Children's Home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited in Calderdale

Inspection report children's home: SC069293 1 SC069293 Registered provider: Timeout Children’s Homes Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is run by a private company. It is registered to take up to two children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account outstanding

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Overall experiences and progress of

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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Overall experiences and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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Overall experiences and progress of

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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Overall experiences and progress of

Date of last inspection: 19 December 2016

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Overall experiences and progress of

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home is outstanding because

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Key findings from this inspection

 Children’s happiness is given the highest priority. They make significant Inspection report children's home: SC069293 2 progress.  Children are helped to have the childhood experiences that they have missed.  Children are getting the opportunity to enjoy life and be involved in community activities.  Children get invaluable help with their emotional well-being. They are helped to understand their identities and who they are.  Staff go the extra mile to be with the children on special occasions, such as Christmas and birthdays.

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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 decoration of the home needs to be maintained and any damage repaired, to maintain a homely appearance.  Children need to be provided with the contact details of the children’s commissioner.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/12/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 01/06/2016 Full Outstanding 23/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 10/06/2015 Full Outstanding Inspection report children's home: SC069293 3

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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) This is with particular reference to redecorating and repairing damage within the home. This relates to the lounge ceiling, the upstairs bathroom and to some internal doors.  The children’s guide should help the children understand how to contact the office for the children’s commissioner. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.22)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are enjoying their childhood and are gaining invaluable memories and experiences. One child’s favourite memory was when the tooth fairy came. The tooth fairy had never been to them before. Children’s confidence is growing. For example, one child who was scared of water can now swim and enjoys going to the swimming pool. This demonstrates the way in which staff are committed to giving children the chance to learn new skills and lessons for life. Children have aspirations to do well and are also embracing opportunities to help others. For example, a musician came to the home to perform for the children. The children could relate to him, as he had spent time in care. They are now involved in helping him to raise funds to support a school in Africa. Children’s emotional well-being has significantly improved. They are supported to come to a better understanding of their problems. This helps to strengthen their emotional

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

resilience. Professionals report that the staff team has a strong comprehension of children’s emotional needs and embraces the use of techniques to help the children. One professional said: ‘I am really impressed with the staff team’s overall approach. They have the child’s needs down to a tee.’ Children are continually reminded of how well they are doing. Any level of progress and achievement is celebrated and captured. The staff write a daily message to the children; these are stored in a message jar. The children open the jars every New Year and look at all the positive messages. One child reported: ‘I am not as naughty now that I know I am staying here’ In addition, one child received a compliment from a lady in a shop, as she found him a ‘helpful, courteous and polite young man’. Inspection report children's home: SC069293 4 Children benefit from well-planned moves into the home. One child had a number of

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

visits and chose the decoration for her room prior to her move. This attention to detail helped her to accept the move and she settled in more quickly than she had in previous placements. The manager thoroughly reviews the impact and compatibility of the children. One child stated: ‘It’s nice that X (another resident of the home lives here. It is like having a big sister in the house.’ Children make significant progress in their educational attainment and attendance, given their individual starting points. Staff recognise the individual needs and difficulties that the children face and are quick to adapt their educational programmes. Therefore, when children are not in full-time education, staff are resourceful with regard to engaging the children in alternative educational activities, while striving to get them back on to a full timetable. Children are helped to understand who they are and are able to ask questions about

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

their identities. Staff have developed the children’s knowledge about different cultures and, in addition, are using relevant resources to explore questions about gender, body changes and presentation. For example, one book that is being used is entitled ‘My Princess Boy’. One child has also enjoyed going to a specialist Caribbean hairdresser and, by having this need met, is now observed to have more self-worth. Children are helped to manage any specific health conditions they may have, supported by staff who have received specific training to meet any complex medical needs. For example, the staff have developed their learning and practice in the management of diabetes. This care and attention to the child’s condition has had a substantial impact and has reduced the number of hospital admissions. In addition, children’s general health needs are met, with one child now attending the dentist for treatment. One child

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

reported: ‘I am fit, healthy and strong and like the food that staff cook for me.’ Children have clear transition plans to support a smooth move on from the home. One child was rehabilitated with his family; this was achieved because of the depth of planning that the manager undertook in order to make this a success. Children live in a home that is warm and welcoming. The decoration is chosen through consultation with children and is generally to a high standard. However, some areas of the home need redecorating and damaged doors need to be repaired. This detracts from an otherwise excellent environment for the children. One child said: ‘My home is good and I love the trampoline.’

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

Children are cared for by experienced staff who provide consistent and stable care. Staff set clear boundaries to further support the children’s safety and security. One professional said: ‘X (name of child) has made significant improvements as he now has a consistent world.’ General feedback from professionals and parents about the children is that they are calm and happy living in the home. Children rarely go missing from the home and, when they do, agreed protocols are followed so that they are returned Inspection report children's home: SC069293 5 quickly. Good risk management keeps children safe. Children enjoy high levels of supervision and safeguarding strategies are effective. Staff are aware of the behaviours that put children at risk. They review their care practices accordingly to ensure that the children are safe and protected. This has helped children to learn how to regulate their behaviours and

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

emotions. Consequently, one child has been able to attend community-based activities, such as dancing and cheerleading.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is well qualified and experienced. She is described as being very approachable and insightful regarding the needs of the children and the staff team. By recognising the needs of the home she ensures the consistency of practice for the children. The manager and the staff team fulfil the home’s statement of purpose as they place the well-being of children at the forefront of their practice. As a team, the staff excel in their commitment to the children and enhance their lives. For example, when there are special times or events, the whole staff team makes the effort to be part of these for the children. Even when they are off-duty they all call in at Christmas and on birthdays. A member of staff said: ‘We give 150% at all times, as we cannot afford not to if we are to meet the needs of the children.’ The manager is supportive of her team and is committed to the development of the staff. This helps to sustain staff in their roles and provides the consistency for children

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

which is a crucial element to their stability. One staff member said: ‘The manager is motivational and without her I would not be developing as well as I am.’ To further support the retention of staff, new employees experience an interview process that provides a greater insight into the role. The interview now includes a description of ‘a day in the life of a care worker’. Children have also been involved in the interviews, posing questions that are important to them. Up-to-date and comprehensive record-keeping across a full range of written records means that staff are fully informed of the children’s current and potential needs. Staff use reflective practice and research to further explore and implement responses to the children’s needs. This includes work around techniques to help children get quality sleep, exploration of specific cultures and foods; self-care practices and mental health and medical conditions. A professional said: ‘The attention to detail is exceptional.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

As the home is a therapeutic placement, the staff get regular guidance from the clinical team. To further strengthen this practice, the clinical team receives supervision from an external psychologist to provide oversight of the practices being disseminated and implemented. The manager has thorough oversight of the home’s operation and her monitoring is strong. The manager keeps updated on the changes to the inspection framework and Inspection report children's home: SC069293 6 addresses these within practice to maintain standards. A professional reports: ‘The manager is good at remaining calm and keeping the focus on the needs of the home.’ Partnership working is a strength and there is regular consultation with parents and professionals. At times the staff have faced challenges and barriers to communication. However, the staff are proactive in finding ways of working together to support the needs of the children.

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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: SC069293 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Time-Out Children’s Homes Ltd, Unit 2, Mill Fold, Ripponden, Sowerby Bridge HX6 4DH

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Inspector

Jennifer Fenlon: social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC069293 8 achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for 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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