Children's Home run by North Lincolnshire Council in North Lincolnshire

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceeds the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people benefit enormously from the positive experiences they encounter.  Exceptional care helps young people make outstanding progress in different aspects of their lives.  Young people are valued for who they are, value themselves and develop aspirations for their future.  The stable, nurturing environment helps young people overcome past patterns of loss. They build strong, trusting relationships with staff as a foundation for their development.  Young people receive enriching care from a highly motivated manager and staff team.  The drive and commitment of staff puts young people’s well-being, safety, and progress at the heart of what they do.  The manager is highly effective in leading the home from strength to strength.

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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 independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person's report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person's opinion as to whether- (a) children are effectively safeguarded, and (b) 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

This home is owned by a local authority and is registered for up to six children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Adjacent to the home but not part of the registration there is supported independent living accommodation. Young people can use these facilities and move into them when they are ready.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

27/10/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

24/09/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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outstanding

Young people receive exceptional support from staff. This high quality of care is very nurturing, responsive to their individual needs and focussed on helping them achieve their potential. One stakeholder commented, ‘Since being at the home she is now starting to have aspirations for her own future.’

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outstanding

Young people experience stability and positive regard, which helps them move on from past trauma and loss. They develop in confidence and self-esteem building strong relationships and trust with staff. This is not always a linear progression. However, staff are adept at engaging with young people so that they develop resilience and coping strategies, significantly reducing levels of challenging behaviour.

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outstanding

Young people develop in maturity, becoming confident and articulate in expressing their needs. They are empowered by staff to communicate their views and are comfortable conversing with adults. Young people said they felt listened to and have a good say in what happens in their lives. They have helped create their own children’s charter and anti-bullying charter, which are on display.

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outstanding

Education is given a high priority. Staff have close working relationships with schools to promote education on an individual level. Young people have successfully sat GCSEs early and progressed into college. Young people undertake meaningful work experience. To help one young person with social skills, they found work placements in a cafe, and for another this was on a farm with his family. Strong partnership working also helps young people when their attendance drops or they have previously been out of education.

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outstanding

Young people also partake in a range of informal education. They complete first aid and food hygiene courses, undertake training in exploitation and achieve the ‘Princess Diana Anti-bullying’ award becoming anti-bullying ambassadors. These experiences enrich their educational knowledge, improve their social skills and they learn to accept each other’s differences. One stakeholder commented, ‘He has become a role model for another young person which shows his maturity.’

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outstanding

Staff aspirations for young people’s progress outcomes include particular regard and sensitivity for their individual needs. Staff are unwavering in their commitment and patience even when there are difficulties in helping young people develop. Staff will persevere with high levels of challenging behaviour, lack of motivation and difficulties in understanding social norms. Care practice is bespoke and based on thorough analysis of individual needs.

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outstanding

Young people make very good progress towards supporting themselves independently. They learn to complete household tasks, self-medicate, budget, shop, travel independently and have trial periods in the independent living accommodation next to the home. Staff support each young person very well according to their need. The quality of these opportunities significantly enhances their future outcomes.

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outstanding

Young people’s emotional health and wellbeing improves significantly from regular informal conversations with and advice from staff. This was acknowledged by a range of stakeholders as a key strength. Emotional health is also promoted through access to appropriate mental health services. Good physical health is promoted and staff always support young people to attend their medical appointments. As part of independence preparation, young people learn to make their own appointments.

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outstanding

Staff support young people to follow their interests and hobbies through a range of challenging and enjoyable activities. This includes baking, martial arts, going to the gym, cinema and widening their friendship circles. There is good support to develop and maintain important family relationships. This promotes young people’s identity, individuality and participation in the local community.

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outstanding

Young people are safe. Staff give their safety a high priority. Staff have a very good understanding of young people’s vulnerabilities, such as lack of ambition, anxiety, risky behaviour and social isolation. There is a thorough and comprehensive approach to risk management. This supports young people to make choices in a safe manner consistent with their age and understanding. Safeguarding practice goes beyond the home’s aim to ‘provide an environment which nurtures the feelings of emotional wellbeing, safety and stability.’ Previous high risk behaviour such as missing from home, dangers of exploitation and criminal offences such as assault all significantly reduce. Practice is very good and staff adhere to young people’s individual missing from home protocols, ensuring their safe return. When a young person chooses to stay elsewhere, there is good multi-agency working with other professionals to make sure this is safe.

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outstanding

There is a well-thought out approach to make the internet accessible to young people, yet safe at the same time. This includes young people learning about e- safety and avoiding potential risks of internet usage. As part of the anti-bullying work, police have spoken to young people about the impact of inappropriate texts.

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outstanding

There are times when young people do not always get along with each other. Staff are quick to resolve any issues. One stakeholder commented, ‘They will not tolerate any form of oppression.’ Young people see this and feel valued for who they are. This positive approach helps young people develop empathy for and understanding of others and keep out of trouble.

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outstanding

Along with clear boundaries and expectations, this approach also reduces the frequency and intensity of challenging behaviour. Staff are accomplished at doing this and make sure that strong relationships with young people are maintained. There are times physical intervention is used as a last resort to keep young people safe. This has declined significantly, which is a measure of success. Staff frequently discuss alternative strategies with young people to manage their strong emotions. Practice is monitored well to make sure it is safe and that required records are maintained. Young people live in a very homely and well maintained environment. They are able to take ownership of it, personalising their bedrooms, choosing décor and furniture, and designing their own charter. It is also conducive to promoting daily activities such as cooking, baking and eating together. This enhances the inclusive, nurturing environment and improves self-esteem.

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good

The registered manager has been in post since the home opened just over two years ago. Prior to this, she managed another home. She has considerable experience working with young people and has appropriate qualifications.

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good

Along with the rest of the management team and staff, she is very influential in changing young people’s lives for the better. She is extremely knowledgeable about young people’s individual needs and constantly strives to improve the quality of their lives. Such high expectations are clearly communicated through daily discussion, team meetings, appraisals and induction of new staff. As a result, she leads a team who are aspirational for young people, value learning and are committed to giving young people high quality care.

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good

The manager uses a wide range of both qualitative and quantitative information to monitor the quality of care and young people’s progress. She has her finger on the pulse, which was clearly evident in her ability to manage this inspection on her first day at work after a period of absence. In contrast, the independent visitor’s monthly reports lack evaluation about important safeguarding matters and the well-being of young people. This failure by the independent visitor to meet regulatory requirements has not impacted on how well the manager runs the home.

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good

The quality of leadership makes sure that young people’s needs have top priority, and facilitates their progress and development. The manager recognises there are ‘ups and downs’ in young people’s lives and does not let this affect the quality of care. She ensures that this is a ‘home from home’ and fully meets the aims and objectives in the statement of purpose. For example, a safe supportive environment for young people to work through any issues they bring with them; take an active part in what happens and provide positive experiences to grow and flourish. Staff work in close partnership with families, other agencies and have developed links with the schools and colleges that young people attend. For example, completing daily welfare checks for one young person choosing to live at a friend’s house and close communication with the social worker. This promotes the young person’s welfare and safety while balancing risks with an individual’s right to make

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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

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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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