Children's Home run by A Wilderness Way Limited in Northumberland

Inspection report children’s home: SC474894 1 SC474894 Registered provider: A Wilderness Way 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

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

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 04/07/2017 to 05/07/2017

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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 requires improvement to be 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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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: None

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Key findings from this inspection

 The young people have made substantial improvement in their personal development.  The young people have good relationships with the staff.  The staff team enable the young people to express their feelings and emotions Inspection report children’s home: SC474894 2 in a safe and nurturing way.  The staff team advocate and support young people to maintain progress in their education. The young people have made excellent progress in their individual attendance and attainment.  The young people are increasingly safe as a result of living here.  A substantial number of new staff have been recruited. As a result of a robust recruitment policy, the staff are well trained and committed to meeting the young people’s individual needs and the home’s principles and objectives.  The registered manager is very visible to the young people and shows a desire and commitment to ensure that they receive the best possible care in their time

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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 registered manager needs to ensure that the home’s management of behaviour is not impaired by complacency.  Administration of records in relation to children’s files requires improvement.  The consultation processes with the young people require clear outcomes that are then communicated back to them.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 02/08/2016 Full Requires improvement 29/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 01/02/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC474894 3

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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

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12(1), (2)(a), (v) and (b)) In particular, that due care is taken to ensure that all keys for the home and cars are secured at all times away from children. 17/08/2017

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. In particular, that the main gates to the car park are repaired to ensure that they can be closed. (Regulation 12(1) and (2)(d)) 17/08/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. The registered person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to HMCI. (Regulation 44(1), (4)(a) and (b) and (7)(a) 17/08/2017

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject of a compliance notice. Inspection report children’s home: SC474894 4

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Recommendations

 Children should be consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. The children’s and young people’s meetings should ensure that any opinions or suggestions are provided with a conclusion or action, recognising their rights to participation. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)  The capacity and competence of staff to build constructive, warm relationships with children that actively promote positive behaviour, provides the foundations for managing any negative behaviour. Staff should have the skills to respond to each child’s individual behaviour. Where necessary, staff should manage conflict, maintain constructive dialogues and react appropriately if challenged by a child in their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality

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Recommendations

standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.14)  Keep children’s records up to date and stored securely. Specifically, ensure that children’s case files and other records are well organised and legible. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All of the young people are in some form of education and are doing extremely well. One young person has recently completed her GCSEs and is considering her college options. Progress for all of the young people is an achievement of hard work and perseverance through difficult times. Challenges still remain, but the registered manager is proactive in working with local authorities to ensure that all the young people’s individual educational provisions are able to support them at all times. The staff continue to motivate and encourage attendance, even during periods of emotional stress for young people. This support develops resilience and confidence to enable the young people to achieve and aspire to greater things. The young people’s health needs are well promoted and encouragement is provided to maintain healthy lifestyles. The young people attend local gyms and experience a range of physical activities, such as canoeing, rock climbing, ice skating and horse riding, to

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

name just a few. The young people consistently take part in cooking, sometimes for themselves and, on other occasions, for the whole house. One young person is currently preparing for independence and is provided with a food budget every week to enable her to plan meals in advance. This enables the young people to develop core skills in which they can, with support, develop confidence in preparing for their futures. The staff team is skilled in developing, trusting and supportive relationships with the young people. The knowledge and understanding of individual behaviours enable the staff to be responsive at all times. However, further work is required to ensure that Inspection report children’s home: SC474894 5 monitoring of the young people is not relaxed during periods of calmness following any incidents, regardless of young people’s presentation. Staff are good at recognising changes in moods and engagement is measured during these times to ensure that risk

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

assessments are dynamic. One member of staff said: ‘Because staff know the young people so well, they are able to react before the young person gets into crisis mode the majority of the time.’ Responding to concerns is robust. The staff arranged a visit to take place to a rescue centre for racehorses. This, primarily, was to engage a young person in an activity that she has shown interest in and, secondly, to promote the building of relationships with staff that, at times, have been fragile. This attention to detail supports the young people to develop more socially acceptable relationships outside of the home environment. In addition, the young person was able to offer her interest in supporting the charity involved in the rescue centre. The registered manager and staff support contact arrangements for the young people. At times, this may be about transporting and spending time at relatives or hotels in the

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

locality to enable the young people to attend family celebrations and to visit colleges in their home towns. Access to family and friends is monitored in the home via telephone and the internet, which is always carried out in accordance with young people’s care plans and risk assessments. The young people are able to express their views in a variety of ways in the home and through reports that have been developed by them for their individual reviews. This enables the young people to feel respected and develops their confidence in being heard. Relationships with the police are strong and continue to enable the young people to be supported in difficult discussions. Where previously young people have shown a distrust in authority, they are now freely engaging in difficult circumstances. The young people in the home have all shown remarkable qualities, supported every step of the way by staff.

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improvement to be good

The home is effective in keeping young people safe. The risks that they faced prior to coming here have been significantly reduced. Missing episodes are rare, and the high level of close supervision by staff ensures that any risks relating specifically to child sexual exploitation are managed extremely well. This emotionally supportive and nurturing environment enables the young people to feel increasingly safe and secure. The staff are very able and skilled in de-escalation techniques, which reduces the need for physical intervention. The young people are provided with space and time to recover, when appropriate, to manage their feelings during times of crisis. When necessary, staff will maintain constant supervision in accordance with individual behaviour management plans. The young people are provided with short periods of free time as detailed in their care plans; however, staff need to avoid complacency at all

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improvement to be good

times. A recent shortfall in security led to an incident which had the potential to put a young person at serious risk of harm. The registered manager and staff are knowledgeable about the young people’s known risks and continuously assess their daily behaviours. As a result, risk assessments and behaviour management plans are routinely updated. Opportunities for personal safe care discussions take place throughout a working day. These discussions may be formal Inspection report children’s home: SC474894 6 or informal. Many discussions take place during transport, where young people feel able to share information with staff. This level of trust with staff has enabled the young people to disclose sensitive information, supporting their recovery process. The young people have been enabled to build up their confidence and trust in known adults at their own pace. This has empowered them to take back some control in their lives and

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improvement to be good

has raised their feelings of well-being and enhanced their resilience. One member of staff said: ‘[Name] has come on massively in managing her feelings. She can talk through with staff now. She feels very secure in connecting with her emotions and talking to staff.’ Room searches have been carried out when necessary and with sensitivity. When the young people have raised concerns relating to items going missing, they have been listened to and are given opportunities to discuss the matter further, either one-to-one or during young people’s meetings. Searches are carried out without prejudice and reasons are fully explained. The manager and staff have an ‘amnesty box’ for when, and if, such situations arise with personal items either going missing or being mislaid. This provides for open and transparent processes, enabling the young people to feel respected and listened to. Communication is very good and the manager and staff

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improvement to be good

ensure that they are always available at any time. There has been a high turnover of staff since the last full inspection. The manager has ensured that there has been a robust recruitment process to ensure that there is a consistent approach to the intense supervision that is required for the young people in placement. The interview process was particularly focused on the skill set and personalities of staff. A member of staff said: ‘Quite a high turnover of staff during my time here. They have been challenging times, but, if you have the right personality, it benefits the young people. The staff here now have an excellent skill set.’ Another member of staff commented: ‘Staff have fantastic relationships with young people, even the bank staff, as we use the same staff over and over again.’ This enables the young people to be supported by a skilled and consistent team in a stable environment, in order to develop and progress safely. A young person said: ‘Staff are good in general,

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improvement to be good

there have been lots of changes in staff, although settled now. It has been difficult in having to make bonds again, but it is much better now.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is experienced and appropriately qualified. She is supported by an able deputy and an experienced senior staff team. Following a robust recruitment of staff and the consistent approach to ensuring that the same bank staff have been used, the manager has been able to get through challenging times. The commitment, knowledge and enthusiasm of the manager and her current team has led to a very stable period for the young people. One member of staff said: ‘Management of the home is very positive. The manager is doing a really good job, she is incredible. Support to staff is incredible. She is so hands-on with the young people and utilises staff skills at all times.’ The shortfalls found at the previous full inspection have now been fully addressed. Specifically, these include the monitoring of practice and the detailed recording that is necessary to ensure that the young people’s plans are updated regularly, and in

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Inspection report children’s home: SC474894 7 accordance with any changes to risk assessments and behaviour management plans. The close oversight that the manager now operates supports the staff in being able to understand the home’s approach, which is clearly stipulated in the statement of purpose. The staff are provided with regular supervision, which allows for reflection on practice. The staff can approach the management team at any time to have informal discussions. Additionally, support in terms of individual training and group training is provided via the home’s safeguarding officer, specifically around child sexual exploitation. This close, supportive environment enables the staff team to be highly effective in meeting the individual young people’s tailored care plans. The home is well decorated and provides a comfortable space in which young people can feel that they are in a homely environment. The outside grounds provide for

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

beautiful views and ample space to enjoy, whatever the weather. The young people are able to individualise their bedrooms, and there are expectations in accordance with their age and development that they keep their rooms in good order. This enables the young people who live far from home to be valued and respected. Privacy and time alone are well managed, and always appropriately discussed if this is not deemed safe. This recognises vulnerability and provides support during crisis. Improvements are required to repair and maintain the main gates, which impacts on the security of the home. This will enable the young people to continue to progress in a safe, warm 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 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: SC474894 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: A Wilderness Way Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Manor House, Brisco, Carlisle CA4 0QS

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Inspector

Michael Dack, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC474894 9 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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