Children's Home run by Inspire Children’s Services Limited in Lancashire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were no regulatory shortfalls at the last full inspection, recommendations were made to continually improve care practice. In response, the recording of significant events has improved and now appropriately cross reference with other relevant documents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another recommendation was made to strengthen the safeguards in place for lone workers. This issue has not arisen since the last inspection. In fact, there has always been at least two care staff on duty at any given time. Furthermore, the company has also recently significantly improved the out-of-hours support available to individual homes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The third recommendation to generally modernise the home is repeated. This is because, although the home remains safe, comfortable and spacious, the decor is dated. In fact, at the last inspection one young person said, ‘It’s like coming to Grannie’s house.’ Moreover, a few months on and the stair carpet is now looking threadbare in several places. One young person said, ‘I like my bedroom, which has been painted pink, and I’ve now got lots of clothes and possessions, but not enough storage space.’ In response, funding has been agreed for new carpets and written confirmation that new windows are to be fitted at the back of the house, and new kitchen cupboards and worktops installed at the end of March. Also, young people have already chosen the wallpaper for the lounge and games room, which will be redecorated imminently.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no new admissions or discharges since the last full inspection and the two young people remain happy, settled, safe and secure at this home. This is demonstrated by the fact that there have been no missing from care incidents despite young people enjoying increased free-time with their friends in the community. Both young people spent Christmas Day at the home and had ‘a great time’ and one young person was, ‘thrilled’ to have an overnight sleepover with friends on New Year’s Eve.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no changes to the management team since the last inspection. The suitably qualified and experienced manager continues to work closely with his deputy to maintain a thorough oversight of care practice, and they are passionate about making continual improvements to service delivery. Furthermore, through stringent monitoring of all required documentation, they ensure good quality record keeping. They both have an excellent understanding of the needs and risks of the young people who live at the home and provide clear direction, ongoing support and regular supervision to the staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Indicative of an outstanding service, the management team are clear that, ‘There is no room for complacency.’ Consequently, at the last inspection they had identified two key areas for continued development, namely increasing stakeholder feedback and rewards to young people in recognition of positive behaviours and effort.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In response, the home is now noticeably more pro-active in consulting with external stakeholders on the quality of care provided. The feedback is very positive. Recent comments include, ‘This home provides my young person with the safety and security she needs. This staff team is quick to respond to her individual needs’ and, ‘My young person is making good progress in this placement and has a good relationship with the staff team. She is settled and has started to accept the boundaries and the support available to her.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records for one young person clearly demonstrate an increased emphasis on positive reinforcement of good behaviours and effort, which is having the desired effect. However, records show an imbalance of sanctions for the other young person, with a notable period of two months that had no rewards at all. A recommendation has been made to address this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people always have the opportunity to negotiate sanctions imposed and they are closely evaluated by the manager. This ensures that they are always fair and proportionate to the particular misdemeanour. Furthermore, a timely key- worker session follows any incident. This helps young people to explore ways of preventing a re-occurrence and to take more responsibility for their actions. Since the last inspection, young people have noticeably and actively chosen not to get embroiled in the negative behaviours of their peers.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All care staff at this home hold the qualification required of this role. They also have access to a broad range of training opportunities to meet organisational needs, individual young people’s needs and to further their own individual personal development. This means that the team has the competencies and skills to provide high-quality and personalised care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

To ensure consistent care, permanent staff take on additional shifts or bank staff are used. These are individuals employed by this company and who are well-known to the young people. On the rare occasions when agency staff have to be used to maintain high staffing ratios, there is now a more robust system in place for checking their qualifications and experiences prior to working at the home. Roles and responsibilities are verbally discussed before commencing their first shift and they are given very clear and specific written guidance. This details, for example: where key documents are located, the daily tasks that must be completed, and, young people’s individual routines and boundaries. This helps all staff to provide consistent care to young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A particular strength of this home is the maintaining of consistent care, clear routines and boundaries, despite the significant challenges that the young people present. This helps young people to feel safe and secure. This staff team demonstrates high tolerance, patience and sensitivity, and are attentive to individual needs. Comments from young people include, ‘The staff listen to me and give me really good support’ and, ‘The staff solve our problems. It is not always how we want them to, but it’s always what’s best for us.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are genuinely treated and respected as individuals in their own right, which makes them feel loved and valued. Moreover, this home ensures that all the young people enjoy constructive family contact in line with any legal restrictions and personal preferences, which positively promotes young people’s sense of identity.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home is highly skilled at de-escalating challenging behaviours without resorting to police involvement or physical interventions. When a physical intervention is deemed necessary, records clearly show that the least restrictive hold is used for the shortest period of time after exhausting all appropriate de- escalation techniques. Furthermore, young people and staff always have the opportunity to reflect on the incident to constantly improve practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Procedures are strictly adhered to following any allegations of mistreatment and arrangements are put in place to protect and support the young person and the alleged perpetrator during the investigation. Relevant safeguarding agencies confirm particularly good partnership working with this home to protect young people and positively promote their welfare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A key strength of this home is the frequency and range of constructive activities that young people can engage in. Individual interests and talents are actively encouraged and supported, which effectively develops their competencies and confidences. Comments include, ‘I have joined a dance club and a gymnastics club since Christmas’ and, ‘The activities are very good. I love trampolining and go there four nights a week where I meet my friends.’ This is all good physical exercise and has demonstrably improved their social skills. This is significant progress for one young person who prior to admission chose a particularly sedentary lifestyle. As a direct consequence of regular physical exercise and the homemade nutritious meals provided at this home, she is continuing to lose weight. In turn, this has boosted her self-esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have continued to maintain excellent school attendance and additional support is in place to meet their unique emotional, behavioural and learning needs. The home has also recently introduced a financial incentive for one young person who now reads to staff every night. This is demonstrably improving her reading abilities. However, there is not a similar arrangement in place to develop the other young person’s current educational targets.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

External monitoring visits are undertaken every month and detailed reports forwarded to Ofsted in a timely manner. These reports are also increasingly enriched with the views of young people, their parents and stakeholders. However, they are not consistently unannounced visits. This potentially compromises a robust process. Recent feedback that the independent visitor has ascertained from young people’s social workers includes, ‘It has always been difficult to find a placement for this young person because she has a history of making allegations. This home ticks all the boxes and she has settled in well. When she does raise issues here they are addressed in a sensitive manner. I have no concerns about this placement and confirm good partnership working and good communication.’ and, ‘The staff are warm and friendly and send me speedy updates following any incidents. They have got a good balance between letting my young person’s voice be heard, but

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

not letting her have too much power and so I envisage her staying here for a prolonged period of time.’

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Information about this children's home

This is a private children’s home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people at any given time who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/12/2016 Full Outstanding 29/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 30/11/2015 Full Good

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 The design of the home should enable children to develop independence skills within the supportive environment of the home, and, in particular, complete a modernisation programme of the kitchen and other communal areas of the home. (‘Guide to the children's home regulations including the quality standards (The Guide), page 17, paragraph 3.25)

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Recommendations

 Demonstrate that positive behaviour is reinforced, praised and encouraged. (The Guide, page 39, paragraph 8.11)

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Recommendations

 Demonstrate that the staff have the knowledge and skills to understand, and that they actively support, each child's educational targets. (The Guide, page 27 paragraph 5.11)

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Recommendations

 The independent person appointed to carry out monthly visits to the home should undertake unannounced visits to avoid compromising a rigorous judgement about the safeguarding arrangements in place and the quality of care provided. (The Guide, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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’.

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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 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.

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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 .

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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, 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,

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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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

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

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