Children's Home run by Nottinghamshire YMCA in Nottingham

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people experience exceptionally stable and long-term placements at this home. From their starting points, they make significant and extremely positive progress in all areas of their lives. Matching of new admissions is thoroughly considered by staff and managers, and promotes an excellent compatibility of needs of all young people. This enables young people to secure very positive attachments to the staff team and each other. Young people develop compassion and respect for each other and staff.  The highly dedicated and competent staff demonstrate an admirable commitment to the young people in their care. They demonstrate great skill in meeting the needs of young people, and in helping them to make significant progress and enjoy new experiences. They work closely, proactively and positively with a wide range of agencies and professionals, in order to secure the services and support needed for young people.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people have their health needs met to an exceptionally high standard. Specialist support and services are provided in a very timely manner, with staff working closely and effectively as a care team to source the help needed for young people. Feedback from all agencies contacted during this inspection was consistently positive, with staff being regarded as very strong and positive advocates for young people.  From their starting points, young people have made exceptional progress in their educational attendance and achievements. Educational placements are in place for all young people living in this home. Staff place a high value on education and support young people to achieve their very best. As a result of such support, young people sit GCSE exams and have secured places in further education or sixth form. This increases their sense of self-worth and their potential as adults in the workplace.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people feel very safe living in this home. They form very positive and close relationships with staff. They are supported to take age-appropriate risks and to learn new skills, which prepares them exceptionally well for their eventual move to adult life and independence. Staff ensure that they learn independence skills from an early stage in their placements. They develop confidence and pride in their achievements in relation to cooking, self-help skills and socialising with peers. As one involved agency commented about one young person: ‘They are not recognisable from when they moved in. They are confident, mature, calm and fully engaged in education now. I would not have thought this possible a few years ago.’

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Information about this children's home

The home is operated by a local charitable organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

6 January 2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24 February 2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Outstanding

Young people benefit from being cared for by a highly committed and dedicated staff team. Staff take great pride in the achievements of each young person. They support young people to overcome any concerning behaviours in a highly sensitive and supportive manner. Staff prepare memory books for each young person, containing photographs and mementoes of their time living in the home. They keep all certificates and records of achievement, in order that young people will leave this home with positive memories. This enables them to form positive and appropriate attachments over time, and increases their emotional growth and sense of worth.

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Outstanding

Young people influence how this home is run. They feel confident in speaking with staff and managers about any concerns or issues that they may have. There have been no formal complaints made for a considerable period of time. On admission to the home, young people receive a comprehensive guide. This sets out the complaints procedure. They receive a visit every month from an independent advocate. This provides them with an opportunity to discuss any issues with someone outside of the staff team and reflects the commitment of the team to ensuring that the young people have a voice. They contribute fully to decisions about menus, activities, and how their rooms are decorated and furnished.

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Outstanding

A key strength of the home is its commitment to ensuring that the educational needs of each young person are met. All young people attend full-time education placements local to the home. Their attendance has improved significantly since moving to this home. One placing social worker praised the staff team for this: ‘Prior to moving to this home, the young person’s attendance in school was only 6%. This is now 100% and has been, consistently, since they moved in. The changes in the young person are amazing and their commitment to learning is beyond what I could have hoped for.’ Several young people were not considered able to complete GCSE examinations prior to moving to this home, due to their lack of engagement over a long period. They are now fully engaged and taking their GCSE examinations. They have secured places at local colleges and sixth forms for the next academic year. One young person has been nominated for an educational

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Outstanding

achievement award this year and will be attending a presentation with staff. These are significant achievements for young people, attributable to the commitment of the staff team and the improved emotional well-being of the young people.

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Outstanding

Staff and managers consider new referrals very carefully, in order to ensure that young people’s needs can be met. One placing social worker praised this, stating that the staff and managers would rather have a vacancy than place a young person whose needs could not be met or would not be compatible with those currently placed. As a result of this very clear matching, young people form very positive relationships with each other. This is evident in the fact that they take part in activities together, help each other to learn new skills, and present as a cohesive and secure group. They learn to respect each other and staff. They take it in turns to cook meals for each other and staff. They have very busy social lives and engage with the local community on a daily basis. This includes going swimming, cinema trips, drama groups, attending a local gym and being involved in voluntary work at a local food bank. One young person is an active member of the local

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Outstanding

Children in Care Council. Such activities and interactions promote a sense of pride, belonging and integration for young people.

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Outstanding

Young people learn essential life skills from the moment they move to the home. As stated, this includes cooking meals twice a week for each other and staff. They learn how to wash and iron their own clothes, manage their own money and how to use public transport unaided. For some young people, these are skills that they did not have before moving to this home. All agencies spoken with during this inspection were exceptionally positive about the work by staff to develop such skills and confidence in young people. Such views are also reflected by parents, with one stating of their child: ‘They have learned so many things since moving there. I cannot fault the staff for what they have done to support my child. He is a different, calmer and more confident young person than he was before.’ Staff and managers are sensitive to the needs of young people in relation to moving on from the home. They consider the timing of starting the more detailed independence

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Outstanding

planning work with them, so that they can focus on their examinations. This does not detract from the daily work done with them to improve their life skills. Due to routines being embedded in the home, young people do not feel under pressure at any time. They learn new skills in a natural manner.

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Outstanding

Managers have undertaken work to improve the standard of recording and how they measure the progress of young people. Systems reflect the full engagement of young people in setting goals, and include frequent key-work sessions. Staff use imaginative and research-informed practice to help young people to learn new skills and competences. For one young person, this has involved very imaginative work on supporting them to understand how to budget and use money. Pictorial work packs were devised and used in key-work sessions to improve their abilities in this area. As a result, that young person now is more confident when out shopping. This increases young people’s confidence and their chances of making a successful transition from the home to adult life.

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Outstanding

Health needs of young people are met to an exceptionally high level by staff. Young people learn the value of healthy eating and exercise. For some, this has led to significant weight loss, and a willingness to eat healthy foods and engage in physical activities through membership of a local gym. Their specialist health needs are also well met. Counselling services and specialist mental health input provide young people with opportunities to consider and address their emotional and psychological issues. Staff engage in network meetings with placing authorities and specialist health professionals. This enables them to develop a detailed understanding of how to meet young people’s complex emotional health needs. One health professional praised the staff for their commitment: ‘They attend all meetings, take on board advice and guidance, and show real and commendable commitment to the young people in their care.’

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Outstanding

Young people receive care and support from a highly diligent and knowledgeable staff team. Staff demonstrate a detailed understanding of the actual or potential risks for each young person, and work closely with them to reduce and eradicate such concerns. Exceptionally detailed risk assessments reflect the current and changing needs for each young person. They set out clear information to assist staff in working to protect and support young people. Residential development plans set out the overall goals for each young person. Monthly audits of the plans include focused key-work sessions. Young people work closely with staff to understand and address any concerning or risky behaviours. Over time, this has led to a significant reduction in such concerning behaviours. A youth offending worker commented on their significant reduction in one young person: ‘Their anger issues were extreme when they moved to this home and they lacked the ability to

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Outstanding

manage them. This is no longer the case. The young person is calm, understands their triggers and is a totally different person.’

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Outstanding

There have been no missing from care incidents for those young people currently resident in the home. Staff work very closely with placing authorities, education providers and local police, to consider and respond to any concerns. Staff demonstrate a detailed understanding of missing from care procedures and protocols. Staff and managers also support young people to take age-appropriate risks. This includes teaching them how to use public transport unaided and trusting them to attend activities and some appointments without staff support. This is done in a very planned and sensitive manner, with young people taking great pride in their new skills and ability to keep themselves safe. Historic ‘missing from care’ incidents have been very well responded to by staff. Records reflect their detailed understanding of procedures to be followed and in ensuring that return interviews are requested from placing authorities.

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Outstanding

There have been no reported incidents of bullying in the home for some considerable time. Systems are in place for staff to record and respond to any such concerns. Young people spoken with during this inspection reported total confidence in being able to discuss any such concerns with staff, and are confident that they would be resolved. Young people attend weekly residents meetings with staff to discuss plans and to raise any concerns or issues they may have. Managers consider notes from such meetings and respond to any issues or requests made by young people. Frequent and well planned key-work sessions enable young people to consider any concerning behaviours or incidents with staff. Young people learn to consider their actions and the consequences of their actions on others. They develop better coping strategies. They fully understand what concerns there may be for them, and work very well with staff to reduce and eradicate such behaviours

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Outstanding

over time. Young people learn to reflect on their actions and behaviours and how to manage their emotions better. The consistently positive feedback from all involved agencies, and the significant improvements made by young people in relation to their behaviours over time, are testament to how well this works.

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Outstanding

The recruitment and selection of staff are robust, and prevent unsuitable people from being recruited and having the opportunity to harm young people. Staff receive excellent training and development opportunities. This enhances their skills and competencies in relation to safeguarding and child protection. They fully understand their professional responsibilities, and work very effectively to support and protect young people from actual or potential harm at all times.

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Outstanding

There have been no reported allegations relating to staff since the last inspection. Clear and detailed systems are in place, and managers demonstrate a detailed awareness of their professional responsibilities in this area. Staff also present as very confident and conversant with what action they would need to take, in the event either of a young person making an allegation, or of them being the subject of an allegation as a member of staff. The role of the local authority designated officer is clearly understood by staff and managers. Staff present as highly confident and competent professionals, well trained and skilled in their roles.

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Outstanding

The home environment is secure and homely. Staff and young people work together to agree how the home should be furnished and decorated. The home has CCTV fitted to external areas of the property. This is clearly signed and visitors are made aware of its use. There are current plans for major works on the upstairs bathroom, which will further improve the appearance and facilities of the home. All agencies contacted during this inspection commented on the homely and welcoming feel of the home.

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Outstanding

Agencies feel that the staff team works closely and consistently with young people and that this includes providing them with very clear boundaries. This is reported to have led to young people feeling very well supported, and knowing what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. Staff use handover meetings and staff meetings to discuss each young person in detail. They share information. This informs how staff respond to young people and provides consistency of care. Young people feel secure and exceptionally well supported in all areas of their lives. Judgement grade

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Outstanding

The registered manager has been in post for several years now and has the skills and qualifications necessary to perform the role. He is aspirational and highly respected by the staff team, young people, parents and involved agencies. He is supported by an equally aspirational and respected assistant manager. Young people speak very positively about staff and managers in the home, with one stating in a ‘thank you’ card: ‘You have turned my life a lot, and my key worker and all of the team are the best carers in the whole area. So thank you for your help.’

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Outstanding

Staff retention is extremely good, and includes staff who have moved to permanent positions after working in the home as bank staff for several years. Staff report feeling highly supported and valued by the registered and assistant managers. The dedication and commitment of the managers are reflected across the entire staff team, with a real culture of wanting the very best for young people. Staff receive monthly supervision and annual appraisal, which they report as highly valuable to their roles. The registered manager has introduced a new induction programme for all new members of staff. This is an exceptionally comprehensive programme and is very well received by staff. It provides them with opportunities to consider scenarios and situations that they may not have experienced before in their caring role. Staff become conversant with policies, procedures and practices through their induction programme, and feel extremely well prepared and

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Outstanding

Staff have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities. Senior managers are in the process of setting up a contract for online training and have provided additional laptop computers for staff to complete such training. Staff feel able to identify additional training needs or make suggestions, confident that managers will respond to their requests. All staff spoke of the high quality training, and how they have implemented this in their day-to-day practice.

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Outstanding

Managers have worked to improve recording and monitoring systems in the home. This work has led to exceptionally well laid out filing systems, which clearly evidence the work done to support young people and how this has improved their outcomes. Residential management plans clearly set out the goals and aims for each young person. Staff undertake very frequent key-work sessions with young people to go through the plans and update progress. This ensures the full engagement and awareness of young people in their goals, and how they are achieving them. Young people reflect on their behaviours and contribute fully to their records, making comments and signing them. Young people feel central to the care that they receive and exhibit great pride in their achievements because they have been so centrally involved in setting and achieving goals. This is supported by the extremely detailed photo albums and memory books kept for

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Outstanding

each young person. These provide them with excellent visual evidence of their progress and achievements. Young people really value these books and albums, and look through them with staff. This illustrates their journey in care and how well they have done.

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Outstanding

Managers undertake monthly monitoring and tracking of all aspects of the care provided, and other areas of how the home is run. Clear and detailed actions are set in the monitoring reports, including updating the extremely comprehensive development plan for the home. There is a strong and commendable culture of constantly striving to improve on recording systems, how staff evidence their work and the impact this has on young people. Staff and young people report feeling very much part of a team in this home, all working to ensure the best possible outcomes.

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Outstanding

The statement of purpose for the home is detailed, and clearly sets out the aims and objectives for the service, which are being met. The home has a detailed location risk assessment in place. This sets out any actual or potential risks and is updated on an annual basis. The young person’s guide has been devised through collaboration between a member of staff and a young person. This further demonstrates the commitment of the staff team to including young people in all aspects of the care that they receive and in improving the services provided.

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Outstanding

The registered manager recently facilitated a local event with the police. This brought together providers of residential care from the local authorities and private sectors. It included presentations on child sexual exploitation and drugs awareness. This was the first event of its kind in the area. Following the event, feedback from the lead police officer to the registered manager was as follows: ‘This was the first of its kind and we covered a vast amount of information for all staff, to increase their knowledge and, ultimately, keep young people safe. Without all of your help this would not have been possible.’ This reflects the strong learning culture and ethos of this home and a desire to improve the outcomes for young people resident in this home and in the wider community.

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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.

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What the inspection judgements mean

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.

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What the inspection judgements mean

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.

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What the inspection judgements mean

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 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.

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Information about this inspection

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 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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