Children's home run by Suffolk County Council in Ipswich

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 built positive relationships with a stable, dedicated team of staff who know and understand their individual needs.  Staff use a variety of ways to gain feedback from the young people regarding their care and issues in the home.  Young people have a wide variety of activities, both in the home and in the community.  Staff support young people with hobbies and interests, and will attend concerts and football matches in their own time.  Staff understand the importance of education, and actively support young people to attend and maintain good links with all education providers.  Young people are supported by staff to understand each other’s individuality.  Staff work with a wide range of professionals to support the young people in having the opportunities to reach their full potential.  Staff understand the importance of recognising and celebrating young people’s achievements.  Staff have developed good relationships with parents, and will regularly visit

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The children's home provision is good because:

them to maintain these relationships.  Young people are consulted in a wide range of ways about the running of the home, and can see the outcomes of wishes and feelings.  There are two minor shortfalls in regard to the recording of room searches and the service being in need of some minor decoration.

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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 ‘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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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered person must— (2)(c)(i) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that they are maintained to a good, homely standard . 1/9/16

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Usually, rooms should only be searched if the child has been informed or asked for their permission. Immediate searching may be necessary where there are reasonable grounds for believing that there is a risk to the child’s or another person’s safety or well-being.

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Recommendations

This is in relation to staff not always recording the reason for the room search. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations and quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.20) 

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Information about this children's home

The children’s home is owned and maintained by a local authority. It provides long- term care and accommodation for up to six young people of either sex, aged between 11 and 17 years old, who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

04/02/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Good

The registered manager is due to go on maternity leave. The young people have built a positive relationship with her and expressed concerns about her going. Staff understand the impact that this can have on the young people and have ensured that they have been kept informed of plans for her replacement. An interim manager has been appointed who has started to visit the home to build relationships with them. Staff are also involving them in organising a leaving party, and the manager has planned ‘keep in touch’ meetings with the young people. Staff understand that the young people build meaningful attachments and relationships to staff, and that positive endings are important. The young people have built good relationships with an enthusiastic, dedicated team of staff who spend quality time with them, know and understand their individual needs, and support them to progress. Staff encourage young people with

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Good

hobbies and interests, and will attend concerts and football matches in their own time, making them feel that staff have a genuine interest and value them. Staff understand the importance of education, and actively support young people to attend. They have high aspirations for their education. They work closely with all education providers, and the manager meets termly for education-led meetings, which are attended by the looked after education team, work experience brokers and the youth offending service. These meetings give professionals an opportunity to evaluate plans and put in extra support, if required. The young people have made good progress since moving into the home. Two young people have just completed GCSEs and one has secured a college placement for September. A headteacher commented: ‘The staff are very supportive and attend all meetings and parents evenings. We were concerned about a young

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Good

person’s attendance at one point, and the staff supported alternatives that we put in place. He came to the leavers barbecue with staff, which was lovely.’ A tutor for another young person commented, ‘She has really begun to engage and is a pleasure to teach.’ A young person commented that he was really enjoying his work experience and had managed to gain a qualification while there. Young people are aware of the consequences in place if they do not attend education, such as no paid activity that evening. A young person was supported by staff to complete an application to Tesco for a job. He was observed planning with his key worker to go to buy a shirt and trousers, and to spend the evening having some coaching on interview skills. Staff were seen congratulating him on getting an interview and also sympathising that he was nervous. The young people and staff know the reasons why they are living in the home.

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Good

Young people commented that staff help and support them to understand why they are living away from home. Staff understand the importance of contact for the young people and their families, and facilitate this in line with the placing authority’s care plan. Staff are proactive in building relationships with parents. The manager and key workers will regularly visit families to build and maintain positive relationships, as well as phone contact and monthly reports. The manager will try to visit families prior to the young people moving in, to give them the opportunity to ask questions about the home and the care that their child will receive. Staff understand the importance of transitions for young people, both into and leaving the home, and the impact that this can have. Staff worked closely with a young person and his next placement to ensure a successful move. Impact risk assessments are completed as part of the referral paperwork. The

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Good

young people are spoken to regarding pending admissions and the manager will meet with the social worker, young person, family and other professionals before making a decision, to ensure that placements are in the best interest of all young people. There are excellent links with the local police community support officer, who regularly visits the home. He commented that he has built good relationships with both staff and young people, and the young people respond well to him coming to the home. The new police inspector accompanied him on a visit to introduce himself to the manager and to arrange regular meetings to ensure positive working together. The local designated officer reported that the manager reports any concerns and acts on advice given. The young people are registered with the local GP, dentist and optician. The looked after nurse is available to come to speak to young people about specific health

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Good

needs, and the substance misuse team also works with the young people when required. The manager has formed good links with the local mental health team attached to the GP surgery, and can phone for advice. The young people have been able to personalise their bedrooms and, through house meetings, have been able to choose furniture and decoration around the home. There is a semi-independence flat in the home where young people due to move on can learn more independent skills and have added responsibility in preparing themselves for adult life. All young people are supported and encouraged with independence, according to their age, ability and understanding, and will often help staff when cooking dinner. The young people have good individualised care plans in place which are informative and updated regularly. Young people read and discuss these during key-work sessions, and sign and comment to say that they agree or that they feel

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Good

that something should be amended or changed. This shows that young people are involved in their care planning on a regular basis. Staff complete monthly reports which young people are encouraged and supported to be involved in. These are sent to parents and social workers, who are given the opportunity to comment. A social worker commented: ‘I receive detailed monthly reports which are informative and give me a good insight into the young person.’ A parent commented: ‘They send me a report every month so I can see how he’s doing, and I can contact them if I want to talk about anything.’ This shows that staff ensure that social workers and parents are kept fully updated on all aspects of the young people’s lives.

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Good

The young people know how to complain and feel that staff listen to them. The young people spoken to could all name adults outside of the home whom they could speak to if they wished. There are telephone numbers displayed in the home of outside agencies, such as Ofsted, for young people to phone. A young person commented: ‘I have not had to complain, but I know how to and staff would make sure that things are sorted.’ There have been eight complaints since the last inspection from young people. These have all been resolved within an appropriate timescale, and young people have signed and commented to say that they are happy with the outcome.

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Good

There have been nine complaints from neighbours, five from the same person. The manager is quick to resolve these. She has ensured that they have her contact details. Young people are spoken to if there is a complaint about music or shouting in the garden, and staff reinforce the importance of respecting the neighbours.

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Good

Staff understand the importance of young people understanding and adhering to boundaries. The young people are involved in reviewing the house rules, giving them ownership of these. Staff challenge young people appropriately and will discuss these in key-work sessions. There have been 56 sanctions since the last full inspection. The young people are given the opportunity to discuss the sanction, comment and sign. The manager reviews these records to ensure that sanctions are fair, proportionate and effective.

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Good

There have been 205 positive consequences since the last full inspection. Staff record these on ‘positive sheets’, which they give to the young people. Some of these are proudly displayed on young people’s bedroom walls. Staff understand the importance of reinforcing positive behaviours to build self-esteem, self-worth and social skills.

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Good

There have been four physical interventions since the last full inspection, all of which were low level. All paperwork is completed and young people are debriefed, and sign the record and comment on the hold. There are good behaviour management plans in place which clearly outline triggers, what works and what should be avoided, meaning that physical interventions are used as a last resort.

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Good

There are comprehensive risk assessments which outline risks and measures put in place to reduce risks. They are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that information is current and that young people are continually safeguarded.

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Good

Staff have completed level 3 safeguarding and have a good understanding of how to protect young people. They have also completed training in the ‘Prevent’ duty and against self-harm. They have a good understanding of young people’s risks and vulnerabilities. These are openly discussed in key-work sessions, and staff work with young people in learning how to manage these themselves, according to their age, understanding and level of risk. A social worker commented: ‘The staff are good at helping young people to recognise risks and then to manage these.’

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Good

The manager attends quarterly meetings, chaired by the Suffolk lead on exploitation, which are attended by 20 other professionals to share information and concerns in the area. The manager reports that this is a useful way of building professional relationships and sharing information to safeguard the young people.

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Good

Staff understand the issues around the use of internet, and have completed training as part of safeguarding and the ‘Prevent’ duty. A young person has compiled information about social media and will be presenting this at a staff meeting. Another young person completed an internet interactive presentation by the police. Social media and the use of the internet are also discussed in key-work sessions and house meetings to ensure that the young people understand the risks and know how to report any concerns.

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Good

The young people were able to express that, over the past few weeks, they had begun to feel unsafe due to the behaviour of a young person who has recently left the home. They had tried to support this young person and shown empathy and understanding. The manager has spoken individually to the young people, and a house meeting has been arranged to give them the opportunity to talk through issues and feelings that they may still have. Due to the manager feeling that she could not keep the young person or other young people in the home safe, the placement was terminated. Staff supported the young person for the first few days after the placement ended, and she has since contacted the home to let staff know how she is. There have been 23 incidents of young people going missing since the last full inspection. The majority of these have been for a short period but, due to vulnerabilities, they have been reported to the police immediately. Young people

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Good

each have an individual ‘missing from home’ protocol which staff follow. These are updated and amended, when necessary. The local police officer has been involved in writing these with the manager. The police are also aware of the young people’s protocols. Young people understand that staff will try to contact them, and will actively look for them in the community. All appropriate paperwork has been completed and the relevant people informed.

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Good

All medication is stored and recorded appropriately. Consent for medication treatment is in place, and is signed by parents and social workers. All staff have undertaken medication training, and a letter from the GP is on file, stating what household medications the individual young people can be given.

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Good

Staff will search young people’s rooms if there is a suspicion that they may have something of concern in their bedrooms. Staff will gain permission from the young people, and they sign to say that they understand the reason for the room search. Staff complete the appropriate paperwork, outlining the reason, but some entries state ‘room searched at the request of managers’. This does not state the reason for the search, and a clear explanation should be recorded.

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Good

The manager has been in post since 2015 and has the relevant experience and qualifications to manage the home.

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Good

There were three recommendations from the last inspection. These have been met in full. The manager has a clear vision for the home and high expectations for the young people, and liaises with a wide variety of professionals to support young people’s ability to progress. One education provider commented: ‘They have really supported young people to attend education, because they see it as being very important.’ A social worker commented: ‘They know that the young people who they look after can have some risky behaviours, but they teach them to manage these risks so they can learn what is safe.’

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Good

The young people are clearly seen as individuals, and their differences and choices are celebrated with each other and the staff team. This means that young people can express their individuality in a safe, supportive environment.

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Good

Staff receive regular, good-quality supervision which discusses care practice and young people. A matrix is in place to inform staff when their supervision will take place, giving them the opportunity to prepare an agenda. Staff report that they find this invaluable when working with the young people. All staff have up-to-date appraisals.

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Good

Staff are up to date with their mandatory training. All staff have completed or are in the process of completing the national vocational qualification level 3.

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Good

Robust monitoring systems are in place which track young people’s progress, patterns and trends, including education attendance. The manager uses these in review meetings so that plans relevant to the young person can be made.

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Good

Recruitment is robust, and all checks are completed and verified by the manager before staff can begin to work in the home. There is a good induction programme for staff to work through during their probation period, and regular probation meetings are held in order to support staff. Staff spoken to said that they found the induction useful, and being able to shadow shifts supportive.

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Good

Staff complete good, clear, daily records. Each entry is signed by the author, and supports looking at patterns and trends. Incident forms are detailed, and all actions are recorded and shared with appropriate professionals.

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Good

The young people attend house meetings fortnightly. They have ownership of these and are confident in bringing up any issues within the home or about each other. Staff also use these meetings to inform them of changes in the home, such as staff leaving or joining, and to choose decorations and furnishings for the home. The manager will give feedback from these meeting, meaning that young people know that their wishes and feelings are listened to and valued.

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Good

A comprehensive young people’s guide has been written by a young person and explains what it is like to live in the home, and the daily routine and rules of the house. This was recently reviewed by all the young people in a house meeting.

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Good

Each young person has a key-working team that supports them in all aspects of their daily life and attends relevant meetings. A young person commented: ‘I have had a difficult time lately, but my key-work team has been brilliant and supported me through everything.’ Staff are proactive in looking at ways in which young people will get the best out of key-work sessions. These tend to be away from the home, meaning that young people have one-to-one time without the worry of being interrupted.

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Good

The manager takes young people out once a month for a ‘chill and chat’ session, giving young people the opportunity to update her on how they feel that they are doing. She will also use this session to gain feedback about the home.

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Good

The home is at the bottom of a short lane within the local community. It has a well-maintained garden where young people have a range of outdoor games. The home is spacious, giving young people plenty of opportunity to spend time away from each other, should they wish. It is clean, tidy and furnished to a good standard, although some parts of the home are in need of repair and redecoration, such as re-plastering around some of the doorframes and some touching up of paintwork. A maintenance person has recently been employed and has devised a plan of works with 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’. 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 looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements

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What the inspection judgements mean

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 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 ‘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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