Children's home in Preston

inspection

The home is subject to a restriction of accommodation notice issued on 2 December 2015 for twelve weeks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the last full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A monitoring visit took place on 23 November 2015 following concerns raised with Ofsted. At this inspection a new inspection judgement of inadequate was made in line with our Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that the home has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the monitoring inspection on 23 November 2015 inspectors identified a number of shortfalls including: poor placement planning impacting on the experiences and progress of young people; poor admissions processes meaning the home operated outside of its Statement of Purpose; insufficient safeguards to manage risk; weaknesses in leadership and management; non-notification of significant events to Ofsted, and a lack of engagement by young people in education. As a result, seven requirements were raised, together with a twelve week restriction of accommodation notice to enable managers to review admissions processes, reflect on and improve practice to safeguard young people, and promote good outcomes. An unannounced monitoring inspection was carried out on 21 December 2015 to monitor adherence with the restriction of accommodation in place. The inspector found that no young people have been admitted since 12 November 2015, and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

therefore the restriction of accommodation notice has not been breached. This continues to be the case.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the point of this interim inspection five out of seven requirements have been met, and some progress has been made with the remaining two. This demonstrates the registered manager and staff team have taken steps to improve the quality of care provided to young people, and this work is ongoing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Action has been taken to review care plans and placement suitability for all young people. Statutory reviews have occurred within timescales, and care planning meetings take place at regular intervals to review young people’s progress. This enables professionals to work together to understand and overcome difficulties in order to achieve improved outcomes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager recognises that the home can no longer meet the needs of one young person because his behaviour is unduly influencing that of others, and compromising his own progress and that of his peers. She has escalated her concerns within the placing authority, and plans are now in place for this young person to move on in a planned way in line with his individual needs. Consequently, the registered manager has a better understanding of the impact of care provided on young people, and when this is not sufficient she takes appropriate action to secure progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments have been reviewed and managers and staff are now able to identify and respond to risky behaviours such as drug misuse, criminality, and missing from home. As a result, such behaviour and accompanying levels of risk are beginning to reduce based on young people’s starting points.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The frequency and severity of disruptive behaviour in the home is now less than at the time of the monitoring inspection in November 2015. Some young people continue to create disturbances on occasion but these are shorter in duration. Increases in staffing and the introduction of waking night staff means resources are available to intervene more quickly and effectively to prevent situations escalating. Each young person has a behaviour management plan that outlines their support needs, and improved relationships between staff and young people means they are being supported to modify some aspects of their behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Education outcomes continue to be mixed. Two young people are now re-engaged with their respective school and college placements, and their attendance is improving. At a recent meeting, teachers reported that a young person’s behaviour has improved since Christmas and this is encouraging progress. One young person above compulsory school age is being supported to access an apprenticeship or gain employment. He has completed a curriculum vitae and is actively seeking work, with the encouragement of staff. As a result, some steps are being taken to improve young people’s future life chances.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

For two young people their attendance at school, and participation in education remains worryingly low. Day time routines and boundaries are inconsistent and this means expectations are not clear. For example, young people are not allowed out in the school day to meet friends, but they are allowed to play on games consoles during school time. Moreover, there is little evidence of resources and daily planning to support young people’s engagement in suitable activity when they are not in school. Consequently, they are not building the skills, confidence, and resilience to support their return to school and progress their learning. A requirement made at the last inspection is repeated to secure further improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite meetings being held to review young people’s educational needs, two personal education plans are not yet available in the home. A requirement is raised to ensure that appropriate records are maintained in line with regulation, and any recommendations made can be suitably followed up to achieve progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Health needs are generally well met, all young people are registered with primary health care services and most attend routine appointments. One young person is seriously in need of dental treatment but a phobia is preventing him from accessing this. Efforts to help him overcome his fears have not yet been successful, and a recommendation is made to ensure additional support is provided to address this specific health concern.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Not all young people’s bedrooms are kept in a reasonable state demonstrating a lack of care and attention. Damage in one young person’s bedroom is also in need of repair. Consequently, young people are not being sufficiently helped to look after their things and respect their rooms, and this does not help them to feel valued.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some aspects of management oversight have improved between inspections. For example, systems are now in place to ensure that Ofsted is notified about significant events. This means the regulator can effectively carry out its monitoring function to promote the safety and welfare of young people. External monitoring visits are now carried out by sufficiently independent people. As a result, these arrangements are more robust and will provide an additional level of scrutiny to the way the home is managed and young people supported.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Internal monitoring is inconsistent and the registered manager does not review all significant incidents that occur. For example, although robust action was taken in response to alleged bullying, the manager has not reviewed incidents involving damage to a young person’s bedroom and a disturbance that led to the fire alarm being activated during the night. Insufficient monitoring means patterns and trends are not easily identified, remedial action is not always taken, and this does not fully promote young people’s welfare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall, progress has been made between inspections while a restriction of accommodation notice has been in place. Risks are reducing, staff are responding well to safeguarding concerns, and standards of care are improving steadily. The responsible individual and registered manager acknowledge that a further period of consolidation will facilitate further improvement work, enable the home to work fully in accordance with its statement of purpose, and help young people to fulfil their potential. Consequently, they have given assurances that they will not make any further new admissions during this time. This demonstrates that leaders and managers now have a good understanding of the home’s current position, are learning from past mistakes, and have a more considered approach to admissions moving forward.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As a result of improvements at the home, the formal restriction of accommodation notice is now lifted, and three requirements and two recommendations are raised following this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority run children’s home. It is registered to provide care for up to six young people aged between 11 and 17 years with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/02/2015 Interim improved effectiveness

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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

8: The education standard In order to meet the education standard the registered person must ensure: (2)(a) that staff – (viii) help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. In particular, efforts to engage young people in suitable activity when they are not in school are consistent and clear to facilitate their increased participation in learning. 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must enable, inspire and lead a culture in relation to the children's home that – ( 1)(a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to — (a) lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose; (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 31/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

Ensure the registered person maintains records for each child which includes the information and documents listed in Schedule 3, specifically personal education plans (Regulation 36(1)(a)(Schedule 3, 19). 31/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff meet children's basic day to day needs and physical necessities in the way that a good parent would, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met – doing so is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff care for the child, and value them as an individual. Specifically in relation to supporting young people, where necessary, in maintaining their bedrooms and ensuring that any damage caused is quickly repaired. (The guide to the quality standards, page 15, paragraph 3.7).

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Recommendations

 Ensure that where children have a specific health need they should be supported to manage this subject to their age and understanding, in particular that where young people have a phobia about attending the dentist work is undertaken to help them overcome this and access dental treatment as required. (The guide to the quality standards page, 34, paragraph 7.10).

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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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