Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council in Worcester

Inspection report children’s home: SC059801 1 SC059801 Registered provider: Worcestershire County Council

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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 is a local authority operated home. It provides short breaks for up to six young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, the majority of whom live at home with their parents or carers.

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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 good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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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: Sustained effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people are confident in sharing their wishes and feelings.  Staff understand and implement safeguarding policies well. Inspection report children’s home: SC059801 2  Feedback from young people, families and professionals is very positive.  Young people are encouraged to participate in a range of fun activities during their short-break stay.  Staff make sure that short breaks are well planned, that the needs of young people are well matched and that a warm welcome is provided.  Young people visit the home before staying overnight and receive the young person’s guide. This helps them to feel at ease and to have a say about the care offered to them.

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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 does not ensure that the use of bedroom door alarms is reflected within young people’s individual risk assessments. Staff need to make sure that short-break plans consistently reflect the care needs of each young person.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 17/10/2016 Full Good 11/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 03/12/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC059801 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 registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children; and the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24(1)(a)(d)) 29/12/2017

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Recommendations

 Relevant plans are defined in the interpretation section of the Regulations (regulation 2) as: any placement plan; any care plan; any statement of special educational needs; any education, health and care plan ("EHC plan")[1]; and where the child is a youth justice child any detention placement plan, or any other plan prepared by that child’s placing authority in relation to the remand or sentencing of that child. ‘Relevant’ thus has a meaning here that is distinct from the normal meaning of that word. If a child has any of the above plans, they will fall within the meaning of ‘relevant plans’, but a child may not have all of the plans defined as ‘relevant’ (for example, there will be children living in children’s homes who do not have an EHC plan). Similarly a child may have a plan that the Regulations define as ‘relevant’, but may have no impact on the issue the provider is considering at that point in time, and providers should not feel obliged

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Recommendations

to make a plan apply where it does not. The essential point is that a child’s plans should form the basis of their care, and providers should use their judgement as to what is relevant in each case, taking the plans listed in the definition in the Regulations as a starting point rather than a complete list or a tick-box exercise. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.1)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, there have been further improvements to the home. There are many photographs of young people enjoying activities such as water sports, fishing and Inspection report children’s home: SC059801 4 visits to safari parks. Walls have been repainted and ensuite bathrooms have been retiled. New fire doors are now in place for all bedrooms. There are vegetable patches in the garden that young people enjoy taking care of. The home presents as very clean and well cared for. Bedrooms are bright and welcoming with towels placed on beds for each young person. The home has a computer room, two lounge areas and a gathering area to do homework or have private meetings. This makes the home an appealing and friendly place for young people to stay. There are plans in place to further decorate stairways and to make sure that the home is as young person-friendly as it can be. Young people are part of their own care planning. They attend the local authority’s ‘edge

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

of care panel’ with their parents or carers. At the panel, young people are provided with a copy of the young person’s guide. Young people have contributed to writing the guide. It is creative and well written. This considerate practice means that young people are well informed about the service. They understand why a short break is being provided and decide if they want to attend. This helps young people to settle and helps them to make informed decisions about the care that they receive. Staff make sure that introductions to the service are well planned and that the needs of young people are well matched. The manager responds to the needs of the young person and family at times of crisis. For example, additional stays are offered when parents or carers are struggling and are in need of a break. A placement may also be needed urgently for a young person who is at significant risk. Staff make sure that

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

young people who arrive in an emergency receive a copy of the young person’s guide. Staff provide a warm and friendly welcome. This additional support helps young people to stay with their families, as well providing them with a safe and caring place to stay. Young people make good progress from their starting points because this short-break service enhances their day-to-day experience through the provision of good-quality care. Staff devise internal placement plans to reflect young people’s particular, and often complex, care needs. Staff liaise with young people’s families and other professionals responsible for their care. This means that young people receive well-planned support. However, one short-break plan did not include relevant information to reflect the individual needs of one young person. As a result, some goals and targets are not consistently monitored. The managers and staff provide good-quality, stable care. Young people are encouraged

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

to maintain their routines and boundaries through a nurturing and respectful environment. Young people continue to attend their education placements when accessing this service. Staff make sure that practical transport arrangements are in place and regularly liaise with teaching staff. These close working relationships mean that young people benefit from consistent care and support. The staff team provides opportunities for young people to do usual activities such as cooking, playing games and socialising with others. Staff help young people to eat healthily and to try new foods. Young people sit together at the table and eat with staff. This helps to promote young people’s welfare and develops their sense of self-worth. Young people feel able to talk to staff about their wishes and feelings. Young people know how to complain and have good relationships with staff who matter to them. The registered manager makes sure that young people provide written feedback about their

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

short-break stays. Young people also receive regular one-to-one sessions that provide Inspection report children’s home: SC059801 5 them with the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings. This feedback helps the manager to monitor and review the quality of care provided. This also means that young people feel that their views and wishes are respected and listened to. One young person told the inspector, ‘I really like it here and wish I could stay, the food is great and the staff.’ Managers make sure that young people have individual journals with photographs to remember their short-break stays. This helps young people to feel proud of their achievements and remember fun times. Managers ensure that most young people have clear targets and goals that staff need to monitor, for example, to help them stay safe, to improve their relationships with others or to enjoy their short breaks. This helps staff

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

to monitor and review the progress and development that young people make.

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

Managers ensure that staff understand and follow safeguarding processes. During this inspection, several staff members shared knowledge about dealing with safeguarding concerns promptly and professionally. The manager keeps clear and accurate records of safeguarding issues. This means that managers and staff are able to prioritise the safety of young people. Detailed risk assessments enable staff to manage young people’s risk- taking behaviours well. Young people are provided with the help and guidance that they need in relation to behaviours such as going missing, alcohol and substance misuse and the use of the internet. The registered manager uses an internet safety programme to monitor and disable access to high-risk sites. This means that young people access age- appropriate material and are kept safe. Incidents of young people going missing from the home are low. Committed staff input has significantly reduced episodes of missing for one young person at risk of child sexual

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

exploitation. When young people do go missing, staff respond well. They follow procedures, look for young people and liaise with the police. The registered manager makes sure that return home interviews are completed. Staff have good links within the local community and stay with young people when they leave the home. This helps them to ensure that young people return home promptly. This promotes young people’s safety as well as demonstrating that staff care about them and want them to return. Young people have access to all areas of the home during their stay. This helps young people to feel relaxed and they develop their trust in staff. The registered manager and staff use bedroom door alarms to monitor young people’s movements at night. Staff do not adequately risk assess the need to use these monitoring devices for each individual young person. There are no highlighted risks to young people’s safety if they are not

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

used. The use of these alarms is common practice in the home and infringes on young people’s privacy without due reason. For example, two of the six bedrooms do not have ensuite facilities and door alarms sound when a young person uses the toilet at night. All staff receive training in the use of physical restraint. There have been three physical restraints since the last inspection. The reassuring relationships between staff and young people mean that staff are able to use distraction and de-escalation techniques to avoid physical restraint. This reduces episodes of challenging behaviour and potential emotional distress for young people. The registered manager reviews incidents of Inspection report children’s home: SC059801 6 restraint within necessary timescales and considers lessons to be learned from the intervention. For example, one incident of restraint was not considered proportionate by the registered manager. This resulted in a further investigation by the manager and a

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

referral to the local authority designated officer. The manager dealt with this situation effectively and staff will receive refresher training. The young person and her family were consulted throughout this process and were satisfied with the response. This scrutiny and oversight by the registered manager ensures that behaviour management approaches are safe and that young people are afforded a high level of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is very experienced, highly motivated and passionate about young people. Staff are dedicated and provide a warm, safe environment for young people to stay. The registered manager is inspirational and has high ambitions for children and young people. Young people benefit from a stable, highly skilled and experienced staff team. As a result, young people make noticeable improvements in their behaviour and are supported to remain with their families. The registered manager began managing the service (which has relocated and expanded) in January 2017. He has completed the level 5 and level 4 diplomas in leadership and management. The registered manager is focused on staff improvement and developing nurturing relationships with young people. Staff feel supported. One member of staff told the inspector, ‘He is such a good manager, he is excellent, he is so dedicated and hard working. He really does care about young people, he always listens

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

to staff and is so helpful. You can approach him for help, which is so important.’ Staff are consistently positive about the enthusiasm of the registered manager. Staff feel well supported and enjoy working at this home. One staff member told the inspector, ‘He is excellent, he really is a good manager and is so knowledgeable.’ Staff receive regular, high-quality supervision that assists them in improving the quality of care provided to young people. The registered manager has high expectations for staff and high hopes for young people. The manager makes sure that regular team meetings take place. Staff and managers discuss areas for improvement within the service. Any issues or concerns with staff practice are dealt with professionally and promptly. The manager creates a culture of positivity. Good practice is also celebrated and this encourages staff confidence and innovation. Staff are up to date with mandatory training requirements and new starters are working

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

through a well-supported induction process. Training records are very well recorded. Staff receive training in relevant areas such as child sexual exploitation and radicalisation. All staff will complete training later this year on solution-focused therapy as requested by the registered manager. It is anticipated that this will further develop the skill base of the staff team and improve the quality of care provided to young people. The majority of the staff team hold the level 3 diploma in residential care, with a small number of staff on target to complete this within the required timescales. New staff receive a thorough induction and feel well supported. One staff member told the inspector, ‘I am really impressed with the way the home is run. I am really pleased with the role and I am settling in well. I feel I have been welcomed to the team and I have Inspection report children’s home: SC059801 7

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

no issues of concern at all.’ The registered manager ensures that staff recruitment processes are very robust. Managers verify references, qualifications and check that all necessary disclosure and barring checks are in place. This means that young people receive care from appropriately checked adults. The registered manager has completed a very thorough and well-evaluated assessment of the location of the home. This means that potential risks with the immediate and surrounding area are identified. This helps to keep young people safe and enables staff to respond promptly to incidents. The statement of purpose reflects the aims and objectives of the service. The manager provides exceptionally high levels of scrutiny and oversight of the staff to make sure that safe, high-quality care is maintained. The manager has highly effective monitoring systems in place to review the quality of care to young people. The manager evaluates

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

the feedback from parents, carers, young people and professionals to make improvements to the service. The manager understands the strengths and weaknesses of the service and has taken effective and concise action to make changes. The registered manager makes sure that he provides strong and active challenge to promote and safeguard the well-being of young people. For example, the registered manager has effectively challenged senior managers about the placement of a young person whose needs he felt could not be met by the service. This means that the registered manager is confident and able to safeguard the needs of young people in his care, as well as those he may consider to be unsuitable to receive a service. The registered manager and staff have strong working relationships with partner agencies, including social workers. This means that the best possible care and experiences are provided to young people. A social worker told the inspector, ‘I have

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

only good things to say about the home and the staff. They were very accommodating and supportive towards myself and the young person with whom I am working. I feel that the home’s managers and its workers provide an excellent service to its young people and other professionals working with them. The home is an asset to the local authority.’ Managers and staff have close working relationships with parents and carers who feel confident about leaving their child for their stay. Parents feel able to raise any concerns or complaints that they have with the registered manager and staff team. A parent told the inspector, ‘I have no concerns at all with the home. The staff are all helpful, friendly, they listen to me and, if there is a query, I call them. I always get through to them, they always help and that is invaluable. I must say, it is a really good service. I cannot fault it. It is great and I am very grateful.’

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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 differences 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 Inspection report children’s home: SC059801 8 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: SC059801 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Worcester WR5 2NP

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Inspector

Anna Gravelle, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC059801 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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