Children's home run by Good Foundations Limited in Wirral

Inspection report children's home: SC067771 1 SC067771 Registered provider: Good Foundations Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered for four children who are in the category of emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned and there are five other homes registered with Ofsted by this organisation.

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: 2 February 2017

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home is good because Inspection report children's home: SC067771 2  Staff continually place the safety and well-being of each young person at the centre of their practice, irrespective of the significant challenges they sometimes present.

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

 Staff work hard to improve the overall experiences of young people living in the home. As a result, young people are making progress in several areas of their lives, including health, education and behaviour.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Managers and staff provide nurturing, trusting and supportive relationships, which enable young people to feel safe, listened to and valued. Therefore, relationships between the young people and staff are positive.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Clear boundaries are maintained and staff encourage good routines which support young people’s progress and development.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Staff help young people manage complex contact arrangements safely, enabling them to keep in touch with people who are important to them.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Educational attendance and levels of participation are excellent and this supports young people’s learning and life chances. Significant progress is being made relative to each young person’s starting point.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 A restorative approach to behaviour management means young people are supported to understand the impact of negative behaviour on themselves and others.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Activities and opportunities are plentiful, enabling young people to have new experiences, develop skills and build confidence. Achievements are celebrated, and young people are beginning to take pride in their accomplishments.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Leaders and managers display passion and commitment in their roles. Strong leadership means this home is well organised and effectively managed.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Multi-agency working is evident in the home. Professionals and parents were all highly complimentary about the quality and standard of care provided to all young people.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Records are not yet robust and some placement plans, risk assessments and behaviour management plans lack clarity and detail.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 A training matrix is required to demonstrate the skills staff have gained and areas for further improvement.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Supervision needs to take place for all staff, as required in the home’s own policies and procedures. Inspection report children's home: SC067771 3  Medication records require improvement. In particular, records need to include the time that medication has been administered.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 11/10/2016 Full Requires improvement 11/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/12/2015 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC067771 4

p.3

Recommendations

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2). In particular, supervision should take place in line with the frequency outlined in their supervision policy.

p.4

Recommendations

 Ensure that children’s risk reduction and behaviour management plans are routinely reviewed and revised to include up-to-date information about assessed risks for individual children, and clear and comprehensive details of the specific steps that the staff will take to manage any assessed risks on a day-to-day basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.6)

p.4

Recommendations

 Ensure that medicines are administered in line with a medically approved protocol. Records must be kept of the administration of all medication, which includes occasions when prescribed medication is refused. Regulation 23 requires the registered person to ensure that they make suitable arrangements to manage, administer and dispose of any medication (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15). In particular, ensure that a time that medication is given is recorded.

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should have a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce-related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). The plan should be updated to include any new training and qualifications of staff completed by staff while working at the home, and used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional development needs of staff. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, there have been further changes to the staff team. The registered manager made the decision to resign from her post and returned to a deputy manager role in the home. A new acting manager is in post and he is in the process of submitting his application to HMCI. Throughout this period of change, young people have been fully informed and updated. Staff who know young people well have worked alongside new staff members to ensure young people are cared for by staff with whom Inspection report children's home: SC067771 5 they have already established relationships. This has enabled young people to remain settled and well cared for throughout a period of change. Young people said, ‘It’s actually better already and I like the new staff’; ‘They (staff) have checked we are ok and asked what we think’; and, ‘It’s good that they told us what was happening as it is our home.’

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All young people were extremely positive about their home and the care they receive. Young people said:

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

 ‘It’s 10 out of 10 here all day, everyday’;

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

 ‘I love it here and I know all the staff really do care and want us to do well’;

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

 ‘If I’m ever upset there is always someone I can talk to and they will listen’; and

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

 ‘I love it when [name of staff member] is here, he is just so funny, and it makes me laugh.’

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Such comments reflect the quality of the relationships between staff and young people. They clearly benefit from being cared for by a skilled and dedicated staff team that establishes open and honest relationships with them. This fosters mutual respect and trust, and enables young people to develop reciprocating relationships with others.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are responding to the high levels of nurturing and warmth provided. This was evident throughout the inspection when young people were laughing and joking with staff. There was physical warmth and the atmosphere was relaxed. Furthermore, professionals and parents were highly complimentary about the improvements to the home, including the environment and the staff team. One carer said ‘I never wanted him to go in a children’s home as I have an idea of what I thought it was like. How wrong was I? This is a home like any other, staff really care and are clearly committed to the young people living there. They really are amazing.’

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one young person has moved to his own home. The transition plan was detailed and staff ensured that the young person was fully involved in the planning and moving process. In addition, managers successfully challenged the placing authority when an unrealistic and quick timescale for the proposed move was provided. Although this impacted on the young person’s anxieties, staff were able to reassure him and the timescale was increased to enable a smooth transition. The young person continues to maintain contact with staff who cared for him and said, ‘I did like living at the home. I have staff to talk to and they helped me a lot.’ The young person’s parent said ‘The staff looked after, cared for and supported my son through some extremely difficult times. I always knew that he was safe and surrounded by people who care. I am eternally grateful.’

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers have ensured that there are now detailed education, health and contact plans in place. These clearly evidence the progress and experiences of young people. Expectations about attendance are clear, and good routines facilitate high levels of Inspection report children's home: SC067771 6 engagement. Increased attendance and academic progress are documented and staff demonstrated a clear understanding of all young people’s needs. One young person said, ‘I can’t believe I got a certificate for excellent progress’; another had 100% attendance. Given their starting points of intermittent attendance and poor levels of engagement, this demonstrates the significant progress young people have made.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are fully supported to maintain contact with people who are important to them. Staff ensure that all contact arrangements reflect the young person’s care plan. Arrangements can be complex and staff are sensitive to this. Appropriate support is in place to ensure that contact is as safe and positive an experience as possible. Parents are positive about the care provided, with one saying, ‘I can ring anytime and staff will let me know how he is doing. I still feel involved and I get the chance to still go to school and health appointments.’

p.6

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A further strength of this home are the varied and individualised activities and opportunities provided to young people. This includes guitar and piano lessons, cadets, youth clubs and many more. These new and exciting experiences enable young people to develop new skills and build their confidence and self-esteem. Achievements are always recognised and celebrated and young people are beginning to take pride in their accomplishments.

p.6

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The physical environment has significantly improved. The acting manager has devised a development plan to reflect areas requiring further improvements. This includes carpets on the staircases, new garden furniture and new bedroom doors. Furthermore, young people are in the process of individualising their bedrooms to reflect their interests and personalities. They said, ‘I got the choice of new posters’; and, ‘I asked for a new cupboard to put my things on and I got it, it’s tidier.’ The improvements in the environment clearly reflect the nurturing, caring environment that staff work hard to create.

p.6

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

Inspection report children's home: SC067771 7 Young people feel safe and protected in the home and staff demonstrate a good understanding of young people’s needs and vulnerabilities. However, on occasions the home’s risk assessments and behaviour management plans do not reflect this good practice. This is largely due to individual risk assessments and plans not always containing up to date and accurate information. However, discussions with the acting manager showed that he had already identified this as an area for further improvement and had compiled an action plan to share with staff about changes to improve practice.

p.7

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

Young people’s risk-taking behaviour reduces from the point of them moving into the home. For example, incidents of missing from care, substance misuse and offending have significantly decreased. This is because staff support them in these areas, undertaking direct-work sessions to raise young people’s awareness of the risks associated with these behaviours and to teach them how to keep safe.

p.7

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

A key strength of the home is the pro-active approach and fun way staff engage young people and other professionals about areas of risk and safety. For example, staff have, in agreement with young people, arranged for specialist advisors to visit the home to talk to young people at their weekly house meetings. This has included visits from substance misuse workers, sexual health workers and the fire brigade and has meant that young people are provided with up-to-date and accurate information about areas of risk and strategies to keep themselves and others safe. One health advisor reported, ‘The session was about healthy relationships, focusing on all the relationships we can have with other people, e.g. family, friends. We discussed the qualities and values of these relationships, allowing the young people to recognise what are important qualities within their relationships, and if these qualities could be transferred across each

p.7

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

relationship. Through the support of an activity, the young people reflected really well on what qualities were important to them, and many of them saw new qualities which they had not thought of before, but recognised that they are important to them. The session was very successful and feedback from young people was excellent.’

p.7

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

A restorative approach to behaviour management means young people are supported to understand the impact of negative behaviour on themselves and others. There are now clear boundaries in place to manage challenging and risky behaviour. Staff work well together as a team, and this consistent approach helps young people to understand the rules and boundaries and why these are in place. Young people report that any consequences they receive are fair and that positive behaviour is promoted through incentive schemes which reward good behaviour.

p.7

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

Improvements are needed in the recording of medication in the home. On occasions, staff had made errors and then overwritten the information. This made it very difficult to read. The times that medication was administered had not been included and some stocktaking amounts recorded an inaccurate total. The acting manager recognised this as an area for improvement. He took immediate action to rectify this by introducing a new medication book and, furthermore, discussed the importance of medication recording in the team meeting, highlighting training as a key issue. Inspection report children's home: SC067771 8

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is currently no registered manager at the home. The previous manager stepped down from her post at the beginning of April 2017. Following a recruitment drive, a new acting manager is in place. He is in the process of submitting his application form to HMCI. He has appropriate qualifications and has several years’ experience of working in residential care. He clearly demonstrated drive and commitment to his new role. He has developed action plans and met with the responsible individual and company directors to progress these plans. They are all supportive of the new manager and have already taken action to address concerns raised, including improving the home environment.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although some members of the staff team are new to the home, they have all previously worked in the company’s other children’s home. They are clearly committed to their roles and told the inspector, ‘I am looking forward to a new challenge’; ‘I have worked here before, but this time I feel it’s different and already we are working well as a new team’; and, ‘The new manager is very clear about the ethos and vision for the home and is already asking what we think. The atmosphere is really good and the young people most importantly are making progress.’

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Most staff have received regular supervision and could recognise how this enables them to make progress and continually develop. One staff member said, ‘I find the sessions helpful in making sure I am doing a good job’, and, ‘I can ask about training and developing and there have been opportunities for this; that’s important to me.’ However, due to the changes to the deputy manager’s role, no formal supervision sessions had been arranged. There had been several informal discussions with the new acting manager, but these were not recorded or planned. This is not in line with the company’s own supervision policies. This is an area for improvement and was recognised as such by the acting manager.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have attended training and could identify how this had improved their practices, particularly around child sexual exploitation, safeguarding and first aid. However, there were limited records within the home to indicate what recent training staff have attended and when any refresher training courses were required. The acting manager had identified this as an area for improvement in his plans, but had not yet had the opportunity to implement it. It was acknowledged that all information is held at head office, but the acting manager had not had the opportunity to update all the records in the home.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have reviewed the development plan for the home to ensure that all previous shortfalls are effectively addressed and that the quality of care provided continually develops and improves. Previous requirements that related to the safety and care of young people have been addressed and the home’s improvement plan sets out actions that will ensure that young people are effectively supported to achieve positive outcomes. Staff confirm that they are involved in reviewing the systems and procedures that set out how they deliver good care. Staff are also contributing to team meetings to ensure that they are consistent in their practices, by clarifying house rules, rewards and incentives. This will ensure the home continues to provide a good quality of care to all Inspection report children's home: SC067771 9 young people.

p.8

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.9

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: SC067771 10

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Good Foundations Limited

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 Tower Quays, Tower Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH41 1BP

p.10

Inspector(s)

Michelle Edge: social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC067771 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.

p.10

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.11

Inspector(s)

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

p.11

Inspector(s)

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

p.11