Children's home run by Inspirations Leicestershire Limited

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 present as being happy living in this home. The staff provide them with very good care and support. This support is helping young people to improve their confidence, self-esteem and reduce risky behaviours.  Staff display a commendable commitment to meeting the complex needs of the young people in their care. They speak with passion and competence about the needs of young people and their role in supporting them. They take pride in their work and in supporting young people to achieve and make progress in all areas of their lives.  Staff and managers have forged close and positive working relationships with a range of agencies and professionals. As a result, young people have their holistic needs well met and are protected from harm or exploitation. Detailed risk assessments and plans reflect the current and changing needs of each young person, and they are regularly reviewed and updated by staff

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The children’s home provision is good because:

and managers.  Staff receive good support, supervision and training in this home. Managers have plans in place to improve pay and conditions for staff, reflecting their commitment to staff retention and career progression. Managers have also paid for independent psychological support and consultation for the staff team. Staff spoken with during this inspection stated how valuable this has been for them and in their work with young people.  The registered manager and deputy manager have clear plans in place for the development of services within the home. They place great value on the consultation and engagement of young people in all aspects of how the home is run. Young people feel valued in this home and feel able to express their opinions, wishes and feelings.  From their starting points, young people’s engagement with education has improved significantly and they have aspirations and goals for their futures.

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The children’s home provision is good because:

Staff fully support them to achieve in education and to act as proactive and positive corporate parents to them.  One minor shortfall has been identified in this inspection. Staff and managers do not consistently record if young people take part in all activities offered. Team meeting minutes do not clearly set out agreed actions, timescales or completion. Some key documentation has not been placed on young people’s files. This shortfall has not had any adverse impact on young people or their experiences or progress, which are good.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person must comply with the given timescale.

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Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

(2) In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person should ensure: (h) the use of monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(2)(h)) 24 June 2016

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned and run children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation to up to three children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

8 February 2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25 February 2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

Good

Young people present as being happy and relaxed living in this home. They form positive relationships with staff and managers and feel able to express their wishes and concerns openly. They also have a very positive relationship with the responsible individual for this home. He regularly visits and clearly knows the young people well and spends quality time with them. A manager from a placing authority for one young person stated: ‘The commitment that the staff have shown him has developed him. His interpersonal relationships have improved.’

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Good

Young people demonstrate a real commitment to their education and in achieving academically. One young person said: ‘I am very focused just now on studying for my exams and in doing as well as I can.’ Staff offer a wide range of activities for young people to take part in. These are discussed at the weekly young people’s meetings and enable them to take part in activities they may not previously have had the opportunity to be involved in. They enjoy playing football and membership of church choirs, and fully access local community resources. Some staff have also encouraged young people recently to plant seeds in the garden, to learn about where food comes from. This provides young people with new experiences and improves their sense of value and belonging.

p.6

Good

Young people have made significant improvements in relation to their educational attendance and engagement in a relatively short period of time. Managers have proactively found school placements for some young people and identified work experience options for them in the local area. The attendance of young people in education is very good and they talk of their education with pride and a desire to do well. Staff attend parents’ evenings and have daily contact with teaching staff to ensure that young people’s needs are known and met. For some, this has included additional tuition classes and the provision of laptops to complete homework. From their starting points, they now have the potential to go on to further education. They have goals and aspirations and clearly see the value of education.

p.6

Good

Young people feel well supported when they move into this home. Staff and managers work hard to ensure that school places are sourced as soon as possible, to reduce disruption in their education. This has also led to young people being able to form peer relationships and friendships in the local area, further increasing their sense of integration into the local community. Clear structures and boundaries support them to regulate their behaviours and to make progress. For example, one placing authority praised the staff team for supporting a young person with their bedtime routines. Another stated, when asked what had led to positive developments for one young person: ‘It is due to the clear and consistent boundaries they have put in place. He has responded really well to them.’

p.6

Good

Young people have their health needs well met in this home. Staff support them to attend all routine appointments and ensure that they have timely access to specialist support. An independent psychologist has also been commissioned to do direct work, training and consultation with staff. Recent training has been provided by this person on attachment theories and managing challenging behaviour. This demonstrates the commitment of managers in supporting the emotional and psychological needs of young people. Staff also actively encourage older young people to make their own appointments with doctors, dentists and opticians. This reflects their commitment to enabling young people to prepare for independence.

p.7

Good

Young people feel confident in expressing their wishes, feelings and concerns with both staff and managers. Complaints are well recorded and are responded to in a timely manner. If young people are not satisfied with responses, their concerns are escalated to senior managers. Recently, young people were not happy at the speed of the internet service in the home. They formally complained about this and the matter has been resolved by the responsible individual, who has sourced a new and faster service. This demonstrates the fact that young people feel listened to and that their views will be responded to.

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Good

There is clear involvement of young people in all areas of their care in this home. They have recently chosen new paint colours for their bedrooms and living room. They are going shopping with staff to get new furniture and accessories for the home. They have taken part in interview panels for new members of staff. They provided feedback as part of the annual review of the location risk assessment for the home. These are just some examples of how their views have been sought by managers and staff and of them being and feeling central to how the home is run.

p.7

Good

Staff have detailed knowledge of the complex histories of the young people and demonstrate a real sensitivity to matters such as contact with family members and others. For those young people who are not able to have direct contact with family members, they support them with phone contact and provide them with top-up and international calling cards. They ensure that young people know who they can speak with, including social workers, independent reviewing officers and independent visitors. Young people therefore feel supported in keeping in touch with other significant people in their lives.

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Good

Staff and managers have also worked well with those young people who have left the home. They continue to provide outreach support to one young person and work closely with the placing authority and education providers. They demonstrate flexibility and tenacity in trying to engage this young person in education. The placing authority for this young person praised the staff team and managers for continuing to provide daily outreach support, and in working positively with their school, social workers and family members.

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Good

Young people feel safe and are kept safe as a result of effective staff practice. Staff demonstrate a detailed awareness of the known and potential risks and vulnerabilities of each young person. Supervision and support levels are high, with comprehensive risk assessments being devised and implemented. Staff work closely with placing authorities, education and police to ensure that there is effective information sharing. This is evident in relation to the diligence shown by staff in informing the police of all new admissions to the home and in providing relevant documentation to them.

p.8

Good

Where specific concerns are identified, staff attend multi-agency strategy meetings to ensure that there is a consistent and coordinated response to young people. Missing from care risk assessments reflect the known and potential risk factors for each young person. Protocols support staff in knowing what action to take in the event that a young person were to go missing from the home or local community. Staff diligently follow such protocols and procedures, maintaining contact with family members and agencies and undertaking active checks and attempts to locate and secure the safe return of any missing young person. The home is fitted with internal door alarm systems. These are only used with the consent of placing authorities and with the awareness of young people. Staff encourage and support young people to take age-appropriate risks. This includes spending time alone in the community and using public transport, but only where this is assessed and

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Good

agreed with the placing authority and other significant people in young people’s lives.

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Good

Missing from care incidents have reduced since the last inspection and there are no current concerns in relation to substance misuse, offending behaviours or child sexual exploitation. A very comprehensive location risk assessment includes extensive information on local crime data and areas of concern. This further enables staff and managers to have a detailed awareness of the risks posed to young people, and informs their comprehensive risk assessments. A previous recommendation was made in relation to risk assessments at the last inspection. This has been fully responded to, with new risk assessments being implemented, which provide much more specific and clear guidance for staff.

p.8

Good

Behaviours are well managed and clear behaviour management plans reflect the needs of each young person and how they will be met. Staff spoken with during this inspection demonstrated a detailed understanding of the behaviours of each young person. Staff understand the potential triggers for young people and how important it is for all staff to respond consistently. This has led to a reduction in risky and concerning behaviours. This is also supported by the twice monthly visits to the home by the independent psychologist who is able to provide advice and strategies for staff and managers on behaviour management and attachment issues. There have been no restraints used with young people since the last inspection. Managers have made improvements to the recording of such measures, to ensure that records clearly reflect staff involvement. Young people routinely sign such records and their views are recorded about the use of any restraints.

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Good

Young people have access to a computer in the main living areas of the home, as well as laptop access for education studies. Staff closely monitor and oversee such usage to ensure that they are safe and not accessing inappropriate sites. Staff have also received recent training on radicalisation and sexual exploitation, and demonstrate a good understanding of the signs and symptoms to look for, and action that needs to be taken if concerns arise.

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Good

The recruitment of staff is robust and prevents unsuitable adults from being able to work with vulnerable young people. Since the last inspection, managers have improved their recording of employment histories for potential new staff, to ensure that any gaps are clearly recorded and discussed at interview.

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Good

The home is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager who has a level 5 diploma. She is supported by an equally competent and committed deputy manager. They provide strong and clear management support and oversight of the home and to staff. The responsible individual plays a very active part in supporting staff, managers and young people on a daily basis. The home is therefore operated efficiently. Since the last inspection, considerable work has been done to address previously identified shortfalls and in improving the services provided to young people.

p.9

Good

The manager produces detailed management reports, considering all areas of the care and support provided to young people. Since the last inspection, such reports have been sent to Ofsted, enabling oversight of the management of the home between inspections. The independent visitor for the home provides managers with detailed reports following their monthly visits. These clearly outline any recommendations for improvements, which managers respond to. An example of this relates to young people being dissatisfied at the speed of the broadband in the home. The independent visitor raised this in their report, the matter was then raised as a complaint and managers took prompt action to resolve the concerns. Young people’s views are central to the running of this home. They feel fully engaged in and consulted on all aspects of their care and in how the home is presented and run. Records reflect the regular consultation with young people

p.9

Good

about decisions made by staff relating to their care. They regularly read and consider their records and sign them. If they refuse to do so, staff diligently record that an offer was made, and note their refusal to read or comment.

p.10

Good

Monitoring by managers of the home has improved and is reflected in management reports and the quality of case recording generally. There is a real learning ethos evident from staff, managers and the responsible individual. They have fully considered the one requirement and three recommendations made following the last inspection. They have devised and implemented new systems for recording of restraints, staff recruitment and activity planning. Records provide a clear picture of how young people’s needs are being met in relation to their health, education, social opportunities and the involvement of other agencies. The home has a comprehensive and detailed development plan and an equally detailed location risk assessment. The home is clearly achieving the aims and objectives set out in its statement of purpose.

p.10

Good

Staff monitor daily the education attendance of young people and record this on their files. Activity planners display what young people have chosen to do each week, but it is not always clearly recorded if they took part in the activity or not. This record would further strengthen management oversight as to progress made and improved outcomes for young people.

p.10

Good

Staff report feeling well supported by managers in this home. Since the last inspection, staff stability has improved and plans have been implemented for career progression for staff. Good quality and regular monthly supervision is provided. A wide range of training and development opportunities provides staff with opportunities to increase their skills and competence. A key strength of the home is its commitment to employing the services of an independent psychologist. This is clearly proving beneficial to staff, who report feeling better equipped to respond to young people’s complex needs.

p.10

Good

A further strength of the home and its staff relates to them chasing local authorities and other agencies for any missing information relating to young people. Records clearly show the regular attempts made by staff to secure missing information. Managers discuss young people in supervision with staff and carry out regular case file audits to ensure that relevant documentation is in place. This provides young people with care which is relevant and reflects their current and changing needs.

p.10

Good

Managers and staff have forged close and positive relationships with a range of involved professionals and agencies. They work to ensure that the holistic needs of young people are known and met from the start of their placements. One placing authority member of staff summarised the impact of the care provided to a young person as follows: ‘He has formed positive relationships with staff, the placement is stable, we get weekly reports and they are fully meeting his cultural needs in relation to food, attendance at church and safeguarding. Other placements have not managed to do this, so it is going really well.’ One shortfall has been identified as a result of this inspection. This relates to previously stated areas of improvement needed in relation to the recording of activities offered to young people. It also relates to the need for records from staff meetings to be clearer. Currently, they do not clearly set out agreed actions, who

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Good

is responsible for completing them or timescales. There is no adverse impact on young people as a result of this minor shortfall.

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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 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 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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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