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

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:

 Young people remain in a stable and sustained placement. Both young people are extremely settled.  Young people have excellent relationships with staff. They show affection and receive it from staff just as you would in any loving family home.  The staff are passionate and dedicated. They go above and beyond to ensure that young people know the staff care for them.  Health needs are met. Young people are fit and active, healthy and well. Staff are great advocates for keeping fit and provide ample opportunities to get young people physically active.  Therapy is consistent and results shows that young people are progressing emotionally. The manager and staff are dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate in working with the therapist. This enables young people to make significant progress from their starting points.  Young people are extremely well protected. Staff have excellent knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. Their approach and skill in managing

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The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

behaviour means that young people do not go missing from care, are not physically restrained and do not take part in drug/alcohol use.  The manager leads by example and is a positive role model. Staff speak highly of the manager and they feel supported. There is a strong sense of camaraderie between the staff. They all pull together and promote the same consistent approach.  Young people enjoy education and are enthusiastic about their future. They have achieved good results in school and have secured placements at colleges. Part-time jobs have also been found, providing more independence and income.  Young people’s views and wishes are accounted for. Staff listen and take action to fulfil requests. The excellent care provided is child focused and central to the planning of care.  There are two areas identified for improvement: supervision for the manager and staff rota in relation to the manager.

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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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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. In particular, in relation to the manager (Regulation 33(4)(b)). 31/08/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the records in Schedule 4 are kept up to date. In particular, in relation to the staff rota (Regulation 37(2)(b)). 31/08/2016

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned and operated by a private organisation and provides a specialist programme of therapeutic techniques under supervision of a qualified therapist.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

27/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Outstanding

Both young people are extremely settled living in the home. They both became resident between two and four years ago. They are making excellent progress in relation to their starting points. A social worker commented on the progress of a young person and said, ‘She is doing brilliant and making really good progress’. The staff are a real asset to the home. They have a breadth of skills and knowledge that enable them to work effectively and efficiently with young people. A young person’s guardian said, ‘The staff know and understand her history. They do an excellent job’. One young person has returned to the service following a placement breakdown. Her social worker spoke highly of the progress she has made and about the staff. The following comments were made:

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Outstanding

 ‘The manager is fantastic.’  ‘Staff are brilliant.’  ‘A really positive placement.’  ‘Very stable placement.’  ‘Really good provider and home.’

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Outstanding

Young people have excellent relationships with staff. They show affection and receive it from staff just as you would in any loving family home. Young people often choose to spend their free time with staff because they feel relaxed and comfortable in their company. Staff teach young people the importance of accepting the diversity of others. This helps young people to accept each other’s differences. As a result, young people’s friendships with each other flourish. They live in harmony and become more respectful to each other.

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Outstanding

The staff are passionate and dedicated. They go above and beyond to ensure that young people know that staff care for them. For example, staff make a concerted effort to take part in all young people’s celebrations. They attend birthday parties, even when off duty. A staff member commented that all staff turned up to offer support for a young person attending her prom night. A young person said, ‘I have celebrated my birthday, everyone came. Staff came who were not on duty. It was fab. I had a prom. I bought myself a new dress. Staff also came in to see me on the day’. An established staff member from an external agency praised the way the company and staff work with young people. She is confident in her role and is welcomed by all staff when she is on shift. Young people request to spend time with her just as they would from a permanent member of staff. She said, ‘You get to spend lots of time with the young people instead of being in the office doing

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Outstanding

paperwork. This is how it should be’. Young people’s health is maintained to a high standard. Young people are fit and active, healthy and well. They take great pride in keeping themselves fit. Staff are great advocates for keeping fit and provide ample opportunities to get young people physically active. For example, young people see staff going to the gym and they want to go too. Staff are more than willing to support young people and provide regular opportunities to support them to access physical activities. Young people are rarely unwell. They benefit from a good balanced diet. This keeps them healthy. The improvement that they make comes from self-motivation as well as from staff.

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Outstanding

The therapy that young people receive is consistent and shows that young people are progressing emotionally. The manager and staff are dedicated, enthusiastic and passionate about working with the therapist. This helps young people to begin to recover emotionally from their starting points. Staff and young people know and understand what is expected of them to achieve progress from the therapy provided. The staff work in close partnership with the therapist to implement, monitor and track the progress that young people make. This helps to gain valuable data and insight into how young people are recovering from trauma. A young person understood some of the activities used by staff during the ‘attunement stage’ and engaged in the use of Play-Doh. She said, ‘I see the therapist nearly every week. He is a real benefit for me’. The therapist also recognises the remarkable progress young people make. He said, ‘She is now

p.7

Outstanding

coming to therapy by herself. She makes her own way there too. This is a big achievement for her. She is now opening up more when staff are not there. It has taken a positive step forward’.

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Outstanding

Young people have high aspirations for their future. They work hard to achieve their full potential. Both young people enjoy education and are dedicated to achieving the best results. Young people take active responsibility in securing their future. A young person said, ‘I’m very happy. I have been here for two years. I have finished school and applied to two colleges. I have been accepted at both’. Young people take more responsibility towards independence and actively seek and secure part-time employment. A young person said, ‘I have got myself a job. It’s a cleaning job. I really enjoy it’. This helps them to get a good sense of responsibility and enhances their life skills.

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Outstanding

The excellent care provided by the staff is child focused and central to the planning of young people’s care. This is evident in the way the home’s development plan is written. It places the child at the centre of its purpose, takes account of their views and is written in a way that meets their level of understanding. Care planning is robust. Young people take an active part in planning their care. They attend and contribute to their reviews. This helps them to shape their future.

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Outstanding

Young people develop a strong sense of belonging in a nurturing, warm and welcoming home. The atmosphere is calm and serene. This has changed considerably since the last full inspection in January 2016. The home is beautifully presented. Both young people have personalised their bedrooms and have adequate space and furniture to meet their needs. The bathroom is well presented as are the lounge and kitchen area. The conservatory is much improved. It has been decorated and is warm and welcoming. The personal touches created by the young people enhance the home and reflect their individuality.

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Outstanding

Young people are extremely well protected. Staff have excellent knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. Their approach and skill in managing behaviour means that young people do not go missing from care, are not physically restrained and do not use drugs or alcohol. A young person said, ‘I manage my behaviour better. I go to my room when I am feeling angry. My behaviour is much better now’. This is significant because the complex challenges that young people previously presented with and that placed them at risk are no longer a concern. The skilled and well-trained staff work hard to reduce risk-taking behaviour and implement robust behaviour management plans. As a result, young people feel extremely safe and protected. A young person said, ‘I feel safe with staff. I have not been restrained’.

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Outstanding

During difficult times when young people find it hard to manage their behaviour, consequences are given to re-enforce positive behaviour. For example, the privilege of eating out may be taken away as a consequence. The manager said, ‘They can earn back but not for physical aggression. Sanctions are quite effective because they enjoy spending time with staff and keeping busy’.

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Outstanding

Young people are happy living in the home. They have not made any complaints about the service. They are supported to raise any concerns through daily discussions. They are familiar with the procedure for making complaints but have not had reason to make any. A young person said, ‘[I have] no reasons to make any complaints but I know how to’.

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Outstanding

The home environment provides a safe place for all who live in, work at and visit the home. The home presents no hazards that place young people at risk of harm. Routine health and safety monitoring ensures that hazards are reported and rectified at the earliest convenience. Fire safety is taken seriously. Regular fire drills and checks of equipment ensure that all young people and staff know how to react in the event of a fire evacuation.

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Outstanding

Since the last inspection, staff have been safely recruited. The recruitment process is rigorous and it ensures that only suitable adults work at the home. This keeps young people safe. The staffing levels provided for each young person are excellent. Young people are always supported and supervised by staff on a one-to- one basis. Young people like to, and choose to, stay in the company of staff. There is a real sense of belonging. Young people demonstrate how much they feel relaxed with staff and often say, ‘I love you’ when staff leave shift. Staff respond the same, with genuine feel of and love care. The high level of care provided by dedicated, passionate and skilled staff means that young people are highly aware of what support they need to keep themselves safe. They become far more able to make better choices, are more aware of the risks in regard to their vulnerability and take ownership and responsibility for their

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Good

The manager leads by example and is a positive role model. Staff and young people speak highly of the manger and they feel supported. There is a strong sense of camaraderie between the staff and the manager. They all pull together and promote the same consistent approach. A young person said, ‘The staff do everything. Nothing could be better’.

p.9

Good

The manager is working towards her level 5 diploma in management. She has five years’ experience in a management role in the home and over 10 years’ experience working with children and young people. A deputy manager has been recruited from her senior position and has enrolled to undertake the level 5 management diploma. They have a strong working ethos that reflects the values of the home’s statement of purpose. Staff are qualified or are undertaking a suitable qualification relating to the care of children and young people.

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Good

The manager has taken action to address the requirements made at the last inspection. The home’s location risk assessment is in place and is awaiting review. The manager has amended the rosters to show who is working when and where. However, it does not include the manager’s actual hours worked. As she manages two homes, this makes it difficult to establish how much time she spends at the home.

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Good

The manager has not received monthly supervision from the director in line with the home’s policy and procedures. Informal supervision is undertaken on a regular basis but it is not always recorded. This does not guarantee that the manager is provided adequate support in her practice and development. Staff receive good- quality supervision, induction, training and appraisal. There is an open door policy where the staff feel confident and relaxed to go to the manager and address any issue. They feel valued and listened to, equally treated and respected. Good, effective monitoring by the manager and an independent visitor identifies strengths and weaknesses. A development plan is devised with young people and staff to ensure that the high quality of care continues and the views and wishes of young people are considered about the home they live in.

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Good

The aims and objectives of the statement of purpose are met. Staff understand the ethos and values of the home and deliver them in practice. They have a true sense of care and go above and beyond expectations.

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Good

The manager has forged excellent relationships with external professionals. They speak highly of her and say that communication is open and transparent, forthcoming and regular. She has no qualms about challenging ineffective services or practice in advocating for the rights of young people. Following a recent visit to the dentist, the manager challenged a decision made about a young person having braces. She sought to have a second opinion to make sure that the best option was being provided.

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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

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Information about this inspection

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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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