Children's Home run by Plus One South West Ltd in Somerset

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 have positive outcomes. They develop confidence and self- resilience, and are supported and fully encouraged by staff to develop their independence skills.  Staff are proactive in supporting young people to make arrangements for their future. In particular, they liaise well with the placing authority and housing providers to explore possibilities for more independent living. Young people feel fully involved in this process.  Staff fully support and encourage young people to attend education, and as a result young people have taken examinations, and have been offered places at college. They have high aspirations for their futures.  Young people’s health needs are clearly identified and staff are provided with detailed guidance in how to meet these needs.  Young people feel safe and are kept safe by staff.  Staff receive effective and regular supervision, and an annual appraisal. As a

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The children’s home provision is good because:

result, they are well supported and guided in their work.  Areas for improvement identified at this inspection include matters relating to fire drills, staff training, the recording and use of sanctions, seeking the views of young people and behavioural support guidance.

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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 within the given timescales.

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Fire precautions

25. (1) After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must: (d) ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that persons working at the home and, so far as reasonably practicable, children are aware of the procedures to be followed in case of a fire. 31/08/2016

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Employment of staff

33. (4)(a) Ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development. In particular, training in Asperger syndrome, autism, epilepsy and e-safety. 30/09/2016

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Behaviour management policies and records

35. (3)(a) Ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint, in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes: (ii) details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure (iii) the date, time and location of the use of the measure (vii) the effectiveness and any consequence of the measure. 31/08/2016 [Type here]

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 Ensure that children are consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Due consideration should be given to the child’s cognitive ability in the development and implementation of any consultation processes. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the home complies with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.) In particular, explore steps to prevent flies accessing the home due to the close proximately of a farm to the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair and appropriate. In particular, review the management strategies for one young person’s use of the Xbox. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)

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Information about this children’s home

A private company operates this home and provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who may display emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

24/11/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Good

Young people receive individualised and good quality care and support. Staff provide young people with positive experiences, guidance and support. As a result, young people are developing their skills and confidence.

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Good

For one young person who has been living at the home for approximately two years, there have been significantly improved outcomes. This includes improving her independence skills, achieving well educationally and developing emotional resilience. She told the inspector: ‘When I came to live here I was on 2:1 support, now I am on independence and have been accepted to go to college.’ She added: ‘I can go out on my own, use public transport, I cook more, can wash my clothes and budget my money.’

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Good

Another young person is achieving well from his starting point when he moved into the home. He is further developing his independence skills and is now planning his own menu, budgeting for the shopping and shopping for his food. He is competent at cooking meals for himself, with staff support if needed.

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Good

One social worker said, ‘The staff are very willing to help the young people who live here to lead as full a life as possible.’ Another social worker said a young person has: ‘done very well and is flourishing.’

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Good

One young person has achieved extremely well at school, and has a 99% attendance rate. Her most recent school report said: ‘She has made huge progress during the past academic year.’ She has clear aspirations for her future and advocates extremely well for herself. She is hoping to go to college, depending on the results of her recent examinations, and then on to university.

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Good

Another young person has struggled to attend school. Staff have worked with education providers to obtain alternative education opportunities. He has recently undertaken some formal examinations and said: ‘I have passed mathematics and English, and I have enrolled to go to college.’ This is a very positive outcome for him.

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Good

Staff are provided with comprehensive placement plans that include information about how to support the young people and meet their needs. The placement plans link well with detailed risk assessments that identify how risks are to be reduced. Wherever possible, young people are involved in the development of their placement plans and risk assessments. Young people receive regular key worker support that clearly documents their discussions and actions.

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Good

The registered manager advocates well on behalf of young people to ensure that their placing authority plans are regularly updated. In addition, and in collaboration with the placing authority, he has arranged meetings with housing providers as part of the plans for one young person’s move to more independent living. The young person said she is fully involved in this process, and said that she feels ‘listened to’ in respect of her plans and wishes for the future.

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Good

The healthcare needs of young people are clearly identified in written plans and are understood by staff. Where needed, staff are provided with guidance in the management of young people’s health needs, such as epilepsy, and emotional support. Outcomes from visits to healthcare professionals are clearly documented in young people’s files. In addition, young people have good access to therapeutic support if needed.

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Good

Young people are offered a choice of activities based on their known likes and interests. At the time of the inspection one young person went out shopping for personal items, and another went to a water park for the day. However, it is difficult for staff to encourage one young person to experience a wide range of activities. The registered manager confirmed this will be reviewed and discussed further with the young person.

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Good

The home is maintained, furnished and decorated to a good standard. However, it was noted that due to the home being located near to a farm, a large number of flies were present in the communal areas, including the kitchen. This may pose a health and safety hazard and was annoying to young people and staff.

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Good

Positive behaviour is promoted and young people are encouraged to reflect on their behaviour. Overall, staff are provided with useful strategies to help them to meet specific behaviours and needs. However, there is insufficient guidance provided to staff in the support of one young person and their use of a games console. The registered manager plans to review these strategies. This shortfall does not have a negative impact on the safety and well-being of the young person.

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Good

Occasionally sanctions have been given to young people to help them to understand the consequences of poor behaviour. Young people’s views on the use of the sanctions are now recorded by staff. This was a recommendation at the previous inspection and the registered manager has taken good action to address [Type here] it. The records pertaining to the sanctions do not always include all of the required information. For example, records do not always include detailed information of the behaviour leading up to the sanction, the time the sanction was imposed, nor the effectiveness and appropriateness of the use of the sanction. This is a documentary weakness that does not have a negative impact on the young people.

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Good

All staff have received fire awareness training. However, two staff working in the home have not undertaken fire drills. Both young people have been involved in fire drills and are aware of the action to take in the event of an emergency. The registered manager ensures that there is regular servicing of the home’s fire alarm system, and that weekly checks are undertaken on the home’s firefighting equipment, smoke detectors and emergency lighting.

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Good

Young people said that they feel safe living at the home. This is also the view of the placing authorities, and of a parent. There have not been any referrals made to the designated officer or children’s services since the previous inspection. All staff have received safeguarding training and demonstrated a good awareness of safeguarding protocols and processes.

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Good

There are no recorded incidents of the use of restraint, and all staff working at the home have undertaken training in de-escalation and restraint.

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Good

There are no recorded incidents of young people going missing, and no concerns of young people being at risk of sexual exploitation. The registered manager keeps a record of accidents that occur and takes appropriate action in response to these.

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Good

Leaders and managers ensure that there is a robust recruitment and selection process of new staff in order to safeguard young people.

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Good

The registered manager ensures that the home is well maintained and provides young people with a safe environment. He ensures that there is regular servicing of the home’s utilities and portable appliances.

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Good

Leaders and managers have not ensured that all staff working in the home have received formal training in Asperger syndrome, autism, epilepsy and e-safety. However, staff demonstrate sound awareness and understanding of the needs of young people with Asperger syndrome and epilepsy. In addition to the mandatory training, the vast majority of staff have undertaken training in protecting children from sexual exploitation, administering medicines, drugs and substance misuse, understanding self-harm and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This training helps staff in their work with young people.

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Good

The registered manager is an experienced manager and has the skills to manage the service well. He has been the registered manager since June 2013 and has recently completed the level 5 diploma in leadership and management for residential childcare.

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Good

Leaders and managers ensure that there is robust and effective monitoring of the quality of care provided by the service. The registered manager responds to recommendations that are made by the independent visitor. In addition, he regularly undertakes a comprehensive review of the quality of care provided by staff and is aware of the strengths and weakness of the service. Following a recent review, he has identified areas of improvement that include how the service can improve in seeking the views and opinions of young people and other professionals, such as social workers and parents.

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Good

The home’s statement of purpose reflects the services that are provided.

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Good

The registered manager and staff place the young people’s needs at the centre of their care and support. Young people make good progress from their starting points and staff are able to clearly identify and praise young people for their achievements.

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Good

Leaders and managers respond robustly when young people make a complaint. They investigate the complaint and ensure that young people are satisfied with the outcome of the investigation.

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Good

Staff receive regular and effective supervisions that includes time to reflect on their practice. One staff member said: ‘I get regular good quality supervisions as well as regular time with my supervisor in between supervisions.’ All staff receive an annual appraisal. One staff member said: ‘My appraisal is due soon, but the last one helped me to identify my strengths and weaknesses and improve my performance.’ Staff are well supported in their work.

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Good

The registered manager ensures that there are good working relationships with placing authorities and external agencies. One social worker agreed and said: ‘There is good communication between me and the home,’ and another said: ‘I am impressed with the service, they are inclusive and child centred.’ The registered manager will appropriately challenge placing authorities if there are delays in the updating of independence plans, and in the home receiving minutes of young people’s reviews.

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Good

The register manager ensures that he notifies the appropriate authorities and agencies of all significant events that occur at the home. [Type here]

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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’. [Type here] 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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