Children's Home run by Care Haven (UK) Limited in Stockport

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.2

The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people receive individualised care and support from a dedicated and established staff team.  Young people engage in education.  Safeguarding procedures promote the safety and well-being of young people.  Risk taking behaviour is minimised by the implementation of clear, effective risk management plans.  Young people receive support to gain semi-independence skills to prepare for adulthood.  Staff work in partnership with parents and professionals to promote good outcomes and consistency of care for young people.  The home is effectively managed by an experienced and child-focused practitioner who understands the strengths of the home as well as the areas for further development. He provides good supervision and support to the staff that, in turn, place the young people at the centre of their practice.  Young people live in a well maintained home.  Two shortfalls have been identified regarding the Statement of Purpose and

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

training for staff in relation to the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.

p.3

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (the statement of purpose) which covers the matters in Schedule 1. This is in particular relation to the details of HMCI and how to contact Ofsted. (Regulation 16 (1) 31/12/2015

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs. Specifically; training in relation to the Quality Standards and Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

p.4

Information about this children's home

This is a private children’s home that provides care and accommodation for up to five children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

03/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.5

good

Young people benefit from living in a home that promotes their individuality while supporting them to achieve positive outcomes. This includes making progress in their education attendance and attainment, as well as support in moving onto further education and work experience. Staff encourage and promote independence skills which further prepare young people for their adult lives.

p.6

good

Staff and young people have positive relationships developed through respect and trust. One young person said: ‘staff are kind and I have enjoyed my time living here. They have helped me to have confidence in myself and to learn new skills. They have shown me that I can do things well and they are helping me to think about my future and where I want to be.’

p.6

good

Activities encourage engagement within the community and the home. Young people are involved in planning, especially shopping and preparing meals. They discuss and plan their activities, including use of local leisure facilities. Sport is particularly enjoyed by them and they take part in football training, exercise and outward bound activities which contribute to their overall health care, as staff explain the importance of leading healthy lifestyles.

p.6

good

The views of young people contribute to how the home functions. This includes discussing décor of their individual bedrooms as well as contributing their ideas to the décor and furnishings within the home; an example of this includes selecting photographs of their recent holiday and activities, choosing frames and displaying them in the dining area of the home.

p.6

good

Family contact is supported well. Staff work in partnership with parents and carers to facilitate contact in a flexible and supportive manner. For example; one parent said when he had been unable to get to the home, staff arranged to collect him to ensure that that he and his child did not miss out from their time together.

p.6

good

Young people feel encouraged by staff; they are central to their own care planning and their achievements are celebrated.

p.6

good

The home is large and well maintained. This enables young people to have suitable facilities to spend time as a group, but also to have their own private space. It is situated within a residential area, on the outskirts of a town with good transport links which enable young people to access a range of community based resources. Judgement grade

p.6

good

Young people say they feel safe living at the home. They have developed positive relationships with staff and this enables them to discuss any concerns or issues they may have. One young person said: ‘if I feel worried about anything I speak with staff and know they will be really supportive.’

p.7

good

Detailed individual placement plans identify potential risks, and risk management strategies are in place to manage these. There are very few instances when young people have been missing, and over recent months, there have been none. However, staff remain clear of the procedures to follow in the event of this happening.

p.7

good

Young people are supported to manage their behaviour through a range of strategies. These include positive role modelling from staff, encouragement and praise. Incentive rewards are used to acknowledge when young people has demonstrated positive behaviour. Sanctions used are proportionate and are discussed fully, as well as reviewed to ensure they are effective. One young person said: ‘the staff always discuss our behaviour with us and explain when we are doing something wrong, what the consequences will be, and how we can change out behaviour. The rules at the home are fair.’ Staff receive behaviour management training which includes the use of physical intervention. However, this is only used as a last resort to fully minimise the risk of harm to an individual.

p.7

good

Relationships between the young people living at the home are, in the main, positive. They are supported to understand bullying is not acceptable and this helps them build positive relationships and to treat each other with respect.

p.7

good

The home has a clear complaints procedure in place and responses to any concerns or complaints are detailed. Young people say they know how to make a complaint and are confident that it will be resolved.

p.7

good

Recruitment and employment arrangements are robust and help ensure that staff employed to work with young people are suitable to do so. In addition, a range of health and safety checks are routinely undertaken to make sure the home remains a physically safe environment for the young people and staff. Judgement grade

p.7

good

The newly appointed manager is in the process of registering with Ofsted. Prior to his appointment as manager, he was the deputy manager of the home. He has experience of working within residential childcare, holding relevant childcare qualifications and is currently undertaking his Level 5 management qualification. He provides effective leadership to a small and experienced staff team. He also ensures the home maintains strong links with placing social workers and other professionals involved in the care and support of young people. This enables cohesive working to promote positive outcomes for them.

p.8

good

Staff receive regular supervision and support on both a formal and informal basis. Regular team meetings and detailed handovers also ensure that all staff are working together to provide consistent levels of care to young people. This has contributed to the overall progress they have made. This includes their education, health and moving onto independent living. Staff say they feel confident in the levels of support, guidance and training they receive to fulfil their role. One staff member said: ‘the manager is supportive and ensures we all work well as a team.’

p.8

good

A training and development plan is in place for all staff to access. The manager ensures all mandatory training is undertaken and updated to maintain staff’s skills and knowledge base. However, there has not been any training in relation to the Quality Standards and Regulations which came into force in April 2015. Staff have been working to the previous Regulations and National Minimum Standards which is reflected in the home’s paperwork. The manager is aware of this shortfall and is currently reviewing this.

p.8

good

The home’s aims and objectives are set out in it’s Statement of Purpose. This is available to all interested parties. Young people receive a guide to the home and what they can expect living there. These documents are kept under review. However, the Statement of Purpose makes reference to HMCI but does not expand on who this is or relate it to Ofsted. This does not ensure that all readers of the document are aware of who this is or how to contact Ofsted.

p.8

good

The manager undertakes assessments for new referrals to the home. This ensures placements made are appropriate and take into account the other young people living at the home and the home’s capacity to meet the identified needs of the potential new admission. This means that placements are accepted following careful consideration to minimise the risk of placement breakdown.

p.8

good

Young people’s records are well maintained and lead to an understanding of the progress made during their time living at the home. They are encouraged to add any comments to their files if they wish to do so. All records are stored securely to maintain confidentiality. Monthly independent monitoring of the home identifies how the home is operating and functioning. Detailed information provided to the manager enables shortfalls to be rectified. This monitoring further supports the manager’s oversight of the home. While there are two identified shortfalls for the home to address, these do not significantly impact on the overall care, support, and outcomes for young people living at the home.

p.8

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.

p.10

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 looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. 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

p.10

What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

p.10

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

p.11

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 .

p.11

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,

p.12

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.12

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.12

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

p.12