Children's Home run by Highfield North East Limited in Redcar and Cleveland

Good

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

p.2

The children’s home provision is good because:

 Robust and thorough care planning is regularly reviewed, ensuring all of a child’s or young person’s holistic needs are met.  The majority of children and young people fully engage with staff allowing them to grow in self-confidence and feelings of self-worth.  Children’s and young people’s emotional and physical health improve as they form attachments with staff and participate in inclusive activities within the home and community.  As a result of the positive influence of staff, children and young people begin to invest in the importance of education, leading to improved attendance and ambitions for their futures.  Children and young people feel safe, and professionals report that they are protected.  Good behaviour management plans are effectively applied, leading to an improvement in behaviours for the majority of children and young people.  Children and young people learn more productive ways of expressing

p.3

The children’s home provision is good because:

emotions and feelings, which enhances future life and employment opportunities.  Well-trained staff are fully supported by an experienced and nurturing manager to meet the needs of the children and young people in their care.  Good internal monitoring processes are robustly applied, ensuring that children’s and young people’s progress is identified and celebrated.  Good multi-disciplinary working led by the manager ensures that all partners are fully involved in children’s and young people’s care.

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 within the given timescales.

p.4

Requirement Due date

Notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(b)) 30/09/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to searching a child’s room to locate sources of ignition and ensuring risk assessments cover all eventualities including fire setting and tying ligatures, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure: (a) that staff: (i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. 30/09/2016

p.4

Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person- if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44 (2)(a)) 31/10/2016

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:

p.4

Recommendations

 The home should be located in an area that supports children’s safety, well-being and personal development. The location of the home should support its aims, objectives and ethos, as described in the statement of purpose (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.23). In particular, that the locality assessment should reflect the grounds around the home.  When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30).  Any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent

p.4

Recommendations

person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5).

p.5

Information about this children’s home

A private company operates this home. It is registered to care for up to five children and young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

p.6

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 18/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 28/07/2015 Full Good 04/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 13/01/2015 Full Adequate

p.6

Good

Children and young people enjoy living in a spacious, detached home set in three and a half acres of its own grounds. This rural location provides protection and tranquillity, allowing children and young people the space to bond with staff and reflect on past experiences. Children and young people each have their own large, comfortably furnished bedroom that they can decorate to their own taste. They are also encouraged to keep pets and each does so, with some having gerbils and all having hamsters. There are also shared hamsters and fish. Children and young people learn how to care for their animals, not only providing them with a life skill but also allowing them to bond with another living creature. A young person wrote about her pets, ‘They are like my friends and I can sit and talk to them.’

p.7

Good

The space in the home allows children and young people the opportunity to participate in activities together or spend time alone or with staff. Children and young people learn how to cook and bake together with the home’s chef, or the staff, and they use the well-equipped kitchen regularly, thus providing fun while learning new skills. Within the grounds, children and young people can walk in the woods, play on the swing and build dens, work on the allotment growing their own vegetables or spend time with the goats and chickens. Children and young people are learning how to build attachments and enjoy childhood as a result of these positive experiences. A social worker said, ‘It’s a lovely setting, the goats and chickens make a difference.’

p.7

Good

The ages and experiences of the members of the staff team range widely. This provides children and young people with a choice of worker to engage with, as well as role models to look up to. The majority of children and young people speak very highly of the staff and how well cared for they feel. They naturally approach staff for reassurance and contact and the warmth and trust between them is evident. For example, on their return from school, children and young people share the details of their day with the manager. This promotes a sense of belonging, boosting feelings of self-confidence and self-worth. A young person said, ‘Me, and everybody else who lives here, likes living here because it is good because of the staff. I’ve been in other homes but this is the best one I’ve been in.’

p.7

Good

Some young people would rather have one-to-one time with staff than participate in activities with their peers. The committed manager and staff team strive to meet all of the children’s and young people’s needs equally. This ensures the safe promotion of their well-being and that they achieve to the best of their abilities during their time in the home. Children’s and young people’s confidence in their abilities and feelings of security grow as they engage with the care provided and form meaningful attachments.

p.7

Good

The importance of education is an integral part of the home’s ethos and is detailed clearly in its statement of purpose. Although none of the children and young people are currently in full-time school, all have an identified education provision. One young person takes great pride in the fact that, apart from two days, he has attended school every day for a whole year since he has been resident in the home. He had not attended any school for the six months prior to his admission. Another young person has ambitions to be a police officer and wants to use the educational support provided to help her reach that goal. The manager said, ‘He really has come a million miles, when you look back historically to where he was he’s really improved. His [attendance at] school and no criminal activity.’

p.8

Good

All of a child’s and young person’s individual and holistic health needs are identified in care planning documents. These are shared regularly with children and young people who are encouraged to comment upon and sign them. This sense of ownership and belonging enriches their lives, allowing them to make the most of the opportunities provided. In addition, they each can prepare ‘My own health plan’ together with their key worker. This document helps them to understand why they are taking any prescribed medication and how to improve their health. For example, one young person takes medicines for a heart condition. Regular partnership working with all relevant professionals ensure that those needs are met. As children and young people settle in to the home and engage with the care, their social and emotional health improves.

p.8

Good

One young person is awaiting a diagnosis from the child and adolescent mental health services before formal treatment can begin. In the meantime, the home is working inclusively with all concerned to provide support, manage behaviours and put in safe boundaries that the young person can respond to. A social worker said, ‘(Home’s name) are meeting her needs at the moment.’

p.8

Good

Children’s and young people’s physical health improves as they learn to eat healthily and participate in the range of activities and regular exercise available. Some children and young people have discovered that they like a varied diet and will shun ‘fast foods’ for well-cooked home meals. This not only contributes to their emotional and psychological well-being now, but promotes a future healthier lifestyle. A young person said, ‘I can have fruit to eat at (home’s name).’

p.8

Good

Children and young people have a range of opportunities in which to share their wishes and feelings. These include formal attendance at young people’s meetings, with their key worker or just expressing their thoughts. Children and young people use arts and crafts positively to express their emotions and examples of their work adorn the walls. This builds confidence and self-esteem, empowering them to say what they mean positively. One young person expressed her view of the home in her picture, which said, ‘Home is not a place – it’s a feeling.’ Children and young people enjoy participating daily in a range of inclusive activities. They all report extremely positively on how much they enjoy their individual and shared activities. These allow them to take part in experiences they may not have had the chance to before and to develop new skills and interests. This in turn promotes their well-being and builds self-esteem, which improves

p.8

Good

future life chances. A young person wrote, ‘It was brilliant, I really enjoyed it and loved having the 1-to-1.’

p.9

Good

Some young people have almost daily contact with family members. For one, this was part of their care plan on admission, allowing for a shared care arrangement which meets the needs of the young person. For another, this has been a result of the good work undertaken by the home in supporting the young person and his family to rebuild their relationship. Family members are welcome in the home, with some ‘coming regularly for their tea’ and others spending time in the home before or after a visit. This open culture maintains important community and cultural links, which support the child or young person now and in their future adult lives.

p.9

Good

Good pathway plans are carefully followed, allowing young people to progress to independence appropriately within their abilities. In addition, young people are offered driving lessons once they reach the age of 17 to improve both future employment chances and their self-confidence. Key staff members maintain planned regular contact with a young person once they move on to assist them with settling in to their independent or semi-independent placements. They are also welcome to visit the home and come back for tea, as they would in a family home. This nurturing approach allows children and young people to maintain feelings of self-worth as they continue to feel valued. A parent said, ‘(Name) has been well looked after by all staff and I am grateful for the time he has spent here. I’m sure you won’t see the last of him as staff have become part of his life.’

p.9

Good

Children and young people report that they feel safe in this home. The majority of parents, and all professionals spoken to, echo that children and young people are safeguarded. This feeling of protection allows children and young people to settle and engage with the care provided. A young person said, ‘I feel safe here, we all feel safe and happy, they (the other residents) will all tell you that.’

p.9

Good

The majority of generic and individual risk assessments are reviewed and updated regularly, providing further safeguards. For example, some young people will always have two members of staff with them on any car journey. Staff work very hard to respect children’s and young people’s space and do not enter their bedrooms without permission. However, on occasion, this may be necessary to protect children and young people if, for example, they have previously been involved in fire setting or could use certain items as ligatures. Not all of the risk assessments in those cases are sufficiently robust, which could place individuals at risk.

p.9

Good

Strict adherence to good fire safety procedures physically protect children and young people. Regular fire drills take place that all children, young people and staff participate in. A young person said, ‘It’s every Thursday but we never know what time.’ Children and young people are safeguarded by these measures.

p.10

Good

Good anti-bullying policies are carefully followed and any incident is comprehensively recorded. This allows all involved to learn from the experience and work towards ending such behaviours. Young people who feel that comments from their peers are bullying are able to share these feelings with their independent advocates, staff and their social worker. A multi-disciplinary approach is being utilised to address these concerns and ensure that all children and young people feel listened to and reinforce their safety in the home. A social worker said, ‘I believe she is safe here. The staff are working with me around the protocols and the required changes that are necessary at this stage.’

p.10

Good

Each child or young person has their own behaviour management plans and risk assessments. They therefore fully understand what is expected of them, enhancing their sense of security and belonging and providing them with positive targets to aim for. The manager and his deputy, who comment upon actions taken and debrief all concerned, carefully monitor each incident. Children, young people and staff therefore have the opportunity to learn from the experience, empowering those young people who are able to utilise other coping mechanisms. The learned ability to respond to anger and frustration in a positive way enhances children’s and young people’s future life chances. A parent said, ‘His behaviour has come on a lot since he first came to (home’s name), I feel like it’s a big change.’

p.10

Good

None of the children and young people in the home are currently at risk of, or subject to, child sexual exploitation. Nevertheless, the home’s excellent missing person risk assessments consider such a possibility and actions to take should the danger arise. Children and young people are safeguarded by these measures.

p.10

Good

Robust missing person procedures which comply with locally agreed protocols are effectively applied. None of the children and young people currently resident have been missing from the home, but some have been absent without authorisation. On each of these occasions, the staff knew where they had gone and were able to go and collect them. They use the information they had from discussing such episodes with the individual to improve their care and life experience. For example, working with a child’s social worker to increase contact with a parent, thereby ending all such behaviours. A social worker said, ‘(Home’s name) asked us about increasing the contact with mum because he kept wanting to go there and it was the right thing to do. They now have overnights.’

p.10

Good

Children and young people are able to see their social worker following a missing episode. However, they are not being offered the opportunity to meet with an independent person if they wish. This limits their choice as to who to speak to.

p.11

Good

A detailed locality assessment contains relevant information about antisocial behaviour and crime within the community. This ensures that potential areas of risk for children and young people are understood and appropriate measures are taken to protect them. However, the assessment does not fully include the grounds around the home. For example, going into the woods alone or a high bank. These omissions do not place children and young people at risk but their inclusion would enhance the document and the knowledge of the surrounding area.

p.11

Good

The suitably qualified manager has been in post since June 2014. He has a range of experience in both residential and local authority settings. He and his capable and nurturing deputy lead a motivated staff team which is committed to ensuring that children and young people receive the best possible care. A young person said, ‘I can’t think of anything they could do to be better because they are so good. I know where to make a complaint but don’t need to.’

p.11

Good

The manager’s monitoring processes enable him to have a clear understanding of the progress children and young people achieve. Individual care plans are audited monthly and a progress summary is prepared. This is shared with children, young people and other interested parties, enabling all to take pride in growth and to make further plans as necessary.

p.11

Good

Staff report that they feel well supported and supervised to fulfil their role. All core training subjects are completed either before they commence in role or as part of their induction period. Specialist training, around subjects such as child sexual exploitation and attachment theory, takes place regularly. In addition, further teaching is being arranged on subjects that directly affect children and young people resident in the home, such as autism. As a result, staff who have the necessary skills to meet their needs care for children and young people.

p.11

Good

The colourful and informative children’s guide is available in two parts. The first is supplied to children and young people prior to their admission and the second, personalised version, informs them of all of their contact details and information. This ensures that they have the necessary information ready to hand, thus supporting their identification with the home. A detailed statement of purpose provides all interested parties with a comprehensive view of the care that children and young people will receive. Consequently, children and young people are appropriately placed, enhancing their opportunities for success. However, this has not been supplied to the regulator as required.

p.11

Good

Good partnership arrangements between the home and placing authorities ensure that children and young people receive all appropriate support. Social workers report positively about the feedback summaries they receive, which keep them fully informed as to progress and outcomes for children and young people. The proactive manager contacts and challenges other professionals if necessary to ensure that all needs are met, for example education providers. A social worker said, ‘I get weekly reports and they’ll email me if there any issues. She is definitely safe there.’

p.12

Good

The manager’s monthly audit processes under regulation 45 inform the home’s robust development plan. These also link to further growth identified by the parent company, for example to open a school in the area. Regular monitoring visits by an independent visitor do not fully comply with legislation, although some areas of the report are of good quality. Parents and professionals are not routinely contacted, therefore their views are not being captured. In addition, visits are not sufficiently robust to demonstrate fully the running of the home

p.12

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.13

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.13

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.13

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.14

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.14

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 children looked after 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.15

Information about this inspection

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

p.15

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.15

Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.15