Children's Home run by A Wilderness Way Limited in Northumberland

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:

▪ Staff have a good knowledge of the needs of the young people they care for. Well-written care plans ensure that progress can be measured and that young people make good progress. Staff work very hard to promote the educational opportunities of all young people. They have had some success in this area with young people settling quickly into the home’s routine and being able to return to mainstream education. ▪ Young people develop warm positive relationships with staff. This helps them to feel safe and secure and helps them develop their self-confidence. As a result, their emotional health improves. ▪ The home is located in a rural area and provides a safe, warm and welcoming environment. Young people’s opinions and views are listened to. What they say about the home and their care brings about change which in turn, helps them to feel valued and respected. ▪ Young people have fun. They are encouraged to enjoy being children and to

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The children's home provision is good because:

experience a wide range of activities, hobbies and interests both inside the home and in the community. ▪ The home has clear and effective policies and procedures in place to help keep young people safe. Their consistent implementation by staff reinforces this. As a result, the frequency of young people going missing from the home reduces over time. ▪ The home is very well led. The registered manager has a clear commitment and determination to improve the lives of the young people living there. Staff share this commitment and are enthusiastic about their work. The impact of the home’s leadership and management upon the safety and welfare of young people is clearly apparent. ▪ Staff provide continuity and this enables young people to feel safe and secure. Effective arrangements are in place to promote their health and well-being. As a result, their life chances improve by living at this home.

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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

The registered person must ensure that the independent person produces a report about a visit which sets out in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4) (a) & (b)) 31/03/2016

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned by an independent provider. The home provides care and accommodation for up to 3 children and young people aged 8 -18 with emotional/behavioural dfficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Good

When you arrive at this home you are met with a warm welcome from staff and young people. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed with staff and young people sharing good humour and banter. Rooms are large, airy, well-decorated and well- furnished. This conveys to young people and visitors that staff take a pride in the home. The homely feel is enhanced further by the presence of a pet dog belonging to the registered manager. This carries the message to young people that they can be trusted to look after the animal and care for it. One young person said, ‘I love having the dog here. I enjoy taking it for walks and, when he’s muddy, giving him a bath.’ Staff have high aspirations for all the young people at the home. They have a good understanding of their individual strengths and difficulties and are sensitive to their changing needs. Staff are very fond of all the young people and relate to them with genuine affection and concern for their welfare.

p.6

Good

In-depth care plans are clear and easy to understand. They accurately describe what the home sets out to achieve for each young person and how they will do it. Staff use their time with the young people to great effect. During informal social activities, meal times or during key-worker meetings they discuss with them particular aspects about their care, congratulate them on the progress they have made and offer on-going help and encouragement. Regular oversight by the registered manager ensures all progress is recorded. Written records are retained that show clearly how well young people have done since coming to live here.

p.6

Good

Staff have high aspirations for all young people and ensure they attend education. Where mainstream education is not provided the registered manager and staff work in a coordinated manner to improve the options available to them. One member of staff said, ‘Some young people who come here haven’t been in school for a long time. We often have to develop a learning routine and culture in the home first before we can think about introducing them back into the school environment. We do plan ahead though and our aim is that everyone will go back into mainstream education as soon as possible.’ One young person said, ‘I love being in school. I’m not happy with the homework I have to do but I need to do it if I’m to catch up.’

p.6

Good

Care plans clearly record each young person’s specific health care needs. For instance, some young people need support and encouragement to attend the dentist or to attend appointments with the community mental health team. All young people eat a healthy diet. Staff encourage them to plan and prepare healthy meals. One way they do this is by encouraging them to take turns cooking for each other. One young person said, ‘I love cooking.’

p.6

Good

Staff and young people meet formally and informally throughout the day. They talk frequently with each other about life at the home and how it can be improved. For instance, young people have recently met with their key-workers and agreed what sanctions should be put in place if they display negative behaviour or don’t follow the house rules. One member of staff said, ‘The young people were all receiving incentives for keeping their rooms tidy, for doing the washing up and for doing other household chores. It was the youngsters themselves who thought they shouldn’t receive an incentive for something they should be doing anyway.’

p.7

Good

Young people have the opportunity to get involved in an array of different activities in the community, such as hill walking, dog walking, horse-riding, visits to museums or shopping. One young person said, ‘I love horse-riding and I love looking after the dog. I like living here.’

p.7

Good

Young people are encouraged to gain greater independence and self-reliance. For example, they are supported and encouraged to plan, prepare and cook meals, to take care of their own laundry and keep their rooms clean and tidy. This kind of behaviour helps them to take responsibility for their actions, builds confidence and helps them learn essential daily living skills.

p.7

Good

Young people who live at the home have experienced disruptive and chaotic family lifestyles. Staff recognise that despite previous family issues, staying in touch with their family and friends is extremely important. With this in mind, staff work creatively in ensuring relationships between young people and those close to them are maintained. For instance and where necessary, staff provide formal supervision to allow contact to take place. In other circumstances, they provide transport for young people or invite their family and friends into the home.

p.7

Good

Staff work tirelessly in helping to protect young people and keep them safe. They have an extensive knowledge and understanding of the risks which might cause harm to each of them. They work together in a consistent manner to reduce risk taking behaviour and to educate them about how to keep themselves safe. In addition, risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. This is particularly the case when the level of risk to the young person has increased or decreased. A speedy review of risks in this manner not only helps to keep young people safe, it also allows them to see that when they look after themselves they can be rewarded by having any boundaries relaxed.

p.7

Good

The registered manager is forward thinking in her planning for the introduction of new young people to the home. She insists on being provided with clear, detailed information about the young person from social workers which helps to identify whether the home can meet their assessed needs. Where the registered manager feels that the introduction of a new young person into the home might cause upset to the existing group the admission does not proceed. The registered manager said, ‘We’re just getting this group of people settled. Now wouldn’t be the right time to introduce another young person into the home.’ There is a clear audit trail of evidence to show that full consideration is made of the needs of existing residents as well as those new young people. Decision making is both clear and accountable.

p.7

Good

Robust policies and procedures underpin the work of staff in keeping young people safe. For example, missing from home procedures are practical, hold professionals to account for their actions and are understood by all staff. Young people know what action staff will take if they go missing. Staff take pre-emptive action to distract them from running away but if they do go missing they are proactive in searching for them. For instance, by driving to local areas looking for them. In every case, a young person is visited by someone independent of the home when they have returned. The frequency at which young people go missing is reducing and it is admirable that the home has had some success in this area.

p.8

Good

Following consultation with young people, staff have agreed what sanctions will be put in place if young people display negative behaviour. This provides them with consistency in how the home’s rules are applied. It helps them to know what behaviour is expected of them and what the consequences will be if they demonstrate negative behaviour. One member of staff said, ‘It’s not surprising the young people have negative behaviour when they come here. Some of them haven’t had rules to follow or parents that have been able to give them clear boundaries.’ The clear boundaries and the consistent handling of staff helps young people to adapt and settle into the home’s routine. This gives them a firm platform from which to make progress.

p.8

Good

All staff have training in the use of restraint and behaviour management which is regularly updated and refreshed. The focus of this training is on the prevention of challenging behaviour by using distraction techniques, patience and good humour. Staff have the skills and experience they need to manage difficult situations appropriately and effectively. Physical restraint is only used when absolutely necessary. Sanctions are very occasionally used to help young people manage their behaviour. One young person said, ‘I feel comfortable here. The staff make me feel like I matter.’ Judgement grade

p.8

Good

The registered manager is an experienced, competent professional. She has been in post since February 2015. She has undertaken the post qualifying child care award. She is in the process of mapping the content of this qualification against the new Level 5 qualification to demonstrate where it meets the requirements of the Level 5 diploma. She works directly with young people every day. For example, by covering shifts in the home when staff are off work due to ill health. This hands- on approach is inspirational to staff. It helps to create a team with a shared vision and determination of how to help young people.

p.9

Good

The registered provider has a clear and unambiguous complaints process in place. Young people can contact independent advocates, social workers or family members if they have a concern or complaint. Having an array of different agencies to contact if they have a concern or a complaint adds significantly to their safety and welfare. Young people spoken to all said they knew who to speak to if they had any concerns or complaints.

p.9

Good

The home has regular internal monitoring processes that demonstrate the manager is aware of, and committed to, continuous improvement. They focus on issues and shortfalls highlighted at previous inspections and taken swift action to remedy any breaches of regulation and any recommendations for improvement.

p.9

Good

Staff are suitably qualified or are undertaking appropriate training. They have access to a range of excellent training which is updated and refreshed regularly. One member of staff said, ‘I’ve not been here that long and I’ve forgotten how much training I’ve had. I’ve never been offered so much.’ This helps to ensure they retain their current skills and learn new ones.

p.9

Good

Independent monitoring visits occur each month. Reports are both clear and concise. The reviewing officers speak with staff, children and young people and, where appropriate their families. The reports are helpful in assisting the home to comply with it Statement of Purpose and to continue making progress. However, the opinion of the visiting officer in relation to the overall safety and well-being of young people is not clearly recorded.

p.9

Good

Formal staff supervision takes places regularly. The agenda for individual supervision focusses on the needs of the young people and it encourages staff to reflect on their work practice and to consider how they can improve outcomes. One member of staff said, ‘I get regular supervision. I find it very helpful in analysing how I work with particular youngsters. It’s a learning experience for me and the manager is very supportive.’

p.9

Good

The home’s Statement of Purpose is both well-written and detailed. It sets out what the aims and objectives of the home are and all staff have a clear understanding of the home’s ethos. They are all fully committed to meeting the home’s objectives and are passionate about delivering high quality care to young people. They share a common goal of improving young people’s life chances and in helping them to develop good, responsible behaviour. They do this by providing them with excellent role models and by having high aspirations for them. The staff team work consistently together helping to achieve these aims and accept nothing less than the best for the young people they look after.

p.9

Good

The home works in very close partnership with parents and other agencies. The registered manager leads by example in vigorously challenging those agencies and staff that are not delivering the services to young people that they deserve or to a high enough standard. For example, as a direct result of the manager’s intervention, a head teacher at a local school agreed to offer a young person a place there after initially refusing.’

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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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