Children's home run by Reflexion Care Group Limited in Shropshire

Good

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

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The young person has made significant changes in her lifestyle because of the nurturing approach of the staff team.  The young person has high aspirations for her future. Staff drive her ambition and support her to achieve her goals.  Behaviour is managed extremely well. The young person demonstrates a marked improvement in reducing behaviour that once made her vulnerable.  The young person is safe and happy living at the home.  Incidents of missing from care are a rare occurrence. The use of physical intervention has reduced significantly.  The young person has made positive changes, resulting in increased fitness and improved health.  Staff are valued and receive excellent support from the manager and the team.  Partnership working and communication with external services are highly effective.  There are some areas identified for improvement. These include updating the statement of purpose, consents for the use of bedroom door alarms,

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The children's home provision is good because:

medication record keeping, and advocacy service and environment risk assessments.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

7. The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the children's views, wishes and feelings standard, with particular reference to advocacy, the registered person must ensure that each child:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(b)(iii) is given appropriate advocacy support. 28/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

12. The protection of children standard.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular reference to the premises, the registered person must ensure that:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(d) the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. 28/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b)) 28/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring and surveillance of children if, so far as is reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance. (Regulation 24 (1)(c)) 28/02/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure staff are familiar with the home's policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Information about this children's home

This privately operated children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person who has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 23/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 11/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 19/11/2014 Full Adequate 09/01/2014 Interim Satisfactory progress

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Good

The young person receives one-to-one support from skilled and knowledgeable staff. This high level of support ensures that the young person is cared for in line with her care plan. As a result, the young person makes good progress in relation to her start point. A social worker said, ‘This is a really good placement. She has made good progress. Relationships are strong, trusting and respectful.’ The young person said, ‘Staff are really good and hard working. They push me to do things. I feel really close to the staff.’

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Good

Staff communicate effectively with the young person. Daily engagement takes place that gives the young person the opportunity to discuss her views. Staff listen and, in most cases, meet requests. For example, the young person asked for a mobile phone during a house meeting. Although this took some time to negotiate, a phone was eventually provided. As a result, the young person feels valued and listened to. The young person does not currently have an advocate. Despite the efforts of the manager, working in close partnership with the social worker to find an advocate, at the time of the inspection there was no advocate identified. This has an impact on the young person having an independent voice, particularly around her wishes and feelings.

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Good

Staff communicate well with external professionals. In a survey response to Ofsted a staff member said: ‘Communication is extremely important. It allows information to be shared within a team and to other professional organisations. This ensures that everyone involved with the child is aware of what is current to that child.’ As a result, the young person remains central to the care she receives.

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Good

The young person has high aspirations for her future. She said, ‘I go to the evolution centre and am doing my GCSEs. I am doing my silver art award in music production. I really want to get my GCSEs.’ As a result, the young person’s attendance and achievements improve her learning. A headteacher also confirmed that the young person has made a remarkable improvement since living at the home. The headteacher said, ‘She wants to do well and make everyone proud of her. Academically she is doing really well, considering how much time she has missed out of education, due to placement moves.’

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Good

Staff constantly promote healthy living. They are good role models for the young person. Since moving to the home the young person no longer smokes, drinks alcohol or uses drugs. This is a significant change in her lifestyle from her start point. The young person, when asked to identify what was the best thing about living at the home said, ‘Getting off drugs. I do not miss them. I do not smoke now.’ This means that the young person takes responsibility and action to improve her health. A staff member said, ‘She is fit and well. She has tried the gym.’

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Good

Medication arrangements for storage are safe. However, a homely remedy provided for a young person is not on the approved list in line with the home’s medication policy. This means that staff are not appropriately informed of any contra-indications to other medication already prescribed.

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Good

The young person has regular contact with family members that are important to her. Staff encourage the young person to build relationships with family members where there are difficulties. This helps to strengthen bonds.

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Good

The home is comfortably furnished and decorated. The young person plays an active part in shaping the home, particularly her own personal space. As a result, the young person feels at home and relaxed.

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Good

The home is heated by oil. A service completed in October identified some areas of risk. There was no evidence to demonstrate that the risk assessment had been updated in reflection of the service report. This makes it difficult to establish if the home is safe.

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Outstanding

The young person is exceptionally safe living in the home. Since being placed she has made significant improvement in reducing the behaviour that once made her vulnerable. The young person said, ‘I was in a crisis home before coming here. I used drugs and went missing. Now I have a mobile phone and get free time. I don’t use drugs. I am happy here.’

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Outstanding

The young person does not go missing from home. This behaviour was significantly high prior to placement. Since living at the home, the young person feels safe. She said, ‘I don’t go missing anymore.’ This has significantly reduced the risk of child sexual exploitation. An independent reviewing officer said, ‘She is doing really well from her start point. No longer putting herself at risk.’ The individual risk assessment demonstrates that over time the young person’s risk has substantially reduced.

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Outstanding

Staff are exceptionally knowledgeable in safeguarding. They understand the importance of recognising the signs and symptoms of abuse. They use their training to identify risk. For example, during key work meetings they discuss any areas of vulnerability. A staff member said in a survey response: ‘I have been able to utilise key work sessions in regards to child sexual exploitation and sexual health in order to allow our young person to consider the consequences of being in a vulnerable situation.’ This keeps the young person safe.

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Outstanding

There is a sensor alarm used at times on the bedroom door. Its use is assessed at the point of referral, which establishes what risk presents and what action is needed. When the risk reduces, the use of the alarm is re-assessed. The young person understands why the alarm was previously used. However, there is no evidence to show that the young person was informed of the intention to use the bedroom door alarm.

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Outstanding

There has been one complaint since the last full inspection. The manager is quick to address any concerns raised. She investigates concerns fully after taking advice from the local area designated officer. This ensures that a timely response is provided to the young person of the outcome.

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Outstanding

The use of physical intervention is rarely used. If it is required, it is only used by trained staff as a last resort. Staff use their expert skill and knowledge to de- escalate inappropriate behaviour. This helps the young person to take responsibility for her actions. As a result, there is a significant reduction in the use of physical intervention. Positive praise and rewards reinforce good behaviour and help the young person to feel proud of her achievements.

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Outstanding

The high ratio of staff helps to keep the young person safe. Since she moved into the home, the ratio has reduced from two-to-one staff to one-to-one. This demonstrates the improvement the young person has made. The manager has recruited four members of staff since the last full inspection. The vetting process is robust and ensures that only suitable candidates are employed. This keeps the young person safe.

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Outstanding

The young person and the staff are clear about what to do in the event of a fire because regular drills and tests of equipment are undertaken. This protects all who live, work and visit the home.

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Outstanding

The registered manager is experienced, skilled and holds a level 4 national vocational qualification in leadership and management in health and social care. The manager has been in post for two years and also manages another registered children’s home nearby. The manager shares her time between the two homes, depending on the needs and demands of each service. The strong leadership qualities, combined with a small but dedicated workforce, contribute to the excellent quality of care the young person receives. The team work remarkably well together because they are driven, passionate, and proud of the part they play in the operation of the home.

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Outstanding

Staff are valued and receive excellent support from the manager and the team. The variety of training received enhances staff development and improves the care for the young person. Regular supervision and appraisals ensure that staff have the opportunity to seek guidance and feedback about their practice. A staff member said, ‘I receive supervision and appraisals. I am completing the level 3 diploma in residential childcare. I receive excellent training. Excellent support from the manager and the team.’

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Outstanding

Partnership working and communication with external services is highly effective. The manager’s ability to communicate well helps to enhance the relationships between partner agencies. A social worker said the communication with the manager is ‘Brilliant.’ As a result, the young person remains central to the care she receives. An independent reviewing officer commented in a feedback questionnaire and said, ‘The overall impression is the staff are therapeutic, thoughtful and child centred.’

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Outstanding

There is an extensive and comprehensive evaluation of the service provided by the manager. The manager ensures regular monitoring of the home then completes a development plan. For example, the manager has evaluated the provision against some of the quality standards and produced an action plan. This demonstrates clearly the positive impact the service is having on the young person’s outcomes.

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Outstanding

The manager and the team continually strive to meet the aims and objectives of the statement of purpose. They understand the values and ethos of the home. They go the extra mile in delivering exceptional quality care. As a result, the young person thrives. Although the manager has updated the statement of purpose, some details are missing or incorrect. For example, the home now benefits from male and female staff, the legislation has changed from the national minimum standards and the staffing structure is missing. The young person’s guide has no reference to the use of bedroom door alarms. As a result, information provided is not up to date.

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Outstanding

There are no incidents that have required Ofsted to be notified since the last full inspection.

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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 that 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 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

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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, 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,

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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

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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

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