Old Rectory Cottage

Inspector Maire Atherton

Inspection date 12/01/2017 Previous inspection judgement Good Enforcement action since last inspection None

p.2

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 sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection three young people have moved out. One moved out according to the care plan, following a well-planned phased transition. The other moves were unplanned, at either the instigation of the young person or the management of the home. In all these instances, the interests of the young people were central to the decision-making process. The manager has completed an end of placement report for each young person. These contain good analysis and reflection, which identifies learning points. For example, one recent report has informed the management training and development plan for the home, with two additional training courses for staff on anti-bullying. The end-of-placement report also highlights the progress a young person has made while living in the home. Young people who have left keep in touch with staff, both to share their successes and seek support when things are not going so well. It helps the young people that

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

there is an established and settled core staff team who have been in post for two years or more.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three young people have moved in; all these admissions were planned. Their moves into the home were informed by the needs and wishes of the young people. These ranged from a series of visits, including an overnight stay, to a simple move in without preliminary visits. Moves of young people between homes in the same group are given the same consideration as those who are new to the organisation. The manager reviews the needs of each young person in the light of the young people already accommodated to determine the suitability of the match. Her impact risk assessments are of a good standard and identify potential risks arising; however, the management strategies to address these are not sufficiently specific. Young people say that all moves in and out are managed well by staff. They are pleased that even unplanned moves give them an opportunity to say goodbye properly.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although the young people have not lived at the home for very long, they spoke positively about the progress they have made. One said, ‘Staff help me a lot. They understand how to manage me.’ Another said, ‘I am developing my independence.’ Young people know about and are happy with their plans. Written plans have improved since the last visit, with the identity of the young person featuring prominently. Young people say that their individual needs are met by staff who take time to get to know them.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager effectively leads the staff team in safeguarding young people. The manager has introduced a ‘thinking report’ that young people complete with staff following an incident. This fits well with the emphasis on the restorative approach used by staff, to get young people to consider how their actions may affect others. Staff place the emphasis in behaviour management on rewarding positive behaviour. Young people are actively involved in their behaviour management plans and choose targets to work towards. Negative consequences are rarely used, but when applied are proportionate and suitable, such as making a financial contribution to and shopping with staff for any items they have broken. Staff use physical intervention infrequently, only once since the last inspection. Staff vigilance and understanding of the specific risks to young people who go missing ensure that they respond promptly so that such instances are minimised and of

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive training to meet young people’s identified health needs in a timely manner so that young people are confident that staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to care for them from the outset. However, when young people are refusing to take medication prescribed for them staff, recording is insufficient.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection a new kitchen has been fitted. This provides young people with a pleasant and well equipped room in which to cook and eat. However, there have been some delays in addressing maintenance issues, due to a vacancy in the maintenance team. This has led to staff propping open a fire door as the hold-open device is not working. There are two broken paving slabs on the path to the front door which are a trip hazard, particularly as the external lighting does not extend to those slabs.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is reflective and uses the monthly reports from the independent visitor and her own six-monthly evaluations to good effect. She keeps the work of the team under review and encourages the team to reflect and learn from all situations, individually and together. She has introduced a new reporting format which keeps relevant information together. This has been amended in the light of staff comments each month since its introduction. The development plan for the home is scheduled for review the week after this visit. The manager has met all six recommendations of the last report.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and her team work effectively in partnership with those important to the young people and the professionals involved with them.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The service is run by a large private organisation that operates a range of services. This home is one of a group of six that comprise a cross-regional project commissioned by six local authorities to provide a residential service for children and young people within their local area. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. Young people living at the home may attend a school also run by the same provider and have access to in- house therapeutic support.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/07/2016 Full Good 07/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 25/11/2015 Full Good 26/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23 (1)) In particular, ensure that the records of a young person’s refusal to take medication is well documented. 28/02/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard: In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered provider must ensure that 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. (Regulation 12 (2)(d)) In particular, ensure that fire doors are held open using approved methods and that the paving slabs on the front path are safe. 28/02/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs as recorded in the child's relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. In particular, ensure that the risk management strategies to be used by staff are sufficiently detailed in the impact risk assessment. (Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’ page56, paragraph 11.4)

p.5

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.6

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 whom 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.6

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

p.6

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 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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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.7

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.7