Children's home run by Inmind Childrens Services Limited in Wokingham

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:

 Young people benefit from having good relationships with members of staff, who provide nurturing and compassionate care.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Barriers to the educational progress of young people are understood. Effective action is taken by the registered manager and staff to try to address these areas.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Highly individualised plans support young people to develop the skills that they require for independent living.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people live in a safe environment. They are safeguarded by good staff practice, with detailed risk assessments and risk management plans that are understood and implemented consistently by the staff group.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The behaviour of young people is managed well, with good relationships between the young people and staff preventing the need for punitive behaviour management.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff members receive regular training and development in all aspects of child protection, leading to a well-qualified and skilled staff team.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 A highly motivated and inspirational registered manager leads the staff team and the home.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people receive good support from a multi-agency team of professionals who communicate effectively and coordinate their services for the benefit of young people.

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Information about this children's home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to five children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned and managed, providing services mainly to local authorities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

9 December 2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Good

Young people receive good care from a motivated, cohesive and highly dedicated staff team. Staff members demonstrate nurturing and compassionate care, being consistent in their approach and working through challenging times to develop good relationships with young people. As would be expected of good carers, they have a detailed knowledge of the young people. They know where they are at all times and take a keen interest in new friendships, and young people confide and trust in them. Those young people who have moved from the home into independence continue to phone staff, visit, and ask advice and guidance, which is testament to the depth of relationships formed in this home.

p.5

Good

This has been a stable home since the last inspection, with no new young people moving into the home and one young person moving out to live semi- independently. The registered manager made a measured and positive decision to refrain from taking new admissions, not wanting to disrupt the progress made by those already residing at the home. This has led to steady, consolidated development in all areas of young people’s lives. They are safe, more confident and making progress.

p.5

Good

The health needs of young people are consistently met to a high standard. The staff arrange primary healthcare appointments, such as dental and eye care. Young people receive annual healthcare reviews, ensuring that young people remain in good health. The staff encourage regular exercise and a good, balanced diet which includes fruit and vegetables, and the reduced use of processed foods. Staff members have taken robust action in response to young people smoking, providing advice and guidance, seeking specialist support and using individual sessions to emphasise the negative impact of smoking upon health.

p.5

Good

The registered manager and staff value the emotional well-being of young people. The services of a recently commissioned psychotherapist have been utilised to work with young people individually, also providing guidance and support to staff members in their approach to caring for the young people. This means that young people can speak openly and privately regarding any issues that are important to them. Additionally, staff members have private access to the services of a psychotherapist, should they require this support.

p.5

Good

The barriers to educational progress for young people are understood, and the staff are committed to overcoming these. Attendance and attainment for some young people has been challenging, at times, with young people refusing school, or going in late. The staff have worked with school and the social worker to ensure that additional support is provided in school. Staff will persevere with young people and take them to school, even if late. Individual key-worker sessions, that discuss the importance of education and the impact upon their future, are undertaken regularly. Completion of homework is also well supported by staff. As a result, attendance is gradually improving and young people are on track to take forthcoming exams.

p.6

Good

The promotion of independent living skills is highly individualised and prepares young people for leaving care. This work begins with a comprehensive assessment of young people’s skills and abilities. As a result of this assessment a tailored programme is developed aimed at improving the skills that young people will need when they come to leave care. These skills are both practical and cognitive, for example around decision making, asking for help and support, and negotiating and using public services. The independence programme increases in complexity and difficulty as the skills of the young person develop. This programme also improves young people’s self-efficacy and confidence, and provides a firm foundation from which young people can move into independence.

p.6

Good

The views and thoughts of young people are actively sought and welcomed regarding the care that they receive and the development of the home. Young people are encouraged to participate in individual sessions with staff. Young people’s house meetings take place regularly, and they know how to complain. They have access to individuals who are independent of the home. Staff members explain clearly why it is not always possible to act on the wishes of young people. They work skilfully to balance allowing young people the freedom to take chances whilst also keeping them safe. Judgement grade

p.6

Good

Young people live in a safe environment. Staff members place the safety of young people first. The registered manager completes detailed risk assessments, taking into account young people’s histories, vulnerabilities and prevailing risk factors. Developed from these assessments are internal risk and behaviour management plans. These are well understood and implemented by staff to keep young people safe. Staff members are very vigilant in knowing at all times where young people are. For example, a young person’s whereabouts were not known for 30 minutes while at school, and staff responded quickly by contacting school and ensuring that tighter monitoring took place. This keeps young people safe.

p.7

Good

There has been no use of physical restraint in the past 12 months. Staff receive regular training in physical restraint and understand fully what circumstances necessitate the use of this measure of control. Young people respond well to tailored behaviour management and incentive plans, which encourage good and positive behaviour. In recent months, there has been a decline in the number of sanctions imposed on young people for poor behaviour. Young people receive good care from a consistent group of staff with whom they have a good bond. The use of discussion, negotiation and compromise helps avoid the need for punitive methods of behaviour management.

p.7

Good

Staff members receive regular updates to essential training, in areas such as child protection, child exploitation, self-harm and missing from care. The regular updating of knowledge and training in these areas means that, should such situations occur, staff have the required skills and knowledge to protect young people from harm. This promotes safety and well-being, and keeps young people safe.

p.7

Good

The registered manager and staff ensure that proactive work with young people takes place to keep them safe. For example, regular work is being completed regarding the effects of bullying, and the risks associated with the use of mobile technology and social media. This work helps to raise young people’s awareness of their own and other’s behaviours. Staff are creative and use day-to-day experiences, such as television programmes and films, to discuss sensitive issues. For example, one member of staff was able to engage a young person in a meaningful discussion regarding euthanasia after watching a film. As a result, young people develop a greater awareness of themselves and others, developing empathy and a better understanding of complex social issues.

p.7

Good

Robust child protection procedures are in place, and staff understand how to use these, to report allegations or concerns. Since the last full inspection there have been no allegations or complaints regarding staff members’ practice or interactions with young people. Staff members have a good understanding of how to keep young people safe, it is central to their practice.

p.8

Good

The registered manager reports significant incidents in a timely manner, which have been infrequent in the home since the last inspection. When these have taken place, the registered manager and staff have acted quickly, decisively taking the correct actions in line with procedures and notifying Ofsted accordingly.

p.8

Good

The home presents as a well-maintained environment. It is decorated to a high standard and comfortable, providing a homely environment for young people to relax in and enjoy. The home is personalised with photos, and does not present as institutionalised. The registered manager has completed a detailed location risk assessment that identifies risk factors in the local area. She has incorporated other agency perspectives. Additionally, staff undertake regular fire risk assessments, together with ongoing health and safety assessments. This means that young people and staff live and work in a safe and secure environment.

p.8

Outstanding

The registered manager has substantial experience of working and managing in the children’s residential care sector. She is appropriately qualified and has been registered with Ofsted since December 2014. She is an inspirational manager who demonstrates dedication and professionalism in the pursuit of consistently trying to improve the services provided by the home to young people.

p.8

Outstanding

The stable and effective management of the home has ensured that young people make significant progress in their placements relative to some difficult starting points. Young people’s progress is tracked through robust assessment and evaluation of their daily records, and constant communication with schools and other agencies. Changes to young people’s behaviour are identified quickly, and any actions required are undertaken immediately. Internal placement and care plans reflect young people’s progress, development and support needs. The identification of young people’s needs, and meeting these needs, are the primary focus for the registered manager and staff. Consequently, the overall welfare of young people takes precedence. Their needs are met by a purposeful and motivated registered manager and staff team.

p.8

Outstanding

The registered manager has good internal quality assurance systems in place that enables her to identify the strengths and areas of weakness in the service. This involves regular evaluations of feedback from professionals, information from young people’s meetings and team meetings. A rigorous and probing independent visitor also attends the home monthly, and completes a review of the service which is comprehensive and detailed. As a result, young people benefit from a service that is evaluated systematically by a registered manager who is consistently seeking improvement.

p.9

Outstanding

The registered manager has excellent working partnerships with external agencies. Regular multi-agency meetings, such as looked after children’s reviews and ‘team around the child’ meetings, assist agencies to communicate and coordinate their services effectively. A head of year at a school stated: ‘The communication is good. I have daily communication and staff also provide information on Sunday evenings on how the weekend has been, and this helps.’ This benefits young people, as the services have a shared understanding of each other’s roles and together they are able to provide good consistent care.

p.9

Outstanding

Staff members receive regular and effective formal supervision that is helpful and valued by staff members, and guides their professional practice. The supervision sessions are well structured, with a clear agenda that gives primary importance to the needs of young people. Staff receive excellent developmental opportunities through ongoing training. They are all nearing completion of the required qualification for working in residential childcare. Staffing levels are good and there are currently no vacancies. The staff team have been consistent, with no new staff joining the home over the last 12 months. Staff members feel valued and listened to. The registered manager knows and understands that staff are fundamental to good care and young people’s progress.

p.9

Outstanding

Professionals and key stakeholders have a clear understanding of the aims and objectives of the service. This is provided through an informative and up to date statement of purpose. It sets out the overall function and ethos of the home, and details how services will be delivered.

p.9

Outstanding

The registered manager has completed a comprehensive review of policies and procedures that are in line with the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board. These are accessible to staff, provide clarity, and ensure that the care provided to young people takes place within a clear policy and procedural framework.

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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 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

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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 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

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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 .

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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, 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,

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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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