Children's Home run by Progressive Futures Care Limited in Knowsley

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 are admitted to this home in a planned way. This includes visiting the home prior to admission. A good impact risk assessment shows that consideration has been given to their individual needs and how the staff can meet these.  Both young people are making measurable progress. One professional said, ‘I am so pleased with the progress she has made and this is down to the hard work the home has done with her.’ Another professional said, ‘It is early days but she likes it here and she calmly sat through her review for the first time. Staff have made a great start and she said this is because they listen to her.’  The young people said that they have excellent relationships with staff which help them move forward and make progress. One young person said, ‘They are fantastic and always here for you.’  Young people feel safe and protected at this home. One young person talked proudly about how she has reduced the concerns adults had for her. For

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The children’s home provision is good because:

example, she has not been reported missing from home since being placed here in October 2015. Further to this, staff demonstrated a good understanding of each young person’s vulnerabilities, their roles and responsibilities, and how following protocols and procedures protects young people.  The home responded well when one young person was dissatisfied with her educational placement. They found an alternative provision which met her needs. As a result, her attendance is excellent and she is working towards several exams. The other young person has recently been placed here and staff are maintaining her school placement which is some distance away.  A stable, well-supervised, trained and qualified staff team supports young people. This ensures that young people receive continuity of care by staff who know them well.  There is a long standing registered manager in place who has the welfare of the young people at the heart of her practice. Some shortfalls were identified

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The children’s home provision is good because:

within this inspection. For example, the record of complaints does not contain young people’s comments, and some dates and outcomes are missing, the home does not have an up-to-date care plan for one young person, a new young person has not received a fire evacuation drill and the manager’s Regulation 45 report only briefly covers the quality of care given within the home. These shortfalls are not currently impacting on the good outcomes for the young people but have the potential to do so.

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Statutory requirements

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

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 31 July 2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the care planning standard the registered person must ensure children: 14 (1)(a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. This is specifically in relation to having an up-to- date care plan in place. 31 July 2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that staff support children to be aware of and manage their own safety both inside and outside the home. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that all young people know what to do in an emergency. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.9)  The registered person should undertake a review that focuses on the quality of the care provided by the home, the experiences of children living there and the impact the care is having on outcomes and improvements for the children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.2)

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home can accommodate up to three young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

12 February 2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

15 December 2015 Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

19 January 2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Good

Both young people fully engaged with the inspector during this inspection. They were extremely complimentary about the care that they receive at this home. One young person said, ‘I know the plan for me is to stay here until I reach independence, and I am happy about that because I love being here.’ She was also able to reflect on, and was proud of, the improvements she had made while being here. Another young person moved in two weeks prior to the inspection. She said, ‘It is a bit quiet here, but I like it and staff have been great.’ Before offering the young person a placement at this home the manager ensured that it could meet her individual needs. A detailed impact risk assessment was completed and it shows how the views of the other young person in place were taken into account. As part of this process, the young person was able to visit prior to her placement and received a welcome booklet that staff went through with her.

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Good

She said, ‘It was good to meet everyone first and I think this helped me settle in.’ These good systems ensure that the home is confident that they can meet her needs, help her to progress and reduce placement breakdowns. In addition to this, the manager ensured that all the necessary paperwork was in place, prior to the young person being placed. This included having medical consent, the local authority placement plan and care plan, but the care plan has not been updated and refers to the young person’s last placement. This does not ensure that staff are working with the most up-to-date information. One young person has left this home since the last inspection. Initially, he had made good progress. He was attending education, going to medical appointments and building relationships with his family. However, he became involved with his previous peer group who were not a good influence. After several strategy and

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Good

planning meetings, all professionals, care staff and family agreed that a more rural setting was required. The staff worked closely with the new placement to ensure that a smooth transition took place. The manager has remained in touch with him and reports that he is doing well. Staff work closely with educational providers to ensure that young people receive appropriate education and reach their full potential. One young person was unhappy at her school and staff worked closely with a range of professionals to identify an alternative educational provision. She said, ‘It’s great. I love it. We get free tickets to watch football matches but I do not like football.’ She continued to say, ‘I am working towards my exams. I do not know what I want to do as a career, but I know I need good results.’ Consequently, she has excellent attendance and a professional said that her attitude to learning has greatly

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Good

improved. The other young person has struggled to attend school prior to being placed here, but the home has maintained the school placement to give her some consistency while settling in the home. A member of staff said, ‘She has her personal education meeting next week so we can discuss and explore the options for her.’ The young person has recently sat some mock exams and received good grades, and staff are encouraging her attendance through good incentive schemes. The young person said, ‘I like the school but I get frustrated. I want to be a bricklayer when I am older. I know I need good exam results to do this.’ In addition to this, good incentive schemes encourage young people’s attendance and all achievements are celebrated. Young people have received additional money, clothes, meals out and activities with friends in recognition of their achievements. As a result, young people are working in line with their peers and understand the

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Good

importance of a good education for their future careers. Young people have clear plans in place for seeing their families and people who are important to them. One young person’s contact has developed into weekly unsupervised contact with a parent and she also spends time with her friends within her local community. She said, ‘It’s going really well. Staff also include my friends in activities, which is great.’ A professional said, ‘One of the excellent things about this home is that staff can work and build relationships with parents who can be challenging at times. When young people see this they feel that their parents have been accepted.’ One young person has supervised contact with a range of family members and a person whom she has a significant relationship with. The arrangements, times and dates have been fully discussed with all concerned and are clearly identified within the young person’s plans. This has included working

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Good

closely with another children’s home to ensure that both parties understand their roles in ensuring that contact is meaningful, safe and enjoyable between the two young people. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities in supervising contact because they have received training in this area. This means that young people are able to maintain contact safely with people who are important to them. Young people have a range of independent people to talk to if they have concerns. Young people said that they have not raised an issue but were confident that they could raise a complaint or concern without fear of reprisals. One young person said, ‘I can talk to any staff, you (inspector), the responsible individual, my social worker and loads more.’ Staff do not wait for young people to make a formal complaint. If they hear a young person complaining they will record it and follow it up. However, a past resident made two verbal complaints and it is not clear

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Good

whether they were happy with the outcome because the record does not give them an opportunity to comment. In addition to this, Ofsted received an external complaint. As good practice, this was fully investigated by an external independent party to ensure that robust action was taken. They concluded that the allegations were unfounded, but the home’s record lacks information about the date the complaint was received and investigated and the outcome has not been recorded. This does not ensure that there is a robust procedure in place to address all complaints. Young people receive individualised health care. When young people are first placed, staff ensure that they are registered with all health professionals. Therefore, their health needs are addressed quickly. For example, one new young person has already had an optician appointment and received new glasses. There has been one incident where a young person has self-harmed. She received

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Good

prompt medical treatment and she is engaging with the child and adolescent mental health services team to discuss her emotional well-being. Good risk assessments in this area inform staff of the history, triggers, agreed strategies and actions to take if an incident was to occur. This means that all staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities in this area. Staff are also mindful that contact can be emotive and are vigilant around her emotional health. This is further supported through good training opportunities that include first aid, medication awareness and attachment training. Young people live in a warm, welcoming environment and they are very much involved in the design and decoration of the home. Staff encourage young people to decorate their bedrooms. A member of staff said, ‘It helps them settle in. We find they take more responsibility in looking after their things and it is their private

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Good

space so we want them to be comfortable in it.’ One young person’s bedroom reflects her individuality and personal taste. The other young person has bought some soft furnishings and has decided to have her bedroom painted cream.

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Good

One young person described staff as outstanding. She said that staff cared for her very well. They listened and tried to make things happen. She was able to reflect that her progress was down to these good relationships. A professional echoed this statement. She said, ‘Staff work extremely hard to make trusting relationships and this is evident in her progress.’ Young people said that they were safe at this home. One young person said that staff regularly discussed safety issues with her and ensured that she understood. She also said that she was very safe online. This is because staff have discussed the importance of not sharing information and being aware of issues around unsuitable adults. Therefore, she was very confident that she could keep herself safe when using social media. The manager is currently looking at purchasing online e-safety training for young people so that they are fully informed in this

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Good

area. All professionals, spoken to as part of this inspection process said that young people’s safety is prioritised here. They said that there are good systems to protect young people and to help them understand how they put themselves at risk. As a result, young people have significantly reduced the concerns that adults had for them. For example, one young person has not been reported missing from care since being placed. A professional said, ‘If you knew her background you would know how significant this is. She was a prolific absconder and we had concerns around her being exploited. She has not been taken away from the area or friends we had concerns about but the work the staff have done with her has helped her make the right positive choices and this is fantastic.’ This shows that exceptional work has been completed in these areas, that young people have been able to reflect and change their behaviour and still maintain relationships that are

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Good

important to them. As a result, young people have not been reported missing from this home. The local community police officers visit the home periodically to meet the young people and have a cup of tea and a general chat with them. The manager said that this builds up a good rapport with them, that young people get to meet them and get a good image of the police not just the image they get when they are in trouble, and the police know them when they are out in the community. Young people’s risk assessments identify their individual vulnerabilities. Staff work consistently with the strategies identified within them and take the agreed action when an incident occurs. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly and discussed within staff meetings. This means that staff can contribute to them and that they know of any changes made to them. This ensures that all staff follow the agreed protocols and procedures and that young people receive continuity of care. In

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Good

addition to this, young people are encouraged to comment on how they view the risks that they put themselves at. Staff say that this gives them a clear picture of young people’s understanding of the risks so that they can pitch the level of work required to be done with them. This is reassessed frequently so that they can see how much information young people have retained and whether they are taking on board their advice. Clear and consistently applied behaviour management strategies ensure that young people understand about acceptable behaviour. The routines and structures within the home help young people to be prepared for their day. For example, the internet is switched off at a set time in the evening, so young people are not online in the night. This ensures that they get a good night’s sleep and are ready for school in the mornings. Consequences for unacceptable behaviour are very minimal but, when applied, young people said that they were fair. Young people

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Good

have not been physically held, but all staff have received training in holding young people safely and had several associated safeguarding courses. Staff are very clear about their responsibilities for keeping young people safe. They know what to do if they have concerns and take action to protect young people. All health and safety certificates are updated regularly so that young people and staff are safe within the home. However, the new young person has not been taken through an emergency fire evacuation drill. This does not ensure that she will know what to do if an emergency were to occur.

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Good

The manager was registered with Ofsted in 2011. She has the relevant qualifications and experience to lead a staff group and manage the home. She has an additional degree in criminology. The manager was supporting a senior member of staff to become a deputy with a view to taking over her role, but this did not work out. Therefore, the company is exploring their options in this area. The manager is presently supported by three qualified, experienced and well-trained staff members. Professionals confirm they have received the home’s statement of purpose and that it provides very good information about the service. Young people said that they are welcomed into this home and part of this is receiving a welcome booklet. They say that it is child friendly and gives them good information about the home. They continued to say that staff take time to go through this with them. This helps young people to settle and know the boundaries of the home. It also provides

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Good

them with details of independent people whom they can contact, if necessary. Records clearly reflect the plans for young people and the progress they have made over time. They are now signed and dated by staff to ensure that they are up to date with any changes. Young people said that they can contribute and influence their plans. They often make comments and sign that the information is factual. These good practices ensure that young people are fully involved in their care. Young people receive continuity of care because there is a well-trained, supervised and qualified staff team in place. Young people have designed questions for the company, to be used as part of its recruitment process. When new staff undertake their induction, young people contribute to the feedback on their performance. This good practice ensures that young people are involved in all aspects of the development of the home. All staff are qualified in caring for young people. Staff have been in place for

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Good

several years and this ensures that young people receive continuity of care. Staff said that the support they receive from the manager is excellent. They said that they are fully involved in the development of the home and all decisions or changes were fully explored within staff meetings. Further to this, staff say they have good training and developmental opportunities. This means that young people are cared for by a skilled staff team which knows them well. Professionals comment on this being the reason why the young people are doing so well. Over the last six months the home has put into place a new filing system for retaining young people’s documents, and several hardback books now explicitly tell staff how to record information in line with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. Staff say that this has made systems within the home much clearer and although some things still need tweaking, that records now show the impact of their

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Good

involvement and the excellent progress young people are making. In addition to this, young people are able to access their files better and have a good understanding of their time at the home. The manager has challenged a local authority and educational provision over the poor structure and boundaries within a school. Although there is no outcome yet, this was to be discussed in the young person’s personal education plan in the week following the inspection. This shows that the manager is a good advocate for young people and wants the best for them. The manager is fully aware of her role to report and notify all parties of any notifiable incidents. All professionals commented on the excellent communication between the home and them. Independent monitoring of the home takes place monthly and the independent monitoring reports are now received in a timely way by Ofsted. The content of the information provided has improved and constructive feedback is given to the

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Good

manager. This ensures that the manager receives impartial advice to improve the home. Any actions raised are drawn into the home’s development plan. This means that the home continues to strive towards an outstanding judgement. In contrast to this, the manager’s six-monthly report is brief and does not adequately reflect on the quality of care within the home. This is because she has put general statements within it, not evaluated the content of records, drawn through any consultation with young people or professionals, and has not recorded any actions identified by her for improvement. This does not ensure that there is good oversight of the home by the manager.

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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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