Children's home run by Care Afloat Ltd in West Lancashire

Inspection report children's home: SC006014 1 SC006014 Registered provider: Care Afloat Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private company.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

 Staff have a very good understanding of young people’s needs. They use this knowledge effectively to provide high-quality care and support. Inspection report children's home: SC006014 2  Staff provide aspirational, warm and consistent care. This underpins the positive relationships with young people, and other people involved in their planning, to support them to make progress and achieve positive outcomes.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people are involved in planning the way that the home looks, and the activities that they take part in. Their views and opinions are valued, supporting children’s developing confidence in expressing their preferences.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Risks to young people’s safety and well-being are thoroughly understood. Staff follow all procedures to keep young people safe. When young people go missing, staff strongly advocate to ensure independent return home interviews take place so that staff can take action to protect them. The home seeks support from the police to protect young people from risks presented by adults living in the local area.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Staff effectively engage other agencies to support young people’s well-being and development. Where there are delays in plans moving forward, staff will challenge to ensure that services are put in place.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Feedback from other professionals is very positive about the impact of the child- centred care provided in the home.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The staff team is well supported by leaders and managers. It is cohesive and stable, which provides consistency for young people living in the home. Training opportunities enable staff to maintain their current knowledge and update their skills.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Leaders have a good understanding of the plans for young people’s futures and how the home can support them in moving towards independence.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Shortfalls identified at this inspection do not significantly impact on young people’s welfare or progress.

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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

 The home should notify Ofsted if there are concerns which might impact on the safety or welfare of a child, such as when a child goes missing from the home, particularly when this represents a significant change in the child’s behaviour.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The home’s statement of purpose needs to state the arrangements for professional supervision of staff who provide therapy for children, to ensure that their practice remains of expected quality to meet children’s needs.

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Key findings from this inspection

 When reviewing the quality of care provided in the home, the views of external stakeholders, including parents, need to be incorporated consistently to help the home identify any actions for improvement. Inspection report children's home: SC006014 3  Staff need to ensure that records are accurately written so that the reader is able to clearly understand what has happened and the timeline of events.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The kitchen units and work surfaces need to be updated so that the physical environment of the home is of a high standard and provides a safe and welcoming place to live.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Once confirmed, details of any location with a child abduction warning notice need to be included in the home’s local area risk assessment.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 06/12/2016 Full Requires improvement 08/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/11/2015 Full Requires improvement Inspection report children's home: SC006014 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

40: Notification of a serious event The registered manager must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if– there is any other any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(e)). In particular, when a child goes missing from the home which is a significant change in behaviour. 07/06/2017

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Requirement Due date

16: Statement of purpose The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (‘the statement of purpose’) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. (Regulation 16(1) and Schedule 1(14)(a)). Specifically, Schedule 1 requires the inclusion of details of the professional supervision of the staff involved in providing any healthcare or therapy. 07/06/2017

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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 provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(5)). 07/06/2017

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Recommendations

 Staff should understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording that accurately reflects the sequence of events. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendations

 Staff should provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming and that meets children’s basic day-to-day needs and physical necessities, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met. This refers to the refurbishment of the kitchen and installation of a computer for children, as identified within the home’s previous development plan. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7) Inspection report children's home: SC006014 5  The review of premises should include identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. In particular, this should include details of any child abduction warning notices served, once confirmed. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people enjoy trusting and close relationships with staff, who support and enable them to make positive progress across their lives from their starting points. One social worker noted how staff act as strong role models and another noted how important individual staff members are to a young person and how they go ‘above and beyond’ in their care. Relationships were observed to be warm and relaxed, with advice and explanations being offered to help young people understand events happening in their lives. There is little conflict in the home between the young people who live there. In general, they get on well and respect each other and recently enjoyed a holiday together with staff. They enjoyed simple, everyday experiences such as playing on the beach, as well as paid activities that they chose and planned themselves, including trips to the zoo and underground trampolining in caves. Both young people experienced a trip to the

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

circus for the first time during one half-term break. Positive community activities, including opportunities to undertake voluntary work, are encouraged, to develop young people’s social interaction, interpersonal skills and confidence. Such opportunities enrich young people’s life experiences and staff are preparing photographs as mementoes for when they move on from the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One young person has achieved significantly in education, despite their learning needs not being formally identified until recently. The home works well with the social worker and education provider, the home has advocated strongly for the completion of assessments for an education, health and care plan. The authority in which the home is located will complete the statutory assessment, if agreed at panel, to ensure the plan is in place prior to the young person leaving the home. This will provide invaluable information for the individual’s future training and employment opportunities. The other young person has sometimes struggled with being educated with peers. Alternative strategies have been put in place, with mixed results, although progress has been made in a key subject. Staff have challenged the education provider to ensure that opportunities for the young person to disengage are minimised, for example, by

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

suggesting that breaks are spent at school and to review strategies to encourage better engagement. Staff emphasise the importance of education for future opportunities in key-work sessions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people enjoy good health and are supported to attend all appointments to ensure they remain healthy. They are provided with home-cooked, nutritious meals and are offered alternatives at their request. If young people require medication, this is recorded appropriately and clearly. Staff seek advice, where necessary, from the nurse allocated for children looked after and other health agencies. This is done to promote young Inspection report children's home: SC006014 6 people’s health, including their mental and sexual health needs, or where there may be concerns regarding possible alcohol or substance misuse. Therapeutic input is provided by an external provider; there is additional consultation for staff, to guide their practice with regard to supporting young people’s emotional needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s views are regularly sought and records reflect that they are happy living in the home. One young person told me that they think the home is ‘good’ and teased staff about which of them were their favourite team members. Young people contribute to ideas for the home, and will help staff to make improvements, including in the garden, so that they can enjoy their living space. They are encouraged to think about how they can benefit from, and contribute to, statutory reviews of their care plans. Staff attend reviews to advocate for young people, and also consider involving independent advocates to ensure young people’s voices are heard. If young people are not able to attend their reviews, their views are gathered in advance so that their social workers and independent reviewing officers know what is important for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

To support transition to adulthood, staff work in partnership with education providers to support young people in developing independent living skills, for which they can attain recognised qualifications. Staff are enthusiastic about developing this programme further to enable young people to be confident about their skills and abilities as they make this important transition. They are keen to encourage young people to make appropriate choices in relationships and develop positive social networks, for example, by positively reinforcing when young people listen to adults and supporting individuals to avoid conflict with siblings during contact. Staff monitor the impact of family contact, recognising that this can impact emotionally on young people. They have advocated for young people to spend time with family members who are unwell and they spend time listening, to reduce young people’s worries. Families report that they are kept informed

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

of any significant events in young people’s lives. One parent reported that she can speak with staff openly about any concerns she has, and feels her child is ‘doing brilliantly’ because of the care provided at the home. Feedback from social workers and other professionals is similarly positive about young people’s progress and the home’s child- centred approach.

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

Staff help and protect young people by having a thorough understanding of risks to their safety, and by using the appropriate behaviour management strategies that are in place to mitigate such risks. As a result, the risk of child sexual exploitation has significantly decreased, as has the risk of young people engaging in negative associations with former acquaintances, meaning that contact can now more safely take place in young people’s home localities. Where appropriate, staff advocate for young people to demonstrate their ability to manage risks, such as being unsupervised during contact, as part of the transition towards relocating to their home areas. Assessments are updated regularly, and in response to any incidents which might increase risks. During the inspection, risk assessments were being updated in response to young people going missing, following recent events, to ensure that staff are clearly aware and can respond

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

Inspection report children's home: SC006014 7 effectively to keep them safe.

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

Following a prolonged period during which young people have not gone missing, there have been some recent incidents when young people have not returned to the home at the agreed time. These reflect a significant change in young people’s behaviour which has not been notified to Ofsted. However, staff have a good understanding of the underlying causes, such as one young person’s increased anxieties about future planning towards semi-independence, and consider how to provide activities to support young people to manage such emotions more effectively. When young people have gone missing, there is a robust response, with appropriate contact with other agencies and with parents. One parent stated that she did always get an immediate update when her child returned home. Staff have clear expectations of placing authorities’ responsibilities to arrange independent return home interviews and challenge when they are presented

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

with barriers, such as changes to local authority protocol. The home effectively seeks the support of other agencies to minimise the risks that are presented when young people go missing. Young people know how to complain and are able to discuss their concerns with members of staff with whom they have trusted relationships. One young person was observed voicing unhappiness about actions taken by the police in respect of a child abduction warning notice being served. The member of staff was patient in explaining why this had happened and how it was to keep the young person safe. Once the home has confirmation of the notice, the locality risk assessment will be updated, to reflect the hazards presented to young people’s safety.

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

Due to the strong relationships between staff and young people, and the staff’s understanding of young people’s needs, behaviour management is effective. Individual staff know how they need to support young people, when faced with challenges, to help them to overcome them and develop better self-management strategies. Physical intervention is not required to manage any negative behaviour and any consequences are appropriate and proportionate. For example, when young people’s friends do not respect the home’s rules or neighbours, staff tell them they are no longer allowed to visit, reflecting the actions of a good parent. Young people are challenged regarding any prejudiced attitudes, such as views towards their opposite gender. Incentives are used to promote positive behaviours, such as school attendance, and staff are clear about their use. For example, if a young person does not engage well at school, the incentive

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

remains for attendance and the school takes responsibility for managing behaviour within the education setting. Young people therefore have a clear understanding of the consistent boundaries that are in place, and what is expected of them.

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

There have been no safeguarding issues, other than those relating to missing events, which have needed to be reported to statutory agencies. However, staff understand the home’s procedures, which they can follow if allegations are made or if they have any concerns regarding harm to children. Inspection report children's home: SC006014 8

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A stable and established staff team is led by a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager. A care coordinator supports the manager in the leadership of the home. The staff share a commitment to providing high-quality care, working together to drive forward improvements in the home and adapting to the home’s resourcing needs to minimise the use of agency workers. This provides young people with consistency of care from adults they know well and demonstrates the passion of staff to have a meaningful and positive impact.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff confirm that they receive regular and supportive supervision that helps them to reflect on and improve their practice. This focuses on young people’s needs and plans, as well as the staff’s own professional development needs, and provides opportunities to reflect on team dynamics. Supervision takes place at the frequency expected within the organisation’s policy and is clearly recorded. Leaders additionally provide informal support to the team and state they are readily available to give advice. Any practice issues identified are discussed at regular and well-attended staff meetings that prioritise the needs of young people. These take place after young people’s consultations to ensure that any requests or concerns raised can be discussed without unnecessary delay. Staff are able to update their knowledge and skills through a planned training programme which provides both online and face-to-face delivery to support the

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

individual needs of young people. Managers attend workshops which highlight specific areas of effective leadership. Individuals who do not already hold an appropriate childcare qualification are enrolled to work towards this qualification, and are supported by the leadership team. This ensures that the team is equipped with the necessary skills and experience to deliver the care and support that will promote positive outcomes for young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have a thorough understanding of the plans for young people, and ensure that these reflect and comply with up-to-date local authority care plans. Plans clearly relate to young people’s futures and promote the steps required to achieve their goals, for example by progressing contact with families to take place in their home areas, in preparation for returning to those localities. Records reflect young people’s everyday lived experiences and provide insight into their achievements and challenges. However, at times, records do not incorporate all information in one place to provide the reader with a clear sequence of events.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a plan for the home’s development that highlights an ongoing programme of improvement to the physical environment. However, the kitchen units look worn and work surfaces are damaged and need replacing to ensure standards of hygiene are maintained. Young people have been involved in choosing new wallpaper for the kitchen once outstanding work has been completed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders within the home monitor and review the quality of care provided to identify the progress of young people and the impact of practice. This and the external monitoring by an independent visitor enable leaders to identify areas for improvement. There is an understanding of the importance of monitoring to fully analyse and evaluate the care Inspection report children's home: SC006014 9 provided and how this helps young people to be supported to achieve positive outcomes. However, monitoring needs to consistently include the feedback of external stakeholders, including parents, to provide a holistic review of care. Reviews and records demonstrate that the home is operating within its stated aims and objectives, as outlined in the statement of purpose. This document requires review to reflect current statute and terminology, in addition to the professional supervision arrangements of those providing therapy to young people who live in the home.

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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 who 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: SC006014 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Care Afloat Ltd, 158 Birkrig, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 9HP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michael Fletcher

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Inspector

Karen Willson: social care regulatory inspector Inspection report children's home: SC006014 11 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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