Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council in Worcester

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:

 The quality of care is of a high standard because staff know and understand young people really well.  Young people benefit from very helpful structures and routines that include reassuring and enabling approaches from the staff team.  Staff maximise the opportunities available for each young person, so they can grow and reach their full potential. For example, school attendance and attainment is much improved. Young people are supported to access important medical treatment.  Staff have a clear and equal focus on enabling and encouraging young people’s involvement in the life of the home.  Staff are continually working to help young people to manage their own anxieties and behaviours, to reduce risks to themselves and others.  Feedback from parents and professionals is positive about the home’s work and what is being achieved.  The home’s manager provides effective leadership, which results in staff

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The children's home provision is good because:

being clearly focused and guided in meeting the needs of young people.  The independent visitor and registered manager’s quality assurance processes are having a good impact on the development of the service.  There are a few minor shortfalls: ─ Young people do not have access to wireless internet connection. ─ Progress with refurbishment work out of the hands of the registered manager is slow. ─ Supervision records for the registered manager lack detail. ─ One staff member does not have appropriate qualifications. ─ Impact risk assessments are not undertaken in a timely manner. These do not have a direct impact on young people’s safety.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that must be taken so that the registered persons meet 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 persons must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

6. The quality and purpose of care standard (2) In particular, the standard requires the registered person to (c) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to (i) meet the needs of each child. 31/10/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification, which is the level 3 diploma for residential childcare (England) (‘the level 3 diploma’) or a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the level 3 diploma, by the relevant date. (Regulation 32(4)(5)) 31/03/2017

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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. This specifically relates to there being detailed records of the registered manager’s supervisions. (Regulation 33(4)(b)) 30/09/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that children have access to a computer and the internet to support their education and learning, unless there are specific safeguarding reasons why this would not be appropriate. In such cases, the home should consider whether and how it can support the child to access a computer and the internet safely. This specifically relates to enabling young people’s communication and ability to self- regulate behaviours (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’ paragraph 5.19)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that placements for children are only accepted when staff can be satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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Information about this children's home

This service provides care and accommodation for up to eight young people. It is divided into two self-contained four-bedroomed homes. One provides care for young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The other provides care for young people with learning disabilities and who are on the autistic spectrum. This service is operated by the local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

13/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Good

Young people make positive, sustained progress. Placement stability and continuity of care create the right environment for young people to succeed. The resilient staff team is child focused. Staff respond positively to young people, irrespective of their difficulties, helping them to build confidence and skills that are consistent with their individual abilities and potential. Attachments are strong between young people and staff. These bonds are used constructively to ensure that young people are encouraged to develop and progress. Staff set achievable goals, which ensure that young people experience regular positive accomplishments. A social worker stated: ‘I have three young people in the unit and they all have different goals. For two of the young people, it has been about improved communication and making steps forward with expressing their needs better, as they are non-verbal. For one of the young people, he has only

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Good

moved in the last three months to the unit and has made massive progress in the goals set of weight loss and behaviour management.’ Young people’s continued good health and well-being are a priority, and detailed plans help staff to monitor individual needs. Staff encourage young people to talk about their health and lifestyles, so they have opportunities to learn about behaviours that will improve their well-being and fitness. When young people have limited verbal communication, staff ensure that young people’s health is considered, whenever they observe changes to behaviour. They advocate on the young people’s behalf and ensure that they receive appropriate medical intervention. Excellent work in partnership with family, social worker and health professionals has recently successfully resulted in a young man receiving major medical treatment. Staff used social stories and familiarisation visits to the hospital

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Good

to help to prepare and reassure him. This work was well planned and considered and yielded a positive experience and outcome. Young people’s school attendance and educational outcomes are good. Staff support young people to sustain educational placements when they move into the home. When appropriate, they also prepare and successfully support them to start new school placements. All young people attend mainstream schools on full-time timetables, except for one young person. Staff are currently supporting him on a phased timetable into a new school. The head of school stated: ‘Staff have asked for extra homework for the young person, due to the part-time nature of his provision currently. Staff attended the whole school trip to support the young person to take part and have also attended football matches.’ This proactive partnership work with schools ensures that young people reach their full potential.

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Good

For example, one young man since moving into the home has improved his reading age by one year and, as a result, has been awarded a certificate at school. Young people actively participate in appropriate leisure interests and hobbies, which broaden their experiences and horizons. For example, over the summer the staff have promoted holidays. They have set up ‘dry runs’ at campsites locally to give young people the opportunity to experience camping and staying away from home. Based on their experience, each young person has planned an individual summer break or day trips from the home. Young people express their views and influence what happens in their lives. Strong links are maintained with people who are significant in the lives of young people. This helps to promote and maintain important networks and relationships that are meaningful to young people. Young people are able to keep in touch. Staff place a

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Good

great importance on these arrangements as they are important to young people. Young people learn skills that support them to become independent and move on into adulthood. Staff have expert knowledge of the individual needs of those young people with learning difficulties. Staffing levels are good and, when assessed as necessary, young people are supervised at all times so they do not place themselves at risk. Although their ability to safely become independent is greatly reduced, they still make good personal progress, for example increasing their independence in completing personal care tasks, thereby reducing the need for intimate staff intervention and support. A parent stated: ‘My son's life skills have come on tremendously in the nearly three years he has lived at the home, particularly his toileting skills.’ Progress, including learning to tolerate not wearing an incontinence pad as well as using the toilet, is for this young person significant.

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Good

Young people's safety and protection are effectively promoted by the staff team. Managers provide good day-to-day direction and support to the staff team, to ensure that care practice and routines are matched to the changing risks and needs of each individual. The staff team members work in partnership with each other as well as with other professionals, to consistently share information that is necessary to promote young people’s welfare and safety. Successful lines of communication exist because the registered manager provides effective leadership that reflects the home's values and priorities in terms of keeping everyone safe. In addition, policies, procedures and staff training underpin and guide the staff’s approach to child protection. Staff are equipped with the right knowledge and understanding to safeguard everyone in their care. Staff know what action to take if there are concerns. They receive regular training in safeguarding, including supporting children who have

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Good

experienced sexual exploitation, to help them keep up to date with current issues and concerns. Young people's privacy and dignity are also promoted very well by staff who understand the necessary practices required to achieve this. Placement plans and individual risk assessments are completed and understood by staff. The home’s location risk assessment covers all areas of concern in the locality. Impact risk assessments are thorough and completed prior to all planned admissions. These, however, are not always completed prior to short notice admissions into the home and therefore appear to be a tokenistic exercise. Staff are alert and responsive to any concerns that young people may express in whichever way this is communicated. For instance, staff pay attention to young people's behaviour and encourage them to express themselves in a way that reflects their experiences and feelings. Although communication may not always be

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Good

clear, this does not deter staff from exploring matters that may be of concern. Staff do not automatically assume that young people are content. This approach makes an important contribution to the proactive way in which thoughts and feelings are ascertained. This helps the registered manager to determine how safe young people feel and whether they are happy with the way in which they are being looked after. Young people are encouraged and motivated to behave in ways that are socially acceptable. Staff are trained in appropriate behaviour management practices and young people feel that the rules are fair. Formal sanctions are sometimes used, but the overall strategy of the team is to talk to young people and negotiate adjustments and improvements in behaviour. Young people are given many chances to modify inappropriate behaviours before formal sanctions are used. Staff focus on the positives and successes achieved by each young person, however

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Good

small these may be. A social worker stated: ‘The young person’s needs are being well met, and this is evidenced in his behaviour and general well-being, which is far less anxious and is far more settled. He does not display the types of behaviours he did in his previous placement. The staff are in tune with his needs and support him with the approach that best suits him. For example, he likes routine and consistency. Staff have put visual aids in place to help him know what plans he has for that day. This helps hugely with reducing his anxiety levels. He knows what is expected of him and feels safer for it.’ Staff provide young people with appropriate levels of physical safety and security. This is achieved through established risk assessment processes that are overseen by managers. In addition, regular health and safety inspections of the accommodation are carried out, fire drills and evacuations are practised regularly

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Good

and fire equipment is checked and serviced at required intervals. The home is safe and welcoming. It is divided into two four-bedded homes with a shared communal area, which links them. The home meets the needs of the young people. For example, there are a number of specialist areas with multi-sensory and soft play equipment. The staff team and young people continue to ensure that the homes are personalised. Although there is an ongoing plan of maintenance and upgrades, it is not clear when some work will be addressed or improved. There is work that is required, such as replacement flooring and improvements to bathrooms where young people’s comfort is not being fully promoted through the overall standards of accommodation provided. The staff team and young people have been waiting for wireless internet access for some time. This is work that is out of the hands of the registered manager. She has chased the required departments, but progress is

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Good

slow and does not support her to maintain standards.

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Good

Young people benefit from living in a home that is organised and managed well. Managers provide the staff team with a clear focus on necessary practices and tasks needed to successfully help young people to move forward in their lives. Everyone contributes positively to the culture, ethos and working practices that are being continually developed. The home is led by a competent registered manager. She has been the registered manager at this home since 2012. She is appropriately qualified and experienced. She is a registered learning disability nurse and lectures at Birmingham City University. She holds a national vocational qualification (NVQ) level 4 in health, social care and young people, the NVQ 4 leadership and management award and a Master’s degree that focuses on autism. She continues with her professional development and is currently completing a coaching course. This home has a core group of stable staff. This year has seen some changes to

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Good

senior positions, which have strengthened the management team. Managers provide an ongoing programme of formal supervision and annual appraisal. This is used effectively to promote the professional development of the team and to set out expected standards of work practice. Records of supervision of the registered manager by the responsible individual lack detail to give sufficient rigour to support the manager’s ongoing development. Staff continually update their learning and knowledge to improve their practice. The vast majority of care staff have obtained, or are in the process of obtaining, the appropriate qualification to work with children and young people. This helps to ensure that all those caring for young people are equipped to meet their needs. Although there is one member of staff who has not achieved the stated qualification within the required timescales, the provider is committed to ensuring

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Good

that this is completed as soon as possible. Staff regularly participate in core training events to update their knowledge and skills, as well as completing more specialist training. For example, 14 staff members have completed and five are currently undertaking attachment and nurturing training. All staff have undertaken specific training on the autistic spectrum. This means that staff are able to build their knowledge and skills and develop ways of working with different young people. The staff team is achieving the aims and objectives set out in the statement of purpose. Young people are making good progress in many areas of their development, and staff are proactive in supporting young people to do well. The registered manager has an excellent understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the service. This is enhanced by the independent visitor’s reports, which provide a full picture of the home’s operation against the quality standards.

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Good

The reports gives any reader a reflective account of the visitor’s activities and findings and of how well young people are being looked after. As a result, monitoring systems are strong and identify any weaknesses as they occur. Development plans demonstrate the registered manager’s commitment to further develop and enhance the quality of care to young people. The registered manager has strong professional relationships with parents, social workers, police and health agencies to ensure that young people get the best support. A social worker stated: ‘I have found the partnership working with staff to be excellent. Regular multi agency meetings are held where we discuss the young person I am the social worker for. Staff keep me updated on his progress and any significant incidents. They communicate well with me. Staff attend LAC (children looked after) reviews and provide their own written report in addition to mine.’

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Good

The requirement and recommendation made in the last Ofsted report have been addressed.

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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 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, 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

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

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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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