Children's home run by ABC Care Solutions

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from a service that is creatively evolving to meet their respective needs. Staff diligently work together to achieve positive outcomes for young people. Placing authorities comment on the ‘significant change’ in young people and their ‘considerable progress.’ Young people are settled and the growth in their emotional and behavioural development is noteworthy. Staff are instrumental in helping young people achieve their goals. A good example being pursuing their music career and helping to fund studio time. Another young person was fortunate enough to meet a famous British actor. The young person was able to see the celebrity’s production company which was highly inspiring.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The one requirement and one recommendation from the last inspection are partly met. Staff have a better understanding of the new regulations and the Quality Standards. Practice inherently echoes the principles of the new legislation and guidance. Leaders and managers are embedding these features into policies and procedures. The home empowers senior staff, who take responsibility for delivering group training on the Quality Standards. Staff demonstrate a passion for learning and they ultimately wish to strengthen their overall effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff proactively research and read pertinent documentation to inform their ways of working. The newly introduced referral form also identifies whether additional staff training is required. Training to address selective mutism is outstanding. There is a young person who chooses not to communicate verbally, staff must receive a greater level of support to enhance the levels of communication.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is an outstanding need for all staff to complete the necessary vocational training. Some staff members have proactively enrolled on intensive courses to address this requirement. For staff who were working at the home since 1 April 2014, they must attain a level 3 qualification in residential childcare or an equivalent diploma. For staff who started after that date, it should be within two years of starting work. Young people must benefit from a competent and suitably qualified workforce.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a broad training programme which includes safeguarding, gangs, alcohol and drugs and sexual health. A staff member describes the current counselling training with the home’s psychotherapist as ‘eye-opening for all of us.’ Topics include empathy, sympathy, attachment and the effect on adult life. Staff enjoy learning and reflecting and give examples of how it has helped them to better listen to young people. The independent visitor highlights this has also ‘helped to build the confidence of the team and equip them to be more effective’. Staff also benefit from specialist training from other health professionals an example being bespoke diabetes training. This enables them to positively work with a young person to manage this condition. Staff facilitate home tuition and complement learning though their activity-based curriculum programme. Young people enjoy conducting their own research and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

tackling a wide range of subjects, which include Maths, English, Geography, History, Science and Geology. Staff use various strategies to indirectly address educational goals, which include trips to the museum, a farm and the library. Young people benefit from expanding their knowledge in academic subjects and building on their life skills. Personalised plans actively incorporate the young person’s individual needs and strengths.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to build on their independence skills. They pay more attention to their personal hygiene. Staff also assist with braiding of their hair. Young people enhance their cooking skills, they enjoy baking and making light meals. The staff team additionally help them to make traditional meals, which reflect their cultural heritage. Young people take responsibility for their own and the communal environment. They tidy their rooms and assist with hoovering and the on-line grocery shopping. They also chose the colour scheme for the current redecoration programme.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people lead healthier lifestyles. They benefit from a more balanced diet, which includes vegetables and expanding their appreciation of different foods. Physical exercise is part of their routine, they continue to benefit from weekly personal fitness sessions. Some young people are engaging well with the on-site psychotherapist. They also have an opportunity to benefit from animal therapy which helps to improve their social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. A young person additionally cares for their pet goldfish. Research suggests positive interaction with animals signals safety, security and feelings of well-being, which in turn may trigger a state where personal change is possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people engage in new sports, such as golf, boxing and archery. They enjoy trips to the cinema, bowling, go-karting, theme parks and outdoor adventure activities. Young people receive encouragement to undertake charitable work. A chosen area is homelessness and the young people assisted staff to purchase thermal socks for those in need.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people receive active support with their personal development. They are able to self-define themselves, have aspirations and make realistic goals. They are strengthening their self-esteem, emotional intelligence and self-confidence. A placing authority highlights a ‘positive factor’ as being the development of a young person’s ‘self-identity, sense of humour and cheekiness.’ Key work sessions enable them to practically tackle issues and increase their level of self-motivation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are now able to regulate their emotions and counteract aggressive behaviour. Since the last inspection, there have been no complaints, significant incidents, sanctions or restraints. A young person states that ‘everyone is cool.’ There are no issues with challenging behaviour, young people are calmer and use breathing techniques to manage their frustration and distress. Young people enjoy the ability to earn incentives, which they find personally rewarding.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work in partnership with local authorities to ensure effective admissions and transitions from the service. The home works well with young people on the autistic spectrum or those with emotional and mental health needs. Staff receive updates on young people who have left. The home is successful in promoting positive outcomes. This enables young people to return to their family, to semi-independent living or a boarding school, where they benefit from care and education.

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Information about this children's home

Liberty House is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for four young men with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Liberty House is one of two home’s owned by this provider. Liberty House works therapeutically with young men, the other home caters specifically for young women. Young people have access to a qualified Gestalt psychotherapist.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/03/2015 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

The registered person must ensure that staff have the appropriate level 3 qualification, by the relevant date. (Regulation 32 (4)) 01/04/2016

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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 that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs, particularly in relation to selective mutism. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 53 paragraph 10.11)

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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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