Children's home run by Atlas Healthcare Ltd in Cheshire East

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:

 Children and young people are happy and enjoy trusting relationships with the dedicated and nurturing staff team.  Good planning ensures that children and young people receive consistent, focussed care enabling them to make progress where they are able.  Children and young people are empowered to participate in inclusive community activities.  Good partnership working with relevant agencies ensures that children and young people receive the generic and specialist help that they need.  All of the children and young people attend appropriate education provision.  Staff place the well-being, dignity and safety of all the children and young people at the centre of their practice.  Children and young people live in a safe environment that is appropriately adapted and secure to meet their needs.  Good risk assessments safeguard children and young people and provide them with the opportunity to participate in inclusive activities.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The newly appointed manager has swiftly identified areas to improve children’s and young people’s care and outcomes.  The statement of purpose clearly sets out the ethos and objectives of the home.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered persons meet 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 persons must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed (Regulation 45(4)(a)). 13 June 2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  It is good practice for a note of the content and/or outcomes of supervision sessions to be kept and to ensure that both the person giving the supervision and staff member have a copy of the record. (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards, page 61, paragraph 13.4).  For children's homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments (Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards, page 15, paragraph 3.9). In particular, wall coverings in bedrooms should be more suitable for children and young people.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to nine children. Five children can be provided with longer- term residential care and four children can receive short breaks. All children and young people who use this service have profound and multiple learning disabilities and complex health needs.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30 December 2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Good

Children and young people enjoy living, or having their short breaks, in a spacious property that has been fully adapted to meet their needs. The accommodation is spread over three levels. The majority of the children’s and young people’s bedrooms, and all of the shared rooms, are on the ground floor. A lift is available if children and young people want to take a shower in the wet room or are using some of the upper bedrooms. The bathroom on the ground floor is equipped with a specialist Jacuzzi bath in which they take special delight, not only for bathing, but also for relaxation. An occupational therapist said, ‘I stayed with her while she bathed. She wasn’t rushed, and she was able to press the buttons and kept warm. They made it a quality experience for her.’

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Good

The majority of the children and young people are peg fed and do not eat solid food. Nevertheless, the spacious dining room allows all of the children and young people to come together while some have their meals, and others are able to have tasters of different foods. An occupational therapist said, ‘They take their cues from her as to what she will eat, which is great to see. They know her very well. I have no concerns about her here.’

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Good

Children and young people also spend time together in one of the two lounges or the excellent sensory room. This promotes their sense of belonging, builds a shared identity and fosters friendships between those in long-term care and those who have short breaks. Some children and young people thoroughly enjoy playing on the musical instruments. This allows them to express themselves in sound, particularly when they are not able to verbalise feelings. A grandparent said, ‘I think it’s absolutely fabulous . I was down seeing her on Saturday and it’s amazing where she’s at. She’s getting more and more like her mum every day; she’s so settled.’

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Good

Each child’s or young person’s bedroom is equipped with the bed that they need to suit their condition. They also have sensory lights and colours. This promotes their relaxation and comfort. Although the rooms are decorated with photographs and pictures chosen by, and for, the child or young person, the wall coverings are a dated wallpaper. This is peeling at the edges in some rooms and not conducive to keeping dust levels down. Each bedroom is equipped with a nurse-call system, which allows night staff to call for colleague’s assistance, if necessary, without leaving the individual or disturbing the other residents.

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Good

Much improved care plans incorporate every aspect of children’s and young people’s unique and diverse needs. These include full details of their complex health problems, the professionals involved in their care and the medication requirements. Consequently, all staff are able to meet children’s and young people’s intricate care needs extremely well. A social worker reported, ‘Despite having a profound disability, the young person has made progress since being placed at this home.’

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Good

The manager and staff fully understand and plan for children’s and young people’s cultural and religious needs. Close relationships with family members ensure that these essential, traditional ways are maintained. None of the children and young people currently attends any religious services, but bonds with local places of worship mean that this could be facilitated if requested. An occupational therapist said, ‘They really get her. I’ve seen little braids in her hair. She is looked after presentation-wise as she would have been in her mam’s care.’

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Good

The dedicated staff team looks after all of the children and young people in their care sensitively and consistently. They understand each child’s or young person’s communication method, whether it be a smile or a sound, and are therefore able to anticipate and meet their needs. Children and young people are thriving as a result of the affectionate attention that they receive and respond happily to staff interventions. A staff member said, ‘When we first got (Name), he sat in his chair and his head was down. Now he laughs and shouts. He will lift his arms up to put on his clothing. He will lift his feet up to put his socks on. He’s all over on the floor. Absolutely amazing.’

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Good

All of the children and young people attend appropriate education provision. Good partnership working between the home and schools ensure that progress is shared and that consistent messages are given to children and young people. Children’s and young people’s emotional and psychological health improves as they feel more secure and benefit from their targeted care. Staff and professionals relate the ways in which children and young people are able to express how they are feeling more, in smiles and by engaging with staff and in play. A social worker said, ‘The independent reviewing officers are unbelievably impressed with how far he has come along. School have said the same. He used to look down and not engage with you. Now he is a sparkly-eyed boy who will play with you and engage with his toys.’

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Good

The staff carefully meet children’s and young people’s complex health needs and medication regimes, in partnership with relevant professionals. In addition, children and young people benefit from the use of specialist equipment, for example, wheelchairs for specific activities and hoists. These allow them to engage more with staff and with each other, enriching their lives. The nurturing and committed staff team use their knowledge of the children and young people and their communication methods to ascertain their wishes and feelings. These can include helping them to choose the film that they want to watch, which toy to play with or what outfit to wear. As a result, they are included in decisions being made about and for them. In addition, the manager is in the process of arranging for independent advocates for each of the children and young people to ensure that their voices are not being lost in major decisions. An

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Good

occupational therapist said, ‘They take her for her clothes and actually involve her, rather than just buying them.’

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Good

Children and young people enjoy participating in activities, both within the home and the community, whenever possible. These include regular contact with family members. The devoted staff team tries to provide children and young people with as many new experiences as they can, for example, by holding one young person’s eighteenth birthday party in a local social club so that all of his extended family could attend, as well as everyone from the home. A social worker said, ‘Staff know him, and their support and supervision of him mean that he is always safe in the home and in the community, and he can enjoy it.’ Respite planning arrangements enable children and young people with similar interests to attend together. They, and the resident group, can then share activities such as ‘girly pamper nights’ or attending a tribute concert together. In addition, all of the children and young people will be attending the Race for Life

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Good

event this year. This not only gives them all chances to experience something that they would not otherwise have been able to do, but also to contribute to others. The manager said, ‘(Name) will love it. She will shout all the way round and she has a reason to be there because it affects her family.’

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Good

The excellent locality assessment, developed together with partnership agencies, provides a thorough picture of the area in which the home is located. This collaborative approach provides consistent safeguards for children and young people. A comprehensive safeguarding policy ensures that staff would know what to do if there were to be any worries. The careful monitoring of visits from professionals and family members provides children and young people with further protection. A social worker said, ‘He is so happy there. I would say he is very safe there, and there’s always lots of supervision, and they manage the family issues very well.’

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Good

Individual risk assessments incorporate each child’s or young person’s individual needs. They mostly focus on health issues, but also include activities in the community and individual evacuation plans. Children and young people are safeguarded by these measures. A staff member said, ‘It’s home, and it’s like going from one home to the other with extra parents. It’s all you would wish for if you were a parent.’

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Good

The nature of children’s and young people’s disabilities means that they would not be able to go missing from the home. Nevertheless, the home’s missing person policy links to a locally agreed protocol, and good connections have been made with the local police officer. Staff complete specific assessments relating to child sexual exploitation risks for each child or young person. In addition, staff have undertaken online safeguarding training programmes, and the manager has arranged for them to receive face-to-face training from the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). These measures enhance children’s and young peoples’ safety. The local community police officer said, ‘They are really very good, and we could do with more of them. We have a good working relationship and open-door policy, so if there are any concerns we would know.’ Children and young people do not display any negative behaviours, although each

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Good

has a daily living plan that details how they may act. Consequently, the committed and nurturing staff team know how to care individually for each child or young person, and there has been no need for any physical interventions or sanctions.

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Good

Effective health and safety procedures protect children and young people. These incorporate every eventuality, ensuring that staff would know what to do to protect each of them in an emergency. Regular fire drills include the use of appropriate horizontal equipment to move children and young people safely downstairs if necessary. A staff member said, ‘Children are safe here because we make them safe. The kids are paramount to everything we do. We do the security checks, and we make sure the kids are always fine.’

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Good

The enthusiastic and proactive manager has been in post since January 2016. Her application for registered manager is in progress. She holds a relevant degree, has previous management experience and is part way through her level 5 qualification. Staff report positively about the refreshing ideas that she has brought to the role, which benefit them and the children and young people. A staff member said, ‘I think the steps are here now (Name) is here. She’s got a real passion and it’s rubbed off on everyone.’ There were no requirements or recommendations raised at the last inspection. Nevertheless, the manager has demonstrated the home’s capacity to develop and continued to improve care for children and young people. For example, the introduction of the new ‘goals’ sheets ensures that every achievement, no matter how small, is identified and celebrated. This further enhances children’s and young people’s well-being. A staff member said, ‘Some of our children can take six

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Good

months to a year to move one step, but if they do it, that’s fantastic.’ Apart from the manager, there have been no new staff members since the last inspection. The company’s comprehensive recruitment procedures were effectively applied in appointing all staff. Consequently, a consistent staff team that does not pose a risk to them, cares for children and young people. A staff member said, ‘This is the best job I’ve ever had. I absolutely love it here and the children.’

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Good

The skilled and experienced staff team is fully trained to meet all of a child’s or young person’s needs. Good partnership working with the LSCB , the Adult Safeguarding Board and health professionals means that staff attend face-to-face training sessions that augment the e-learning programmes that they complete. Staff have not been receiving one-to-one supervision sessions on a regular basis. Instead, they have been meeting bi-monthly in collective supervision. Insufficient recording of these sessions does not demonstrate the progress that staff are making or detail any development needs. However, all of the seniors have recently completed training on supervision, and the instigation of a new programme of support inspires more confidence in the staff team. One member of staff said, ‘I have no doubt in my mind that with (Manager’s name) here, supervision won’t get missed.’ External monitoring visits contribute to the well-being of children and young

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Good

people. The manager’s internal auditing processes inform her requisite monitoring report. This completed report has not been supplied to the HMCI in line with legislation. Nevertheless, these, together with a good development plan, carefully identify steps to take to improve care and outcomes for children and young people, for example, the updating of care plans. Children and young people are happy and making good progress in a safe environment. This effectively demonstrates that the home is meeting its statement of purpose that states, ‘Staff believe that each child is unique and as far as possible their individual needs should be met and their potential developed, regardless of their disability. We feel that this is best achieved in a stimulating environment of nurture, care and consistency, where the children have confidence in the staff and feel safe.’ Children and young people fully benefit from the good working relationships that

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Good

the manager and staff have with professionals. The manager’s proactive stance in ensuring that children and young people receive all appropriate services further enhances their outcomes. This includes working with social workers to identify the best possible adult provision for young people to move on to.

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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 children looked after 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 that 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 whom 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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