Children's home run by Good Foundations Limited in Wirral

Requires improvement

The children's home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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The children's home provision requires improvement because:

 Not all safeguarding processes are implemented in line with policy or guidance. The response to recent significant incidents has not been wholly effective and therefore may not fully ensure the safety and protection of young people.

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The children's home provision requires improvement because:

 The regulator does not always receive updates about all serious incidents.

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The children's home provision requires improvement because:

 Individual risk assessments for young people lack sufficient information and detailed analysis of the identified risk. Staff do not always clearly understand how to manage these risks as a result.  Medication records are not robust and do not contain all required information.  Some of the records that the home is required to maintain provide inaccurate and incomplete information. This hinders the formal processes needed to monitor young people’s progress and to address how their individual needs are met. This is with particular regard to placement plans, compatibility assessments and individual risk assessments.  Not all accident forms and incident reports are complete. This means that there is no full account of all accidents and incidents, the way in which they are managed, and whether suitable actions are taken to keep young people and staff safe. This means that unsafe care practices could continue

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The children's home provision requires improvement because:

 Shift rosters do not contain accurate and detailed information about who is working in the home and when.

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The children's home strengths

 Young people say that they have good, trusting and respectful relationships with staff and are able to talk to them if they are worried or concerned.  Young people like living in the home and enjoy the support that they receive from caring and enthusiastic staff. They are able to pursue interests and activities that build their self-esteem and confidence.  The home has made very good links with a variety of professionals. These professionals speak highly of the home and the progress that some young people have made.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the health and well-being standard, the provider must ensure that –

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Requirement Due date

(1)(b) children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being. This relates to ensuring that a comprehensive risk assessment is in place with regard to self- harm. 09 /12/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the provider must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

(2) (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. 09/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must: (2)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 09/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the care planning standard, the registered persons must ensure that children:

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Requirement Due date

(1)(a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children's home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, compatibility risk assessments need to consider all 09/12/2016 current and historical information and all local authority documentation including care plans needs to be obtained, to ensure that care planning is effective. 23. Medicines

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23 (1)(2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that a record is kept of all medicines to be administered to each child. 09/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ('case records') for each child which include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; are kept up to date; and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c)) 09/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4. (Regulation 37 (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this refers to a copy of the staff duty roster, including a record of the actual staff working in the home, including the hours worked. 09/12/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; or an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)). 09/12/2016

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately run children’s home for four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 11/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/12/2015 Full Good 02/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/09/2014 Full Good

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Requires improvement

Since the last inspection, two young people have successfully moved back home to live with their families, while another young person was supported to move to his new home. Clear individual transition plans were developed and young people continue to maintain contact with adults with whom they had built up positive relationships. One young person said: ‘I was happy I was going, but also not so happy, as the staff have always been really good and they still check I’m doing OK.’

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Requires improvement

Prior to moving into the home, they had the opportunity to visit and meet the other young people living in the home and the staff. Fun activities were planned with their new key-workers, to make the transitions smoother and provide opportunities for young people and staff to build up new relationships. One young person said: ‘It was a bit scary at first, but the staff have been nice and helped me get used to the rules of the house’.

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Requires improvement

Consistently robust compatibility risk assessments are not completed prior to young people moving into the home. Historical concerns, including all known risks are not carefully considered. Therefore, there is limited evidence to consider how a young person’s presenting behaviours may impact on and affect the young people already in placement. This fails to demonstrate how safe admission decisions are made and how the safety and welfare of all young people is being carefully considered. Care planning is not effective to meet the needs of young people. Managers do not ensure that all relevant paperwork is obtained from placing social workers, to ensure that the home provides continuity of care in accordance with young people’s care plans. Furthermore, placement plans, health care plans, risk assessments and behaviour management plans are not reviewed effectively to identify the changing needs of young people. On occasions, they also fail to

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Requires improvement

address the issues of risk and how they can be managed safely. For example, risks for young people with self-harming behaviours are not always fully considered and nor are there clear strategies identified to guide staff about how to keep the young person safe on a day-to-day basis. In addition, when a young person injured himself, no accident or incident sheets were completed. This does not ensure that appropriate action was taken by the staff to address and minimise risks. Young people make progress with their education. They live in an environment where their progress is valued and promoted and their educational outcomes improve. One young person was supported to apply for an apprenticeship and told the inspector that he was looking forward to having a new challenge in his life. When young people experience difficulties in their education, staff liaise with teaching staff and arrange meetings, to look at any further support that the young

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Requires improvement

person can access. This ensures that their education needs are met.

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Requires improvement

Young people have access to a range of social, leisure and recreational activities. Staff take an active interest to learn about young people’s hobbies from the beginning of their placement, to ensure that they have opportunities to try new things and develop their individual interests and talents. One young person said: ‘They asked me what I was interested in when I moved in. Last week I went go- karting for the first time, and next weekend we are going to try wall climbing. It’s been really good.’ The opportunities available to young people increase their confidence and self-esteem.

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Requires improvement

Young people are supported to maintain positive relationships with people who play a significant role in their lives. Staff are available for young people during and after contact sessions and have a good understanding of the support they may need. For example, staff organise and facilitate contact for young people when family members live out of the area, to ensure that they maintain meaningful and safe contact. One mum said: ‘Without the support the staff have given to my son, I dread to think where he would be living today. They always tell me what is going on and, although he still gets into trouble, the staff have really helped him and have made sure he gets the support he needs.’ Staff demonstrate genuine warmth and care towards young people. They are proud of and celebrate young people’s achievements, no matter how small. These are recorded in individual progress albums, which include many pictures of smiling

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Requires improvement

young people sharing happy experiences with staff and their families. This provides young people with a record of their positive memories and experiences of their time living in the home. The home environment has significantly improved. Staff talked to the young people about the improvements being made and ensured that they all had the opportunity to have a say about colour schemes and new furnishings. Young people’s bedrooms have also been decorated and are all personalised to each young person’s taste. One young person said: ‘This is my home and it’s so much better now they have painted, decorated and changed the doors. I got asked what I thought, but I’m not sure on all that colour stuff, but I think they [staff] have done a good job and it looks nice.’

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Requires improvement

The frequency with which young people go missing from care has significantly increased, with over 80 episodes since the last inspection. When young people go missing staff act appropriately and in a timely manner, notifying the police and local authorities, so appropriate action can be taken to find them. They also ensure that young people are provided with an opportunity on their return to talk to an independent person. One young person said: ‘Staff do talk to me about using drugs, getting arrested, and they are always disappointed when I go missing. But, when I do go missing, they will always ring me, come looking for me and spend time with me when I get home. I know they do care about me and that’s why they are worried.’ Although staff complete records of missing episodes and police involvement in the home, these have not always been notified to HMCI. This does not enable the regulator to effectively carry out its safeguarding responsibilities, to

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Requires improvement

ensure that young people are protected from harm.

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Requires improvement

Health care plans and medication records do not provide an accurate record of all medication prescribed to young people. They also fail to include the dosage and frequency of administration. This does not demonstrate the safe handling, administration or recording of medication in the home. It also fails to ensure that all young people’s health needs are being accurately recorded and addressed.

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Requires improvement

Risk assessments are in place for the young people. However, not all risks are thoroughly identified, assessed and effectively managed by staff. For example, this includes times when concerns have arisen around inappropriate internet access and concerns around an increase in drug misuse. Not all relevant assessments had been updated to include the new information and re-assess the risk levels. Furthermore, they do not include strategies for staff to follow, to ensure that all young people are kept safe and that risks are minimised on a day-to-day basis. Consequently, the registered manager cannot be assured that all staff are aware of the risks associated with behaviours or whether additional safeguards are required to reduce risks to young people or others. Young people were all clear about the complaints procedure and were also able to identify an adult who they could trust and talk to if they were worried or upset.

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Requires improvement

Young people said that staff will ‘listen to us’, ‘spend time with us’ and ‘help us’. Young people were also clear that staff will talk to them about their behaviours if they are concerning, and support them to get further advice and support. One young person said: ‘I talked to staff about getting help with drugs. They arranged for [name of drugs worker] to come and see me.’ Young people receive help and support to manage their behaviour and feelings safely. Staff have a positive approach to young people and use effective strategies when they are angry or frustrated. They tailor behaviour management to each young person’s needs. Staff prefer to talk to young people about what it is that is causing them to be upset and provide opportunities to explore their feelings and emotions. Staff give consequences for poor behaviour. These are appropriate and often take on a restorative form of putting right what they have done wrong rather

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Requires improvement

than taking something away from them. Young people said: ‘I think the rules are OK and at least I know what’s going to happen when I break them. Staff will ask me what I think is a fair punishment when I do something wrong.’

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Requires improvement

The registered manager is suitably qualified and has the necessary experience to manage the home. She is an enthusiastic and committed manager who is very child-centred. Although areas of leadership and management require improvement, the manager demonstrates a commitment to drive the service forward. She has a ‘hands on’ approach and knows the young people and their families very well. Young people commented, ‘I really like her,’ and, ‘She does listen and try and help us.’

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Requires improvement

On occasions, staff duty rosters fail to accurately reflect the actual staff on duty and lack transparency. This prevents a clear audit trail of who is working in the home and the hours that they have worked. In September 2016, some rotas indicated that there was only one staff member on shift for over twenty-four hours. In discussions with the registered manager, she accepted that there were errors in the recording, but stated that adequate staffing had been available. However, records did not contain the correct information as reported in the home’s own policies and procedures. The lack of transparency of who is on duty potentially places young people at risk and compromises the continuity of care. The staff team is experienced, competent and suitably vetted to deliver services to young people and their families. Staff attend regular team meetings and receive reflective supervision. This takes place on a monthly basis and has a clear agenda,

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Requires improvement

which focuses on the needs of young people, the working practice of staff and any areas of personal and professional development. It is an opportunity to continue to improve the quality of care provided to young people. Staff said: ‘Supervision takes place a least monthly and we now have a clear agenda,’ and, ‘Although it is planned in advance, if we need to talk about anything important both [name of manager] or [name of senior care worker] will always make themselves available.’

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Requires improvement

Staff members are qualified to NVQ level 3. The home has implemented an ongoing staff development and training programme. Staff were complimentary about the range of training offered, both online and as a group. They also had a good understanding of how training increases their knowledge base. One staff member said: ‘I never really considered the risk factors with child sexual exploitation, especially online grooming, but now I have a better understanding on what I need to look for and also how to support young people to understand the risks.’ The staff team members work well together and share the same level of motivation, care and passion as the manager. Several staff spoken to as part of the inspection all reported that they ‘loved working at the home’ and being part of a committed and supportive team. Although young people and staff acknowledged that key-working sessions take place, the records do not always provide an insight into the young people’s lives or

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Requires improvement

their journeys through care. Therefore, there is limited information by which to measure young people’s progress or to identify the effectiveness of the support provided. In addition, this prevents a complete record of young people’s time at the home, although it has not affected their welfare. The registered manager has continued to work in partnership with a wide range of external services. Collaborative relationships exist with placing social workers and independent reviewing officers, which help to support effective communication and coordination of services for the benefit of young people. Additionally, regular meetings held with community services, including safer neighbourhood teams, have enabled the home to integrate better into the local community.

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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 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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