Children's Home run by Your Chapter Limited in Lancashire

Requires improvement

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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The children’s home provision requires improvement because:

 Managers and staff do not promptly and robustly manage all known risks.  Inconsistent safeguarding practice does not promote the safety and welfare of young people at all times.  Health and safety checks are not always carried out in a timely manner. This exposes young people to potential hazards.  Managers do not maintain effective monitoring systems. As a result, they do not identify and address shortfalls quickly. This does not help to maintain good standards of care.  Quality of care reviews do not capture young people’s opinions about the home and the care that they receive.  Staffing shortfalls have led to lots of people from the wider organisation coming to work in the home. Changes in staff do not provide young people with consistent care.  Following incidents of restraint, managers do not debrief all those involved. When debriefs do take place, these occur as a group. This is not good practice, because it does not provide staff with the opportunity to raise

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The children’s home provision requires improvement because:

concerns about what happened easily.  Managers did not challenge placing authority social workers about the unsatisfactory way they arranged for a young person to move to the home. This does not demonstrate consistently good care planning.  Occasionally, arrangements for managing contact between young people and their families are not robust. This exposes young people to unnecessary risk.  Disorganised recording systems do not promote good care. Some records are not written in a way that is helpful to young people, and some records contain insufficient detail.  The local area risk assessment does not currently identify all known risks to do with the location of the home and the measures in place to manage these.

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The children’s home strengths

 Young people arrive at the home with frequent histories of going missing from home. They are deemed to be at high risk of child sexual exploitation. Because of the help they receive, these risks and vulnerabilities reduce.  Young people develop positive relationships with some staff and say they are well cared for.  Some young people achieve excellent outcomes based on their starting points.  Most young people’s school attendance improves and this promotes their learning. They begin to develop confidence and aspirations. Young people receive good support to help them to achieve their potential.  The staff support young people’s physical and emotional health needs well.  Young people engage in different leisure activities. As a result, they have the opportunity to try new things while having fun.  Social workers and parents report positively on the service provided to young people. They say that staff communicate regularly with them, and so

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The children’s home strengths

they are kept up to date with young people’s progress.  Staff report that the new manager is receptive and supportive. After an unsettled period, she is bringing some much needed stability to young people and staff.  The home’s development plan sets out improvement priorities to raise the quality of care.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure– (2)(a) that staff– (i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; (c) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from harm. In particular, all health and safety checks are carried out in a timely way and shortfalls acted on, the private access road to the home is properly maintained, staff take effective action to ensure that, when young people have a mobile phone, they use this safely, and staff implement robust checks to minimise young people getting access to knives. 30/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person must– 2(e) ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. 30/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

14: The care planning standard In order to meet the care planning standard, the registered person must ensure that children– (1)(a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. In particular, ensure that the arrangements for young people moving into the home are appropriate and that family contact is well planned and suitably managed. 30/04/2017 37: Other records Ensure that the registered person maintains in the home the records in schedule 4. (Regulation 37(2)(a)) Specifically, a copy of the staff duty roster of persons working at the home, and a record of the actual rosters worked. 30/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

45: Review of quality of care In order to complete a quality of care review, the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating– (2)(a) the quality of care provided for children; (b) the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it. 30/04/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Specifically, have good recording systems, ensure that records are clear and signed where necessary, and that all records contain sufficient information.  Ensure that the registered person reviews the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)  Ensure that all the staff and children who have witnessed the restraint, or have

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Recommendations

been involved in any way, should be given the opportunity to be debriefed about the incident to inform the strategy needed to prevent any reoccurrence. (Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 5: Children’s Homes, page 33, paragraph 2.102) In particular, ensure that the staff involved are debriefed individually and that the debrief record clearly states whether staff or young people raise any concerns about the restraint.

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Information about this children’s home

A private organisation operates this children’s home. The service is registered to accommodate up to four girls who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home provides medium to long-term therapeutic care to young people who present with significant risk of child sexual exploitation. It is dually registered as a school, and education is provided on site.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

15/12/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Requires improvement

Young people’s progress and experiences vary. Two young people, who have recently moved on from the home, achieved excellent outcomes. For example, one young person has moved on to live in a foster family; she achieved five GCSEs at grades A-C and is doing well at college. Another young person has returned home to live with her family in line with her care plan. Both young people developed resilience and received the help and support they needed to move forward with their lives. However, young people’s experiences have been hampered between inspections because of the influence and behaviour of other residents. Some young people join together to create disruption. In January, the level of disturbance was high, particularly at night. As a result, young people did not benefit from good sleep patterns and this affected their well-being. Some young people have experienced bullying and intimidation. Although staff were present to minimise risk, these

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Requires improvement

experiences were unnerving. One young person reported being wary and scared. Such experiences undermine young people’s welfare and safety. One young person’s placement ended to ensure that others were protected from harm. Although some young people have positive experiences of moving into the home, others do not. For example, a social worker told the inspector how pleased she was with how staff welcomed a young person into the home when she arrived. Young people receive a guide to the home, which outlines what they can expect. This is provided to the social worker who passes this onto the young person. However, young people who have recently moved into the home have not had the opportunity to either visit the home or meet some staff before they arrive. This does not allow young people to hear first-hand about what the home is like, meet some staff and ask questions. Furthermore, managers did not challenge a placing

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Requires improvement

authority who arranged, in advance, for a young person to travel to the home via a secure escort. This resulted in the young person arriving at a time when there was no-one present who she had met before, having travelled to the home with people she did not know. This does not constitute good child-care practice or good care planning by the authority and the home. Most young people live a long way from their home area. Because of the support they receive from staff, the quality of some young people’s relationships with their families improves over time. However, on occasions, contact arrangements have not been well planned. For example, there have not been enough staff on hand to support some contact visits. This does not mitigate the risk of young people running off, which is likely given their individual needs and has happened previously. Not providing the right support compromises young people’s safety and

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Requires improvement

welfare. Most young people’s school attendance improves and this supports their learning. One young person’s reading age increased by three years in just one year. Another young person made a positive transition to college to study A levels after achieving excellent GCSE results. One young person, who rarely attended education before she came to live in this home, is now attending more. Although this is not yet good, teachers and care staff are working together to help her to overcome her difficulties. Young people develop aspirations and teachers and staff help young people to believe that they have potential, and that they can achieve this. Staff support young people’s health needs well. Prompt access to specialist drug misuse workers educates young people and reduces risk. Young people access in- house therapeutic support. They begin to talk about their past experiences, feelings and behaviours. This enables young people to make sense of some of the things

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Requires improvement

that have happened to them, and helps them to manage their emotions and behaviours better. Young people are registered with primary health services and attend routine appointments. Good support promotes young people’s physical and emotional well-being. Young people develop positive relationships with some staff. Young people describe staff as ‘caring’. One young person said, ‘Staff talk to me for hours and stay with me if I am having a bad time, until I feel better’. Patient, attentive staff help young people to develop trust and feel cared for. Young people enjoy different leisure activities, including boxing, badminton, and horse-riding. As a result, young people try new things and learn different skills, while having fun. This builds young people’s confidence and self-esteem.

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Requires improvement

Safeguarding practice in this home is not consistent enough to be good. Managers and staff do not promptly and robustly manage all known risks. For example, when a young person was misusing her mobile phone over a three-week period, staff did not respond quickly and confidently. As a result, concerns escalated, which then placed her and other young people at risk of harm. During the inspection this was dealt with, but it could have been avoided. A different approach was then implemented. Expectations about mobile phone use and the consequences of not using them safely were made clear to young people. This yielded positive results, and the young person subsequently gave her phone to the staff for safe keeping until the matter could be reviewed. Managers take some action when serious incidents occur, but they do not ensure that staff implement new risk management measures fully. For example, when one young person took a kitchen knife and used this to intimidate another young

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Requires improvement

person, a knife safe was purchased and daily checks introduced. However, this inspection found that staff do not always carry out these daily checks. Furthermore, managers have not investigated how a young person managed to acquire another knife. This was kept hidden in her room until staff were alerted to this by another young person. Inconsistent practice does not fully protect young people from harm. Staff generally manage challenging situations well. They demonstrate resilience and use de-escalation techniques to defuse young people’s volatile behaviour. Sometimes, restraint is required to keep young people, and others, safe. On occasions, staff have felt unable to physically intervene because all of the staff on duty have not been trained or completed their refresher course. This compromises the safety of young people and staff. At the time of the inspection, only one member of staff was required to attend a refresher course, and this is booked for

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Requires improvement

April. So, some progress has now been made to rectify this vulnerability. Following incidents of restraint, young people have the opportunity to talk about what happened with someone who was not involved. However, all staff do not have this opportunity. When staff debriefs do take place, these occur as a group. This is not good practice because it does not provide staff with the opportunity to raise concerns about what happened easily. Furthermore, by not talking to everyone who was involved in the restraint means that managers and staff cannot fully reflect on what they can do to prevent a reoccurrence. Health and safety checks are not all carried out in a timely manner. Furthermore, when damage occurs, repairs are not carried out quickly. This exposes young people to potential hazards. The private road leading to the home is very rugged and is affected by the elements. This makes it difficult to access the home easily at

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Requires improvement

times. Furthermore, the area risk assessment does not reflect all known risks within the locality and this is an area identified for improvement. Some good practice is identified. For example, young people do not go missing often and there have only been three incidents since the last inspection. When young people do go missing, staff know what to do. They act promptly and liaise well with the police and placing authority to ensure that young people return safely. Young people always have the opportunity to speak to someone independent of the home about what happened while they were missing. Because young people arrive at the home with a history of repeatedly running away and putting themselves at risk, currently low incidents of missing reflect the good progress that young people make. Staff work with young people and help them to understand the difference between safe and unsafe relationships. Young people learn about grooming, what this can

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Requires improvement

look like, and how they can protect themselves from harm. Young people work through a carefully designed therapeutic programme. This helps young people to develop resilience, and make sense of their past experiences. Young people know how to complain and can identify people who they can talk to if they have any worries. Staff advocated well for a young person who was unhappy with the police response to an incident. Staff supported the young person to make a complaint to the police. This resulted in the police taking additional action, which they may not have done if she had not spoken out. Ensuring that young people have a voice demonstrates good child-care practice. Young people feel listened to and this improves their sense of safety. Staff implement a system of praise and reward, as well as consequences to help young people regulate their behaviour. The new manager has reviewed consequences, and provided staff with advice to ensure that these are

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Requires improvement

proportionate and effective. Young people report that consequences are fair. Sound recruitment processes help to maintain a safe workforce. As a result, unsuitable people are prevented from working in the home. Staff complete safeguarding training and know how to escalate concerns should they need to. This helps to protect young people from harm.

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Requires improvement

Since the last inspection, a new permanent manager has been appointed. She commenced her role on 9 February 2017. She is suitably experienced, but has yet to complete the relevant management qualification. The manager is due to start this in April 2017. The appointment of a permanent manager brings stability to the home after an unsettled period. Staff describe the manager as approachable and receptive. She has supervised all the staff since her arrival. This has provided staff with the opportunity to reflect on recent months, and to have their say about what is working well and what needs to improve. The manager understands that the home needs to improve and has identified priorities in the home’s development plan. Managers review young people’s care plans and, when they are not making sufficient progress, managers request meetings to review placement suitability. Consequently, managers take action and involve partner agencies to look at the

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Requires improvement

best way forward. Parents and social workers report positively about the standards of care provided to young people. They say that, overall, staff communicate well with them. They are kept up to date when things go well, as well as when there are difficulties. Good communication helps to promote positive working relationships with others. Managers have devised a clear training plan for the next year. This means that managers have reviewed what is needed to ensure that staff gain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the needs of young people. All significant events are reported to Ofsted in line with regulation. This allows the regulator to carry out its monitoring function because it is appropriately informed. This promotes young people’s welfare. This inspection identified some shortfalls in leadership and management. Since the last inspection, there has been a shortage of staff. Some staff have been off sick,

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Requires improvement

one member of staff has transferred to another home, and another has left. As a result, staff from other homes in the organisation have been brought in to work at this home. This does not provide young people with continuity and consistency. Although new staff are being recruited, young people have yet to benefit from a stable team. Not all staff are familiar with, and follow, young people’s placement plans. For example, when young people first arrive, they receive one-to-one support at home and in the community. On occasions, this has not happened and this has the potential to compromise young people’s safety. Managers and staff do not understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. For example, documentation is not always easy to find, staff duty rosters do not accurately reflect actual rosters worked, and young people’s records are not always written in a way that young people would find helpful. Therefore,

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Requires improvement

the organisation of records and the quality of record keeping is an area identified for improvement. Steps have been taken to ensure that external monitoring reports are sent to Ofsted in a timely manner. Managers have met with the independent visitor to make clear what is expected of them during their monitoring visits. This will help to improve consistency and ensure that there are robust arrangements in place. Weaknesses exist in internal quality assurance monitoring systems. They are not sufficiently robust for managers to identify shortfalls, patterns and trends. This limits the home’s capacity to improve. Although a quality of care review has been completed, this still does not take account of young people’s views about the care that they receive. Five requirements and three recommendations are raised following this inspection.

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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 the ‘Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection’. 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 looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements

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What the inspection judgements mean

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 harmed or at risk of harm, or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 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

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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 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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