Children's Home run by Unique Care Homes Support Limited in Lincolnshire

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.2

The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people are happy living in this home. They form positive and nurturing relationships with staff, take part in a wide range of social activities, and increase in self-confidence and a sense of worth as a result.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people receive care and support from highly dedicated and committed staff who place their needs at the centre of their working practices. This enables young people to form and sustain meaningful and positive relationships with trusted adults, and increases their emotional security and stability.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff understand the complex needs and risks for each young person, and demonstrate real skill in being able to meet their needs.. They work proactively and closely with partner agencies to ensure that all young people’s needs are known and met. They challenge agencies about any concerns which may impact on the progress of young people. This helps keep young people safe from harm.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff manage young people’s behaviours well. They respond in a sensitive and competent manner to any behavioural issues. Over time, this has led to a significant reduction in both the challenging or concerning behaviours exhibited by young people and the use of restraint in the home.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff feel well supported and receive good quality training and development opportunities, as well as regular supervision. Managers support staff to enhance their skills and knowledge continually in order to meet the changing needs of young people. Through such professional support, staff display competences and skills which lead to improved care being provided to young people.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 The registered manager has a number of plans to improve the services provided and the outcomes for young people. He fully involves young people in developing the care and support they receive through active consultation and participation. As a result, young people and staff increase in confidence and outcomes improve.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Areas for development have been identified following this inspection as ensuring that notifications are sent to Ofsted following any allegations against staff and improving the quality of recording of such incidents. These shortfalls have not had a negative impact on the experiences and progress of young people, which are good.

p.3

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 ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify Ofsted and each other relevant person without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there (Regulation 40(4)(c)). 27 May 2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular, provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, the action taken in response and a description of the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect (Regulation 34(2)(d)(e)). 27 May 2016

p.5

Information about this children's home

This children’s home, which is part of a small privately owned organisation, provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.6

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12 January 2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness

p.6

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24 February 2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

p.6

Good

Young people report being happy living in this home. They have positive relationships with the staff and form trusting relationships with them. This improves their emotional well-being. One young person stated: ‘I have lived in other children’s homes, but this is the best one. I really like the staff. They really care and are good fun.’ A placing social worker commented: ‘My young person is really happy living in this home and the staff are doing a really good job.’

p.7

Good

Young people take pride in their achievements since moving to live at this home, and report that staff really care about them and celebrate their achievements. One young person, when asked to state what he thought of the home, said: ‘I like everything about the home. It is epic, awesome and fantastic.’ Young people take part in a wide range of activities, which increases their confidence and enables them to form peer relationships in the local community. For example, young people play football in local teams, and are members of the army cadets and local drama clubs. One young person regularly performs in local drama productions, which has had a significant impact on his confidence and self-esteem. Staff fully support such activities and speak with passion about how well the young people are doing. Staff regularly consider new activity requests and source them for young people. Young people feel settled in their placements and, for some, this is the longest

p.7

Good

time they have lived in one placement. Educational attendance and engagement, for most young people, have significantly improved. This is testament to the commitment of staff to promoting the value of education and in nurturing young people to do their very best. Some young people have not engaged in education or training as consistently as others, but staff advocate well for them and constantly strive to ensure that provisions are in place. They work closely with relevant agencies, and challenge any actual or perceived shortfalls. The planning of new admissions to the home is robust, fully taking into account the needs of those young people currently resident in the home. There is also very close consultation with placing authorities for young people already placed when considering new admissions. The registered manager has a strong focus on ensuring that placements can and will meet the identified needs of new young

p.7

Good

people, while considering those young people already resident. One placing social worker stated: ‘The manager is very good at discussing any proposed new admissions with me and seeking my views on how this might impact on my young person.’ During this inspection, a young person came to visit the home with their social worker. The registered manager provided them with a welcome pack and a tour of the home. Discussions are held with existing young people to ensure that they know of plans and feel fully involved. This reflects the commitment of managers and staff to a smooth and positive transition to the home. Young people have their health needs well met in this home. Since the last inspection, staff have devised new monitoring systems and have been highly proactive in chasing placing authorities for missing health assessments and information. Specialist therapeutic services have been commissioned by managers

p.8

Good

to provide direct work with young people, and staff receive bespoke training for trauma and attachment. This is leading to improved emotional and psychological health and well-being for young people. Young people feel listened to by staff and managers. They know whom they can speak with if they have any concerns, and how to make a complaint. The manager has worked with young people to devise and implement a new guide to the home, which includes information on the complaints procedure. The new format is in comic book format, which young people really like, and it provides them with useful information about the home and the care they will receive. Regular young people’s meetings take place, and young people are fully engaged in stating their wishes, views and feelings. The manager responds to all comments and requests from these meetings, leading to young people feeling valued and listened to. Young people have a very active involvement in the running of the home. They

p.8

Good

have contributed to recent improvements to the garden area, with plans now to include a zip wire and den for them. They go shopping with staff to purchase items for the home and garden. They choose furniture and the paint colours for their rooms, clearly feeling central to all aspects of the care they receive. One professional stated: ‘There is such a lovely feel to the home, it is a real family home and I always enjoy visiting it.’ The home is decorated and furnished to a very high standard, both internally and externally. Young people contribute to their reviews and other meetings. They complete regular feedback forms, devised to elicit their views on the care and support that they receive. The manager considers all responses from young people, family members and other agencies, and uses the information to improve the services provided. Staff advocate for young people and represent them in meetings, both

p.8

Good

through the provision of detailed reports and by supporting their attendance. One young person has recently been supported to access independent advocacy services, reflecting the commitment of staff to ensuring that young people have the support they need at all times. Young people have regular contact with family and friends. Staff fully support this, and demonstrate a detailed awareness of agreed contact plans and the changing needs of young people. For those young people who require high levels of supervision and support, staff ensure that they can still see friends and family, and are sensitive to the young person’s feelings. One placing social worker stated: ‘The staff have been great in providing transport to education and also contact. They are always willing to drive long distances for meetings in order to meet the young person’s needs.’ Staff work hard to support young people who are due to move on from this home.

p.8

Good

They challenge placing authorities about any concerns they may have prior to young people moving out. They work with young people to develop independence skills, supporting them to manage their own finances, and to do their own shopping, cooking and washing.

p.9

Good

All young people living in this home report feeling safe and protected by the staff team. The staff demonstrate a detailed understanding of the specific needs and risks for each young person. Extremely detailed safety plans reflect the known or potential risks for young people and strategies to address them. Since the last inspection, there have been no reported incidents of young people going missing from care or being absent without authorisation. This is in a large part attributable to the high staffing levels, close supervision and support of young people, and adherence to their care plans and risk assessments.

p.9

Good

Risk is well managed through comprehensive and detailed risk assessments. Key workers for young people work closely with other staff and involved agencies to ensure that all known or potential risks are recorded and responded to. For those young people who pose a high risk of harm to others, this includes very close supervision, both inside the home and in the community. Staff also regularly undertake searches of young people’s devices, such as mobile phones and computers, to ensure young people’s safety. The home also uses internal door alarms as a further risk management strategy. Such devices are only used with the consent of the placing authority and with the full awareness of young people. The safety of young people is given high priority in this home, and one professional commented: ‘They keep the young people very safe and I have no concerns for them or others.’

p.9

Good

Behaviour is well managed within the home. Physical restraint is rarely used, with staff having the skill and competence to use de-escalation techniques and strategies successfully with young people. Behaviour management plans provide detailed insight into the known and potential triggers for a deterioration in young people’s behaviours, and of what action staff should take. Staff have also received training in childhood trauma, and understand the impact of trauma on children and young people’s behaviours, and emotional responses to situations and events. An independent specialist who works with the home stated: ‘The staff are very open minded to my assessments and views. They implement them really well and have tried everything for one particular young person to reduce their risks and to support them.’

p.10

Good

The recruitment and selection procedures for new staff are robust, and prevent unsuitable people from having the opportunity to harm young people. Managers undertake safer recruitment practices, and have implemented new systems to record and monitor all checks carried out on new and existing staff. The use of agency or bank staff is minimised to ensure that young people receive consistency and continuity of care. The home environment is well maintained, with all necessary health and safety checks and measures in place. These are regularly reviewed by managers and staff. This provides young people with a safe and secure environment to live in.

p.10

Good

The registered manager demonstrates a thorough understanding of the needs of young people placed in this home. He has clear systems to monitor and track all aspects of the care and support provided to them. He is due to complete his level 5 diploma in the very near future. Staff speak very highly of the manager, and one stated: ‘He is the best manager I have ever had, in all the children’s homes I have ever worked in.’ He is an experienced manager and is providing effective leadership for the staff team. There is a strong focus on improving the outcomes for young people in this home. Staff clearly act as positive role models and advocates for young people at all times, and challenge any actual or perceived shortfalls. Young people feel central to the care that they receive from staff and managers. Their inclusion and participation in the decor of the home, meal and activity planning are clearly evident. They feel highly valued, and develop confidence and a sense of self-worth

p.10

Good

over time due to the care that they receive.

p.11

Good

Managers have devised new monitoring and review systems since the last inspection. These enable them to consider all aspects of care provided to young people and to identify any shortfalls. The manager demonstrates a real commitment to improving continually the quality of care provided. This is particularly evident in relation to the research-based intervention models being used with young people. Staff have received bespoke training on new intervention models and report feeling highly motivated by such imaginative practices being introduced to the home. Life story work is starting to be completed with young people. This will provide them with important information, and a clearer sense of their histories and identities. There is close partnership working with researchers and specialists, providing supervision and support to staff and managers. This reflects the learning culture of this home.

p.11

Good

Staff clearly feel valued, working in this home. Comments from staff during this inspection included: ‘It is not like coming to work, I love it. We all work closely to ensure that the young people make good progress and have the best chances when they leave.’ Staff receive regular supervision, which is of a very good quality. They take on lead roles and feel that the training provided further enhances their skills and competence. They feel able to discuss additional training needs with managers, confident that they will be listened to and taken seriously. This is evident in the recent trauma and attachment training event, and in plans for more research-led events.

p.11

Good

There are clear development plans in place for the home, as well as detailed assessments of the location. This reflects the commitment of the manager to ensuring that the home continues to develop and improve, with full consultation and engagement with staff, young people, family members and involved agencies. Senior managers within the organisation also provide good support to the registered manager and staff team. Young people know who they are. They visit the home regularly, and provide positive and consistent support at all times. The manager has failed to send one notification to Ofsted since the last inspection. This relates to an allegation made against a member of staff by a young person. The concerns were fully investigated and dealt with, but the failure to send in a notification reduces Ofsted’s ability to monitor and track all relevant events. The recording of allegations is currently not sufficiently detailed and does not provide a

p.11

Good

clear oversight of actions taken and outcomes. There has been no adverse impact on young people as a result of these minor shortfalls.

p.12

Good

Managers and staff clearly evidence on case files all actions that are taken to challenge placing authorities when shortfalls in the services provided are identified. The regulatory shortfalls identified at the last inspection have all been fully considered and addressed, leading to clearer recording and improvement in the services provided to young people.

p.12

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.’

p.13

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

p.13

What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

p.13

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

p.14

Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and ‘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 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.14

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, work- based 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,

p.15

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.15

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.15

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

p.15