Children's home run by Pathfinders (childcare) Limited in Rochdale

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

p.2

The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people benefit from the excellent standard of care that they receive from a highly consistent and dedicated staff team with whom they have meaningful and trusting relationships.  The safety and welfare of young people is prioritised by individualised care planning developed in conjunction with other professionals. This means that young people make sustained positive progress in their education and health to promote positive outcomes in their current development and for the future.  Young people access a broad range of activities to promote their social development and they enjoy a range of experiences, both with their peers and the staff.  Over time, risk-taking behaviour reduces from individual starting points as a result of the skills of the staff team in managing behaviour. Incidents of negative behaviours are very infrequent as young people learn to self- regulate, and enjoy increased self-esteem.

p.3

The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Excellent working relationships with parents and professionals ensures that young people benefit from a package of support that is holistic and consistent. Both parents and professionals confirm that the home liaises extremely well to keep all parties informed of young people’s progress and any arising issues or concerns.  The manager and her team ensure that the young people live in a nurturing and comfortable environment, which is maintained to a very high standard. Young people have the opportunity to contribute ideas for the home and enjoy personalising their individual space. One young person described the home as ‘excellent’.  The manager inspires the staff to develop professionally. They participate in a broad range of internal and external training to develop their knowledge and skills to meet the individual needs of young people living at the home. Individual members of staff undertake research which they share with their

p.3

The children's home provision is outstanding because:

colleagues.  Staff value the support and leadership provided by the manager. They benefit from regular supervision and team meetings to ensure that practice remains consistently of a high standard.  The manager has excellent oversight of the home, and strives towards making continued improvements which support young people to be safe and make progress in their lives.

p.3

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 45, paragraph 9.30)  Ensure that when the statutory social worker for a child does not respond to requests for up-to-date relevant plans or to matters of concern, the registered person evidences what action has been taken to escalate concerns. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 11, paragraph 2.3)  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

p.5

Recommendations

arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home's care. In particular, the independent visitor should review relevant plans to ensure that they remain current for all children in the home and provide analysis of the home's practice. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 65, paragraph 15.5)

p.5

Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. It is operated by a private company.

p.6

Recent inspection history

This is the home’s first inspection since registration.

p.6

Outstanding

Young people have transferred to the home together and have benefited from the consistency of the trusted relationships they have developed over time, both with one another and with staff who have chosen to move with them. This means that they are able to continue to make progress towards their individual goals, including towards independence, supported by adults who know them extremely well. The home provides a warm and nurturing environment, and the young people’s presence is proudly represented by displays of photographs and trophies of their achievements. Young people were able to visit the home before making a decision about moving and were involved in the personalisation of their bedrooms. One young person spoke proudly of her ‘posh’ home, although she would prefer it to be closer to her school and friends. The home is decorated and maintained to a very high standard and offers the young people a very comfortable and spacious place

p.7

Outstanding

to live. Young people have no complaints about the home, but know how to complain if they need to and can access an advocate.

p.7

Outstanding

One young person continues to make positive progress since she has made the transition to high school, and maintains excellent attendance. The home worked proactively with the other young person’s school when she began to experience difficulties. An alternative school was quickly identified and she is now making increasingly positive progress as a result. This has sustained her education and she is expected to achieve a high number of GCSEs. This demonstrates the high value placed on education by the home and the impetus to prevent drift in transferring to new provision.

p.7

Outstanding

Young people remain healthy and attend appointments to maintain good health. Staff encourage young people to access sexual health appointments and to develop better understanding of healthy relationships. The home seeks guidance as required from the child and adolescent mental health service, with whom it has strong relationships, and supports young people to attend appointments for their emotional well-being.

p.7

Outstanding

The home’s plans clearly reflect the expectations of placing authority care plans, and progress is well-documented from young people’s starting points. The home is working closely with the social worker to support a gradual assessment and transition process for one young person, and regular liaison is evident in the planning of this work.

p.7

Outstanding

The home prioritises young people’s opportunities to access different experiences to build their self-esteem and develop positive relationships with peers. Young people enjoy a wide range of activities both in the home and the community. For example, one young person attends drama classes, is a member of the girl guides, enjoys baking and has a family member of her own age for sleepovers at the home. After a successful holiday in England, plans are being made to take the young people for an overseas holiday in the summer.

p.7

Outstanding

Each young person is valued for their unique qualities and they are treated with dignity and respect for their individuality. Consistent boundaries are in place, providing the stability to support young people in developing emotional resilience and self-regulation. Conflict is extremely rare, and staff demonstrate their strength of commitment on the very infrequent occasions when young people are challenging. Staff continue to show positive regard and find solutions to support young people to overcome difficulties, taking into account their attachment difficulties. Staff were observed to respond with genuine compassion and sensitive consideration. This enables young people to develop positive self-worth, as well as a sense of belonging and feeling loved and valued.

p.8

Outstanding

Young people’s well-being remains at the centre of practice within the home. The home has worked effectively to support contact with family and friends. However, the manager and staff closely monitor the impact contact has on young people and inform social workers of any arising issues. One young person’s social worker has agreed to a significant increase in the time she is able to spend away from the home. This has prevented further incidents of unauthorised absence. However, the home maintains clear expectations and boundaries to help her to understand and focus on her future. One professional commented on the difference that being placed at the home has made for her, and could not fault the home in the efforts made to benefit young people.

p.8

Outstanding

Young people live in a safe environment where they feel protected and cared for. One young person commented during the inspection that staff ‘almost make me feel too safe’ because she cannot spend free time with friends away from the home unless she provides information for staff to check that it is suitable. However, she is aware that the home does not make such decisions in isolation and was able to discuss how to progress her request with the registered manager and social worker. She is also safely encouraged to take age-appropriate risks such as attending residential events with girl guides. Risk assessments and behaviour management plans are highly individualised, and demonstrate a reduction in risk- taking behaviour from young people’s starting points which is sustained over time. This enhances young people’s security and well-being.

p.8

Outstanding

It is highly unusual for young people to go missing from the home. On the rare occasions when this has occurred, staff are relentlessly proactive in locating the young person to return them home quickly. Although one placing authority was slow to intervene when a young person was away from the home without authority and staying with family and friends, the home maintained regular contact to encourage her to return. They were persistent in seeking meetings with police and social workers to formulate plans to manage the circumstances safely and effectively. The home continues to advise the social worker of any concerns they have regarding the young person. Comprehensive missing-from-home risk management plans are reviewed to ensure that young people are protected and supported, and key-working sessions are used creatively to explain the potential risks and consequences of going missing. Placing authorities have not completed

p.9

Outstanding

return home interviews with young people, although one social worker had spoken with a young person on her return. The manager had not challenged the placing authorities to ensure that return home interviews were undertaken, although a social worker acknowledged that the interview should have taken place when asked by the inspector.

p.9

Outstanding

There are very few incidents within the home. This is the result of the consistency of routines in place which support young people to regulate their own behaviour. One isolated incident occurred which resulted in a physical intervention with a young person. Records of the incident were clear, with appropriate managerial oversight. The manager and staff clearly identified that this change in behaviour indicated an underlying issue which the young person later disclosed. This enabled the young person to discuss her feelings and gain support from adults with whom she has strong and trusting relationships, at a confusing and emotional time. The team is mindful of the potential emotional conflict she is experiencing and uses a consistently positive response. Such isolated incidents reflect the sustained progress young people have made in managing their own behaviour over time, as well as the exceptional understanding of, and response to, the needs of young

p.9

Outstanding

people by the staff team. The strength of relationships built with young people, and the team’s skill in managing behaviour, are reflected in very few consequences being set, as young people rarely display negative behaviour. Positive behaviour is frequently and consistently rewarded to promote young people’s self-esteem and to encourage their continued progress in developing positive social relationships. Staff who have transferred to the home bring the skills to create and sustain a positive and effective social environment, based on their previous experience of applying for an award from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. This enables young people to feel safe, secure and supported in the home.

p.9

Outstanding

The manager ensures that the young people are protected by robust staff recruitment procedures. New staff receive an in-depth induction on employment and, alongside more experienced staff, are able to demonstrate a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures. Appropriate checks of visitors help to protect young people from unsuitable adults in the home. The manager ensures that regular health and safety checks are completed in the home to maintain a safe environment for young people.

p.9

Outstanding

An extensively experienced and suitably qualified registered manager has run the home since it opened. She continues to manage another home owned by the company and is adapting to her new role, acknowledging the constraints this brings in terms of opportunities to work directly with young people. However, she arranges to spend individual time with young people to maintain their relationships. Placement stability has been promoted by the voluntary transfer of the staff team to this new home to maintain consistent care and established relationships. This demonstrates their ongoing commitment to prioritise the needs of the young people. The team remains stable, mutually supportive and cohesive to promote positive experiences for young people living at the home. The manager’s depth of understanding of the young people is shown by her swift identification of underlying causes to one young person’s change in behaviour. Information is

p.10

Outstanding

shared immediately with social workers to ensure that necessary action is taken.

p.10

Outstanding

The manager leads by example, providing high levels of support to the staff team and encouraging their professional development. She places high expectations on herself and the staff, who share her ambition and aspiration for young people to achieve positive outcomes. Staff are very keen to extend their knowledge and undertake independent research to enhance their ways of working with young people in a meaningful and relevant way. For example, one member of staff was observed during the inspection to discuss using a social media video developed by a police force to highlight child sexual exploitation. In addition, the team uses resources developed by reputable agencies to undertake direct work with young people, for example to raise their awareness of child sexual exploitation and to educate them on healthy relationships. Staff are able to demonstrate their understanding of attachment research, specifically in relation to the young people

p.10

Outstanding

in their care, and how this informs their practice. They are able to identify potential triggers to behaviours and respond appropriately. The manager has established links to access training from Local Safeguarding Children Boards to access additional external training in addition to the provider’s comprehensive internal programme. A member of staff commented that external courses were very useful and that she feels confident in asking the manager for any additional training that would benefit her practice. Staff are keen to continue developing their skills, resulting in a team that is highly trained and motivated to learn about emerging issues which may impact on the well-being of young people. The manager inspires the team to constantly strive to improve outcomes and future opportunities for young people.

p.10

Outstanding

New and established staff confirm that they find the manager very supportive and approachable. They benefit from regular reflective supervision and team meetings to support and maintain consistency in practice to provide high quality care to the young people. Supervision has recently become more specifically tailored to the stage of a team member’s development to ensure effective oversight of performance against specific targets, including completion of an appropriate residential childcare qualification within relevant timescales. This motivates the team, and enables the manager to ensure that staff sustain the highest quality care for young people.

p.11

Outstanding

The manager has an excellent understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home through monthly monitoring systems. She has a clear vision for the home and is proactive and committed to ensuring continued development and improvement in providing high quality care. She provides effective oversight of all records and, where appropriate, provides clear direction and advice to support improved practice. As a result, the home is very well managed and meets the aims and objectives of its statement of purpose. External monitoring by an independent visitor had not identified that the relevant plans for one young person are out of date, and does not always provide detailed evaluation of practice, which therefore limits the effectiveness of external audits. However, this has not impacted on the young person because of the manager and staff team’s understanding of her needs and comprehensive internal placement plans.

p.11

Outstanding

Working relationships with other professionals are exceptionally strong. The home is persistent in communicating concerns regarding young people’s care plans, and when placing authorities have been slow to respond the manager has worked closely with other agencies to secure positive outcomes. However, despite regular requests, the manager has not formally challenged the placing authority when there have been shortfalls in their response. Feedback from other professionals confirmed regular communication with the home, high quality care and a willingness to provide extra opportunities, which are borne out by positive changes in young people. An educational professional stated that she ‘couldn’t fault [the staff team]’ and that their ‘consistency speaks volumes about the leadership’. One social worker spoke of how a young person is thriving and developing as a result of the care and boundaries in place. Parents of both young people were very positive

p.11

Outstanding

about the home and spoke of the way that they get on well with staff and are kept informed. This demonstrates the home’s commitment to working with others to ensure the best outcomes for young people who live there.

p.11

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’.

p.12

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

p.12

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.

p.12

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

p.13

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 .

p.13

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.14

Information about this inspection

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

p.14

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.14

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.14