Children's home run by Absolute Children’s Services Ltd in Staffordshire Moorlands

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people make exceptional progress in recognising their self-worth and building self-esteem as a result of the warm and nurturing relationships that they have with staff.  The targeted interventions, guided and overseen by the in-house psychologist, empower young people to manage behaviours that would otherwise inhibit them from participating in the community.  Young people feel safe and secure, enabling them to learn positive ways of expressing their emotions.  Young people’s individual vulnerabilities are known and understood, enabling staff to protect them.  An excellent transition from the old to the new manager ensured that consistently outstanding standards were maintained.  A well-supported staff team has the skills and training to meet the young people’s diverse needs.  Excellent external monitoring visits fully contribute towards promoting young people’s well-being and protection.

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 The behaviour management strategy should be understood and applied at all times by staff, and must be kept under review and revised where appropriate. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.34)  Staff should be familiar with the home's policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately run children’s home for young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It can accommodate up to four young people, irrespective of gender, at any one time.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/06/2015 Full Outstanding

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Outstanding

Young people thrive in this spacious, comfortable home. Each of the three reception rooms allow them to spend time together sharing activities or having the space to be alone if they wish. Young people decorate their bedrooms to their taste, where they also keep their own pets. This adds to their sense of belonging and security in the home. Furthermore, the expansive grounds provide young people with the space to run and play. A staff member said, ‘We are giving children a home from home experience.’ The home’s statement of purpose states, ‘We aim to transform the lives of children and young people who suffer severe emotional and psychological difficulties, so that they can relate well to others, fulfil their potential and enjoy life.’ The outstanding progress that young people make in recognising their self-worth and building self-esteem allows them to engage positively in life. Exceptional care planning covers all aspects of young people’s unique and diverse

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Outstanding

needs. The committed staff team’s extensive knowledge of young people’s individual strengths and vulnerabilities allows any progress to be swiftly identified and built upon. Young people take real pride in any achievements, giving them the confidence to try more. A social worker said, ‘For me it’s how happy and settled she is there. They do truly care for the kids and (Name of young person) truly believes they care.’ The skilled, committed and nurturing management and staff team are aspirational for young people to achieve the best possible outcomes. They demonstrate warmth and affection to young people within safe boundaries. Consequently, young people are blossoming and happy as they feel valued and that they belong. A social worker said, ‘She’s been able to develop a fantastic relationship with key staff. She feels very safe and secure there. It is one of the few care homes I visit where there is a true family feeling. All the staff are fantastic.’

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Outstanding

Each young person is at a different stage in their learning. Those that are not attending school are accessing education through personal tuition. Consequently, while a suitable school is identified for them, young people’s interest in education is encouraged and improved upon. This enhances young people’s future employment opportunities while building confidence in their abilities and interests. The tailored support that young people receive, facilitated and overseen by the home’s in-house psychologist, empowers exceptional improvements in their emotional and psychological health. This growth allows young people to fully engage with their care and have the self-confidence to participate in inclusive activities within the community. For example, specific habit reversal techniques to manage Tourette’s syndrome tics. The psychologist said, ‘For (Name), the tic reversal is increasing her community access and social relationship building skills.’

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Outstanding

Young people’s physical health continues to improve as they learn to enjoy a healthy, well-balanced diet and engage in regular exercise. One young person’s membership of a local football team has also contributed to improved social and life skills. As a result, she has made friends, who are welcome in the home, and she feels part of the local community. A young person said, ‘This is the best place I’ve lived because I’m listened to, can see the people I like and have lots to do.’ Young people gain confidence in their abilities to share their views as a result of all of the opportunities provided. Regular life space interviews, weekly house meetings and daily chats over mealtimes and during activities inspire young people to express how they feel. As well as each young person having a key worker, young people are linked with independent advocates. Young people feel listened to and valued, empowering them to contribute to their futures. An independent advocate

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Outstanding

wrote, ‘What the (Home’s name) offers young people is amazing and it is clear that their personal, social and emotional development can only be enhanced by living here!’ Daily planned activities incorporate young people’s educational and social needs. The outstanding use of rewards and goals enables young people to aim towards specific treats. For example, a Christmas shopping trip to a market in London. Their horizons are further broadened by chosen holiday destinations, including to other countries. These activities continually build young people’s life and social skills while they have fun. Young people are well prepared for independence in line with their age and abilities. They learn how to take responsibility for their self-care as well as life and practical skills. A young person said, ‘I am really proud of what I’m doing with my independence programme and doing my own shopping and cooking. I’m especially

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Outstanding

proud of my mushroom tartlets.’ Excellent and proactive communication between the home and family members ensures that young people are able to maintain regular contact. This has included financing and supporting a young person to go on holiday with her parent. In addition, the sensitive intervention of the psychologist and staff has enabled another young person to regain contact with her birth mother. These actions empower young people to know and understand their culture and heritage. A parent said, ‘It’s really good, better than where she has been living before. This is the best placement she has ever had. Contact is very good.’

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Good

There has only been one episode of a young person going missing since this home opened. This involved the young person going missing from school and not from the home. A young person said, ‘I feel me and my dolls are safe here and that makes me happy.’ Staff are trained to recognise and protect young people from child sexual exploitation. No young people are currently subject to such risks although some have been exposed prior to their admission. The staff are sensitively supporting these young people through legal proceedings. Young people are safeguarded while they grow and develop necessary self-protection skills. A parent said, ‘I’ve had her in different homes and this is the one where she’s been safest and I don’t need to worry.’ As a result of careful matching and the excellent relationships that young people have with staff, for the most part, they are learning to behave appropriately. In addition, the good use of restorative practice assists young people in making sense

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Good

of their behaviours and develops positive social skills. For example, apologising to their peers in young people’s meetings. This has also led to young people having the confidence to write letters of apology without being prompted. A detailed and comprehensive locality assessment ensures that all potential risks and hazards in the community are well known. This provides effective protection for young people. Generic and individual risk assessments complement each other. The information gathered and implemented from these is used effectively to safeguard young people. An independent reviewing officer (IRO) said, ‘Staff use appropriate sanctions and boundaries. They are consistent with her.’ A clear behaviour management policy links with other relevant procedures within the home. This ensures that young people fully understand what is expected of them. Staff are excellent role models and demonstrate consistent, calm behaviours

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Good

that young people can learn from. A staff member said, ‘Boundaries are set. It lets young people know you care. We are creating opportunities the same as you would for your own kids, but putting those boundaries in place as well.’ However, the behaviour management policy has not been updated to reflect the change in legislation. In addition, although any bullying behaviours are swiftly identified and restorative practice is used effectively to address conflict between young people, this is not detailed in the policy. Physical intervention is sometimes necessary to prevent injury and calm volatile situations. The good use of life space interviews following such events allows young people to learn from the experience. A young person said, ‘Restraints happen rarely here, but when they do it you have staff either side so that you know you have to stop and how to stop and that feels safe.’ However, not all

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Good

incidents are fully recorded and dated which does not demonstrate all appropriate steps have been taken. Judgement grade

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Outstanding

The newly appointed manager has a wealth of past experience in managing children’s homes. He holds registered manager status with Ofsted and the requisite qualifications to fulfil his role. He is aspirational for the young people to receive the best possible care. In order to ensure that this can be achieved he is working to obtain further qualifications that will benefit them. For example, training to become a peer reviewer as part of the ‘Community of Communities’ programme. This will not only benefit the young people in his care, but those in the homes that he will be reviewing as part of the role. The directors of the company have worked together with the new manager to facilitate a seamless transition into the role. This has ensured consistency for young people and staff, allowing all to thrive and to maintain outstanding outcomes for young people. A young person said, ‘I like (Name). I think he is a good manager

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Outstanding

and it all fits with him.’ The clear understanding that the management has of young people’s developmental needs, and the progress that they are making, strongly contribute to their outstanding outcomes. For example, proactively liaising with partner agencies to identify appropriate education provision, including arranging home tutors. Comprehensive recruitment procedures are effectively applied ensuring that people who may pose a risk to them are not employed by the home. Staff report how well supported they feel and that supervision is regular and of a good quality. An IRO said, ‘There is a regular static group of staff who are known to her so she is not able to play people off against each other. They communicate well with me and the social worker. They are doing a really outstanding job with (Name) who can present with really challenging behaviours.’ An excellent training programme ensures that staff are qualified to meet young

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Outstanding

person’s needs. Specialist training in subjects including restorative practice, around child sexual exploitation and radicalisation enhance the mandatory training programme. In addition, the specialist guidance of the in-house psychologist allows staff to build up skills and expertise in supporting young people living with Tourette’s syndrome. Excellent external monitoring reports fully contribute towards promoting young people’s well-being and their safety. The manager’s internal auditing processes incorporate the views of young people and other interested parties. This ensures that all stakeholders are able to contribute towards further enhancing outcomes for young people. For example, the support provided for a young person to participate in a local football team has led to the home sponsoring the team’s kit. This not only enhances the individual’s experience but also contributes towards inclusion and

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Outstanding

participation. An excellent and detailed statement of purpose provides interested parties with a comprehensive picture of the level of care to be provided. This ensures the appropriate placement of young people, enhancing their opportunities for achieving the best possible outcomes. This document can also be made available in a young person’s first language, ensuring that they have knowledge from the start of their time in the home. A social worker said, ‘Even matching is done well. That’s very important and they do it so well.’ Young people benefit from the positive working relationships that the management and staff have with partner agencies. The proactive approach employed by the management team and psychologist ensures that young people all receive the services that they need and are entitled to. For example, working together with the virtual head teacher to ensure that young people are on roll at a local school after

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Outstanding

their original school closed for health and safety reasons. A social worker said, ‘We are always kept up to date, we get weekly reports and the therapy reports are really useful.’

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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 looked after children 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 adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

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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