Children's Home run by Island Choices Ltd in Isle of Wight

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make progress while living in the home. They form some very strong relationships with staff, who aim to provide a safe and nurturing environment. Staff work well as a team and work consistently to ensure young people know what is expected of them.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has remained in placement. Plans are in place to support him to semi-independent living. He is currently using the basement flat in the home to gain some insight into managing budgets and the general skills for living alone. Managers and staff recognise that he is not utilising this opportunity, but continue to encourage him. Three young people have moved on, including one who was a short-term placement. Of those who have moved on, one has transitioned successfully to semi-independence and another has moved to an environment more able to meet their specific needs. Two young people have moved into the home and are making progress in their placements. However, significant progress is hampered by the lack of local educational resources for those under 16 years old. Conflicts and inappropriate relationships between young people restrict who is able to attend the pupil referral unit and emotional and

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

behavioural difficulties school that are available. There are no other resources available in the vicinity, resulting in young people in the home experiencing reduced timetables or very little formal education. The home works closely with education professionals. However, there are few options, resulting in engagement which is often poor. Those who are post-16 have a wide range of training providers locally who can support them into employment or education and other constructive activities, such as volunteering.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff ensure that young people moving into the home are welcomed and their transition is as smooth as possible. They meet prospective residents and tailor pre- placement visits to meet their needs. Young people commented that they like the home and that staff speak to them respectfully. When the young people are moving on, staff prepare them for their next step, when possible. There have been some placements which were ended at short notice by the placing authority, and managers and staff expressed their frustration at not being able to have the type of ending that they believe the young people deserve. The registered manager is confident in challenging the placing authority if she feels that they are expecting them to home a young person whose needs they are unable to meet.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people say they feel safe in the home and their actions and demeanour suggest that they are comfortable in their environment and confident to approach staff. They feel that staff manage bullying well, including one placement ending as a result of the continued targeting of a young person. Staff are confident in their capacity to fulfil their role in keeping young people safe and report concerns they may have appropriately. Young people do go missing from the home on occasions, and staff follow individual plans to keep them safer. They ensure that they remain in contact with the young person and collect them if their location is known. They also liaise with the police as necessary and review safety plans and risk assessments with social workers. They support young people to consider why they have been missing, and make changes where possible, such as agreeing more family contact with the placing authority. This has led to a significant decrease in

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

episodes of going missing for one young person. The home has excellent links with the missing and vulnerable persons police officer for the area, who regularly visits the home and spends time with young people.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Sanctions are fair and proportionate, although staff recognise that they are not always effective. The team is moving towards a more restorative approach, with some having training in this recently. Young people have access to child and adolescent mental health workers, although they do not always engage. Young people who abuse substances meet regularly with specialist professionals to consider how to reduce their use.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are continually seeking ways to improve their links with local agencies to improve joint working and young people’s outcomes. Recently they have started meeting monthly with a social worker to ensure that all information is shared about those in their care. Additionally the registered manager attends monthly meetings with the local authority regarding young people at risk and those who may become looked after by them. This ensures joint working and effective planning.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been several complaints to the home and two to Ofsted from a neighbour. These have been managed effectively through the registered manager and responsible individual meeting with the neighbour and reconfiguring parts of the property and moving a young person’s bedroom. As a result, their relationship appears to be improving.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team is continually striving to improve the service provided and the outcomes for young people. Managers respond to recommendations made by the independent visitor in line with Regulation 44. They also produce evaluative reports of their own regular monitoring of the service and outcomes for young people. The development plan is regularly updated to reflect this monitoring. The deputy manager is currently evaluating the quality of the home’s fixtures, furnishing and décor to continue to improve the living environment. This is an area that requires further work, as the home is not well decorated and/or bright in all areas. In particular, the hallways and landing are dark and gloomy.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the management team has tackled the requirements and recommendations set, by reviewing the child protection policy; recording all complaints; and reviewing the records for controlled medications. However, an oversight in obtaining the employment history for a member of staff re-employed after a period away from the home means that the requirement regarding gaining a full employment history remains.

p.4

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by private organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It has another home in the local area and both settings share a registered manager and flexible staff team.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 19/07/2016 Full Good 18/12/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 17/08/2015 Full Requires improvement 14/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person may only employ an individual to work at the children’s home if the individual satisfies that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.This relates specifically to ensuring that there is a full employment history for all staff, including those returning to post after a period working away. (Regulation 32(3)(d)) 31/03/2017

p.6

Recommendation

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. This relates to keeping the home decorated and well maintained. (the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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 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.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, 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,

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

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

p.8