Children's home run by Good Foundations Limited

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’s provision is outstanding because:

 Staff are exceptionally nurturing towards the young people. They enable young people to develop and maintain relationships with them and each other. The relationships among all in the home are characterised by mutual respect and understanding. Young people feel cared about and thrive as they develop trusting relationships with staff.

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The children’s home’s provision is outstanding because:

 A key strength is the homely family atmosphere that exists within the home.

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The children’s home’s provision is outstanding because:

 Staff provide young people with unwavering support and encouragement. Young people have a high sense of achievement in all areas of their lives, and their self-esteem and confidence have increased significantly.

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The children’s home’s provision is outstanding because:

 Staff listen, and are responsive, to young people’s specific needs. Young people feel safe and secure in a stable, nurturing environment.

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The children’s home’s provision is outstanding because:

 The registered manager’s calm and committed leadership, alongside their effective management and dedication to implementing a constructive approach to young people’s care, benefits young people and staff alike.

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The children’s home’s provision is outstanding because:

 Young people’s safety is treated as paramount and, over time, young people begin to take responsibility for their own safety and well-being.

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The children’s home’s provision is outstanding because:

 The home is exceptionally well maintained and attractive. It provides an environment of high quality, which clearly conveys to young people that they are valued and deserve the best.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and provides care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/09/2015 Full Outstanding 19/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 08/10/2014 Full Outstanding

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Outstanding

This is a home in which young people thrive. The excellent relationships are crucial to the extremely positive experiences that young people have living in the home, and the exceptional outcomes they achieve. There are high levels of physical affection, and young people feel nurtured and cared about. A young person described staff as, ‘generous and loving’. Young people say that they are respected by staff and each other. They quickly develop a strong sense of belonging and maintain this throughout their time in the home. These positive relationships provide young people with a sound base from which they grow and develop.

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Outstanding

There is very good attention given to assessing the suitability of any new young people, to ensure that their needs can be met and that they are compatible with the other young people already living at the home. The admission process is extremely well planned for. Staff and young people receive relevant information about any new young person and have the chance to meet them before their planned move takes place. This ensures that the staff and young people living in the home are very well prepared. New young people meet staff and visit the home before their arrival. Young people settle very quickly into daily life in the home and develop trust in the staff and their peers. A young person said, ‘I came to see the house before I came to live here and it felt like home. I can’t believe I have settled so quickly. This is the best place I’ve ever lived.’

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Outstanding

The manager and staff go to exceptional lengths to ensure that young people can express their views so that these are known, understood and, when appropriate, catered for. Young people’s views form the basis for planning their individual care and strategic developments in the home. Young people are confident that the home is operated for them, to meet their needs to a high standard and to help them to progress in their lives. They feel that their views are highly valued. An excellent example of this is the suggestion from young people to make the young people’s guide available as an application for internet-enabled devices. The staff team took this suggestion on board and the guide is now available in both a paper format and an ‘app’ for their smart phones or computer tablets.

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Outstanding

There is excellent support to young people in their learning. They achieve far more than was thought possible, and their school attendance is exceptionally high. For some, who have been out of education for significant periods of time or have had exceptionally poor attendance in the past, this is a significant achievement. A social worker commented ‘[Young person] is now on track to get Cs in GCSE mathematics and English. This is a huge achievement. I am so proud of all the hard work, credit to the staff, they have advocated for them and encouraged them all the way.’ Staff have excellent links to the education placements that young people attend and all staff know, understand and support each young person’s education plan. Educational and other successes mean that young people have developed confidence in their abilities, and their self-esteem has increased. They realise that they can achieve, and this further encourages them to try new and interesting

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Outstanding

things. A headteacher said, ‘The home’s commitment to working with us to improve the education outcomes for young people is, quite frankly, outstanding. They share important information with us and make sure that they are fully included in all decisions for young people.’

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Outstanding

Young people’s health needs are exceptionally well met, and their health improves. For example, staff have supported a young person who previously refused to attend any medical appointments or engage with health professionals. The young person has now attended hospital appointments with staff and this has significantly improved their health. A social worker commented, ‘It’s fantastic, it was always a struggle to get [young person] to go to any health appointment. It’s a testament to the outstanding care they are receiving and the staff’s commitment.’

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Outstanding

There are occasions when young people go missing. Protocols are in place for such events and these are precisely followed by staff to safeguard young people as swiftly as possible. An arrangement is in place for an independent organisation to meet with any young person concerned. This takes place on each occasion and is an opportunity to support young people to understand the risks they may place themselves at and talk to them directly about other support systems in place. This has been effective and missing episodes have decreased significantly.

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Outstanding

Staff are successful in providing a warm, homely and stable environment, where young people flourish and make considerable progress. Through consistent nurturing from staff, young people develop trust in the adults who care for them. Young people who previously had difficulties in making positive relationships are now experiencing constructive interactions with staff and peers. They are better able to participate in group activities, widening their social experiences and gaining self-confidence and appropriate social skills. For one young person, this has meant a significant reduction in being missing from home. The young person commented, ‘This is the first time I have felt that I live in a real home, not like a children’s home, but like a real family home. I used to go missing every day but now I have somewhere I like being and I don’t go missing.’

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Outstanding

Young people report that they feel safe living in the home. One said, ‘They (staff) keep us very safe, ‘cos they care,’ and ‘We are the safest we have ever been, living in here.’ Their confidence stems from their knowledge that staff know them very well and respond to their specific needs. Detailed and comprehensive care plans, with a focus on young people’s emotional needs, guide staff to provide targeted support.

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Outstanding

All members of staff have been trained in recognising the signs of child sexual exploitation and radicalisation. They know that young people in the home are especially vulnerable and are alert to potential threats, especially with regard to internet usage and risks should the young people go missing. Staff also share this knowledge with young people in key-working sessions and in group discussions. This means that they are not complacent and that young people’s safety remains at the forefront of staff practice.

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Outstanding

Care plans and assessments form the basis for frequent key-work sessions. These promote young people’s development well. Managers review plans frequently, ensuring that the focus remains relevant to young people’s needs.

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Outstanding

Individualised risk assessments demonstrate that staff fully understand the risks associated with each young person. Appropriate measures, with clear guidance for staff, are in place to protect young people from harm. The trusting relationships, and the depth of understanding of each young person’s emotional needs, reduce the necessity for physical intervention when young people become distressed or anxious. As a result, physical intervention is not used within the home. Alternative strategies, based on a nurturing approach, are proving successful. It was pleasing to see that the young people’s rewards for good behaviour significantly outnumber the consequences set for negative behaviour.

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Outstanding

Medication, when used, is safely stored and carefully administered. Detailed records of medication are routinely checked for accuracy. This ensures that any errors are quickly identified and promptly resolved.

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Outstanding

Young people report that they have not made any complaints. However, they said that they know that staff listen to them and would take action following any complaint should they make one. This reassures them that their safety is of the highest priority.

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Outstanding

Robust recruitment processes protect young people from unsuitable adults working with them. All checks on prospective employees are completed before they start working at the home. Health and safety checks are up to date. Appropriate fire safety measures are routinely applied, so the home is a safe and welcoming place to live.

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Outstanding

The manager has significant experience in residential care as a manager and practitioner, and she is qualified to level 5. She demands high standards of care and performance from members of staff and is ambitious for the young people in her care. Young people benefit significantly from her calm and committed leadership, effective management and dedication to implementing and embedding a consistent and compassionate approach to their care. Staff mirror her approach, communicating in a responsive, measured manner, creating a stable and relaxed atmosphere. They are committed to providing a stable family environment where young people receive consistent care, fulfil their potential and advance their life chances.

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Outstanding

The staff team is of a high calibre and has a total commitment to improving the lives of the young people it works with. Staff are passionate about this and the young people they work with are fully supported to turn their lives around. A young person said, ‘They are compassionate, loving and kind.’ A social worker said, ‘It’s been a massive turnaround in his behaviour, I cannot give enough credit to the tremendous work carried out by staff.’

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Outstanding

Monitoring is effective. Issues arising from the manager’s and external person’s monitoring, and through inspection, mean that the manager has a good understanding of the strengths and areas for development. She is quick to address issues that arise. Additionally, exceptional care is given to ensure that young people and others are able to express their views about life in the home and that this is used in planning and development. The manager is very involved in the care planning for young people and knows them all extremely well. She makes sure that young people are involved in their own plans. This allows young people’s hopes and wishes for their futures to be central to the planning.

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Outstanding

The manager and deputy manager encourage staff to reflect continually on their day-to-day practice by using a ‘questions to ask yourself’ board, which is used to measure the work carried out against the quality standards. This is an excellent, innovative way of working as it also captures the voices of the young people, as they are encouraged to put their own thoughts on the board. This is an exceptional way of involving young people in their day-to-day care and allows their progress to be measured.

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Outstanding

Key-worker sessions are used very effectively. Records are exemplary, with up-to- date accurate information, and all outcomes are clearly presented. Records show that the issues that young people have raised, as well as those brought by members of staff, are acted upon and clear actions and outcomes are recorded, to ensure that all suggestions and ideas brought forward are addressed.

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Outstanding

Staff who have not yet achieved the level 3 diploma are working towards this qualification. In addition to comprehensive training, the registered manager and deputy manager provide continuous support for staff through regular, formal supervision and informal day-to-day support. A member of staff commented, ‘I cannot fault the managers, they are always there for us.’ Records of staff supervision and appraisal show that the registered manager maintains high standards of care for young people, helps staff reflect on their practice and ensures that they have targets to improve performance.

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Outstanding

The home has appropriate systems in place to notify Ofsted and other relevant bodies of significant events that occur within the home or with young people. This ensures that those with an interest in young people’s welfare are kept appropriately informed.

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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 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

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

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Information about this inspection

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

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