Children's Home run by Choices Home for Children Limited in Stockport

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to provide high quality care for young people. They are skilled in developing positive relationships with young people, who feel a strong sense of belonging. As a consequence, young people invest in these relationships and are able to improve their outcomes. A young person told me: ‘I have changed incredibly with the help of the staff. If I hadn’t come here I think I would be dead. This has been the best children’s home… Staff have always given me a second chance. They help me. I used to talk to everyone but now I am not putting myself in risky situations. They have helped me to recognise risky situations, taught me to say no. It makes me feel good.’ The young person’s social worker reflects the same views of her young person’s exceptional progress: ‘Since being placed at the home she has made excellent progress in education, education around child sexual exploitation… and encouraging her

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to attend activities that promote her self-esteem and much, much more. The staff, in my opinion, are exceptional in their approach, understanding and care-taking of my young person, whose behaviour can be extremely concerning. They have managed to undertake work that other placements have not been able to undertake, and have given her the opportunity to achieve her potential.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection two young people have moved on to new placements. Staff supported one young person to return home to live with his family. Staff were involved in transition planning and have remained in contact, offering continuing support to his family. Another young person moved on in an unplanned way after living in the home for several years. The registered manager has appropriately challenged this with the placing authority. She has supported staff and the other young people in the home who had strong relationships with the young person. One young person commented to me: ‘I am upset about her leaving, I have known her for years… Staff dealt with it well.’ One young person has joined the home, and staff have quickly got to know him and understand his behaviours. He has settled well, has joined a local football team and is beginning to engage in education after a period of refusing to attend prior to living in the home. He told me: ‘It’s not like I

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

thought it would be – it’s so much better.’ Staff promote young people’s contact with their families where that is safe and in their best interests. This maintains young people’s sense of identity.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is passionate about improving outcomes for young people, and leads by example. She has managed a period of change well in the home, with staff progression leading to staffing changes. She has introduced new staff gradually so that young people are able to transfer their attachments appropriately. The registered manager monitors and reviews the quality of care provided for young people, and has a detailed knowledge of all of their plans. She evaluates patterns of behaviour, and staff understand what underlies changes in young people’s behaviour or risk-taking. The registered manager has made good progress in addressing the shortfalls identified at the last inspection, with one area regarding safer recruitment practice and the need to obtain written accounts for gaps in staff’s CVs remaining, which has not shown progress. During the inspection, it became apparent that the bedroom door alarms were in use during the day. The

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

registered manager considered that this was not necessary in the night, as waking night staff are in place, or in the daytime, as staff were present. This reflects her ability to respond and reflect about what constitutes best practice and to continually drive forward improvements in providing a nurturing environment.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff develop excellent partnership working with professional stakeholders and families alike. A tutor commented that: ‘Staff work as a team, and are totally supportive and encouraging of young people with their education.’ A therapist was similarly impressed: ‘Staff are absolutely fantastic, they are great at communicating. It is really important to touch base with them – they are proactive in asking me questions and asking for guidance which all the staff take on-board and we work together.’ Staff continue to work professionally with those stakeholders who do not share important safeguarding information with them, and escalate their concerns appropriately within the placing authority and host local authority to ensure that steps are taken to protect young people living in the home. The registered manager works with the designated officer to resolve allegations against staff as quickly as possible. She has not notified Ofsted of an allegation or

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

ensured that the independent visitor sends reports to Ofsted in a timely manner. This prevents the regulator being able to monitor effectively events in the home as they occur.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people become increasingly safe. Staff have a detailed understanding of young people’s behaviour and are highly skilled in managing their behaviour. The registered manager reviews all incidents of physical intervention, and provides additional training for staff when she notes patterns of behaviour. She has not ensured that she debriefs staff individually following the use of physical intervention, which presents lost opportunities for staff to reflect on their actions to improve their practice. However, over time the use of physical intervention has reduced considerably. One young person told me: ‘Staff have really helped me – I haven’t been restrained since October last year because I have learned how to manage my own behaviour. In my previous placement I was restrained practically every day.’ This represents excellent progress and improves young people’s self- esteem. Young people are rarely missing. Staff respond effectively when they are

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to look for them in familiar places and to contact family and friends. They work with the police to implement young people’s missing-from-home protocols so that young people are at risk for the minimum amount of time. Staff understand the importance of independent return interviews, and they ensure that placing authorities always offer young people this opportunity. Young people become increasingly safe as they do not re-offend. Staff support those young people to complete their youth offending orders (YOT), which for one young person has been a particularly impressive achievement as he has completed the work early, and another young person has completed his work after five failed attempts. The youth offending worker commented: ‘I have never worked with such a complex young person… She has not completed a YOT ordered until now… Staff have had life-changing effects on her. They have shown endless patience and tolerance, and if hadn’t been for

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the approach staff have adopted she would have been further criminalised. So heartfelt thanks for your gargantuan efforts in helping and protecting her.’

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit form living in a warm and welcoming environment where they are able to live as a ‘family’ with their own pet. Young people feel valued and recognise the impact that the staff’s care has had on their lives, with one young person telling me: ‘…they have helped me through everything.’

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/06/2016 Full Outstanding 28/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 28/05/2015 Full Good 03/12/2014 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.5

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.6

Requirement Due date

The registered provider must notify HMCI without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40(4)(c)) 01/05/2017

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure within 48 hours of the use of the measure of control, discipline or restraint that the registered person or the authorised person or a person authorised by the registered person to do so has spoken to the user about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(b)(i)) 01/05/2017

p.6

Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to HMCI. (Regulation 44 (7)(a)) 01/05/2017

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment safeguards children and minimises risk to children. In particular that there is evaluation of any gaps in employment. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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 who 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 0300 123 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