Children's home run by Pathfinders (childcare) Limited in Rochdale

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.

p.2

The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people live in a happy, family-style home in which they have good relationships with their staff. They have made significant progress in all aspects of their development. Young people‟s education attendance has significantly increased since their admission, they have developed self- confidence and self-esteem, and they participate in community activities and charity events.  A particular strength at this home is the wide range of evidence to demonstrate how young people are at the centre of care practice. Staff regularly consult young people, gaining their views in relation to their care and the running of the home. Consequently, young people‟s self-confidence and self-esteem have increased.  Staff have used consistent approaches to support the young people through a difficult period. This has proved successful, and young people are managing their behaviour in a more positive manner. Risk-taking behaviour,

p.3

The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

such as going missing from the home, has diminished.  Managers and staff are highly proactive and child focused. Multi-agency working ensures that young people are provided with the right level of support, providing a collective approach to meeting specific care needs.  The manager has exceptional oversight of the home. She has high expectations of her staff, and inspires them to link research to practice to ensure that young people receive highly individualised care and achieve the best outcomes possible.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This home is one of a number that are owned and managed by a private company. It provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/07/2015 Full Good 10/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 07/08/2014 Full Good

p.4

Outstanding

Young people live in a welcoming, nurturing family-style home. Staff encourage young people to personalise their bedrooms and participate in decisions about the running of the home and the decor. Young people are relaxed and happy in their environment, where they enjoy warm and trusting relationships with staff who fully support young people to come to terms with the traumas of their past. This has resulted in young people developing resilience and increased self-confidence and self-esteem. These components have contributed to them developing a sense of security and belonging. An independent reviewing officer said, „[Name] is settled and enjoys living at the home, where she has gained in confidence.‟

p.5

Outstanding

Young people have strong attachments to staff, who they describe as „amazing‟. They settle quickly and are flourishing in an environment that has clear structures and routines in place. They are welcoming towards visitors, and converse in a lively and friendly manner. Young people who are relatively new to the home make positive relationships with staff and the young people who live there. Staff make every effort to get to know them, are genuinely interested in them and care about them. A young person said, „I get on with [name] most of the time, but sometimes we can argue a bit, but that‟s normal. I love it here and I want to stay here.‟

p.5

Outstanding

Staff value young people‟s education and expect them to attend and achieve. Young people are making excellent progress in their individual education provision. Some young people are attending college and some, who had sporadic school attendance prior to coming to the home, are now attending almost full time. Staff support them with their learning and help with homework, if required. Staff ensure that they settle into the school routine and benefit from a positive learning experience. They link with education staff and psychologists, arranging and attending multi-agency meetings to ensure that young people are provided with other opportunities that will enhance their learning opportunities and emotional needs. Staff have sourced equine therapy, for example. A psychologist said, „ The home achieves a balance between supporting [name] to undertake the activities that she wants to do, while encouraging her into ones that she would like to do but

p.5

Outstanding

The staff team is committed to learning new skills to achieve better outcomes for young people. They have an excellent knowledge of the young people‟s individual needs and are not daunted by setbacks. They are persistent in their efforts to support young people to achieve. They utilise young people‟s talents and interests to encourage and engage them to reach their goals, for example encouraging young people who have a passion for animals to visit the local farm and care for them. This teaches young people about having responsibilities, which prepares them for adulthood and also helps them to feel a sense of calm. A young person said, „I love animals, and staff have got me an amazing day with the horses and pigs, and I love it.‟

p.5

Outstanding

Young people‟s views and wishes are at the heart of the home. There is a wealth of evidence to demonstrate the significant progress that young people make. Some young people are learning skills such as budgeting, and they are in the process of buying items to take to their new home in preparation for independence. They have attended residential courses and have written a curriculum vitae for future jobs. An independent reviewing officer said, „The home is very committed to [name]. Staff go “over and above” to keep her in a routine and support her for future transition.‟

p.6

Outstanding

Staff support young people to participate in weekly meetings and key-work sessions which provide opportunities to discuss topics, such as planning their future and keeping safe. Staff encourage young people to participate in community activities such as „Racefor Life‟ and water polo. Some young people have been involved in selling raffle tickets for a donkey sanctuary and have received a letter to thank them for their hard work. Young people are encouraged and supported to attend review meetings. Staff support them so that they are well prepared for these events by writing lists of questions to prompt them about issues that they want to discuss with other professionals. This proactive approach has increased self-confidence and afforded them a sense of control over their future plans. A psychologist commented, „Staff are very supportive of encouraging [name]‟s views. They have recently encouraged her to attend an advocacy event, where she was in

p.6

Outstanding

Staff are appropriately trained in safeguarding and have a comprehensive understanding of their roles and responsibilities in keeping young people safe. Strong methods are followed in response to any arising allegations, suspicion of abuse or unsafe practice. The manager has implemented trigger plans for young people who are at risk of going missing, assaulting staff or refusing to allow staff to keep them safe. These plans have been agreed by placing authorities and police Maddison officers to ensure that there is a clear expectation and understanding of how each discipline will work. Consequently, there has been a reduction in young people going absent from the home. A psychologist said, „Staff keep [name] safe. Her safety is the staff‟s priority. [Name] has not run away from staff for a while, because she knows that she can talk to them if she is frustrated.‟ Staff are creative and resourceful in devising ways to support and encourage young people to

p.6

Outstanding

manage their behaviour in a safe environment with clear consistent boundaries. They source tools such as emotion cards to help young people to communicate their feelings when they are feeling sad or anxious, for example. They establish young people‟s individual likes, dislikes, hobbies and interests. They regularly review these plans and strategies to ensure that they are effective and take into account the views and experiences of young people. A young person said, „I used to run from staff because I was angry about things. I found out that I could talk to them. I trust them all and talk to them if I feel upset or, if I don‟t want to talk, I can use my emotion cards that tell staff how I am feeling.‟

p.6

Outstanding

Staff are highly proactive in their attempts to locate young people when they go missing from the home. They search for them, looking in favourite locations and places where they are likely to be. They immediately escalate their concerns with the host authority, placing authority, police and parents. Young people have individual plans in place to reduce these risks and keep themselves safe. When young people return to the home, they are provided with independent interviews. This gives young people a good opportunity to discuss any issues or concerns. Records of these incidents are clear and evaluative, and give staff a good understanding of the triggers of these behaviours and the opportunity to plan strategies to reduce the risk of young people repeating this behaviour. A psychologist said, „Staff have created an environment that has supported these risks to be drastically reduced.‟

p.7

Outstanding

Staff have strong links with the police community support officer, who regularly visits the home to maintain positive relationships with young people. The manager and staff are also proactive in communicating with the home‟s local area safeguarding officer, placing authorities and other professionals to highlight any safeguarding issues. They contribute fully to planning and reviewing strategies that assist young people to achieve positive outcomes. An independent reviewing officer said, „The home is very proactive and quick to contact me if there are any issues or incidents.‟

p.7

Outstanding

The home has been through a turbulent time. Some young people who are new to the home have caused significant damage to furniture, and some staff have been injured during these incidents. Staff have demonstrated commitment and competence in identifying triggers of behaviour, and understand when situations in young people‟s lives may cause them to react in a negative way, for example ongoing court cases with the potential to heighten frustration and anxiety. Staff support young people to manage their behaviour and feelings safely. They work compassionately with these young people and ensure that they have ample opportunity to talk about any worries and anxieties. A psychologist said: „Staff support [name] with strategies and work on helping her to regulate her emotions. They show her nurture, and [name] is learning that her behaviour is separate to who she is as a person.‟

p.7

Outstanding

Staff employed at the home are subject to organisational vetting procedures and do not start work in the home until all appropriate checks are complete. All fire, gas and electrical equipment is routinely serviced to ensure that it is in good working order. This ensures that young people are protected from people who may present a risk to them and that their environment is safe.

p.7

Outstanding

The registered manager has been in post since April 2010. She has the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to deliver strong leadership and management to an exceedingly driven and committed staff team. She is especially child focused, confident and proactive, and has a thorough understanding of the individual needs of the young people. She is supported by an experienced shift leader who, at the time of the inspection, was running the home effectively in the absence of the registered manager.

p.8

Outstanding

The manager oversees young people‟s progress and is able to demonstrate the positive influence that the home has on the young people living there. She has developed positive relationships with the young people and she clearly enjoys spending time with them on an individual basis, such as going out for tea and to the cinema. This method provides the manager with good opportunities to obtain young people‟s views and opinions on their care, find out how they are doing, and offer appropriate advice and support. Young people confirm that they look forward to this experience and regularly ask her views in relation to day-to-day issues, because they enjoy her company and value her opinions. A young person said of the manager: „She‟s brilliant, and I love spending time with her.‟

p.8

Outstanding

Care planning is of a high standard and is designed to meet the individual needs of the young people. The manager regularly monitors and reviews the progress and development of the young people, enabling her to monitor patterns and trends. This means that she can take immediate action to address any identified areas of concern. Young people‟s plans are clear and have been developed particularly to include the experiences and needs of young people. Staff consistently follow these plans to ensure that young people are supported and encouraged to reach their full potential and are well prepared for their future.

p.8

Outstanding

The staff team is experienced, stable and competent to deliver excellent care to young people and their families. Staff highly value their manager and receive regular supervision and appraisal which focus on their professional development and the progress that young people make. Compulsory training is up to date, and staff have completed training in relation to child sexual exploitation. The manager has also arranged preventing radicalisation training with the local police. This has assisted staff to identify and understand the associated risks, and to take appropriate action to ensure that young people obtain the required support to keep them safe. The manager utilises individual staff‟s strengths and provides opportunities to link research to practice. This helps staff to understand why specific methods are implemented for certain behaviours. Professionals from other agencies, such as Salford therapeutic advisory and referral looked after children (STARLAC), are

p.8

Outstanding

invited to staff team meetings each month. This forum provides good opportunities for staff to gain advice, and to discuss and develop new strategies to help and support young people with their emotions. A psychologist said, „I have been impressed by the manager and staff, and their ability to reflect on and think of [name] from a psychological perspective. The staff fully engage with the sessions.‟

p.9

Outstanding

The home works collaboratively with placing authorities, education staff, police and psychologists. These links are effective in promoting a multidisciplinary approach to meeting young people‟s specific needs. Staff share information with these agencies to ensure that young people are afforded optimum life chances. An independent reviewing officer said: ‟I am provided with a helpful and comprehensive report at each of [name]‟s review meeting. The management appears to be good, in terms of ensuring that information is trickled down.‟

p.9

Outstanding

The registered manager regularly reviews the home‟s premises to ensure that the home is appropriately located. She consults several agencies, such as the police, to ensure that any known risks are identified. This enables staff to educate young people on areas that might not be safe. This document includes risks to young people in relation to sexual exploitation and radicalisation, which assists staff in ensuring that any potential risks to young people are reduced.

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‟. 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.10

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.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 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 0300 123 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, 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.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

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

p.12