Children's Home run by Care Haven (UK) Limited in Stockport

Inspection report children’s home: SC483828 1 SC483828 Registered provider: Care Haven (UK) Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 22 February 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

 Effective matching of young people’s needs is taken into consideration prior to any new admissions to the home. This contributes to stability of placement for all of the young people, enabling them to develop positive relationships with each other and staff.  Young people feel valued and cared for. This has increased their self-confidence Inspection report children’s home: SC483828 2 and self-worth, and as a consequence of this, they engage with their individual plans and have positive aspirations for their future lives.  Staff encourage and support young people to attend and engage in education. They work in partnership with education providers, understand current attainment levels and the progress plans to increase attainment. As a result of this, young people who previously had limited involvement with education attend regularly, are making progress and recognise the importance of education as the foundation for their future lives.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people receive help, support and guidance to lead healthy lifestyles. Appropriate action is taken to address healthcare needs, and staff work in partnership with other professionals to make sure that appropriate resources are made available to address any additional emotional healthcare need. As a result of this, young people are developing strategies to improve their emotional well-being.  Young people who have a history of risk-taking behaviours, such as going missing from home, are becoming increasingly safe. Staff follow clear risk assessments and behaviour management strategies. This has resulted in no episodes of going missing from home in the past four months. Young people say this is because they know that the staff care about their welfare and want them to be safe.  Staff understand how young people’s past experiences can have an impact on their behaviours. Comprehensive strategies focus on encouragement and

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Key findings from this inspection

recognition of positive behaviour, with negative consequences reducing over time. Young people feel that the reward and consequence system is fair and proportionate.  Activities provide young people with the opportunity to develop interests and skills which they can continue to pursue when they move on to semi- independence.  The registered manager and staff have high aspirations for young people and this is reflected in his, and the staff’s practice. A review of all paperwork and recording has been undertaken to make sure that young people have an understanding of their history, are fully involved in their care planning, and can see the progress they are making.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development

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Key findings from this inspection

 While there has been some refurbishment of the home, further refurbishment and ongoing maintenance are required. This includes young people’s bedroom furnishings, some of which are broken, and some are showing considerable wear and tear. The registered manager has compiled a comprehensive refurbishment and maintenance list highlighting which areas are a priority.  The dining room of the home is currently being used as temporary education provision while the organisation’s school is in the process of being registered. The main office is situated adjacent to this room, with staff and visitors accessing the office via the dining room while lessons are in progress. This affects young people’s learning. The office can be accessed via an alternative route to minimise disruption to learning. The manager took action to address Inspection report children’s home: SC483828 3 this during the inspection.  The home’s statement of purpose has been updated. However, it is not

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Key findings from this inspection

currently available on the provider’s website to enable additional access to this document from interested parties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 07/09/2016 Full Requires improvement 21/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 30/11/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC483828 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

2 (d) that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. This is with regard to the wardrobes in each child’s bedroom. 30/07/2017

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Requirement Due date

a home has a website, the registered person must ensure that a copy of the statement of purpose is published on the website unless the registered person considers that such publication would prejudice the welfare of the children in the home. (Regulation 16 (4)) 30/06/2017

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people say that this home feels like a home. One young person said: ‘This is the first home I have lived in where I don’t feel it is a children’s home. I feel the staff genuinely care about me rather than because they are paid to care about me. They have helped me to settle down, get back into education and are helping me make plans for my future. That’s why I think of this as home.’ Another young person agreed and said: ‘The only thing that would make it better is if I could move it to be nearer to my family and friends.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the range of needs of young people, making sure that they are all treated and supported as individuals. Clear and consistent boundaries provide the young people with security and care, enabling them to build positive relationships. This consistent approach has minimised negative behaviours, enabling young people to develop positive techniques to manage their emotions and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All of the young people at the home are attending education on a consistent and regular basis. Staff work in partnership with education providers and placing authorities to make Inspection report children’s home: SC483828 5 sure that education is given a high priority from the point that the young person moves into the home. When there is a delay in an education provision being identified, the manager is tenacious in raising this with the placing authority, while staff encourage and support young people to access education resources on the internet or within the community. As a result of this, young people who previously had minimal educational attendance have significantly increased their attendance and engagement. One school headteacher commented, ‘The home work well with the school and support the young person to access and take part in their education. Where there have been concerns, the home have been proactive in addressing these. This means the young person is able to

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

continue to improve their attendance and attainment.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are supported to develop skills to help them towards independence in accordance with their age and ability. This includes planning, shopping and preparing meals, as well as general household chores, such as cleaning and tidying their own bedrooms. One young person said: ‘Staff work with us and show us how to do things. We can also show staff how to do some things as well. I have been baking with a member of staff and showing him how to bake cakes because he has never done it before, and it is something I am really good at.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Activities are promoted well and offer young people a range of things to do, both within the home and in the community. This includes attending local clubs and groups that are of interest to them and which help them to meet other young people and make friends. They use local sports and leisure facilities to go swimming and take part in other sports. This helps them to develop interests which they can continue to pursue when they move on to semi-independent or fully independent living. Within the home there is a range of books, games and craft materials. The young people all made ‘emoji’ faces to demonstrate how they felt about living at the home and gave them to the inspector during the inspection. They were all positive happy emoji pictures.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s health is promoted well. All of the young people are registered with community healthcare professionals, including doctors and dentists, and are supported to attend appointments. Staff have a good understanding of emotional well-being and the importance of this. They request additional services, for example child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) where there is a potential need and work in partnership with the placing authority to access appropriate resources. Individual key working sessions also ensure that health and well-being are discussed, for example discussion around smoking and support provided to decrease and stop.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance for young people to see their family and friends, and, if it is in the best interest of the young person, support this well. This includes arranging transport and facilitating contact. One placing social worker said: ‘The home go the extra mile literally to enable [name] to continue to meet friends and family. They understand the importance of this and have planned it very well, looking at all aspects of the impact for [name], providing support prior, during and following the visit.’ Families feel welcome to the home, with one parent saying: ‘I am always made to feel welcome, and the staff have made a real difference for my child, who is happy, cared about and supported really well. I have nothing but praise for the home.’ Inspection report children’s home: SC483828 6

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

Young people say that they feel that their safety and welfare are promoted and supported well by staff. One young person said: ‘Staff have taken a real interest in me and I know they want me to be safe. This is the best placement I have ever had and I feel happy and safe living here.’

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

All of the young people have individualised risk assessments which identify risks and the measures in place to minimise these. Staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of risk management and help young people to understand ways in which they can keep themselves safe. This does not preclude them from taking measured risks as part of their ongoing development. This means that they develop an awareness and understanding of their safety. Behaviour management plans are detailed and, along with other aspects of care planning, young people are included in the formulation of these plans. This gives the young people greater autonomy in how they wish to be supported. As such, there has been a significant decrease in restraints and negative consequences. One young person said: ‘Staff give me space to calm and then I don’t get as angry as I used to. They talk to me about how my behaviour can impact not only on myself, but

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

also on others. I am learning to manage my anger far better than I used to. Part of the reason for this is I feel the staff respect me as a person and therefore I respect them.’

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

Staff have undertaken specific training in relation to child sexual exploitation and are vigilant to the signs of this. They work in partnership with other agencies to safeguard young people at risk of child sexual exploitation, including police and placing authority social workers. They also undertake work specifically developed for young people to use to develop an insight into potentially exploitative situations. This includes guidance on the use of social media and keeping themselves safe online. One independent reviewing officer commented: ‘[Name] is in a far better place emotionally and physically since she moved to the home. The nurturing environment has had a positive impact for her and she has moved forward really well. There is still ongoing work to be completed, but the staff are very aware of taking things at the young person’s pace to help her to make sense of some of the issues in her past. I am reassured the placement promotes her

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

safety and well-being exceptionally well.’

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

There has been a significant reduction in young people going missing from the home. When this has happened, staff follow agreed procedures and report to the relevant agencies. They continue to try to make contact and search known areas where the young person may be. Upon return, they are welcomed back, and an independent visit is undertaken to enable the young person to discuss any reason or concerns they have in relation to their going missing. Since the last full inspection, there have been seven incidents of this occurring. These have been early on in the placement. The home has been proactive in addressing these and, as a result, there have been fewer incidents of going missing in recent months.

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

Young people benefit from regular one-to-one support and key worker sessions. This enables them to discuss and explore their feelings and any issues that may be Inspection report children’s home: SC483828 7 concerning them. Bullying is not tolerated within the home and is a regular discussion point in young people’s meetings. As a result of this, all of the young people say that they do not feel bullied, but if they did, they would be confident in raising this with staff and know that they would receive support.

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

Some areas of the home have recently been redecorated: the hallway, the dining room and office. However, other areas are showing signs of wear and tear, as well as broken furniture. These include the young people’s bedrooms, where there are broken wardrobes and chests of drawers. This does not provide a safe and effective place for young people to store their clothing and belongings. The bath in the upstairs bathroom also has some rust on it and could place young people at risk of harm. The manager has completed a full replacement, repair and refurbishment audit across the whole of the house and is prioritising work to promote the safety of the young people. Further refurbishment work is planned for the basement of the home to ensure that any areas of damp are eradicated. This area is not currently used by the young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has recently been registered with Ofsted, having previously been the deputy manager of the home. He has completed his level 5 qualification and demonstrates a good understanding of his role. He has conducted a review of the paperwork, which reflects the individual needs of young people and how these are being supported. Young people confirm that they are included within their care planning process. All professionals spoken with say that the communication with the home is very good. The manager is receptive to feedback and incorporates this within the changes he has made in the home. He reflects on his practice and takes appropriate action to address any shortfalls or areas for development. An example of this is in relation to part of the home being used as a school and the initial siting of the classrooms. The area was not appropriate for this use and the manager has been able to identify a different area

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

within the home for education and also follow up action to make sure that the lessons are not disrupted unnecessarily.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home promotes stability for young people. Careful consideration is given to any young people being admitted to the home, taking into account their needs and those of the young people currently living there. The home works in accordance with the statement of purpose, which identifies the aims and objectives of the home. This document is made available to placing social workers and other interested parties upon request. However, it is not available on the organisation’s website to provide additional ways for interested parties to access this document. Young people have a children’s guide, which provides them with an overview of the home and what it is like living there. Staff discuss this guide with young people when they arrive at the home to help them settle in, as well as making sure that they have an individual copy of it for future reference. All of the young people currently at the home say that they felt that the

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

support and welcome they received from the initial start of their placement provided them with reassurance. One young person, who was unable to visit prior to moving in, Inspection report children’s home: SC483828 8 said: ‘I had information provided about the home and the manager spoke to me on the phone, which made me feel less worried about coming to live here.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager reviews and monitors records maintained. In addition, an independent visitor undertakes monthly reviews of the home, compiling a report to reflect on the care provided. These reports are evaluative and show whether young people are safeguarded effectively and their welfare promoted. These reports are provided to the home and Ofsted in a timely manner, enabling the manager to address any shortfalls identified, and allowing the regulator to have oversight of the care provided by the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. This, alongside regular training, means that they have a good understanding of their role, enables them to reflect on their practice and develop their skills. This means that young people are supported by staff who have the knowledge and experience of providing care and support to young people. Three staff members hold level 3 qualifications, with two members of staff currently working towards this. One staff member said: ‘Supervision and support is excellent. We all work together as a team and this provides consistency to the young people. We all want them to have the very best care, support and opportunities to give them good foundations for their futures.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, the manager has addressed the requirement and recommendations made. Recruitment processes are robust and all references are confirmed. Recent training has been completed regarding managing self-harm and all staff ensure that recording is clear, accurate and legible.

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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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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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: SC483828 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Care Haven (UK) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: c/o Stephen Glicher & Co; Eden Point, Three Acres Lane, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 6RL

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Patricia Swallow

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Inspector

Sarah Oldham, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC483828 10 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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