Children's home run by Northamptonshire County Council in West Northamptonshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff at this home have been trained in and continue to develop skills in multisystemic therapy and family integrated transitions (MST-FIT). They provide interventions to support young people to change their behaviours and work in conjunction with therapists and social workers. This work is enabling children and young people to make progress, in some cases exceptional progress, and return to live at home or in foster care.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Admissions to the home are well planned and carefully matched with existing residents. Managers ensure that they have as much information as possible prior to admission and careful consideration is given to allocating key workers. This is important as the MST-FIT work is a time-limited intervention. Staff have developed strong skills in supporting young people to settle quickly. They engage young people in group and individual work and build nurturing and trusting relationships from the start.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is a well maintained, comfortable, and safe environment. Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own rooms and are supported to do their own laundry where appropriate. They also help to prepare meals. In this way, they are developing independence skills. There is an activity room that has recently been refurbished in consultation with the young people and provides access to IT equipment. This is a ‘no smoking’ home where young people are supported to stop smoking. Their health is improving as a result. The home has up-to-date information for young people about making complaints, children’s rights and advocacy services. Bedrooms have been refurbished since the last inspection. The home is a child-centred environment with a positive, welcoming atmosphere.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people move on in a planned way. Staff recognise that, for some, returning home or moving on to a foster placement can be daunting. They are sensitive and supportive. Depending on each young person’s wishes, staff often continue some contact following the move.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are encouraged and supported to develop new interests. Staff work with them to identify activities and interests that can be maintained when the young person leaves the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers ensure that young people’s established arrangements for training, education and employment are maintained in order to support a successful return home. They are proactive in advocating for young people where these arrangements are not firmly in place. Staff have attended and contributed to education planning meetings and have actively progressed young people’s plans. Since the last inspection, young people have taken examinations and have started vocational courses before returning to live at home or moving to foster placements.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are developing a range of skills within their MST group sessions. Young people reduce their risk-taking behaviours because they learn new skills to manage their emotional responses and build more positive relationships with their families. There are few incidents of young people going missing or leaving the home without permission. Concerns regarding substance misuse and vulnerability to exploitative relationships are also reduced. When there are concerns, staff follow safeguarding procedures promptly. They share information with partner agencies and families to ensure the safety and welfare of the young person. One of the interventions that staff are trained to use involves reviewing, with the young person, events and feelings that led to a concerning behaviour. Young people have found this useful in thinking about the impact and consequences of their behaviours.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, arrangements for three-weekly reviews of each young person’s progress have been embedded. This means that progress in repairing relationships is assessed regularly. Any barriers are identified and addressed in a timely way.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation was made at the last inspection to ensure that there was information for young people about peer friendships and appropriate relationships within the home. This has been addressed. Young people now receive a welcome pack prior to admission. The welcome pack includes a clear statement about positive relationships and this is reinforced in key-worker sessions and in young people’s meetings.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers implement clear, consistent boundaries to safeguard young people. From the start, young people contribute to their placement plans. This includes them giving their views on assessments of risks and on behaviour management plans. There is a detailed, explicit agreement with each young person about rewards and consequences. Records evidence that the comments and plans put forward by staff are signed by young people. Key-worker sessions include an analysis of the session by the key worker and a record of any agreed actions. One young person said: ‘I believe I have gained self-confidence over time. I am also improving in asserting myself, changing the way I ask for things, and improving my listening skills.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Contracts are agreed with young people about the use of mobile phones and social media sites. These contracts are further evidence of good practice in safeguarding. Expectations about the contracts are well explained prior to young people moving in to the home and are consistently applied by staff.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff and managers in this home have excellent partnership working arrangements with professionals, particularly case responsible social workers and therapists working with families. This supports plans for young people to return home. Staff are also proactive in ensuring that there is increasing contact between young people and their families and friends. A professional said: ‘Staff have a clear understanding of this young person’s needs and are progressing her care plan. They have excellent communication and working relationships with family and the social worker. This means any difficulties can be addressed immediately.’

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is experienced and is undertaking a relevant management qualification. The work undertaken by staff contributes to the development of evidence-based outcomes for children, young people and families, when the MST model of intervention is being applied. The management team are reviewing quality assurance mechanisms, including supervision and team meeting arrangements, to ensure these are robust. Staff report that they are supported and have opportunities to develop ideas to improve practice. The manager responds effectively to recommendations made by the independent visitor. The quality and effectiveness of the reports would be enhanced by ensuring that visits take place when young people are present in the home and can contribute to them. A recommendation is made to address this.

p.4

Information about this children’s home

This local authority home is registered to provide care for up to seven children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/09/2016 Full Good 10/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 16/09/2015 Full Good 18/06/2014 Full Good

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:

p.6

Recommendations

Any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

p.6

What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the ‘Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection’.

p.7

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.7

Information about this inspection

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 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.7

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.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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.8

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.8