Children's home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC031763 1 SC031763 Registered provider: Castle Homes Care 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

This privately run children’s home is registered for three children or young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

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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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 12 January 2017

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC031763 2

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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

 Young people make exceptional progress in relation to their educational attendance, engagement and achievement. They engage fully and have aspirations and goals for their futures.  Young people receive care and support from a highly dedicated and competent staff team. Young people make excellent progress as a result of the care they receive.  Young people learn skills necessary for the transition to adult life. A strong and commendable focus is placed on enabling young people to take age-appropriate risks.  The registered manager is an inspirational leader of this home. He has extremely high aspirations for young people and staff. He is a positive role model and advocate for young people and staff at all times.  Young people feel safe living in this home. Incidents of young people going missing from care have significantly reduced in number. This is attributable to the very close and positive relationships that young people form with staff and

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Key findings from this inspection

managers. Young people feel hugely valued and are able to discuss any issues openly.  A wide range of fun and stimulating activities enables young people to feel valued and to grow in confidence. Their active involvement in all aspects of decision-making about their lives means that they feel listened to.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 17/08/2016 Full Requires improvement 17/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 02/12/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC031763 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One young person has moved out of the home since the last inspection to independent accommodation. The support and preparation for this planned move were exceptional. The manager and staff worked extremely hard to ensure that the young person was supported every step of the way. A hugely detailed transition plan was put in place. Staff provided outreach and 24-hour support to the young person. The manager ensured that financial support was provided so that the young person had food and essential items in her new home. Such attention to detail reflects the staff team’s total commitment to supporting young people during transition.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One young person had previously struggled with education attendance and engagement. With the support of staff, they have now completed their secondary education and have secured a place at a local college for the new term. Staff have fully supported this young person, through key-work sessions and daily discussions, to make positive decisions about their life. Staff have researched courses and career options with the young person. This young person feels hugely valued and has a much more positive view of themselves and their abilities than when they moved to live in this home. They have high aspirations, and have much better self-confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Another young person is also making significant progress in relation to their education. Previously, they did not engage well with education and struggled. Since moving to this home, their attendance has improved significantly, as has their engagement. Their parent praised the staff team for achieving such a significant level of progress in the very short period of time. They further stated: ‘I cannot think of anywhere better for my child to be just now. The manager is brilliant and I have a lot of confidence in him and the staff team.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people regard the staff and the manager as hugely important people in their lives. They feel extremely secure. They are confident about expressing their views, wishes and feelings. Young people strongly influence all aspects of how the home is run. Staff consult them about menus, activities and home decor. There is a commendable ‘family feel’ to this home. Young people and staff sit and eat meals together. They clearly enjoy spending time together. Staff encourage young people to read their records each month so that they understand their care plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Key work is a particular strength of this home. Staff work diligently to ensure that young people are set achievable targets each month. Staff spend considerable amounts of time discussing issues directly with young people. They use research to support the work they do with young people. Records reflect an exemplary commitment to supporting young people to do well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The health needs of young people are addressed thoroughly by staff. Young people feel extremely well supported in relation to their healthcare. Staff work closely with the designated nurse for looked after children, who visits the home for ‘drop-in’ sessions Inspection report children’s home: SC031763 4 regularly. Young people form positive relationships with healthcare workers and develop the confidence to discuss their specific health issues. A lead nurse praised the manager and staff team for their close partnership working. The registered manager has also researched and sourced local counselling services for one young person. This, again, reflects the imaginative approach to meeting young people’s holistic health needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people have regular contact with their families, friends and other significant people in their lives. There is also a very commendable commitment to enabling young people to take age-appropriate risks. One young person has had periods of being missing from care when visiting family members. The manager and key-work staff have worked closely with the placing authority, the young person and family members to produce an agreement that enables the young person to safely spend more time with family and friends. This engenders a real feeling of trust in young people. Due to the extremely close and positive relationships that they form with staff, they feel valued and do not want to abuse the trust put in them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Placing authorities speak very highly of the staff and manager. One placing social worker commented: ‘I was initially sceptical as to how a children’s home could provide the nurturing care my young person needed. They have been amazing for her and I cannot fault them at any level. I would recommend this home to all of my colleagues and other local authorities, without a doubt.’

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

Young people feel safe living in this home. Staff know the actual and potential risks associated with each young person and respond with great professionalism. Close partnership working with placing social workers, police and other agencies increases the sense of safety and security for young people.

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

There has been a significant reduction in the number of incidents of young people going missing from care. This is attributable to the excellent support provided by the manager and staff team. Young people develop extremely trusting relationships with staff. This helps them to reflect on their potentially risky behaviours. Young people learn more appropriate strategies for coping. One young person said: ‘I have learned how to express my feelings without running away.’ The manager ensures that all staff are fully briefed and aware of the missing-from-care protocols for each young person. Records reflect a staff team that diligently follows missing protocols and works tirelessly to ensure the safe return of any missing young person to their care.

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

Staff demonstrate real confidence in supporting young people to take age-appropriate risks. They understand the need to prepare young people for adulthood. They consider the known and potential risks, and work closely with young people, family members and placing authorities to implement plans. They review and update risk assessments regularly to ensure that they remain fit for purpose.

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

The use of restraint is extremely rare in this home. This is attributable to the excellent Inspection report children’s home: SC031763 5 relationships between staff and young people. Staff demonstrate a commendable ability to defuse potentially dangerous situations through verbal support and a very calm manner. Staff focus on rewarding positive behaviours. They celebrate the achievements of young people on a daily basis. The use of sanctions is low and, when used, they are always agreed with the young person. Staff spend time reflecting on incidents with young people and assist them in developing more appropriate responses to difficult situations.

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

The recruitment and selection of staff is excellent. Careful vetting prevents unsuitable people from being recruited to work in this home. Staff display a detailed awareness of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. They speak with confidence of what actions they would take in the event of a young person reporting any concerns. They understand the role of the designated officer and the process to be followed if an allegation were to be made about them. They report extreme confidence in the support provided to them by the manager.

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

The manager has formed and maintained very close working relationships with the local police. The local police community support officer makes regular informal visits. This provides young people with an opportunity to understand the role of the police and to ask any questions that they may have.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

This home is run by a dedicated, effective and inspirational manager. The staff report total confidence in his leadership and style of management. They feel able to contribute fully to the work that is done to support young peoples’ progress and excellent outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home has recently benefitted from the recruitment of more male members of staff. This provides young people with a good mix of positive role models. Staff feel extremely well supported by each other, the manager and the deputy manager. They receive regular and meaningful supervision and annual appraisals. The manager encourages staff to take on lead roles and to develop skills which will support them in future management roles. It is evident that annual appraisals have real meaning and value to staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has excellent monitoring and review systems in place. His regular management monitoring reports provide exceptional oversight of the work of the home. He is a very hands-on manager. He spends considerable periods of time engaged with young people without losing sight of his management responsibilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager fully considers and responds to any recommendations made by the independent visitor. He has excellent systems in place for responding to any complaints, of which there have been none for some considerable time.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A detailed development plan and a location risk assessment are in place for the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC031763 6 The manager ensures that feedback is sought from young people, parents and other agencies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff have excellent recording systems in place for each young person. There is clear evidence of staff challenging placing authorities when the service they provide to young people could be improved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Matching for new placements is excellent. Young people know that they will be consulted as much as possible about any changes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities. The manager ensures that they have the skills and competence necessary to meet the needs of young people. Staff say that they are given excellent inductions when they start work in this home. One relatively new member of staff said: ‘I had never worked in this type of setting before and was a little nervous. My induction was great and the staff and manager have been supportive. I cannot imagine doing anything else now. I love my job and seeing the amazing progress the young people make.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A parent of one young person reflected: ‘I had very negative perceptions of what a children’s home would be like before my child moved in. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This home, the staff and the manager are fantastic. They have not only helped my child immensely, they are there for us as parents and provide invaluable emotional support to us.’

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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: SC031763 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 80 Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UD

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Inspector

Tracy Murty: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC031763 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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