Children's home run by Pathfinders (childcare) Limited in Rochdale

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:

 Staff have created a friendly, nurturing home and remain committed to helping young people to accomplish their individual goals and aspirations. Staff have made a significant contribution to making a difference to the life of the young person living at the home.  Staff value attendance and attainment in education. They work closely with education staff to support educational progress, which has resulted in excellent educational attendance and participation.  Staff have positive relationships with the young person. They involve him in all decisions that are made about his home. They give him consistency and routine, which has helped him to make considerable progress in managing his own behaviour.  Staff know the young person well. They ensure his safety both in and out of the home. Strong links are maintained with agencies such as GMap and youth offending workers, which has resulted in a considerable reduction in

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The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

aggressive behaviours.  Crisis development and management plans are proving effective and provide clear guidance for staff on how to recognise triggers and warning signs. Staff involve the young person in devising strategies to manage these behaviours in a calmer manner.  The manager is highly proactive in ensuring that young people are provided with the right level of care and support to meet their particular needs. She fosters positive links with a range of care, education, health and safeguarding agencies.  Managers and leaders have excellent oversight of the home and successfully monitor and review the development and progress of the young person. All staff are very proud of his accomplishments.  The home’s manager is highly competent to identify when young people are at risk of harm and is proactive in working with safeguarding agencies to ensure that risks are minimised.  Staff are up to date with current themes and trends such as child sexual

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The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

exploitation and radicalisation. The manager regularly reviews the home’s area risk assessment and strategies for managing this. She is keen to develop this further by evaluating the risks related to radicalisation.

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 The review of the home’s premises should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location in relation to radicalisation, and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. This home is privately owned.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

27/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Outstanding

The young person lives in a comfortable, nurturing home, which is well maintained and furnished to a high standard. Staff encourage him to personalise his bedroom, helping him to feel relaxed and settled in his home. He was seen to be happy in his environment, where he has a positive relationship with staff. Staff value him and ensure that his voice is heard. For example, he has regular visits from his independent advocate, enabling him to discuss issues that he feels unable to discuss with staff. A forensic psychologist said, ‘Although he has his own advocate, his staff are excellent advocates for him. They work together with us and always make sure that X’s position is put forward.’

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Outstanding

Staff support and encourage the young person to lead a healthy lifestyle. He helps to plan his meals and enjoys a well-balanced diet. He is registered with health professionals and is supported to access routine and specialist healthcare services. Staff develop good links with other agencies, such as G-map and youth offending workers, to deliver a multi-agency approach to promote his emotional health and well-being. Consequently, there has been a considerable reduction in aggressive behaviour. A health professional said, ‘Staff are very proactive. They are supportive of our work and welcome us into their team meetings so that we are able to work effectively together to offer X consistency. This is proving a huge success and there has been a massive reduction in assaults on staff.’

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Outstanding

Staff promote and facilitate contact between young people and their families, where appropriate. They recognise the importance of contact in relation to young people’s culture and identity, enabling and supporting this. Individual contact plans ensure that young people’s communication with their families is safe and a positive experience for all involved. This proactive approach affords young people consistent care.

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Outstanding

Staff support the young person to prepare for independence. This includes the young person taking ownership of his own fridge, learning cooking skills, budgeting and carrying out household tasks such as laundry. Staff identify his strengths and provide him with opportunities to develop these, for example helping members of staff to do jobs around the home such as painting and small DIY tasks. This has resulted in the young person learning skills, which has increased his knowledge in preparation for adulthood. A staff member said, ‘X really enjoys learning about DIY and wants to learn. I supervise him and he has helped to make a garden table and bench.’

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Outstanding

Staff value young people’s education. They identify barriers to learning, work closely with teachers and are well equipped to provide any required support. They take an active interest in young people’s educational provision, attending school and college events such as parent’s evenings. Young people are supported and encouraged to achieve and are motivated to reach their educational goals. This has resulted in young people participating in their educational provision and aspiring to achieve.

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Outstanding

Since the last inspection, a young person was transferred to the home from one of the organisation’s other homes. The staff and manager knew the young person well and supported her in making a successful transition. A robust and thorough matching process and risk assessment ensured that the placement would be suitable for both young people. The existing young person played a vital role in the new young person’s transition, making her welcome and helping her to settle in. The young person has successfully moved into a semi-independent living home, where she was initially supported by the staff team. Staff have observed that the existing young person has gained in self-confidence and self-esteem. A member of staff said, ‘When we admitted another young person to the home we noticed that X gained in confidence. He is taking an interest in his appearance now and is more aware of how he looks and what clothes he wants to wear, which is a big

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Outstanding

The young person is well protected because staff give his safety and well-being top priority. Staff are appropriately trained in safeguarding and understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping him and others in the community safe. Staff are committed to providing the young person with emotional warmth and nurturing him. They know how to keep the young person safe, due to the in-depth individual risk management plans and because they know his history.

p.7

Outstanding

The young person knows that staff care about him and keep him safe. High levels of staff supervision and a commitment to keeping young people safe mean that there have been no episodes of young people going missing. Physical intervention has not been necessary, which is a significant improvement. Staff understand the triggers to behaviour and identify how individual frustrations and anxieties may impact on these. Staff work sensitively with young people to ensure that they have ample opportunity to discuss issues that may worry them. They pre-empt situations that could cause a change in behaviour, and develop plans with young people to help manage these more effectively.

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Outstanding

Staff display a strong commitment to overcoming difficult and challenging behaviour. They work collaboratively with the young person and other agencies to design clear, consistent strategies to help the young person remain calm in times of anxiety and frustration. For example, the young person has chosen to have an outdoor bench where he can take time out. He has been fully involved in making this and finds this tool a source of security. A forensic psychologist said, ‘Staff give us information on any issues X may have prior to his session. This means that we are fully aware and up to date and we can tackle any issues. Staff are really great at communication and they are a brilliant team. His bench is an excellent mechanism for him to use to calm down.’

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Outstanding

All staff have completed e-safety training and know the dangers the internet can pose to young people. They ensure that young people are supervised when using computers and know what to look for and who to alert if they identify any issue of concern. They help young people to understand the possible risks to themselves and others, teaching them how to keep safe and not give personal details out, for example. This means that young people have knowledge and understanding of how to keep themselves safe when using a computer.

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Outstanding

Staff employed at the home are subject to organisational vetting procedures and do not start work in the home until all appropriate checks are complete. All fire, gas and electrical equipment is routinely serviced to ensure that it is in good working order. These measures ensure that the environment is safe and that young people are protected from persons who may present a risk to them.

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Outstanding

The registered manager has been in post since April 2010. She is particularly child- focused, assertive and proactive and has an excellent understanding of the individual needs of the young person. She has the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to provide strong leadership and management to an extremely driven and dedicated staff team. She is supported by an experienced and well- organised deputy manager who was successfully running the home in the absence of the registered manager at the time of the inspection.

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Outstanding

Leaders and managers are dedicated to ensuring that the young person receives care that is tailored to his specific needs. The registered manager makes time for the young person, spending quality time with him each week, such as going to the cinema or for a meal. This tactic provides the manager with superb opportunities to obtain the young person’s views on his care, how he is doing and offer relevant advice and support. The young person thoroughly enjoys this experience and values her views on day-to-day issues.

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Outstanding

The small staff team is stable and competent in delivering high-quality care to young people and their families. Staff have a good relationship with the manager and receive regular supervision and appraisal, which focuses on their professional development and the progress young people make. The manager utilises their strengths and talents, which ensures that young people receive individual care. Compulsory training is up-to-date, and staff have completed training in relation to sexual exploitation and radicalisation. This has helped them to identify and understand associated risks and to take appropriate action to ensure that young people receive the necessary support they need to keep them safe. A staff member said of the manager, ‘I feel fully supported and Cheryl is a fantastic manager.’

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Outstanding

The manager has a comprehensive understanding of the progress young people make in relation to their specific plans. Thorough care plans are clear and specifically developed to include the experiences and needs of young people. Staff consistently follow these plans to ensure that young people are encouraged and supported to reach their full potential in preparation for adulthood. The manager oversees young people’s progress and is able to demonstrate the positive influence that the home has on young people living there. This also means that she is able to identify any shortfalls in care and address these quickly.

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Outstanding

The home has made effective links with external services, promoting a multi- disciplinary approach to meeting young people’s complex needs. Staff have formed positive relationships with placing authorities, independent reviewing officers, youth offending workers and psychologists. They utilise advice and the contribution from these agencies to ensure that young people are afforded the best possible life chances. A forensic psychologist said, ‘My experience of the home is that staff are very proactive. They work with us and send us X’s behaviour charts for that week. We give advice and help them to input behaviour management strategies.’

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Outstanding

Effective action has been taken to address the requirements set at the previous inspection. The registered manager uses monthly quality assurance visits to review and monitor the effectiveness of the home. These assessments have considerably improved in evaluation, and there is a rigorous evaluation of how the home’s arrangements safeguard and promote the welfare of the young person living there.

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Outstanding

The registered manager regularly reviews the home’s premises to ensure that the home is suitably located. She consults various agencies such as the police to ensure that any known risk areas are identified. This provides a useful reference for staff to educate young people on areas that may not be safe. The registered manager is keen to improve this document to include any risks to young people in relation to radicalisation. This additional information will assist staff in ensuring that any potential risks to young people are minimised.

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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 that 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 that 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, workbased 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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