Children's Home run by Lancashire County Council in Lancashire

Good

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

p.2

The children's home provision is good because:

 This particularly stable and experienced staff team places the well-being of individual young people at the centre of its practice, irrespective of the significant challenges that they present.  This home provides a particularly nurturing environment that is effective in enabling young people to feel safe and secure enough to be children again, and to enjoy age-appropriate activities.  The staff are proactive in ensuring that young people receive the most appropriate specialist support which best meets their unique and highly complex needs in a timely manner.  The staff are particularly strong and effective advocates for the young people. This has ensured, for example, that they all receive the most appropriate education that will realise their full potential, and that they all enjoy constructive contact with family and friends.  A key strength of this home is the confidence and competence of staff to

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

enable young people to take age-appropriate risks to aid their development into adulthood.  This staff team consistently de-escalates some extremely challenging behaviours effectively without resorting to the use of restraint.  The staff are reflective practitioners, using current research to improve their practice constantly.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

To continue to improve, the home must:  revise the children’s guide; strengthen the internal and external monitoring processes; ensure that timely independent ‘return’ interviews are undertaken; improve the recording of sanctions and menus; and redecorate young people’s bedrooms.

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 with the given timescales.

p.4

Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records Ensure that within 24 hours of any sanction being used, its effectiveness is evaluated and recorded; and within five days the child’s views have been ascertained and recorded (Regulation 35(3)(a)(vii) and (3)(c)). 31 May 2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports

p.4

Requirement Due date

Ensure that the independent monitoring reports consistently detail consultations with parents and relatives of the young people living in the home (Regulation 44(2)(a)). 30 June 2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

Ensure that the manager’s review reports on the quality of care provided in the home includes an evaluation of the feedback and opinions of young people, their parents, placing authorities and staff (Regulation 45(5)). 31 July 2016

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 To meet the quality and purpose of care standard, demonstrate that all the young people living in the home benefit from a good balance of healthy and nutritious meals (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.8).  To meet the quality and purpose of care standard, ensure that young people’s bedrooms are decorated to their personal taste (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.19).  To meet the protection of children standard, ensure that when a young person returns to the home after going missing they have the opportunity for an independent ‘return’ interview. The home should then take account of the information provided by such interviews when re-assessing risks and putting any new arrangements in place to protect the young person (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45,

p.5

Recommendations

paragraph 9.30) .  To meet the children’s views, wishes and feelings standard, revise the children’s guide to include details of the house rules and the day-to-day routines of the home (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.22).

p.5

Information about this children's home

This is a local authority children's home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people. The young people may have emotional or behavioural difficulties and/or learning difficulties.

p.6

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.6

Recent inspection history

9 December 2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

p.6

Recent inspection history

25 February 2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.6

Good

This is a new placement for three of the five young people currently living at the home. Consequently, the main focus, quite appropriately, is on sensitively and gradually building positive, open and trusting relationships within the home, and securing positive family contact to help to maintain the unique identity of all the young people. Comments from young people include: ‘Since moving here I am seeing my dad again. I see my grandma all the time and I stay with my aunty every Friday’; ‘Staff have already sorted it so I can see my girlfriend twice a week instead of once, which I am really pleased about’; and ‘I am happy that I can now have overnight stays at my mum’s home.’ This home has a proven, excellent history of creating a warm, nurturing environment so that young people settle relatively quickly. As an example, one recent admission had planned to have a birthday meal out with friends then stay

p.7

Good

over with family. In practice, he chose to return to the children’s home and relax, watching the world snooker championships. This demonstrates that he is beginning to gain a sense of belonging. It also shows that young people are able to exercise genuine choices about their daily living, and all reasonable requests are positively responded to. Others examples include securing an independent advocate for one young person who wants contact with brothers and sisters. The case is ongoing. The staff supported another young person successfully to challenge her legal status. This reinforces to young people the fact that their opinions genuinely matter, which in turn demonstrably increases their self-esteem and confidence. They benefit from being well cared for by an extremely stable staff team that knows their individual needs and nuances extremely well. Comments from new admissions include: ‘I came for a visit and refused to leave. I

p.7

Good

said I didn’t want an induction process and if they wouldn’t let me stay I would run away. I like my bedroom which I chose. I was given a welcome pack but I swopped it because I preferred the chocolate bar that was in the other bedroom. I then went to school the next day and every day since’; ‘I used to smoke weed, but I’ve not since moving here and I feel a lot better. I’m proud of myself. I was really pleased when another lad moved in and we get on well’; and ‘I was really nervous when I arrived but another young person took me out to the local shops. She’s nice and we’ve been to the cinema together since. I said I didn’t want to stay, but I’m going to give it a go. I choose my key worker because, when I first came, she talked to me about independence and gave me some good advice.’ This young person, despite an extremely complex attachment history, is clearly relaxed with staff and her sense of humour is already shining through. This quote also shows

p.7

Good

empathy and a developing maturity in respect of the young person who helped her settle, which is significant progress from her individual starting point. Comments from other young people include, ‘I have lived here for two years and one month, and in the last few months it has got much better here again,’ ‘I have a good relationship with all the staff’, ‘I am offered lots of activities but I refuse a lot because I prefer to be out with my mates. I did go to London with the staff, which was great’, ‘I am happy and safe here, and I am doing as well as I can’ and, ‘Life is good for me at the moment. I have lots of friends and I have lots of fun. I still have big problems but I am dealing with them, and I am learning from my mistakes, so I am quite proud of myself.’ Up to August 2015, this home provided a long-term stable placement for all the young people and they were making outstanding progress. One young person, for

p.8

Good

example, was placed here as a final resort before secure. She has lived here for over two years, and now has the practical and emotional skills to move imminently into semi-independence. All the bedrooms were highly personalised at that time, but there have been a number of admissions and discharges since, which means that the majority need redecorating to individual tastes. A large flat-screen television for the lounge and fitness apparatus for the conservatory have recently been purchased, following young people’s specific requests. Staff place the well-being of individual young people at the centre of their practice, irrespective of the significant challenges they present. They are particularly proactive in ensuring that young people receive the most appropriate specialist support which best meets their unique and highly complex needs in a timely manner. The team also benefits from direct access to a clinical team. Together,

p.8

Good

they review strategies to manage young people’s emotional and behavioural difficulties effectively. Physical health and well-being are also actively promoted. In fact, a social worker was really impressed that the staff had successfully encouraged one young person to have required dental treatment within a month of moving in. Another young person has started taking his prescribed medication at this home, which is noticeably helping him to manage his emotions and behaviours better. Young people clearly benefit from the provision of homemade, healthy meals, but this established good practice is not always reflected in young people’s records. The current young people have friendships outside the home and generally prefer to spend their free time with them. That said, they do still engage in a good range of stimulating and challenging activities, including indoor caving and wall climbing. They enjoy trips out together and holidays abroad. Since the last inspection of the

p.8

Good

home, they have celebrated Christmas, Chinese New Year and had an Easter egg hunt. Individual interests and talents are actively encouraged and supported, which increases self-confidence and competencies. Examples include baking, running, snooker and cheerleading. One young person is a very talented footballer and plays for a local team, which gives him a positive status in the community. All these positive experiences are captured in individual memory books which young people can take with them on discharge. One member of staff is responsible for promoting participation in the local community, so young people, ex-residents and staff are frequently involved in national charity events. Young people have also taken part in the authority’s Children in Care Council to help to improve the experiences of all children looked after. It is recognised that a prime candidate is a recent admission who is very articulate.

p.9

Good

Staff are strong advocates, ensuring that all young people receive the most appropriate education to meet their specific learning needs. Consequently, the young people are making good educational progress from their individual starting points. As an example, one young person who was not in school on admission is now studying hard at college. She said, ‘I have just been told that I have passed all three of my English exams, so now I can concentrate on my maths.’ Staff have worked in partnership effectively with one school to improve one young person’s school attendance significantly. They have also developed an effective strategy to ensure that she stays in school all day. They are now working together to improve her punctuality. When she was first admitted in 2013, she had completely disengaged from education for a significant period of time. By September 2015 her attendance was 69%, and at the end of February 2016 it had

p.9

Good

increased to 87%. Initially, she found it difficult to express her opinions at school. Now she is mentoring new pupils, which is outstanding progress. Moreover, she now has positive future ambitions. She said, ‘I want to go to college next to study hair and beauty, which is what I want to do as a career.’ Another young person wants to go in the army. This home offers all the young people age- and ability-appropriate opportunities to learn the practical, emotional and social skills necessary for future successful independent living. They all really enjoyed making a buffet together for their families, who were recently invited to a social evening at the home. Comments from young people include: ‘I am enjoying cooking different meals and I learned to make an omelette today’, ‘I do my own washing and drying and keep my bedroom clean and tidy’ and, ‘I am getting better at shopping on my budget, and I saved three months’ clothing money and bought lots of new things for

p.9

Good

starting back to college.’ One young person’s personal hygiene has demonstrably improved at this home, which in turn increases self-esteem and confidence. The staff are currently specifically working creatively with young people to explore their attitudes and stereotypes. They have discussed, for example, appropriate clothing for different situations, including job interviews, and their healthy relationships and support systems outside the home. This home has successfully enabled many young people to live independently or to return to family, secure in the knowledge of continued support from the staff. One young person recently returned home with the reassurance that her bed was kept open for a while, as a safety net. She said, ‘I came here on Christmas Day and I felt scared, but it was welcoming and I got along with all the other young people.’ The home has recently received a compliment from another ex-resident, thanking

p.10

Good

them for all the support she received from staff in equipping her to live independently. This young person was deemed ‘too risky’ to be managed by a specialist offending team, yet she turned her life around at this home. Staff are in contact with numerous ex-residents, some of whom visit frequently and appreciate the ongoing support. Two young people who have sustained the friendship they made while living together at this home came for tea recently. They then all played games together, while reminiscing about their time at this home. One said, ‘We had a proper good laugh. I do miss being here.’ Judgement grade

p.10

Good

This is a six-bedded home, but since August 2015 and until very recently it has purposely had only four young people at any given time. This has helped to regain stability after a particularly challenging few months and to ensure that young people feel settled and safe. One young person said, ‘I feel happy and safe here again. It’s much better because it’s quieter at night.’ One emergency admission, in particular, introduced the other young people in the home to negative influences in the local community, thus compromising their safety. A spate of windows being broken by local youths followed, which has now ceased with the recent installation of CCTV. He was discharged from his previous home due to extreme challenging behaviours, including assaults on staff. There were no assaults at this home, which is testament to the staff’s ability to build positive relationships. Another young person has a concerning history of violence, knife crime and drug

p.11

Good

misuse, none of which has manifested itself here. In fact, one parent said that she has noticed such a positive change in her son’s overall attitudes since moving to this home that she is considering him returning home, which is his heart’s desire. There is clear evidence of compatibility impact risk assessments being completed prior to any admission, and that the views of young people already living in the home and their social workers are ascertained. Young people are noticeably very relaxed in the company of staff and share mutually respectful banter. Moreover, they each have at least one adult whom they feel comfortable enough to share more intimate concerns with. This means that they now feel secure enough to discuss, rather than always to act out, their intense feelings and emotions. As a direct consequence, some extreme self- injurious behaviours have ceased. One young person is simply enjoying being a child again, and taking part in fun

p.11

Good

activities with his friends after being a young carer. Another young person was classed to be at high risk of child sexual exploitation 12 months ago. Now she enjoys age-appropriate and positive relationships. Moreover, the staff at this home were influential in the perpetrator receiving a custodial sentence. The staff have a good understanding of individual vulnerabilities, and benefit particularly from an effective working relationship with the local police. Together, they have secured a strategy to improve communication between themselves and two other children’s homes in the locality to try to prevent anti-social behaviour. Since the last inspection, the staff have successfully stopped a pattern of young people leaving late at night without permission. It transpired that they were congregating with other youths outside the library, where they could get free internet access. Since the last inspection, they have also held an internet safety

p.11

Good

event with all the young people. Moreover, one young person was supported to report inappropriate internet use. Her brave intervention successfully ensured that the adult male in question faced suitable proceedings. One young person recently admitted, despite a history of going missing, has not attempted to run away from this home. Another new admission does still go missing, but the frequency and duration have decreased significantly in comparison to his previous placement. He said, ‘It’s all right here. I’m not running away because of this home. I just want to be with my family and friends.’ The manager has escalated the fact that not all independent ‘return’ interviews are completed in a timely manner, to ensure that it is a meaningful process. His views are heard and responded to. This home rewards young people as a means of positively reinforcing good behaviour and effort, so the use of sanctions is relatively rare. The records show

p.12

Good

that sanctions are fair, relevant and proportionate to the particular misdemeanour. However, some entries do not demonstrate that young people have had the opportunity to reflect on each incident to try to prevent a recurrence. This experienced staff team continues to de-escalate effectively some extremely challenging behaviours without the use of restraint. They also have the competence and confidence to enable vulnerable young people to take age- appropriate risks as part of their development into adulthood. All staff are trained in child protection, to ensure an appropriate response to disclosures of abuse. Safeguarding agencies confirm good collaborative working during investigations. All the required health and safety certificates are in place to ensure a safe and well-maintained environment. Judgement grade

p.12

Good

This home has been well managed by a very experienced and qualified individual for the past 13 years. In turn, she benefits from the support and expertise of two assistant managers who efficiently and effectively deputise in her absence. Together, they ensure that the home is always staffed sufficiently to safeguard, promote the welfare and meet the diverse needs and personal preferences of all the young people. To their credit, this stable and resilient team has persevered through some extremely challenging times. All the permanent staff are suitably qualified for their respective roles. They confirm high satisfaction with the frequency and range of training opportunities on offer for their own personal development. They also feel genuinely listened to and involved in the continual development of the service, so there is a strong sense of shared responsibility and accountability. Consequently, staff morale is good.

p.13

Good

Regular team meetings with open and honest debates, detailed handovers and clear manager’s action plans ensure consistent care at all times. These staff are also particularly reflective practitioners, using current research to improve their practice constantly. The five requirements made at the last interim have been addressed. Consequently, the arrangements in place for undertaking monthly unannounced independent monitoring visits have improved. The reports suggest a more thorough process, but they do not demonstrate any attempt to elicit the views of parents and relatives, so a new requirement has been raised to address this. Individual educational targets and strategies are now in place, to improve the promotion of education. A member of staff with an education background is the new education champion within the team, to ensure that this remains a high priority on everyone’s agenda. The manager has retained a clear record of all referrals made to the home since

p.13

Good

the last inspection. This demonstrates a more robust gatekeeping system. Of 11 referrals, only three young people have been admitted in nearly five months. This is to ensure that the young people already living in the home can be adequately safeguarded and their welfare promoted. The home has also been much more proactive in escalating any concerns to senior managers and reporting them to Ofsted. Recent notifications of significant events received by Ofsted demonstrate good collaborative working with other relevant safeguarding agencies, to try to prevent a recurrence. The manager’s last review report on the quality of care provided is clear and evaluative, but it does not include the views of young people, their parents, placing authorities or staff. A positive new development is a more robust staff appraisal process which incorporates the views of young people and other team members. These consultations then inform individual action plans for the next 12 months. Young

p.13

Good

people’s feedback clearly demonstrates how much they value individual quality time with staff. The statement of purpose is regularly reviewed, and revised as necessary, to ensure that it always accurately reflects the current aims, policies, practices and staffing of the home. The children’s guide is in an appropriate format for the young people currently living at the home. However, it does not detail the daily routines in the home and the house rules, to enable young people to make a more informed decision about admission.

p.14

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.15

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.15

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.15

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.16

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.16

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.17

Information about this inspection

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

p.17

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.17

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.17