Children's Home run by Your Chapter 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:

 High levels of risk pertaining to missing from home and child sexual exploitation are effectively managed. As a result, young people are kept safe, and risks are reducing.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Managers and staff work collaboratively with partner agencies who report high levels of satisfaction with the service. This promotes young people’s welfare and protects them from harm.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff place the well-being of individual young people at the centre of their practice, irrespective of the significant challenges they sometimes present.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people benefit from a safe, nurturing, warm, and caring environment with staff who clearly want to spend quality time with them.  Clear boundaries are maintained and staff encourage good routines which support young people’s progress and development.  Staff help young people to manage complex contact arrangements safely, enabling them to keep in touch with people who are important to them.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Educational attendance and levels of participation are excellent, and this supports young people’s learning and life chances. Significant progress is being made relative to each young person’s starting point.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Access to in-house therapeutic support means young people are supported to address past experiences as well as current concerns. A clear focus on health improves their emotional and physical well-being.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 A restorative approach to behaviour management means young people are supported to understand the impact of negative behaviour on themselves and others.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Activities and opportunities are plentiful, enabling young people to have new experiences, develop skills and build confidence. Achievements are celebrated, and young people are beginning to take pride in their accomplishments. This reflects improved feelings of self-worth.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Leaders and managers display passion and commitment to their role. Strong leadership means this home is organised and effectively managed. To continue to improve the home needs to:

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Address the vulnerability identified in the door alarm system so the monitoring of young people’s movements during the night is as robust as possible.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Complete debriefs with all staff and young people who have been involved in, or witnessed incidents of restraint.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Ensure the independent visitor clearly evidences efforts made to consult with young people as part of external monitoring visits, and the timing of such visits means they are available to speak with her should they wish to do so.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Progress plans to create additional space so that young people can meet with visiting professionals in private more easily.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Identify where possible people's reasons for leaving, and take action where necessary to minimise staff turnover moving forward.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Include an action plan in quality review reports to formalise the home’s development plan, and address identified areas of need.

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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

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure – (2)(d) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and maintained so as to protect each child. Specifically that the internal and external door alarm system used at night is sufficiently robust to safeguard young people. 22/02/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure children can spend time away from other group members, and their privacy is respected. Specifically that the home provides sufficient space for children to meet privately with visiting professionals (The guide to the quality standards page 16, paragraph 3.17).

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Recommendations

 Ensure the registered manager monitors and reviews the patterns and trends of turnover of staff, and be able to understand and address any negative trends. Specifically, to identify where possible people's reasons for leaving and take action where necessary (The guide to the quality standards page 54, paragraph 10.19).

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Recommendations

 Ensure any review of the quality of care captures the strengths and possible weaknesses in the home's care, and the report should identify any actions required for the next 6 months of delivery within the home and how those actions should be addressed (The guide to the quality standards page 65, paragraph 15.4).

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Recommendations

 Ensure that an independent person makes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home's arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home's care. Specifically that they make every effort to consult with children and seek their views when making their assessment (The guide to the quality standards page 65, paragraph 15.5).  Ensure that following an incident of restraint all the staff and children who have witnessed the restraint, or been involved in any way, should be given the opportunity to be debriefed about the incident to inform the strategy needed to prevent any reoccurrence (Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 5: Children's Homes, page 33, paragraph 2.102).

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Information about this children's home

A private organisation operates this children’s home. The service is registered to accommodate up to four girls with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home provides medium to long-term therapeutic care to young people who present with significant risk of child sexual exploitation. It is dually registered as a school, and education is provided on site.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

This is the home’s first inspection. N/A N/A

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Good

All young people are largely positive about their home and the care they receive. For example, young people say: ‘It is phenomenal, nurturing, and I am happy here’, ‘staff make time for me and give me cuddles’, and ‘I have never not felt better after talking to staff’. Such comments reflect the quality of the relationships between staff and young people. They clearly benefit from a skilled and dedicated team who establish open and honest relationships with them. This fosters mutual respect and trust, and enables young people to develop reciprocal relationships with others. Young people are responding to the high levels of nurturing and warmth on offer, and this is exceptional. For example, a guardian-ad-litem commented: ‘They are doing some fantastic work, they allow her to regress and get this need met which she missed out on in her childhood. The progress she has made is a short space of time is excellent’.

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Good

Improving young people’s physical and emotional well-being is a high priority for staff. All young people are registered with relevant health services, and they confirm they are supported to attend routine and specialist appointments. Clear boundaries about smoking are in place, and good links have been made with local smoking cessation classes. The staff’s determination to help young people kick the habit, even when faced with challenging behaviour is paying dividends. All young people are smoking less than they did on arrival, and one young person who previously smoked 20 cigarettes a day is now managing on just four or five. The health benefits of this are clear. Creative practice means young people are learning about their health in fun and interesting ways. For example, the introduction of ‘Fitbits’ has captured their imagination and initiated conversations about diet, sleep patterns, and exercise. As a result, young people are thinking more about, and

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Good

taking action to improve their well-being.

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Good

Access to in-house therapeutic support enables young people to begin to address past experiences and current concerns around their emotional health, relationships, and behaviour. The clinical director also provides support and guidance to staff, enabling them to reflect on and understand young people’s needs and the reasons underpinning their behaviours. Both work collaboratively with young people and as a result, they are beginning to develop their own coping mechanisms to keep safe, and prevent situations escalating.

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Good

Managers and staff place great value on education, and fully promote the importance of learning. Expectations about attendance are clear, and good routines facilitate high levels of engagement. Increased attendance and academic progress are well documented and clearly understood. One young person says ‘I like school very much’, and another has increased her reading age by almost two years in just two months. Given their starting points of intermittent attendance, and poor levels of engagement this demonstrates significant progress is being made.

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Good

Young people receive care from staff who are committed, enthusiastic and creative. Consequently, they are supported to engage in a wide range of activities including horse riding, climbing, skiing, gymnastics, and Zumba classes. They have also attended a music studio and recorded a track, enjoy film nights, arts and crafts, board games, and cooking. As a result, young people enjoy different experiences, and are supported with hobbies and interests. They develop improved relationships with peers and staff, learn new skills and build confidence. For example, one young person said: ‘I have tried horse-riding for the first time and I loved it’. Another young person has entered gymnastics competitions at a local club, and is proud of her well-deserved bronze medal. Furthermore, much fun was had when school and home combined to help young people cook their own ‘fakeaways’. The creation of homemade versions of popular takeaways like pizza

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Good

and chicken were a huge success, and their sense of achievement was a joy to see during the inspection.

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Good

Introductions to the home are largely well managed, and practice is reviewed to ensure improvements are made where necessary. For example, the young people’s guide is now more concise so it is easier to send electronically, and incorporates young people’s views and comments. Existing residents are consulted and included in preparing for new arrivals. They are encouraged to write to those who are due to move in, and this has been well received. A young person writes: ‘Thank you for the letters you have sent me, I was nervous but the letters have given me reassurance. I feel welcomed by all of you, and I could not be more thankful to you for making me feel like this’.

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Good

Consultation and communication levels are high. Staff and young people were observed discussing issues and planning events together throughout the inspection. Time is set aside to allow for more formal consultation. For example, one to one sessions take place regularly, young people complete questionnaires about their experiences, and young people’s meetings are held weekly. Consequently, they are able to make choices about menus and activities, and contribute to discussions and decisions about care planning. This improves their ability to listen, they learn to give and take, and how to contribute constructively to group discussions. A social worker commented on the ‘marked improvement’ in a young person’s participation and cooperation at her review, reflecting the level of progress made. Furthermore, all young people are well informed about their plans and are reassured by this. One young person said: ‘I like it that I don’t have to

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Good

keep moving anymore. I know I am here for a while.’

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Good

Young people maintain contact with people who are important to them and where this is part of their care plan. Arrangements can be complex, and staff are sensitive to this. Appropriate support is in place to ensure that contact is as safe and positive an experience as possible. Parents are positive about the care provided with one saying: ‘I am more than happy, it is an amazing placement and they are doing an amazing job with X already’.

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Good

The physical environment is maintained to a good standard and has a homely feel. Young people individualise their bedrooms reflecting their interests and personalities. Feedback from young people and some visiting professionals is that there is not always the space to meet in private easily. Plans are being submitted so that an outbuilding can be renovated to create additional rooms. A recommendation is made to ensure these plans are progressed.

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Good

Young people say they feel safe, and are safe living in this home. They can identify a trusted adult they can talk to should they have any concerns. Young people know how to complain, and are confident that when they do this will be taken seriously. Two complaints have been made, and records demonstrate these were robustly addressed. Time is taken to provide written feedback to young people, who in turn record they are happy with action taken. Young people have a voice in this home, and they are listened to.

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Good

The selection and recruitment of staff is rigorous and prevents unsuitable adults from being able to work with young people. Staff are well trained, and clear about their role and responsibility in keeping young people safe from harm. As a result, any safeguarding concerns are promptly responded to.

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Good

All risks are clearly identified, and underpinned by robust assessments. Individual support plans in place minimise the risk of situations escalating, and outline strategies to follow when incidents occur. Information is shared readily with relevant parties. For example, the missing from home co-ordinator reports that risk management plans are reviewed regularly and forwarded to her in a timely way. Because of agreed protocols in place the police have responded quickly and effectively when necessary to missing episodes. Consequently, collaborative working relationships promote and protect young people’s welfare and safety.

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Good

Young people arrive at the home with an extensive history of going missing, and they are known to be at risk of and/or subject to sexual exploitation. Because of robust risk management plans and effective relationships between staff and young people risks are dramatically reducing. Young people now rarely go missing, and when episodes do occur staff react promptly. As a result, in most cases young people return to the home quickly and without incident. One young person said: ‘It is the first place I have been where the staff come after you when you run off, they follow you in the car, and they wouldn’t do that if they didn’t care. I don’t feel unwanted here so I don’t run away’.

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Good

Clear boundaries are in place to manage challenging and risky behaviour. Staff work well together as a team, and this consistent approach helps young people to understand the rules and why these are in place. Young people report that any consequences they receive are fair, and positive behaviour is promoted through incentive schemes which reward good behaviour. As a result, young people are beginning to learn what is expected of them, and understand how their behaviour impacts on themselves and others. Moreover, they are beginning to develop some impulse controls.

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Good

Occasionally physical intervention is necessary to prevent significant damage to property or assaults on staff. All incidents are well managed, and records are largely good. Staff and young people who are involved in, or witness an incident are not debriefed consistently. As a result, they do not always have the opportunity to talk through the incident, and learn from practice.

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Good

Staff are alert to the potential for bullying, and on occasions young people say hurtful things to one another. High staffing ratios mean that any such incidents are known to staff who intervene quickly. Key work sessions take place regularly and focus on addressing any concerns. Young people are supported to maintain positive and respectful relationships with each other.

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Good

A shortfall has been identified in the electronic door alarm system activated at night; it only alerts staff to one young person leaving their room, and if a second young person gets up at the same time this can go unnoticed. This happened on one occasion and a young person was able to leave the home without staff knowledge. Manual checks now take place to minimise the risk of this happening again, and there has been no reoccurrence. Plans in place to upgrade the alarm system have not yet been implemented. This is an area identified for improvement to ensure all measures in place to protect young people are sufficiently robust.

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Good

General health and safety checks are carried out routinely creating a safe physical environment overall. Young people are supported to understand what to do in the event of a fire and all have participated in a fire drill. Challenges with the rural location are emerging, particularly in light of recent adverse weather. Action is being taken to repair damage and improve the access road, and plans are in place to try and improve the water pressure and supply that on occasions has been intermittent. Judgement grade

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Good

The registered manager has been in post since the home opened in August 2015. She is suitably experienced and qualified, holding a Level 4 Registered Manager’s Award.

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Good

The home is well managed and organised in young people’s best interests, and the manager demonstrates strong leadership. Professionals describe her as being ‘on the ball’, and a member of staff says she is ‘authoritative in a positive way, so guidance is clear and we know what is expected of us’. As a result, there is a clear ethos in the home which is warm, safe, consistent, and based on high expectations and aspirational care.

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Good

Staff retention has been an issue since registration, with several people leaving the service, or not joining as planned. Managers do not routinely consult with those leaving to determine their reasons for doing so. Consequently, this does not enable managers to identify any negative trends.

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Good

Swift action is taken to recruit new staff ensuring good staffing levels are maintained to meet young people’s needs. Young people say: ‘There are always lots of staff on so I can do my own thing’. Furthermore, core staff members remain providing consistency for young people. Staff recently joining the service are satisfied with the induction programme, and are very complimentary about the support and guidance they receive from senior workers. They feel welcomed into what they describe as a good team. The addition of three male workers means there is now a good gender balance, with all providing good role models for young people.

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Good

Staff receive supervision regularly, enabling them to reflect on their practice and focus on key aspects of their development. Most staff report that the manager is approachable, and any issues raised are discussed and addressed.

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Good

A comprehensive training plan is in place that is varied and meets the individual and collective needs of staff. Developmental opportunities are available to those who have completed mandatory courses, ensuring experienced staff keep up to date with their learning, and broaden their knowledge base. A good training programme means staff are equipped with the necessary skills to meet the complex and challenging needs of young people in their care.

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Good

Where partners fall short in their delivery of services to young people the registered manager challenges this. For example, when a youth offending worker left a young person outside the office alone for a brief period leaving her feeling scared, this was reported and addressed with the worker and their manager. Furthermore, the unsatisfactory manner in which a young person arrived at the home was also shared with the placing authority concerned. As a result, the manager is a good advocate for young people, ensuring their needs are championed and welfare promoted.

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Good

Leaders and managers have an excellent understanding of the individual needs of each young person and keep placement plans under regular review. As a result, young people receive highly individualised care. Where there are concerns about progress or significant events occur, the manager liaises effectively with placing authorities to ensure the situation is addressed. When decisions have been made to end a placement, there are clear safeguarding reasons for doing so. Moves out of the home have been planned, and managed in the best interests of all concerned.

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Good

Internal and external quality monitoring takes place regularly. The registered manager is taking account of recommendations made by the independent visitor, and this is helping to continually improve the service. The independent visitor does not consistently consult with young people, and the timing of visits means this cannot be done easily. As a result, an opportunity to seek young people’s views about their care with someone independent of the home is lost.

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Good

The statement of purpose is regularly reviewed and revised as necessary to ensure it always accurately reflects the current aims, policies, practices, and staffing of the home. Leaders and managers have a good understanding of the strengths and needs of the service, and can verbally outline plans for future development. However, quality of service review reports do not include an action plan for the coming months. This is an area identified for improvement so the development plan is written and formalised.

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Good

Appropriate systems are in place to notify Ofsted and other relevant persons of significant events that occur. The quality of information provided is good enabling the recipient to analyse risk and understand what action is being taken to minimise this. Consequently, people are well informed and this means that young people’s welfare is promoted.

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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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