Children's homes – interim inspection

Good

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

p.2

The children's home provision is good because:

 The leadership and management are of a very high standard. The registered manager is strong, confident and skilful. She leads the staff team by example and combines a caring, nurturing approach with strong, clear boundaries and expectations for the children and young people. She has developed a very effective style of working that is dependent on making good relationships with the children and young people, which she does extremely well. She remains enthusiastic and committed to the service that she leads.  The staff team follows the lead of the manager. Staff members are all experienced and qualified to offer a range of skills and styles of working. There have been no changes to the staff team in the period since the previous full inspection, and this stability is really positive. The staff are committed and enthusiastic in their work and form very good relationships with the children and young people.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 The children and young people feel safe and secure and are able to grow and develop over time. Minor squabbles and arguments are resolved quickly and fairly so that the children and young people feel able to voice their opinions and concerns knowing that they will be listened to and responded to.  The children and young people are treated as individuals. Staff meet their needs well and plan their care with them. The children and young people have a say in the running of the home and are listened to and respected. The staff encourage them to pursue interests and leisure activities that they like and to spend time with friends and family when this is appropriate.  Education and training are given a high priority, and most of the children and young people have good attendance and attainment. They have placements in appropriate educational establishments and are supported with any difficulties they may have. Young people who require alternative

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

education arrangements are also supported to attend and achieve.

p.3

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.4

Requirement Due date

12. In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to completing risk assessments around self- harm, the registered person must ensure that staff –

p.4

Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(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. 27/11/2016

p.4

Information about this children's home

The home is run by a local authority and is registered for the care and accommodation of up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/12/2015 Full Good 25/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 17/11/2014 Full Good

p.5

Good

The staff at the home offer the young people high standards of individualised care. This ensures that most young people make good progress while also enjoying the experience of living in the home.

p.6

Good

The basis of this care comes from the excellent relationships that staff form with the young people. The young people can approach staff easily and are relaxed and comfortable with talking to staff and sharing their concerns, their wants and their needs. Staff provide an excellent balance of nurture and attention with clear boundaries and expectations. This provides a positive culture in which young people can and do thrive.

p.6

Good

The staff always have time for the young people and engage with them constantly. The staff are therefore able to frequently offer advice and guidance, gentle reinforcement of a direction, praise and encouragement or to ask the young people to reflect on their behaviour. This approach requires patience, persistence and commitment, all of which the staff have in abundance. This approach also demonstrates that the priority of the staff is without doubt the well-being of the young people that they are looking after. All the young people spoke to the inspector while he was at the home, and it was clear that they feel safe, secure and that they enjoy the experience of living there.

p.6

Good

The young people are encouraged to attend school or college and to work hard. Most of the young people have very good attendance and are achieving at or beyond their expected levels. One young person was helped to change schools recently because they wanted to be in a more local school. This has worked well. One young person has not engaged with education and has been unable to participate in classroom-based lessons. This young person has been on a programme of alternative, activity-based education and training. Although they have attended regularly, their progress has been poor.

p.6

Good

The young people are referred to specialist workers for help and support with difficult areas of their lives. Some of the young people have been able to form very good relationships with the specialist workers and have clearly benefited from sessions on emotional health. One young person has been referred to services dealing with drug and alcohol misuse and with emotional health issues but they have refused to take up these offers of help and support. Staff offer key-work sessions to all the young people. Some of this work is good but other aspects need to be in more detail and to take place more frequently. General health needs are met well. Necessary appointments are made and kept. One young person with a medical phobia was well supported to get the treatment they needed. Another young person who was taking prescribed medication was referred to the doctor when they were discovered to have taken illegal drugs which

p.6

Good

might react with the prescribed medication. The doctor was able to alter the prescription, and this made sure that the young person didn’t suffer any adverse effects.

p.7

Good

One young person with learning difficulties has been supported to make excellent progress in relation to socialising and understanding how to keep themselves safe during unsupervised free time. Another young person has found stability at the home after a period of unsettled behaviour. One other young person has made good progress in understanding their complex family situation, and this has enabled them to accept the reason why they are living at the home. The experience of living in the home is one of warmth and nurture, and young people are treated as individuals, with respect and care. The young people take part in the planning of their care and contribute to all aspects of their care. They have an influence in the running of the home and there are regular opportunities to contribute their views

p.7

Good

All of the young people are encouraged to take part in activities out in the local community. One young person attends a local drama group and is practising for a forthcoming pantomime performance. Others play at local sports clubs and take part in a range of active and enjoyable pursuits. During the inspection, young people were making requests to go indoor rock climbing and to join a martial arts group. The young people have enjoyed summer holidays of their choice, which included camping and various trips away.

p.7

Good

The staff encourage the young people to practise independence skills. They now have a more formal checklist and programme to ensure that this work gets completed thoroughly. One young person has recently moved to an independent living situation. They were appropriately prepared and continue to be well supported.

p.7

Good

The young people were part of the decision-making process to have free-range chickens in the garden. Some of them enjoy the responsibility and fun of looking after these, and they all get the opportunity to have fresh eggs for breakfast.

p.7

Good

One small activity sums up the atmosphere at the home. The young people are very fond of the registered manager’s friendly dog. They ask for the dog to be brought in, and they are trusted to take the dog out for a walk. The inspector observed both a tired dog and happy, worn-out young people. Judgement grade

p.7

Good

Staff understand risks, assess them well and act on them appropriately. However, one risk assessment for one young person around the risk of self-harm has not been completed robustly, and this requires attention immediately. A requirement has been made to do this.

p.8

Good

Most of the young people at this home have been kept very safe.

p.8

Good

However, the staff accept that they have been unable to keep one young person as safe as they wanted. While they have worked very hard to keep this young person safe and have followed all procedures at all times, the young person has increased the number of times that they have gone missing and has continued to take illegal drugs. This has meant that they have not been safe when they have been out of the home. This young person does have good relationships with the staff, particularly with the registered manager, but they have been unable to deal with past difficulties and so their risk-taking behaviour remains. The young person has been offered extensive support and specialist help but has refused to engage with most of this.

p.8

Good

Other young people rarely go missing, and because of this the risks related to when they are away from the home are reduced.

p.8

Good

The staff use a range of positive incentives to encourage the young people to change and improve their behaviour, and generally this works well. The staff set clear expectations and boundaries for the young people, and these are effective most of the time. This means that few sanctions are required, but when they are imposed the use is appropriate and does have a positive consequence.

p.8

Good

There have been no incidents in relation to the protection of children and young people in the home. One less-serious issue was dealt with appropriately. There have been no concerns around children or young people being put at risk of sexual exploitation. There has been one recorded incident of bullying in the home, which was dealt with quickly and efficiently. There have been squabbles and arguments in the home between the young people but the young people are happy with how these disputes are resolved. There have been no complaints or allegations against staff.

p.8

Good

The home is well maintained and free of any health and safety hazards. Fire checks and drills are carried out when required. Judgement grade

p.8

Outstanding

The registered manager has a great deal of experience and is appropriately qualified. The home’s statement of purpose sets out the aims and objectives, which the staff meet.

p.9

Outstanding

There is no doubt that the registered manager gives the needs of the children and young people the highest priority. She remains committed and enthusiastic about the work, and she is ambitious for all the young people in her care. She understands the daily routines of young people and is able to focus on individual issues as they arise, in addition to maintaining an overview of the home. The young people are making good progress, and this is directly linked to the energy and motivation of the registered manager.

p.9

Outstanding

The staff say that they are well supported by regular supervision and because their training needs are met. Records show that regular, in-depth supervision takes place. All staff are up to date with training refreshers and have a range of additional training opportunities. The staff take a lead from their manager and, in response, support her well.

p.9

Outstanding

The registered manager does a good job of monitoring and reviewing the work at the home. She understands the strengths and weaknesses of the staff team and takes appropriate action to address any shortfalls quickly.

p.9

Outstanding

The registered manager is able and confident. She shares information routinely with others and is quick to provide challenge when a service is required or is not forthcoming. There is clear evidence throughout the records kept that the registered manager and staff contact other professionals for advice and guidance or for additional services when young people need support. The registered manager has a good relationship with her manager, who supports her well.

p.9

Outstanding

There were no requirements or recommendations made at the previous inspection, and only one requirement about risk assessments has been made at this inspection.

p.9

What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against ‘Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection’.

p.10

What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

p.10

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.

p.10

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

p.11

Information about this inspection

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

p.11

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,

p.12

Information about this inspection

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

p.12

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.12

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

p.12