Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Blackburn with Darwen

Good

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

p.2

The children’s home provision is good because:

 Young people make consistently good progress in many areas, often from difficult starting points.  Young people enjoy warm and stable relationships with staff. They share positive relationships with each other.  Staff have a good understanding of risks to young people’s safety and well- being, and are aware of the measures required to keep them safe.  Staff have a good understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and are confident to report any concerns to the appropriate people.  The registered manager and staff respond in a robust manner and work closely with other agencies when young people are missing from home.  Young people respond well to the firm daily structures and routines of the home. They engage in education and a range of fulfilling activities.  The registered manager and staff support young people to manage their behaviours in a positive way. Positive behaviour is strongly promoted, and

p.3

The children’s home provision is good because:

incidents of restraint and consequences are minimal.  Young people are encouraged to share their views and express their concerns. Staff listen and take action in response to young people’s requests.  Staff are carefully recruited, and are provided with ongoing training and support to aid their development.  A stable staff team means that young people benefit from consistent care and support.  The home is well led by a registered manager who constantly monitors quality and safety across all aspects of the service and recognises areas for development.  The feedback from parents of young people and placing social workers is consistently positive. They report confidence in the service and feel that young people’s needs are well met.

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: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure— (2)(a) that staff— vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. 25/11/2016

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)  The registered person should have a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce-related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). The plan should: – detail the necessary management and staffing structure (including any staff commissioned to provide health and education), the experience and qualifications of staff currently working within the staffing

p.4

Recommendations

structure and any further training required for those staff, to enable the delivery of the home’s statement of purpose; – detail the processes and agreed timescales for staff to achieve induction, probation and any core training (such as safeguarding, health and safety and mandatory qualifications); – detail the process for managing and improving poor performance; – detail the process and timescales for supervision of practice (see regulation 33(4)(b)) and keep appropriate records for staff in the home. The plan should be updated to include any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working at the home, and used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional development needs of staff – including the home’s manager. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

p.4

Information about this children’s home

The home is located in a rural area. The home is registered to accommodate up to five young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities. The home is owned by a private organisation.

p.6

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 23/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 04/01/2016 Full Good 28/01/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness 09/09/2014 Full Good

p.6

Good

Young people who live at this home receive good-quality care that is based on their individual needs and wishes. Young people speak highly of the care and support that they receive. One young person commented, ‘I wouldn’t change anything about this home. I would keep it just how it is.’ A parent said, ‘I cannot praise them [staff] enough. I am extremely happy with the way that my son is cared for. They most definitely meet his needs.’

p.7

Good

Young people benefit from a consistent staff team, which means that they are enabled to build trusted and secure relationships with their carers. Young people were observed interacting with staff, and it was evident that they felt comfortable and relaxed in their presence. Young people feel able to talk with staff if they are troubled or have a concern. One young person said, ‘If I am bothered about something, I will just tell them. They will help me.’ A parent commented that her son had a great relationship with staff and felt that he could talk about his feelings.

p.7

Good

There have been no changes since the last inspection in terms of the young people who live at the home. The young people share positive relationships and enjoy taking part in activities with each other. Negative incidents between the young people are extremely rare. This demonstrates that young people have experienced some stability and have had the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with each other.

p.7

Good

Young people have made significant progress in a number of areas from the point of their admission to the home. They respond well to the clear structures and boundaries in place and engage positively in the wide variety of activities available.

p.7

Good

The home has an on-site school which all the young people attend. For some young people, their attendance is 100% and it is their first experience of attending education on a regular basis. There is extremely close liaison between the staff at the home and teaching staff. Meetings take place at several points throughout the day, during which young people’s progress is discussed, as well as any issues that have occurred. A member of teaching staff commented that these arrangements worked extremely well and felt that staff at the home were very supportive of the young people’s educational needs and achievements.

p.7

Good

Young people are strongly encouraged to take part in meaningful and fulfilling activities. They have access to a wide variety of activities such as swimming, climbing, running and football. Some young people have also engaged in community activities with organisations such as the Prince’s Trust and enjoyed camping trips with staff. They have gained new skills and, in some cases, found particular talents which are being encouraged. This supports the young people’s sense of pride and achievement.

p.7

Good

The registered manager and staff show strong ambition for the young people in their care and are extremely supportive of their achievements. Staff were observed to encourage young people constantly and congratulate them on their positive behaviour. The clear target and reward system in place at the home helps young people to set goals and to focus on reaching them. A parent said: ‘They encourage him so much in everything. He has done so well. He has had the odd blip, but they always get him back on track.’

p.8

Good

The registered manager and staff ensure that each young person has a comprehensive healthcare plan in place. This addresses any specific healthcare needs, as well as the need to ensure that regular routine healthcare is provided, such as dental care and periodic eye checks. Staff encourage young people to lead healthy, active lifestyles. Education in relation to healthy eating and regular exercise is ongoing. One young person has been supported to access smoking cessation services.

p.8

Good

A social worker described the home as ‘caring’ and ‘nurturing.’ This was also the view of a parent, who commented that staff provided her son with ‘sensitive’ support and encouraged him to be open about his feelings. The care plan and progression reports of one young person described how he had been supported in his emotional development to such an extent that he had chosen to give up a long- term comforter. The registered manager had worked with another young person, supporting him to manage feelings of anger and frustration through sport. The young person had responded well to this.

p.8

Good

Young people are encouraged to share their views about their own care and the general running of the home. We saw that one young person had recently spoken to staff about his wish to have some regularly prescribed medication reduced. The staff member had quickly responded by making arrangements for the young person to speak to his GP. This demonstrates that young people are listened to and their views acted upon.

p.8

Good

Young people are regularly consulted on a day-to-day basis, as well as through the weekly young people’s meeting. Young people were observed taking part in a young people’s meeting. They all engaged fully and expressed their views on a number of areas. Young people contributed to menu planning and the scheduling of activities. Time was also spent acknowledging young people’s achievements of the week and congratulating them. This was a very positive meeting that was clearly enjoyed by the young people. Judgement grade

p.8

Good

The registered manager and staff prioritise the needs of young people. They demonstrate commitment to maintaining their safety and protecting them from harm. A parent commented: ‘Carers are really committed to the care that they afford my son. Since he joined the home, his risk has been reduced.’

p.9

Good

The staff team has a clear understanding of safeguarding practice. Training is provided on how to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns, and is regularly updated. The registered manager and staff work closely with external agencies, such as the local authority and police, to ensure that any concerns are dealt with effectively. This helps to protect the safety and well-being of young people.

p.9

Good

A complaint that raised possible safeguarding concerns was recently raised. The registered manager immediately referred this to the appropriate agencies and was instructed to carry out an internal investigation. The registered manager completed the investigation in an appropriate manner. However, records of some aspects of the investigation were unclear and were not maintained in line with the service’s own safeguarding procedures. This failure to follow procedures could result in future shortfalls in safeguarding practice and, as such, compromises the safety and well-being of young people.

p.9

Good

The registered manager and staff have a good understanding of young people’s needs. They are aware of the risks to young people’s safety and well-being, and how to keep them safe. Young people’s progress is carefully monitored and any changes in risks to their safety are identified and addressed by clear strategies. This helps to ensure that staff have the information that they need to support young people in a safe and effective manner.

p.9

Good

There is a strong emphasis on helping young people to manage their own safety and make wise decisions. In some cases, this work has been successful and there has been a notable reduction in the high-risk behaviours of some young people. A parent commented: ‘I feel that he is much safer living there. He thinks things through more now. He thinks about consequences and talks to staff about how he is feeling.’

p.9

Good

There have been several instances of young people being missing or absent from the home since the last inspection. For some young people, these incidents have been reduced significantly, but, for others, there are ongoing concerns in this area. Clear risk assessments are in place for all young people, as well as clear, individualised protocols that provide guidance for staff on how to respond if a young person is missing. Staff maintain very clear chronological records detailing the action that they have taken when a young person is missing. These records demonstrate that the registered manager and staff work closely with other agencies, including the police, and, when appropriate, the family of the young person. Attempts to contact or search for missing young people are made several times each day and the situation is reviewed daily until their return.

p.9

Good

Ongoing work is carried out with young people in relation to the dangers of being absent from their home. In some cases, this work has been successful. For example, one young person will now speak with the registered manager if he feels that he may be tempted to leave. On their return, young people are provided with support and encouraged to reflect on the circumstances of their ‘missing’ episode. The registered manager ensures that young people are offered the opportunity to meet with an external professional so that they can raise any concerns that they may have about the home. However, clearer records of this process should be maintained to help to ensure that all possible support is provided at the correct time.

p.10

Good

The registered manager and staff constantly reflect on how they manage the risks of young people being missing from the home. Due to its location, the home is often chosen to accommodate young people who are at high risk of going missing, and, as such, reviews of how these risks are being managed are constantly ongoing. Recent changes to arrangements within the home include the relocation of the staff office, which has enabled staff to have a more visible presence, and alterations to some young people’s day-to-day activities to help to maintain their safety.

p.10

Good

The registered manager and staff have a positive approach towards behaviour management. Clear information is in place for each young person that describes any potential behaviours and how these should be managed. Staff are confident and competent in supporting young people in crisis. However, such situations rarely occur. One staff member commented: ‘We know all the young people so well. We know any potential triggers and we can almost always de-escalate a situation before it reaches crisis point.’

p.10

Good

Incidents requiring physical intervention are minimal. For some young people, the reduction in such incidents from the point when they came to the home is remarkable. When incidents of this nature do occur, they are carefully analysed by the registered manager to ensure that any potential learning can be identified. This helps to protect young people from any inappropriate restraint.

p.10

Good

There is a strong emphasis on rewarding positive behaviour. Staff support young people to set very clear targets, and incentives are offered to encourage them to meet them. Young people respond very well to these arrangements and the firm structures at the home. Young people frequently display positive behaviour, and receive rewards and congratulations on a regular basis. This helps them to learn how to manage their own behaviours and gives them a sense of pride and achievement.

p.10

Good

The registered manager ensures that young people are provided with safe accommodation and that the surrounding environment is safe. Regular safety checks are carried out on facilities and equipment, such as fire safety equipment. Health and safety audits take place on a periodic basis, and this helps to ensure that all areas of the home are safely maintained. This helps to protect young people’s safety and well-being.

p.11

Good

The registered manager ensures that all staff are carefully recruited. Candidates are required to undergo a range of background checks prior to being offered employment. This reduces the risk of young people coming into contact with people of unsuitable character and, as such, protects their safety and well-being.

p.11

Good

The home is managed by a suitably experienced and qualified registered manager. The registered manager is supported by an experienced deputy, who also holds a level 5 leadership and management qualification. The registered manager reports that a good level of support and supervision is provided to him by his line manager.

p.11

Good

The registered manager confirms that he is provided with ample resources to provide a safe, effective service. The home is generally well maintained and very well equipped with facilities to enhance the day-to-day lives of young people. Ongoing investment in the property is evident in the recent addition of a separate education facility and major works to the grounds. There has been an ongoing problem with access to the home due to the poor condition of the access road. The underlying cause of this issue has now been identified and a permanent repair is arranged for the near future.

p.11

Good

The home’s statement of purpose is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that it continues to reflect the aims and objectives of the service. The document is well detailed and provides a good level of information to young people, their families and external professionals.

p.11

Good

The home’s management team demonstrates a strong commitment to ensuring that young people’s needs are prioritised. It is evident that the registered manager fully engages with the young people and has a full understanding of their needs. Young people were observed interacting positively with the registered manager and regularly seeking him out to discuss various issues.

p.11

Good

The registered manager constantly monitors each young person’s progress across all aspects of their life. Young people’s care plans and risk management plans are regularly reviewed to ensure that they reflect their changing needs. To assist in this process, a new form of progression reporting has recently been introduced. It was noted that not all staff were using this system to its full effect and that there were some gaps in progression reporting. The registered manager has recognised this issue and is carrying out ongoing work with staff to address it. Clearer progression reporting will help to ensure that young people’s changing needs are addressed.

p.11

Good

The low turnover of staff at the home results in a stable and consistent staff team. This means that young people receive their care from staff who know them well and understand their needs.

p.12

Good

Staff report that they feel well supported by the registered manager and feel able to express their views or raise concerns. One staff member commented: ‘There is a lot of openness here. There has to be, because we are caring for such complex young people. We all need to be able to share concerns and say if we think that something should be done differently.’

p.12

Good

There is a comprehensive training programme for all staff. This includes a range of mandatory training, such as on safeguarding, positive behaviour management and protecting young people in areas such as radicalisation, being missing from home and sexual exploitation. Clearer processes for recording training and workforce development planning would enable the registered manager to monitor the area more effectively, and identify any gaps or overdue refresher training.

p.12

Good

Over half of the staff team holds nationally recognised qualifications in caring for young people, and the remainder of the staff are in the process of obtaining them. Weekly staff meetings take place, followed by a group learning session. This gives staff the opportunity to refresh their knowledge in a specific area and also to reflect on their practice. Recent examples of areas covered in the staff learning sessions include whistleblowing and recording information. This positive approach to staff development helps to ensure that staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide young people with safe and effective care.

p.12

Good

The registered manager and staff work in a positive manner with other agencies. Social workers express satisfaction with the service and the manner in which the registered manager and staff communicate with them. One social worker commented: ‘To the credit of the carers at the home, they are both professional and extremely caring. On visits, I find them knowledgeable and extremely competent. I also feel reassured that they have the best interest of X at heart and provide him with great care.’ This positive joint working helps to ensure that young people receive well-planned and coordinated care.

p.12

Good

There are systems in place to monitor the quality and safety of the service provided at the home. These include monthly visits by an external professional, during which various aspects of the service are assessed and recommendations for improvement are made, when appropriate. These reports demonstrate that the manager takes appropriate action in response to the reports by addressing the issues that are raised. This means that young people benefit from a constantly improving service.

p.12

Good

The registered manager demonstrates awareness of the strengths of the service and clear understanding of the areas to be developed. For example, much reflection has taken place in response to the recent incidents of young people being missing from the home to explore if any further action can be taken to reduce further incidents of this nature. As a result, some changes have been actioned, including the relocation of the staff office to a more visible area.

p.13

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’. 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

p.14

What the inspection judgements mean

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 harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

p.14

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

p.15

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 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.15

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 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.16

Information about this inspection

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

p.16

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.16

Information about this inspection

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

p.16