Children's Home run by Fairways Care (UK) Limited in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

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.

p.2

The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

 The interim registered manager is dedicated to providing the best possible service to the young people living in the home. Her practice is informed by current research and effective training opportunities.  A qualified experienced and stable staff team provides the young people with consistent and very good quality care. As a result, young people have formed strong and trusting relationships with staff members. One young person described the staff as ‘amazing.’ In particular, this young person has benefitted from the level of support they have received to explore and express their individuality, and said that staff are ‘not at all judgemental.’  The views and opinions of the young people, their families and professionals are captured and well integrated into all plans, documents and records. This spirit of working together has resulted in the young people’s outcomes improving significantly. From their starting points, both young people have

p.3

The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

achieved extremely well in school. A teacher reported that the support one young person had received had been ‘massive.’ As a result, this young person has achieved well to the point of starting an apprenticeship.  The staff team’s motivation and commitment to supporting the young people are excellent. The use of reflective team meetings, supervision, training and research updates ensure that their practice is kept current. As a result, the team is accomplished in supporting the young people’s complex behaviours.  Parents and stakeholders are overwhelmingly full of praise about the home. Comments include a parent who said, ‘It’s been absolutely life changing, the staff are so interested in helping us all move forward’; ‘I’m in awe of the whole place’, and, ‘He’s now thriving, I’ve never seen him look so well and so relaxed.’  An excellent range of recording systems provides the registered manager with detailed information that allows her to effectively plan and review

p.3

The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

improvement. A detailed and research-informed strategic plan underpins improvements. Training and learning opportunities for the staff team are frequent and lead directly to benefits for the young people.

p.3

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislation (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. In particular, this relates to the lack of a bath in the family bathroom and mobility aids still present in the family bathroom. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

p.4

Recommendations

 Children must be 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 process. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. This relates to children being included where possible in the recruitment of staff. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

p.4

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned by a private company. It is registered for up to two young people. The home provides care for young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

23 March 2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

Recent inspection history

24 March 2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.5

Outstanding

The young people make excellent progress in their physical, emotional and psychological development in relation to their starting points at the time of their admission to the home. This is due to an established and nurturing staff team having an excellent understanding of the young people’s individual needs. Well- written, detailed plans and records inform the staff team and chart the young people’s progress.

p.6

Outstanding

The young people’s care is individualised and is coordinated by the interim registered manager and the key workers. They have an exceptionally sound knowledge of the young people’s backgrounds and their assessed and ongoing needs. Collaborative working with teachers, social workers and parents means that the young people are provided with consistency and stability. One parent spoken to provided overwhelmingly positive praise of the staff and home, and said that it had been ‘absolutely life changing’ and ‘an absolute blessing.’ In particular, the staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of how to support the young people to express and explore their developing sexuality and identity. The staff are consistently non-judgemental and supportive which has resulted in the young people feeling valued and confident about their identity.

p.6

Outstanding

The young people living in the home are making very good educational progress. Through determination and hard work by the young people themselves, coupled with the support, high aspirations and commitment of the staff, the young people’s outcomes are very good. School reports and the home’s own monitoring tools indicate improvement in behaviour and attendance at school. For one person, their progress is such that they have been successful in obtaining an apprenticeship in hairdressing, and the teacher reports her progress as ‘massive.’

p.6

Outstanding

The home ensures that the young people are registered with health professionals, and well-documented records held within the home indicate that the young people are in very good physical health. The staff team recognised that some young people require access to therapeutic services to support their mental health needs. Up-to-date health plans indicate that staff are swift to make referrals and seek advice. In doing so, staff provide young people with support that enhances the already high level of care provided.

p.6

Outstanding

The staff recognise the importance of preserving and collecting memorabilia for the young people. This includes objects such as pebbles collected at the beach, a T-shirt worn to a special event and pictures of family and friends. Carefully crafted memory boxes and scrap-books provide young people with a collection of memories of their time living in the home.

p.6

Outstanding

The young people live in a home that is very well decorated, safe and comfortable and young people say that it ‘feels like a family home.’ Staff work hard to ensure that the home is kept to the highest standard, and is homely and cosy.

p.7

Outstanding

Refurbishment of a bathroom, the kitchen and the conservatory is in progress. Staff go the extra mile when it comes to making the home feel homely and are considerate of how this impacts on the atmosphere. For example, the waking night member of staff takes time to clean and prepare the home ready for when the young people get up for breakfast. Tiles are being hand-painted by staff and young people to decorate the garden area.

p.7

Outstanding

Staff give the young people’s physical safety and psychological and emotional well- being the highest priority. As a team, they are particularly strong in recognising the young people’s vulnerabilities as they become increasingly independent. Staff spoken with, and observed, demonstrate an excellent understanding of the young people’s individual needs in relation to their independence. An extensive range of well-monitored and reviewed risk assessments, underpinned and informed by research, supports staff practice. Subsequently, young people are encouraged to take age-appropriate risks, and are developing a mature sense of responsibility that helps to keep them safe. In particular, staff show an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the risks young people face as they develop their identity. As a result, young people are safely navigating their way through their adolescence and developing their own identities.

p.7

Outstanding

Young people spend increasingly safe and positive quality time with their peers and family and at social events and clubs. One young person spoken with said that they felt safe. They explained further that this was because staff understand them and are not judgemental.

p.7

Outstanding

There are clear and very good child protection and safeguarding policies in place that are well known and understood by staff. Records indicate, and staff say that they receive, regular and effective training in these procedures and in other areas that help to keep young people safe. An electronic recording system enables staff to keep informed and up to date with their continuing professional development. Through positive role modelling, consistent praise, patience and encouragement, and extremely well-written, individualised and detailed behaviour management plans, staff significantly improve young people’s behaviours. The change and progress of the young people from their starting points are outstanding. One parent spoken with said: ‘The change in [my child] is amazing.’ Consequently, incidents of physical intervention and young people going missing are rare. Incidents that have taken place are subject to proper analysis by the staff team

p.7

Outstanding

and discussed with the young person concerned.

p.8

Outstanding

The young people live in a home that is extremely well maintained, and records indicate that all the necessary health and safety checks routinely take place. There is sufficient room in the home to allow both individual care and social areas for the young people. Staff ensure the young people’s safety throughout the house and make use of alarms and surveillance equipment where appropriate and in line with care plans and risk assessments.

p.8

Outstanding

There have been very few changes to the staff team. Recruitment procedures are robust, rigorous and in line with safe recruitment practice. There is a high level of vigilance concerning young people’s contact with adults who come to the home and those whom the young people meet in the community, and in their use of the internet. These measures help to ensure that young people are kept safe.

p.8

Outstanding

The registered manager is currently on maternity leave and there is an interim manager in post.

p.8

Outstanding

The interim manager has a wealth of experience in working with and supporting young people. Her qualifications, skill set and commitment to continuing professional development mean that she is able to remain current in her practice. Her strong leadership is consistently demonstrated through her own practice in the home. Discussions with the interim manager during the course of the inspection provided evidence of a leader who is dedicated and passionate about improving the living experiences of children looked after and their outcomes.

p.8

Outstanding

The interim manager recognises the importance of drawing on research to inform her own practice and that of the staff team. For example, the interim manager has a keen understanding of the impact of staff changes on young people, advocacy for young people, and gender equality and rights. Dissemination of her learning and knowledge are evidenced within regularly held team meetings, senior management meetings, and group and direct supervision. As a result, young people are receiving an impressive level of care, delivered by staff with current and informed practice. As a result of excellent leadership from the interim manager staff are receiving training and support that equips them to care for and support the young people safely. Staff spoken to said that the interim manager is ‘amazing’ and ‘just brilliant.’

p.8

Outstanding

The aims and objectives of the home are clearly defined in its statement of purpose. This, along with the children’s guide, is extremely well produced. Both documents describe how young people are involved and consulted, and young people spoken with confirmed this to be true. The interim manager is particularly interested in further developing consultation with young people and demonstrates how this is actioned within the home’s development plan.

p.9

Outstanding

The manager rigorously monitors and evaluates the home. Her analysis of patterns and trends to identify areas for development is excellent, and supported by complimentary comments made by the independent visitor. Monthly visits conducted by the independent visitor are comprehensive and recommendations made are swiftly acted upon. The interim manager keeps all professionals and the regulatory body informed of any matters that require notification.

p.9

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’.

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 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

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 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

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, 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,

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