (CSE), the services Statement of Purpose, medication, health, education and managing behaviours. Staff have also reflected on and considered all of the paperwork within the home and understand their roles in keeping them accurate and up to date. Staff said ‘Although it was a difficult judgement, the training, support and opportunity to spend time together and reflect as a new team has really helped. We can already see a difference in the way we work and more importantly we are much more consistent and clear with young people.’

p.8

good

Leaders and managers have worked effectively to devise a comprehensive action plan. This has been implemented to address all of the shortfalls found at the last inspection. Consequently recording in the home has significantly improved; providing a clearer and more up-to-date picture of young people’s lives. This is particularly evident in young people’s daily care plans; their behaviour management plans and individual risk assessments. Ongoing monitoring is in place to ensure they are regularly reviewed and updated. This provides a good insight into young people’s lives.

p.8

good

The Manager is no longer working on a shift pattern; instead, she has completed direct management hours. This has enabled her to have a clear overview of staff’s care and safeguarding practice, and regular monitor how they follow safeguarding policies and procedures. The Manager has also reviewed and updated the statement of purpose. This is now in line with The Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and provides a clear ethos for the home. Staff are fully aware of its content and young people are cared for in line with current legislation. Managers have also revised pre-admission procedures, to ensure all risk assessments are completed prior to young people being offered places. As there have been no admissions to the home, it is not possible to judge the effectiveness of this improvement.

p.9

good

Regular monthly monitoring is undertaken by an independent visitor to improve the quality of care. However, the report compiled is not effective, as it does not provide an up-to-date account of safeguarding or welfare concerns. Reports also contain contradictory information and are not helpful to the manager in monitoring the home. The Manager has taken appropriate action to challenge the content of the report and this is under review. Staff say that they are improving their knowledge and understanding of the needs of young people by attending training and working together more consistently as a team. Team meetings have improved with actions plans devised to ensure accountability. Staff said ‘the manager is very supportive and has worked very hard to make a lot of positive changes. Although it’s not been easy, we know we have improved and this will continue.’

p.9

good

Since the last inspection clear steps have been taken to improve staff responses to safeguarding issues. For example, all staff have attended in-house training on how to respond to disclosures from young people and the steps to take thereafter. There is evidence that new systems are to be introduced so that decision making processes relating to safeguarding are clearly recorded. Furthermore, risks assessment documents have been reviewed and improved to ensure young people’s needs are clearly identified and strategies put in place to manage these in line with the local authority care plan. This further supports the health and safety of young people as staff are better equipped to recognise and respond to concerns.

p.9

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.

p.10

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

p.10

What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

p.10

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

p.11

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 .

p.11

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,

p.12

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.12

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.12

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

p.12