Children's Home run by Friends Therapeutic Community Trust in Cambridgeshire

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:

 This service delivers consistently outstanding care for children with a background of trauma, abuse and sexually harmful behaviour. Managerial oversight is highly effective.  This is a safe and stable home. A skilled leadership team prioritises the welfare and safety of all children extremely well. There are excellent processes in place for admissions.  Risks are clearly identified and balanced with meticulous management strategies. Safety plans are rigorously and systematically reviewed to ensure that they are accurate and effective. If any concerns are raised, staff and managers respond immediately and rigorously, communicating with parents and partnership agencies and following strict processes in a timely fashion. The safety of the children is their paramount concern.  The service delivers a therapeutic package of talking therapies and psychological support for children. This supports and compliments day-to -

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

day parenting work with a skilled residential team. All aspects of a child’s development are considered in regular three-monthly reviews, including health, education family contact and planning for the future. This highly purposeful and integrated approach means that all aspects of a child’s progress are considered and planned for.  Children participate in this work on an exceptional level. They are fully involved in thrice-daily community meetings as well as individual programmes. They are regularly involved in important, cathartic and challenging work about their issues and, as a result, they feel nurtured and begin to develop a positive self-view.  Staff are highly nurturing. They work together as a team, communicating extensively and using every opportunity to reflect on issues and incidents. They speak highly of the management team and feel that they can rely on one another for support.  Transitional planning has been developed extensively, so that children are

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

prepared for their future lives as adults. Children are encouraged to obtain the highest possible academic qualifications alongside vocational skills. They have opportunities to gain excellent direct and practical experience.

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Information about this children's home

The service is run by a charitable community trust and provides a therapeutic programme and treatment for up to 17 young men who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The service caters for a specific range of needs and ages as detailed in the statement of purpose. There is a bungalow on the premises, which provides semi-independent accommodation. The wide range of facilities includes on-site education and vocational workshops to support accredited work-based learning courses. The community is now jointly registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in view of the fact that the work is with young people over the age of 18 years old.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

10/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Outstanding

Children benefit from their placements because they are looked after by staff who understand their needs and vulnerabilities and are able to manage and support them. Parents of children who have recently arrived refer to the distress and trauma that they have suffered prior to placement and comment on how quickly they have been helped to settle. The senior management team has used messages from research to improve educational provision in the home. All children attend education on site, in a school that has recently achieved independent registration. Each child is assessed at the beginning of his placement using a combination of nationally recognised evaluation tools, a personal statement written by the child and discussions with teaching staff. This gives a baseline for English and maths and helps both staff and child identify realistic but ambitious personal targets on the basis of his abilities and learning

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Outstanding

styles. These are reviewed every three months as part of the individual treatment plan (ITP). For instance, one child wrote that he wanted to communicate better, so staff have concentrated on developing vocabulary and language skills. Staff are ambitious for children and encourage them to aim for the highest academic level possible, including GCSEs in core subjects of English, maths and science. Children are also entered for City and Guilds in practical subjects, such as painting and decorating, horticulture and catering. Consequently, children build up a sense of momentum and progress and can begin to view their futures with more confidence. Children and their parents, staff and managers all acknowledge that planning for the future of each child is a significant challenge. The approach from staff in the home is comprehensive, integrating educational targets with practical skills. From the outset, all children are encouraged to improve their domestic skills and some,

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Outstanding

as they near the end of their placements, are able to move into a bungalow set in the premises but independent of the main home. In addition, some children spend a week with staff in a local city, where they gain direct experience of using public transport, shopping and cooking and looking for work in the local job centre. One member of the teaching staff said: ‘This can be overwhelming. They keep a diary, and we follow up with practice interviews. All this is used as evidence, which goes into their transition files along with other exercises.’ This means that children feel more prepared, with practical experience, for their lives as adults. Children are in good health, and any specific individual needs are followed up assiduously. Mealtimes are a critical part of the daily routine, when children and staff meet to discuss the day. Food is nourishing and attractive, different diets are catered for and children are encouraged to try new foods and participate in

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Outstanding

preparation. Children can attend a cooking class to give them skills as part of independence training. Children have sustained links with the local community, hosting an annual bonfire party attended by up to 700 people. The home has an ongoing agreement with the local church to maintain the graveyard there. Children also are involved in a social enterprise project, based in the grounds, in which they work with a local charity to redecorate and recycle furniture. This is now in its second year and they are very proud of their success and the professional standards they maintain. They are especially happy to report that they are paying back half of the initial loan to the trustees. This is a striking achievement over a significant period. Children are encouraged to develop positive views of themselves and the impact that they can have on other residents. For instance, children who have been in the home for some months can put themselves forward as chair of the community

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Outstanding

meetings. This role has been developed imaginatively to include new responsibilities, including acting as mentor for other children, linking up with new arrivals, holding a staff key and being able to conduct tours for visitors without a staff member in attendance. Chairs are also involved in staff recruitment. In return, they receive feedback from the community about their performance. The role is widely recognised to have real status in the community and is a creative way of encouraging a sense of responsibility. The father of one child said: ‘He has made real progress emotionally. He deals with issues, is brighter and more able to voice an opinion. He has been involved in some high-profile presentations at conferences and come back enthusing about them so his confidence has really improved.’

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Outstanding

Staff and managers regard the safety of children as their highest priority. They work together in a highly integrated way to ensure that children feel and are secure. All children have allocated key workers and have regular individual sessions with a therapeutic worker. Children build up supportive relationships with staff and are confident that they always have someone to talk to. One child said: ‘You can go to anyone in the community really.’ Children are sure that they will be taken seriously. This is an important step in building their sense of security. Children come with a range of complex needs and challenging behaviours. Admission procedures are extremely robust with nothing left to chance. Full background reports, including specialist psychological reports, are commissioned, to provide a comprehensive picture of the child. Each child spends an initial five- week assessment period in the home to test out his suitability and willingness to

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Outstanding

engage in the work. As a result of this scrupulous approach, by the time a child starts his placement he, his family, staff and professionals are fully committed. This provides an excellent start. Children know what is expected of them and settle quickly. All risks are clearly identified and matched with rigorous management strategies, which are constantly reviewed by children, staff and managers so that they remain accurate and effective. All children are subject to a level of supervision based on the assessment of risk. If a child wants his supervision to be amended to a less intense level, he has to approach the community meeting initially, for comment by both children and staff. His application is also considered by his personal therapist, who reviews the initial risks and comments on whether this request is justified. The decision is then taken to the senior management team. As a result of this

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Outstanding

transparent but meticulous process, children know exactly what to expect. Staff encourage them to reflect on their behaviour, deal with their feelings positively and resolve issues confidently. For instance, one child who had been sanctioned following an incident said: ‘I have had time to think about how to talk about it and not be violent.’ Consequently, the level of negative incidents is low. Many children have not experienced an incident of restraint at all during their placements, and no child has gone missing for some years. Children have gained confidence. Some children have been involved in public presentations at national conferences and have contributed to evidence given to a new national safeguarding framework. Staff and managers consistently review and discuss safeguarding concerns, in particular the constantly changing profile of internet risk and the need to respond with updated effective strategies. They have approached this thoroughly in

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Outstanding

community meetings and individual sessions, so that children are challenged about this and develop a greater awareness of the risks. On occasion, serious concerns about individual children have been raised. The response of both staff and managers in these circumstances has been exemplary. Senior managers lead an immediate and effective response. Professional agencies and placing authorities are notified of any concerns without delay. Children are fully supported, but are also in no doubt that they have to face the consequences of their actions. Staff and managers develop plans to ensure that any heightened levels of risk in the larger group are managed and they review these plans constantly. The remaining group of children is notified of any incidents through community meetings but in a manner that does not increase their anxiety and reassures them that they are secure. As a result of this extremely purposeful approach, children

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Outstanding

Senior managers place a high value on professional development. The registered manager gained his qualification in November 2011 and has many years of experience in working in this field. He continues to attend and participate at national conferences for providers in this specialism, so that his knowledge and expertise are consistently updated. The majority of workers have a national vocational qualification (NVQ) level 3, with a small group due to finish by the end of the year. Managers conscientiously scrutinise the service in the home to make sure that it meets the complex needs of children living there. Managers use feedback from external advisors, professionals and placing authorities and parents. Information comes from the children themselves expressing views in the community meetings. Staff and managers consistently re-evaluate children’s engagement in the work and any emerging concerns in the group. This rigorous cycle of information and

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Outstanding

assessment has been particularly important recently, when new children have joined the community. Staff work hard to understand and manage new dynamics within the group and have maintained a stable, secure environment under considerable pressure. Each child has an individual treatment plan, which covers all aspects of their placement, including health, risk assessments and education. This is reviewed by staff and managers on a three-monthly basis, with the child participating in the discussion. Staff clearly understand that the behaviour and responses of children can reflect inner turmoil and anxiety and they address issues frankly and robustly. All factors, including education, health, family contact and plans for the future are considered and re-evaluated. This means that children are consistently and frequently challenged. Children know where they are making progress and what they need to improve on.

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Outstanding

Staff and managers value the participation of families and external professionals to develop an integrated approach to the care of a child. Social workers comment very positively on the commitment of staff to keeping them informed of any developments or incidents. Parents also comment on how well staff work in partnership with them, valuing their contribution and recognising the stress that the family has experienced. Consequently, children are faced with a consistent response from the full range of people concerned with their care. This gives them an unequivocal sense of direction and confidence that they will be supported. All staff have regular individual supervision sessions, which focus on their workload, personal issues, professional development and training needs. Staff also use a range of different forums to share information, including daily handovers, weekly specialist team meetings and monthly meetings for the whole staff group. All staff

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Outstanding

have bespoke training schedules, which are reviewed monthly by the senior management team. Children benefit from being looked after by staff who feel valued themselves. Staff show an unreserved commitment to sharing information. One member of staff said: ‘This is difficult work, so we are all taught to be transparent, and this comes across to the children.’ The management team understands the impact on staff of the intense level of work that they do with children and the importance of regular opportunities and forums to talk about the work. A fortnightly ‘sensitivity meeting’ is a particular opportunity to talk about the emotional impact of the work. One member of staff said: ‘The work can be devastating sometimes. I feel supported, and it is the first job that I can honestly say that [about].’ Staff are immensely proud of the work that they do and the progress that the children make. Senior managers are ambitious for the service and recognise the

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Outstanding

need to constantly update the service and maintain professional standards. For instance, they ensure that therapeutic standards are reviewed through a national peer review scheme. Managers have contributed to a national report looking at residential care. On a local level, staff and children have been involved in a research-based project linking music with the ability to express emotions. These are positive links with the outside community, and children feel part of something important.

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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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