Children's Home run by Building Bridges Care Homes Ltd in St Helens

Inspection report children’s home: 1250035 1 Registered provider: Building Bridges Care Homes Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is one of several owned and managed by a private company. The home is registered to care for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural needs.

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 requires improvement to be good

p.1

Good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

Good

Date of last inspection: This is the first inspection after registration.

p.1

Good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Not applicable

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

 Young people are cared for by a committed and caring team of staff. Young people said that they feel safe here. They said that the staff make sure that they feel safe here. Social workers said staff have helped young people to Inspection report children’s home: 1250035 2 reduce the incidences of being missing from care, such as renegotiating the times that they need to be home.  Young people are increasing in emotional resilience as they have very positive relationships with the staff. Consequently, they are able to talk to staff about anything. Young people know that they are listened to and that their wishes and feelings are carefully considered.  Young people enjoy trusting and meaningful relationships with staff. They feel at home and develop a sense of belonging and stability. Staff are determined to maintain positive relationships when young people are struggling. As a result, young people enjoy spending time with them.

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

 Young people are engaging with a range of educational placements. Their attendance and attainment is improving. A number of young people have recently sat GCSE examinations and are awaiting the outcome.  Young people are becoming much more independent. They are confident to travel independently to see friends and family. They are confident to try out new activities within the local community.  Young people move into the home in a planned and coordinated way. This means that they have the opportunities to meet staff prior to moving in and begin to make friendships. As a result, young people new to the home settle quickly.  Complex contact arrangements are managed very well by staff. Staff go above and beyond to help young people feel safe and settled. This includes supporting young people in gaining additional time with their families and loved ones.  The home works well in partnership with a wide range of agencies to support

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

each young person. This means that young people get the support that they need to move forward in their lives.  The registered manager and staff are building a strong team. They are all highly committed to improving the outcomes for young people. They are not afraid to challenge other professionals. For example, they will challenge educational provisions to ensure that the young people get the right education.  The registered manager has a clear understanding of the key priorities for development in the home. She clearly understands what the home does well and the areas for development.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development:

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 The home would benefit from improved monitoring by the independent person and the registered manager. This will ensure that shortfalls in records, practice, staff supervision and training are identified and quickly rectified.  The arrangements for the maintenance of the building need to ensure that all works are carried out swiftly to provide a homely environment Inspection report children’s home: 1250035 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard 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. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(d)) In particular, maintain the décor in the home. 29/09/2017

p.3

Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that helps children aspire to fulfil their potential and promotes their welfare— In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— Lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose. Ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. Use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(1)(2)(a)(c)(h)) In particular, all staff must receive training in safeguarding and other mandatory training. Ensure that supervision is conducted within the set timeframes and that monitoring is used

p.3

Requirement Due date

Ensure that the registered person maintain records ("case records") for each child, which include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; are 29/09/2017 Inspection report children’s home: 1250035 4 kept up-to-date; and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36(1)(a)(b)(c)) In particular, ensure that all records, including placement plans, healthcare plans, sanctions, risk assessments and first aid records, are regularly updated and are sufficiently detailed. The independent person must produce a report about the 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. (Regulation 44(4)(a)(b)) 29/09/2017

p.3

Recommendations

 Ensure any allegations of harm or abuse are addressed in line with the home’s child protection policy. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 44, and paragraph 9.17) In particular, ensure that the designated officer is notified of any concerns about a member of staff, even when they seem insignificant.  Ensure that the registered person actively seeks independent scrutiny of the home and makes best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under Regulation 44 and 45) to ensure continuous improvement. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 55, and paragraph 10.24) In particular, ensure that reports are evaluative, that they identify the strengths and weaknesses of the home, any patterns and trends, and the action taken to address them.

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people enjoy trusting and meaningful relationships with the staff. Staff know the young people well and work out the best ways to engage with them. Staff are patient, and understand how difficult it may be for young people to learn to trust adults. They realise that some young people may need time and space to get to know new people and to feel comfortable around them. Staff’s friendly approach gives young people strong messages that staff care about them. Young people know that staff are interested in their lives, and want what is best for them. Young people also become aware that this is a safe place for them to live. Young people new to the home receive effective support. This is because young people only come to live at the home when the registered manager is satisfied that the staff have the skills and expertise to meet each young person’s assessed needs. The impact Inspection report children’s home: 1250035 5

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

on young people already living in the home is also carefully considered. The registered manager consults well with social workers and the young people living in the home to gain their views. Staff take the time to talk to young people and to help them to get their bearings from day one. A young person said ‘it was ok’. Staff helped the young person to settle and to organise their room. The young person’s social worker said that the move was well planned by the home and has gone well. The social worker said that she is ’confident this is the right placement for the young person’ based on the experience of her other young person in the home. Effective support is provide for those young people who are moving on. Staff spend considerable amounts of time helping young people to plan their futures. They provide good advice about who the young people should talk to and who can support them. This means that young people move in or out of the home in a constructive and planned way,

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

even when a placement has broken down. Young people know how to make a complaint and who they need to talk to, such as asking to speak to their Catch 22 person or their social worker. Complaints are minimal and young people are happy with the outcome. However, staff did not notify the designated officer of a potential concern about a member of staff. This was because the young people withdrew the concern. In hindsight, the registered manager has said that it would have been prudent to discuss this with them. Action has been taken to ensure that this is not repeated. The young people’s social workers were notified and are happy with the action taken by the home. Young people are increasing in confidence and self-esteem. They are confident to work with the staff and to make decisions about their care. For example, one young person renegotiated the time she had to be in by each night. She successfully argued that this

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

would reduce the incidents of her being reported as absent from care. Staff agreed to her request. Young people understand the negative implication of using drugs, such as cannabis. This is because of the support that they receive from staff and other professionals. One young person said he had learned from his past mistakes and ‘was not going there again’. Consequently, young people make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Young people’s engagement and progress in education has improved. This is because staff help young people to establish good routines, which enable them to engage fully in education. Staff are strong advocates for young people’s education. They have robustly argued for an increase in one young person’s education. This has now increased from two hours a week to three days, with extra tutoring on the remaining days. This young person has now completed a range of exams and ASDAN qualifications, thus improving

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

her life chances. Social workers applaud the staff's commitment to supporting young people’s education. They said staff continue to push and support the young people to go to education. They know that another young person ‘doesn’t like school’. Staff put incentives in place such as pamper days to encourage her to go. Staff value the importance of consistency for young people. As a result, young people are able to remain in their schools, even when they are some distance from the home. This provides stability for young people and they can keep in contact with their friends. Young people receive individualised care and support. However, this is not always well recorded in their plans. For example, some plans do not reflect the changes in contact arrangements, or that a young person has become a parent. This means that their plans Inspection report children’s home: 1250035 6 do not show their current needs and the support provided. This impact of this is reduced

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

because of the staff’s understanding of each young person. The registered manager is aware of the issues in the records. She is taking steps with staff to rectify these issues. Young people see their family and friends and other people who are important to them. They are well supported by staff, who manage the young people’s complex contact arrangements well. Staff advocate on the behalf of young people. This helped one young person to increase the time they spend with their daughter. This has enabled the young person to strengthen their bond with their child and to prove that they have good parenting skills.

p.6

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

Young people generally live in a safe environment. However, there have been some recent incidents that have resulted in damage to the home and in some physical assaults on staff members. Staff responded quickly and effectively to the incidents. They have initiated additional strategies to ensure that all young people feel safe. For example, by providing extra staff and meeting with the young people’s social workers to discuss the next steps. This has helped the young people to feel safe in the home. Staff work well to help young people understand the risks that they face and to develop the skills to manage them. Young people are now more able to keep themselves and others safe. Staff promote acceptable behaviour based on positive relationships with young people. They give young people clear and unambiguous expectations for behaviour. Staff constantly praise, reward and celebrate young people’s achievements. Young people

p.6

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

receive rewards for getting to school on time and helping to keep their home clean and tidy. Staff are very aware of the young people’s individual anxieties and the stressors in their lives. Staff work tirelessly to help young people to overcome these anxieties and to manage the unwanted behaviours that can arise because of this. A social worker said that, ‘The staff have done everything physically possible to support (name of young person). They (staff) have been there 1000%, providing constant reassurances and realistic expectations of what may or may not happen.’ Social workers accept that some young people’s behaviours are escalating. This is despite the support and the stability of the placement. However, they remain highly complimentary about the home and what staff have done for the young people. Because of the incidents in the home, a number of areas are showing signs of damage. There are holes in walls, which have been filled, broken furniture, and general wear and

p.6

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

tear. Action is being taken to address this, but this has been slow. This is detracting from the homely environment that the staff are striving to maintain. Some work has taken place to repaint the lounge with the colour scheme chosen by a young person. Young people’s bedrooms are personalised. They reflect their individuality; for example, one young person has a woodland mural on their wall. One young person’s room has sustained significant damage. This was to be addressed through reparation work with the young person, but he has refused to engage with this. There has been a steady decline in the incidents of young people being missing from care. Staff work well with the young people, police and social workers to reduce this, Inspection report children’s home: 1250035 7 such as altering contact arrangements, and the times by which young people need to be in by at night. Staff said that the young people are good at keeping in touch when they

p.6

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

are out with friends. Young people know that, if staff do not hear from them within the agreed times, they will be reported missing. Young people are safer because of the home’s thorough recruitment and vetting procedures. In addition, all visitors to the home are appropriately supervised and are required to sign in and out of the home.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

A qualified and experienced registered manager leads and manages the home. She is supported by a deputy and a number of senior care workers. New staff have come on board since the home opened in February 2017. The registered manager has spent considerable time building a strong team. As a result, staff work well together. Some new staff have not yet attended training, such as safeguarding. This is because courses were cancelled at short notice by the organisers. Staff are booked onto new courses and, in the interim, online courses have been sourced, although they have not yet been completed. Regular professional supervision enables staff to discuss their professional development. One new member of staff has not had their supervision in line with the statement of purpose. The registered manager is aware of these issues and is taking action to address them. Record-keeping is not yet robust. This is because records, such as placement plans,

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

healthcare plans and risk assessments, are not routinely updated. This means that they contain out-of-date information and conflicting information. Sanctions records do not always state the time limit for ‘supervised spends’ or ‘no travel’ to be in place. Accident records do not always state the first aid provided to the young person. This does not provide clarity in records, especially for young people when they access their records now or in the future. The impact is reduced, as staff are able to relay what support is provided on a daily basis to the young person. The registered manager is addressing this through team meetings, supervision and extra training. Monitoring of the home is not yet effective. This is because the independent person is not making an assessment on whether young people are safeguarded, or how well the home promotes their well-being. Monitoring by the manager is improving. For example,

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

by analysing the incident records, she can identify any patterns in the young people’s behaviours. This means that staff can adapt their support strategies. The statement of purpose is current. It reflects the care and support provided to all young people. This is shared with placing authorities and carers so that they have realistic expectations of what the home can do. In addition, young people receive an informative children’s guide when they arrive. The workforce development plan is currently under review. The registered manager has a realistic view of the service, the areas of development and how these are to be achieved. Staff’s priority is that the young people are happy and settled. This means that young people can make consistent progress in all areas of their development. Staff have high but realistic aspirations for the young people. They Inspection report children’s home: 1250035 8 confidently challenge others when they feel a young person is not getting the support

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

they need. One social worker said that, ‘The staff understand [name of young person]. She is doing great, but it has been bumpy because that is the path she has chosen to take because of her historical experiences. She [young person] relies on staff and she knows she is safe and secure.’ Social workers said that the communication between them and the home is very good. Staff notify them of any incidents, but also about what has gone well for the young person.

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.8

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: 1250035 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Building Bridges Care Homes Limited

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Mill Farm, Bull Bridge Lane, Liverpool L10 6LZ

p.9

Inspector

Chris Scully, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1250035 10 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.9

Inspector

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.10

Inspector

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

p.10

Inspector

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

p.10