Children's home run by Lancashire County Council in Preston

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:

 Children and young people receive exceptional care that meets their individual needs and enhances their day-to-day lives. Children, young people and their parents and carers are highly satisfied with the service.  Children and young people enjoy warm and nurturing relationships with staff. They trust staff and feel safe in their care. Staff take time to listen to them and learn about what is important to them.  Children and young people enjoy a wide variety of activities and are supported to achieve, and grow in confidence and independence.  Risks to the safety and well-being of children and young people are clearly identified and carefully managed, as a result children and young people are safe and protected from harm.  Staff who are well trained and well supported are highly motivated and proud of the service. They are committed to ensuring that children and young people receive the best standard of care.

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The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

 The home is exceptionally well led by a committed and passionate registered manager. The registered manager is approachable and encourages the views and opinions of children, young people, parents and carers.  The registered manager creates an open and transparent culture, within which people feel able to express their views or raise concerns. Reflective practice is encouraged, which supports the service to improve constantly.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure that the children’s home complies with relevant health and safety legislation. Specifically, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that all persons working at the home, and children and young people where practicable, are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides short-break care and accommodation for up to six children with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. The home is operated by a local authority, and is fully equipped to meet the needs of the children using this short- break service.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 01/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 16/10/2015 Full Outstanding 27/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/10/2014 Full Outstanding

p.5

Outstanding

In this home, children and young people receive exceptional care, which is tailored to their individual needs. The high quality of care they receive consistently enhances their progress and life experiences. A social worker commented: ‘The needs of the children are all so different but the care is so individualised.’

p.6

Outstanding

Children and young people make demonstrable progress in their social development. They are supported to achieve and their health and emotional well- being is consistently promoted.

p.6

Outstanding

When caring for children and young people who have complex or challenging needs, the registered manager and staff use innovative methods and plan their care in a creative manner. For example, intensive interaction communication methods have been used with much success, to support the complex behaviours of one young person. As a result, he is making excellent progress at the home.

p.6

Outstanding

Parents, carers and external professionals feel that the registered manager and staff consistently provide care that is above and beyond their expectations. One parent said: ‘I could not possibly ask any more of them. They literally have exceeded any expectations I ever had.’ A social worker commented: ‘They always go the extra mile.’

p.6

Outstanding

The registered manager demonstrates a willingness to provide care above and beyond what would ordinarily be expected. For example, a young person who had used the service for several years had recently experienced some difficulties. The registered manager arranged to provide additional care and support to the young person and her family at very short notice. The response of the registered manager led to a significantly better outcome for this young person.

p.6

Outstanding

A stable and consistent staff team helps children and young people to build secure and trusting relationships. Staff know children and young people well and have a good understanding of their needs. Staff at this home are extremely committed to ensuring that children and young people receive care that meets their needs and enhances their day-to-day experiences. One staff member said: ‘The children come first here in everything we do.’

p.6

Outstanding

Staff care for children and young people in a warm and nurturing manner. One young person said: ‘They all care about me. They want to look after me.’ This young person had a worry about an impending medical procedure. He commented that he had been for a chat with the registered manager about it, which had made him feel better. Staff are respectful when providing care and ensure that children’s and young people’s dignity is protected.

p.6

Outstanding

The registered manager and staff place great emphasis on supporting children and young people to express their views and wishes. Care plans contain clear information about their individual methods of communication, including non-verbal communication. This helps staff to understand children and young people and the things that are important to them. The inspector observed staff responding to children’s non-verbal cues during a mealtime.

p.7

Outstanding

Children and young people are supported to build friendships with each other. Existing friendships are encouraged, for example one evening is now arranged for a group of young women who enjoy meeting and having pamper sessions. The parent of one of these young women said: ‘She absolutely loves her girls’ night. It’s the highlight of her week.’

p.7

Outstanding

The views of children and young people are valued and encouraged. The registered manager implements a variety of methods designed to assist children and young people in expressing their opinions and ideas. A recent example is a pictorial review form and consultation tool used to enable children and young people to share their thoughts and wishes. This tool has been adapted and used with children and young people in other services by an external professional.

p.7

Outstanding

The registered manager is currently working on a tool to enable children and young people to contribute to staff members’ performance reviews. There are also plans to enable children and young people to be involved in interviews for new staff. Listening to children’s and young people’s views in this way means that they have an opportunity to influence the service they receive.

p.7

Outstanding

Where possible, children and young people are provided with information in formats they can understand. For example, the young person’s guide, which was recently updated by three young people who use the service, includes pictorial, easy-to-read information. Pictorial menus and staff rotas are provided, as well as a variety of important information, such as internet safety in a pictorial format. This promotes children’s and young people’s independence.

p.7

Outstanding

The quality of experiences enjoyed by children and young people is exceptional. Activities offered are varied and constantly reviewed to ensure that they meet the needs and wishes of children and young people. Recent examples include pop concerts, trips to museums, discovery centres and sky-diving. A parent commented: ‘The amount of things they do is just amazing!’

p.7

Outstanding

Staff and managers encourage and support children and young people to aim high and achieve their goals. One young person is well on his way to achieving his dream of working in radio. He commented: ‘I never thought anything would come of it. Look at me now!’ Some children and young people have achieved awards in a national community programme. This has involved them in completing tasks in areas such as animal care. One young person has recently completed a survey about accessibility in local parks, helping him to gain research and reporting skills. The maintenance worker at the home had recently designed a tool to assist a young person who uses a wheelchair to learn the skill of hoovering. Supporting children and young people to achieve these goals helps them to develop skills, confidence and independence.

p.7

Outstanding

The registered manager and staff support the children’s and young people’s learning by playing an active role in their education. Positive communication takes place between the home and school to ensure that children and young people have effective support.

p.8

Outstanding

Well-planned support is provided to young people who are preparing to move across to adult services. Staff from the home support young people and their families to visit adult services and help to plan their future care. The registered manager explained that all young people are supported to choose a very special activity to mark their service at the home coming to an end. This could be a pop concert or a short break away, for example. This is known as their ‘Happy Ending’ and is in part designed to assist them in their transition by having something happy to focus on.

p.8

Outstanding

Children and young people are cared for in safe, secure surroundings, which helps to protect them from harm. Highly individualised risk assessments determine any measures that need to be taken to adapt the environment for each young person during their stay, for example the restriction of access to the kitchen.

p.8

Outstanding

A daily fire risk assessment helps to ensure that the specific needs of the children and young people staying at the home at any one time are considered. This helps to ensure that children’s and young people’s safety can be protected in the event of an emergency evacuation.

p.8

Outstanding

Equipment, such as hoists and fire safety equipment, is regularly checked and serviced to ensure that it is safe for use. All staff, children and young people (with the exception of those who would find it too distressing) take part in fire drills on a periodic basis. However, the current method of recording participation in fire drills is not fully effective. Current recording methods do not make it clear whether all staff, children and young people have taken part in a drill in the last twelve months. This means that some staff, children or young people may not have up-to- date knowledge and understanding of fire evacuation procedures.

p.8

Outstanding

The registered manager and staff are extremely committed to ensuring that children and young people are safe from harm. Safeguarding procedures are robust and clearly understood by all staff. Training is provided for staff and regularly updated to ensure that they are aware of any changes in procedures.

p.9

Outstanding

Children and young people are provided with a wide range of information about staying safe. Easy-to-read guides to safeguarding are in place, which some young people have helped to develop. Other information, such as internet safety and advice about bullying, is also provided in easy–to-read formats.

p.9

Outstanding

Without exception, children and young people feel safe when staying at the home. One young person said: ‘Here I feel safe. Nothing bad will happen here.’ A parent commented: ‘The children are so vulnerable, we need to know they are safe. They are with people we know and trust and that means so much.’

p.9

Outstanding

Highly effective planning minimises the risks to children’s and young people’s safety and well-being. Risks are clearly identified within children’s and young people’s care plans. Staff have a clear understanding of any risks and there are clear strategies in place to guide staff in supporting children and young people in a safe way. The service is not risk-averse and children and young people are supported to take appropriate risks in a well-managed way. This helps to promote their independence.

p.9

Outstanding

Children’s and young people’s complex behaviours are managed exceptionally well. The registered manager and staff take time to understand the behaviours and potential triggers. Clear strategies assist staff to provide consistent, effective behaviour support.

p.9

Outstanding

Innovative methods of communication are used to enhance behaviour support. For example, the use of intensive interaction for one young person has proved highly effective in de-escalating situations before they reach a severe level. This young person’s social worker commented: ‘All I can say is this service has been absolutely excellent. The staff knowledge is excellent and they are really clear on strategies to support him. They are very reflective. They constantly revisit to assess how things are working.’

p.9

Outstanding

The use of restraint is a very rare occurrence in this home. One such intervention has been required since the last inspection of the home. This was appropriately recorded and the registered manager ensured that the incident was carefully reviewed so that any potential learning or actions to reduce another incident could be identified. Judgement grade

p.9

Outstanding

The home benefits from excellent leadership. The suitably qualified and experienced registered manager demonstrates genuine passion and a strong commitment to child-centred practice. Children, young people, parents and carers, staff and community professionals speak extremely highly of the registered manager. One parent said: ‘He is absolutely brilliant. I know I can pick up the phone at any time for the smallest thing.’ A community professional commented: ‘His relationship with the staff means they want to go the extra mile for him and that benefits the young people.’

p.10

Outstanding

The registered manager recently co-ordinated the closure of another short-break service in the area and the transfer of staff, children and young people into this home. This was very well managed and staff who were required to transfer were provided with a good level of support to manage the change. Children’s and young people’s transfers were carefully co-ordinated to ensure that the impact on their well-being was minimised. The registered manager carried out research into other services that had merged to identify best practice and used his findings when carrying out the task. This demonstrates excellent preparation which has benefited children, young people and their families.

p.10

Outstanding

The staff team is highly motivated and proud of the service. Comments received from staff include: ‘We pride ourselves on our extensive communication capabilities, and our acceptance of each child as a unique individual with their own needs, and with something to offer,’ and, ‘The children are happy and well cared for. Staff ensure that every individual is given the opportunity to be the best they can be.’

p.10

Outstanding

The home is clearly centred on the needs of children and young people. Examples of child-centred decisions, made to prioritise the needs of children and young people, are evident. For example, the registered manager recently made significant changes in the way the service was configured to enable one young person to be supported in a way that best meets his needs.

p.10

Outstanding

There is a well-established management team and clear lines of accountability. Staff are well supported and have confidence in the management team. One staff member said: ‘Our managers are open, and look for areas to improve on. I know that I can bring any matter up with management.’

p.10

Outstanding

The registered manager creates a supportive environment for staff, within which they are able to challenge and express their views. Several staff describe a culture of openness. This is further supported by a daily reflection, which all staff and managers are encouraged to engage in. Within the daily reflection, events of the shift are discussed. Questions are considered such as: ‘What could we have done better?’ This process invites challenge and helps staff to feel confident in speaking out if they are concerned or feel practice could be improved. This culture of openness helps to protect children and young people.

p.10

Outstanding

The home is well staffed by a stable staff team, which means that children and young people receive their care from people who know and understand them well. There is a comprehensive mandatory training programme in place. Training is carefully monitored by the registered manager to ensure that all staff receive regular update and refresher training at the required intervals.

p.11

Outstanding

The training programme is adapted in line with the specific needs of children and young people. For example, staff have been provided with training in meeting one young person’s healthcare needs.

p.11

Outstanding

The registered manager has an excellent understanding of the strengths of the home. He constantly looks to identify areas for development and has clear plans in place to address them. The views of children, young people, staff and other stakeholders are invited and highly valued. A social worker said: ‘He is very receptive to feedback.’

p.11

Outstanding

Robust systems in place enable the registered manager and provider to monitor safety and quality across the service. Quality assurance processes take the experiences and progress of children and young people into account. Outstanding progress made by many children and young people can be evidenced.

p.11

Outstanding

Quality monitoring exercises are carried out regularly. Where issues are identified, clear action plans are put into place and evaluated. Safety audits are regularly carried out of areas such as medication. A staff member was observed by the inspector to identify a discrepancy during an audit of medicines received at the home. The staff member was quick to identify the problem and resolved it immediately. Had this issue not been identified, a young person may have been at risk of receiving an incorrect dose of medication.

p.11

Outstanding

The registered manager and staff work with external agencies in an extremely positive manner. Highly effective relationships are in place, which result in children and young people receiving well-planned care. One social worker commented that staff at the home fully participate in reviews in relation to all aspects of the children’s and young people’s care and contribute in a valuable way. She said ‘I think [name of the home] should be the model that all services aspire to.’

p.11

Outstanding

The registered manager and staff champion children’s rights and challenge other services when they feel they are not effective. A recent example of this was the challenge made of a healthcare service that was not meeting the needs of a young person. The registered manager worked with the service and the parent of the young person to ensure that they received the care they needed. This resulted in a good outcome for the young person.

p.11

Outstanding

Parents and carers were, without exception, extremely complimentary about the relationship they have with the registered manager and staff. Their comments include: ‘They have supported me heavily over the years. I don’t know what I would have done without them,’ ‘Communication between staff and home is excellent via telephone, email and my son’s communication book,’ ‘The staff are incredibly caring and committed to helping my child enjoy new experiences and interact,’ and, ‘Staff are happy for me to ring at any time and talk about my child. Staff also complete a communication chat book, which they send home with each visit with details about what my child has done and how she has slept. Staff also include photos of my child on trips out etc. My child is non-verbal which means I really appreciate this book and it provides me with everything I would ask my child in normal circumstances.’

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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 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 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, 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,

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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

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

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