Children's home run by Future In Mind Limited in Bolton

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 feel safe in the home. Episodes of young people going missing from the home are rare.  Young people manage their behaviour better. Physical and verbal aggression has reduced. The use of physical intervention by staff is reducing.  Young people have good social experiences. The activities offered are tailored to their individual needs, and they remain fit and healthy.  Young people adjust well to change. Young people who are new to the home are welcomed and settle in well.  Staffing levels provide young people with good levels of supervision to keep them safe.  Young people benefit from effective therapeutic parenting techniques that address their complex behavioural and emotional needs.  Some areas for improvement have been identified. These include garden maintenance, the home’s interior, manager supervision and fire safety.

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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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The quality and purpose of care standard

6.—(2) The quality and purpose of care standard requires the registered person to—

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The quality and purpose of care standard

(c) ensure that the premises used for the purpose for the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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The quality and purpose of care standard

(i) meet the needs of each child 31/08/2016

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The protection of children standard

12.—(2) The protection of children standard requires the registered person to ensure—

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The protection of children standard

(d) that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health 31/08/2016

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Fire precautions

25.—(1) After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Fire precautions

(a) take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home;

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Fire precautions

(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 procedure to be followed in case of fire. 31/08/2016

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Employment of staff

33.—(4) The registered person must ensure that all employees— 31/08/2016 (b) receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience

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Employment of staff

This applies in particular in relation to the manager.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies and procedures on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording, in particular in relation to health and safety monitoring. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to care for up to two children and young people aged from six to 17 years who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Good

Young people form good relationships with staff over time. Staff are sensitive to the past experiences of young people. They work hard to gain young people’s trust and respect. They are skilled and knowledgeable in delivering individualised care and work closely with the home’s therapist in supporting young people through the different attachment stages. As a result, young people make progress in their emotional and psychological well-being. The therapist said: ‘His neuro-sequential model has improved. For example, the chart used shows no red, which indicates dysfunction, and more green, which shows particular development in the limbic system of the brain. Activities are incorporated into his daily routine to encourage brain development. Feedback is given by staff by weekly summaries to show how well he is progressing.’ This indicates that young people make good progress as a result of the therapy and care they receive from staff.

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Good

Young people have good social experiences. Activities offered are tailored to their individual needs. These experiences meet their social, emotional and physical needs. The staff are ambassadors for living healthily. They actively encourage young people to stay active, eat healthily and remain fit and well. A staff member explained how a young person began to take notice of how the staff member kept himself fit, and started to make healthier choices himself. He would decline to buy sweets and crisps, and make a conscious effort to pick a healthier food option. As a result, the young person remains fit and healthy.

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Good

Young people express their views and wishes to staff daily. When they feel unable to voice their wishes or feelings, they often write letters to staff. This helps them to communicate in a way that they feel comfortable with. Staff listen and take action to support requests where possible. This ensures that young people are listened to.

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Good

Since the last inspection, school attendance and attainment remain stable. A young person commented that he ‘loves school.’ Staff support this comment and confirm that he has 100% attendance and has achieved awards for pupil of the week, pupil of the day and pupil of the term. A school staff member said: ‘We are pleased with him at school. He will be moving to a new school in September. At first he wasn’t pleased about it, but he has been to have a look around with the school and he is happy to be going.’

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Good

Staff encourage young people to complete small, independent tasks, such as paying for goods at the shop, making their beds, tidying their bedrooms and washing up. These independent skills are incorporated into daily life. This helps prepare young people for adult life, and helps them to take more pride in, and responsibility for themselves.

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Good

Young people benefit from contact with family and friends that are important to them. For example, a young person has had regular contact with his brother. This has helped to strengthen their relationship. As a result, they now live together in the same home. This gives them the opportunity to live as a family.

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Requires improvement

The monitoring of health and safety requirements in line with the home’s risk assessments is ineffective. Staff do not record or report hazards during visual inspections. As a result, no action is taken to remedy them and make the home safe. For example, a young person’s bedroom window has no restrictor and opens fully out onto the conservatory roof. (During the inspection, the manager made arrangements for a restrictor to be put in place.) Emergency lighting is not situated as stated in the fire-risk assessment. There is a large garden with well-established shrubs and trees, but the brambles and trees are overgrown and have not been trimmed back as stated in the garden risk assessment. This means that the brambles present a hazard. There are three outbuildings, and risk assessments outline how they are to be used to store items safely. However, they are not managed in line with the relevant risk assessments. For example, the door to one

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Requires improvement

shed had fallen off, and the door to another had completely disintegrated, leaving barely a frame. No action has been taken to reassess the risk and update the risk assessment. This places young people at risk of injury or harm.

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Requires improvement

Despite some areas of the garden presenting hazards, young people say that they feel safe living at the home. They are supported well by staff and are provided with high supervision levels. This helps them to stay safe.

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Requires improvement

Staff know and understand young people’s individual needs. Personal risk assessments and behaviour management plans are robust. They highlight triggers to for behaviour and provide strategies for supporting it. As a result, young people manage their behaviour better because they understand the boundaries and consequences. A staff member said: ‘His risks are definitely reducing. Since January, his verbal and physical aggression has decreased.’

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Requires improvement

Staff that are trained in the use of physical intervention only use it as a last resort. Records show that young people regulate their behaviour better, and the use of physical intervention by staff is reducing. A social worker said: ‘His behaviour is up and down, although staff manage him very well. Staff are very supportive.’

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Requires improvement

Young people rarely go missing from the home. Staff respond well and work in partnership with the police to return young people home safely. A staff member said: ‘He has gone off site in the past because he feels unable to express his emotions. Staff explain the risks and consequences of going off site, and this has helped him to understand how he can better keep himself safe.’

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Requires improvement

The home has provided a solo placement for a young person for some time. Recently, the home accepted a new referral, having considered the impact and risk. A staff member said: ‘I think Future In Mind are excellent when it comes to looking at new referrals. The home I work in has the option of looking after two children, but for a while has stuck with just the one due to not being able to find someone suitable to place with the young person.’ This indicates that the safety of young people is a high priority and placements are only taken when there is a compatible match.

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Requires improvement

Young people are protected from bullying. There has been no bullying in the home. A staff member said: ‘He has been in a solo placement for nearly three years. He is not exposed to bullying in the home.’ Staff manage discrimination well. They address racist comments sensitively and lead by example by being positive role models. A staff member said: ‘He will express racist comments to staff on occasion, but does show remorse after his outbursts. He does have therapy and consultation to address any issues of discrimination. We are good role models for him and try to get him to look at things and the impact.’ This helps young people to understand diversity and accept people’s differences.

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Requires improvement

Young people know how to make a complaint. They have access to independent advocates should they need them. The manager said: ‘He has independently contacted his advocate for the first time since placement, to talk to the adviser about going back home.’ Allegations are handled well; the manager deals effectively and efficiently with concerns and allegations. This protects young people from harm. Staff understand their role in safeguarding and protecting young people. They receive regular training and are tested on their knowledge during supervision and team meetings. This ensures that they are up to date with changes in legislation and the home’s policies and procedures.

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Requires improvement

Relationships with the police are good. They regularly drop in to the home to see how the young people are doing. The manager updates the police about the young people placed in the home. This helps to build positive relationships with them. When young people have damaged property or assaulted staff, the police do come out to speak to them. This reinforces to young people that such behaviour is unacceptable. As a result, young people are not criminalised and they begin to take responsibility for their actions. Judgement grade

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Requires improvement

The registered manager has a long-standing track record of managing the home. She is undertaking a level 5 diploma in management. She is supported by a qualified and experienced deputy manager. They work well together, leading a skilled and passionate workforce. Most staff are qualified. Those who are unqualified are within regulatory timescales at present to obtain their qualification within two years of starting work.

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Requires improvement

Three requirements were made at the last inspection. The manager has focused staff on safeguarding practices during supervision and team meetings. A safeguarding knowledge quiz checks staff’s knowledge. This improves practice and keeps young people safe. The fire logbook has been amended, and it now provides a clear prompt for staff to check that emergency lighting is located correctly and is in working order. Emergency night lighting is now available. Additional lighting has also been purchased in the event of damage to the existing lighting.

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Requires improvement

Staff have been safely recruited since the last inspection. The selection and vetting process is robust. Before they begin work, all relevant checks are completed. This keeps young people safe from unsuitable candidates having access to them.

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Requires improvement

The manager has not received regular supervision in line with the home’s policy and procedures. This means that opportunities to give and receive feedback about the manager’s practice and development are missed and are not consistent. However, staff confirm that they themselves do receive supervision from the manager. A staff member said: ‘She provides regular supervisions with myself. They are very helpful and challenge my performance.’

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Requires improvement

The quality of care provided to young people is reviewed in line with the regulations. Reports are submitted to Ofsted twice a year. Additional monitoring is completed monthly by an independent visitor. This helps to identify shortfalls.

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Requires improvement

Staff provide care and support to young people in line with the home’s statement of purpose. They understand the ethos and therapeutic model of care that the home chooses to use. This provides young people with a consistent approach that supports their social, emotional and physical needs.

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Requires improvement

All significant events are recorded and appropriate persons are notified. This ensures that information is shared and that any action needing to be taken is carried out without delay. This keeps young people safe.

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Requires improvement

The manager and staff forge positive relationships with external partners such as the police, social workers and health professionals. Good communication and information-sharing help everyone to work towards the same goal. As a result, young people receive good-quality care.

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Requires improvement

The manager challenges practice where it is not effective. She is proactive in highlighting issues with the appropriate professional, either via telephone, email or in person. This helps to address issues and resolve conflict.

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Requires improvement

The stair carpet requires some attention because it is severely stained. Efforts to clean it have failed and it remains in a poor state. Other areas of the home have been redecorated and benefit from soft furnishings that complement the home.

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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 the ‘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 that 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 whom 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 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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