Children's Home run by United Children's Services Limited in Leicester

Inspection report children's home: SC488930 1 SC488930 Registered provider: Barford Children's Services Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for a maximum of six children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 20 December 2016

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Sustained effectiveness

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

 Young people have very positive relationships with staff. Staff know young people well and have a good understanding of their needs.  Young people are making progress in many areas. For some, the development of their skills for independent living is excellent, while for others, this is at an Inspection report children's home: SC488930 2 earlier stage.  Young people have education or work placements and are making progress in gaining qualifications to help them when they move on.  Young people receive good support in relation to their health needs. They have access to specialist services to address issues such as drug misuse.  Young people’s participation in all areas is promoted and their views are welcomed and listened to. They have a strong voice in what happens to them and what happens in the home.  Moving out of the home is managed well through a well-planned and supportive introduction to the new home.

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

 Risk is gradually reducing in relation to unauthorised absences and missing from home incidents. Young people are safer as a result.  Routines and structures in the home have improved, and young people’s behaviour is better. Negative consequences and physical intervention have reduced as a result.  Partnership working is effective to ensure that the care and support provided are consistent and delivered in a way that is flexible to meet the young people’s needs.  Although the home has been unsettled following a period of managerial change, this has now improved and a new manager has been appointed.  Staff morale has improved and they are committed to providing a good service to the young people in the home. Staff have received a lot of training to improve their understanding and competence to achieve that aim.  There is a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development, based on effective monitoring and analysis of information.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/12/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 27/07/2016 Full Requires improvement 09/12/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 24/08/2015 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC488930 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young people who live at this home are making progress in a variety of ways and at a variable pace, commensurate with their previous experiences and difficulties. They benefit from positive relationships with staff, who know them well. Comprehensive care plans, that are updated regularly, provide a written structure from which consistent care and support are provided. One young person said, ‘It’s good here,’ and when asked what the best thing was, he replied, ‘The staff.’ One stakeholder said: ‘Staff have a good idea of who he is, and the care is shaped around his idea of the world.’ This was confirmed by a social worker, who commented: ‘Staff know where to put the boundaries, as they know him well.’ Staff are proactive and use a variety of strategies, including regular direct work, based on their knowledge of the young people and what works for them.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both young people are either engaged in education or employment. The company’s school is flexible in its approach to learning and development in order to enable young people to engage and obtain qualifications that will help them when they leave. For one young person who has recently gained qualifications in functional skills, this is, according to the headteacher, ‘a massive achievement’.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are healthy and have their basic health needs, including sexual health, met through universal services and regular check-ups with dentists, opticians and the looked after children’s nurse. One area in which young people are not making as much progress is in their misuse of drugs. Specialist services have been utilised for advice and support, in addition to the direct work that staff undertake with the young people, but this has not had the desired effect as yet.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A social worker said of her young person: ‘He is doing brilliantly and has made excellent progress, particularly in developing the skills to live independently.’ From not having the ability to cook anything, he has come on ‘in leaps and bounds’ and can now make meals such as lasagne and curry using fresh ingredients. He keeps his room clean and tidy and has now gained employment. Staff have supported him throughout this period, helping him write a good CV and handing it out to an extensive number of potential employers. They have provided a steady and secure base from which he has developed.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are supported to see their families and friends. Staff provide transport and supervise visits if required. Friends are welcome to visit the home and stay for a meal. Young people are encouraged to partake in activities that promote their good health, such as playing football and cycling.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people feel that their views are taken into account and that they are listened to. As well as talking to staff on a regular and informal basis, they are consulted formally about their care on a monthly basis, they have young people’s meetings, and there is a ‘you said, we did’ system to provide feedback on their requests and suggestions. Inspection report children's home: SC488930 4 There is a structured plan for promoting independence in preparation for moving on. The home also ensures that young people are provided with a memory book of photographs and a box with other mementos so that they have a positive record of their time in the home. The one young person who has left the home since the last inspection did so in a planned way with staff support. This included visits to the new home and good information sharing, to give the new placement every chance of success.

p.3

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Risk is managed well. All risks are thoroughly assessed, based on the initial assessment provided by the local authority. Risk management plans are updated regularly to enable staff to be aware of, and respond appropriately to, known and emerging risks.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people who previously had a history of having unauthorised absences or going missing from care have now reduced these incidents significantly, the last one being some two months ago. Staff are very clear about what procedures they need to follow, should this occur. Consequently, young people are safer as a result. Similarly, those young people assessed as being at risk of sexual exploitation have had this risk reduced.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager and staff work well in partnership with the police. The police have spoken informally to young people about the risks associated with drug misuse and racially abusive language. This prevents young people from becoming criminalised, while helping them fully appreciate the likely consequences of their behaviour, should it continue. The youth offending service has also had some involvement with young people, and the case manager confirmed that staff supported this and encouraged young people to engage in the work.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Behaviour is well managed. Staff have re-established the routines and structures that were previously missing. Young people have responded well and are now back at the home when they should be, rather than going out late at night. The use of physical intervention and sanctions has decreased, which also indicates the success of staff intervention. Waking night staff are no longer required, as the home is far more settled. The home has a designated member of staff who works with young people in relation to promoting tolerance and respect. He has developed a resource book that he uses to promote discussion with the young people.

p.4

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff have had recent training in safeguarding, which includes the risks of extremism and sexual exploitation. They demonstrate a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding young people and know how to respond in the event of an allegation or concern. There are good links with the designated officers in the local authority, and they are used for advice and guidance as appropriate.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has undergone a number of managerial changes in the last few months. The registered manager left, and despite efforts to appoint to the post, a new manager has only recently commenced his employment at the home. He has already submitted his Inspection report children's home: SC488930 5 application to become registered as the manager. During this unsettled period, the responsible individual made suitable arrangements to provide management cover and support to staff. This included moving an experienced deputy manager and registered manager from other homes, the latter on a temporary basis only, and covering the post herself.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a permanent staff team, and no agency staff are used currently. This ensures that young people are supported by a consistent group of staff who they know and who know them. All staff have either obtained the relevant qualification or are in the process of doing this. Staff training has improved in response to a requirement made at the last inspection. Staff are now up to date with mandatory training, for example safeguarding and first aid, as well as undertaking training in other relevant areas, such as drug misuse and self-harm. They describe the training as useful, and they have implemented their learning in practice. As a result, their competence has improved and they offer more effective support.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well supported, and their morale has improved considerably since the last inspection. They describe regular supervision as a means of reflecting on their own development as well as the needs of the young people. There are good systems for communication to enable all staff to be aware of changes in care plans or risk assessments and thereby provide consistency of care. Although the manager is new, staff are already expressing confidence in his approach.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership working is effective in ensuring that young people’s holistic needs are met. Social workers comment on excellent communication and information sharing. Six- weekly care team meetings that include parents and professionals facilitate information sharing, monitoring of young people’s progress, target setting and care planning. However, there is also a culture of professional challenge when partners are not fulfilling their obligations to a young person. There is regular therapeutic input from the company’s therapists. They are involved in the care team meetings and provide regular consultation to staff as well as direct work with young people. A therapist commented that staff ‘value the input and seek out support’.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Recording has also improved, in response to two requirements made at the last inspection. There are now better systems for auditing case files to ensure that any missing information is highlighted and requests for this are followed through. Staff are now delegated with particular tasks in relation to maintaining young people’s case files. Staff therefore have access to the most up-to-date and comprehensive information about a young person.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring, both internal and external, is effective in ensuring that areas that require development are highlighted and addressed. The company has also implemented a new electronic system for recording that will facilitate better collection of information and data analysis, including information on and about young people’s outcomes.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The statement of purpose reflects the child-focused ethos and nurturing care that the home currently provides. Young people are at the centre of practice, and this results in Inspection report children's home: SC488930 6 improved outcomes and life chances.

p.5

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Using the 'Social care common inspection framework', this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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'. Inspection report children's home: SC488930 7

p.6

Children's home details

Registered provider: Barford Children's Services Limited

p.7

Children's home details

Registered provider address: The Old Coach House, Drinsey Nook, Lincoln LN1 2JJ

p.7

Inspector(s)

Ros Chapman, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC488930 8 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.7

Inspector(s)

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector(s)

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

p.8

Inspector(s)

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

p.8