Children's Home run by Progressive Futures Care Limited in Knowsley

Inspection report children’s home: SC431931 1 SC431931 Registered provider: Progressive Futures Care 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 privately run children’s home can accommodate up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 21 to 22 September 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 good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and registered 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: sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC431931 2

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people said that this is an excellent home and they can reflect on the progress they make.  Young people have trusting relationships with members of staff. A professional said, ‘Staff know her extremely well and because of this they can divert or de- escalate any unwanted behaviour quickly.’  Young people have made good progress with their education and have successfully achieved nationally recognised qualifications.  Members of staff understand their roles and responsibilities with regard to safeguarding young people and this is reflected in the action they take to ensure that young people are safe.  Professionals spoke very positively about the home and identified the work that they complete with staff to achieve the best outcomes for young people.  There is a qualified registered manager at the home. It is evident that she seeks to improve the service, and puts the young people’s well-being at the heart of

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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

 There have been improvements in young people’s health, education and social interaction. However, the records do not always reflect the work undertaken by the home.  Young people’s contact plans do not show when arrangements have changed, or when there are restrictions on contact with unsuitable adults.  The independent visitor does not give his opinion as to whether young people are effectively safeguarded, and whether the conduct of the home promotes young people’s well-being.  At the last inspection, the registered manager was asked to establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided for young people. At that time, the company was looking at a new format to evidence this. This is still in the early days of implementation. Therefore, this requirement has been repeated.  The registered manager has challenged some professionals around the service

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Key findings from this inspection

that young people receive. However, she has not escalated matters when essential documents have not been provided in a timely way. Inspection report children’s home: SC431931 3  The registered manager has not used the home’s location risk assessment when deciding if a young person is safe living here.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 08/06/2016 Full Good 12/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 15/12/2015 Full Requires improvement Inspection report children’s home: SC431931 4

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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 care planning standard is that children receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that arrangements are in place to—

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority and

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Requirement Due date

that, subject to regulation 22 (contact and access to communications), contact between each child and the child’s parents, relatives and friends, is promoted in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 14(1)(a) and (2)(b)(d)(iii)) 30/11/2017

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraphs (1) requires the registered person to

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(2)(f))

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Requirement Due date

This is specifically in relation to ensuring that young people’s progress is recorded in their documents. 30/11/2017

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s must produce a report about a visit (‘the independent person’s report’) which sets out; in particular, 30/11/2017 Inspection report children’s home: SC431931 5 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(40)(a)(b)) In order to complete a quality of care review, the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided for children; the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered

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Requirement Due date

person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review. (Regulation 45(1) and (2)(a)(b)(c) and (3)) 30/11/2017

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Recommendations

 Staff should act as champions for their children, expecting nothing less than a good parent would. This is specifically in relation to challenging a placing authority or another relevant person when they do not provide the input and services needed to meet a child’s needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.8)  The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. In particular, the registered person must ensure that they consider the location review when completing impact risk assessments on new admissions to the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One young person has been living at this home for a significant period of time. Another young person is relatively new to the home. One young person said, ‘Everything is good and I am doing well.’ The other young person said, ‘I came here in an emergency, but the staff team were very good in making sure I knew everything. I feel that I have been spoilt.’ A parent said, ‘This home is fantastic. I am really happy with the care that my son receives. The home tell me everything and they do not assume we know or that we do not want to be involved.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager made sure that she had the most up-to-date, relevant Inspection report children’s home: SC431931 6 information before she assessed whether the home could meet a young person’s needs. When the registered manager identified a specific area of potential concern, she arranged a meeting with all social workers. Together, they agreed that the risk would not have an adverse impact on each young person. In addition to this, the home worked, and continues to work, closely with the youth offending team to ensure that risks are minimised. However, the registered manager did not consider the home’s location risk assessment or any environmental factors that may have affected her decision.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people have made good progress in all areas of their lives. These include education, health and reducing negative behaviours. However, information around these areas is brief. For example, a young person was in mainstream school and he now attends an alternative education provision. The plan is for him to return to a mainstream school. However, his education plan does not say why he left school, how the alternative provision was sourced and what work has been undertaken to secure the new school. This does not show the young person’s journey from his starting point and does not provide staff with a clear overview of his progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work closely with a range of education providers to ensure that the young people receive education. One young person had recently completed her exams and received several nationally recognised qualifications, which enabled her to secure a place on a course at college. Since starting college, she has said that everything is going well. The other young person attends an alternative education provision. The provision said that he has done extremely well and complimented the staff on their support and encouragement of the young person. Young people’s attendance at school or college is excellent. One young person said, ‘I want to be a builder or mechanic when I am older.’ The other young person did not know what she wanted to do, but talked about the possibility of childcare. These good practices mean that young people are receiving education in line with their peers, and that they have ambitions for their futures.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people have made good progress with their health. One young person refused to attend the dentist. Close working with a specialised nurse and a good incentive scheme have meant that the young person has received treatment and now attends regularly. The other young person required support around healthy eating. Therefore, the home has devised a healthy eating plan and the young person likes to help make recipes from natural ingredients. A parent said, ‘They involve us with everything. They let us know about appointments, prior to them coming up, to see if we wish to attend.’ Currently, both young people are not receiving any medication. However, members of staff are fully trained in medication procedures and in first aid.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people see their parents and family regularly. Staff support contact by taking and picking up young people, and in some instances by assisting young people’s parents. Young people were complimentary about how members of staff support them in this area. However, one young person’s contact arrangements have recently changed. This is recorded in his placement plan, but not in his contact plan. Further to this, his contact plan does not clearly identify any restrictions regarding contact with unsuitable adults. This does not ensure that members of staff have accurate information so that they can Inspection report children’s home: SC431931 7 support the young person safely.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people enjoy a variety of activities. They like to spend time with their friends, have beauty treatments, play on their games consoles and regularly go to the cinema. One young person has recently joined the gym. Another young person likes to have her activity money to spend with her friends. This has provided her with the opportunity to enjoy a meal out with friends. This means that staff ensure that young people are treated as individuals, have opportunities to engage in the community and have fun.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s views about the home are in the main positive. Staff work hard to support young people to maintain contact with important people in their lives. The registered manager and staff have a good understanding of how young people’s relationships with their families or others outside of the home can influence their emotions and their views of staff. When concerns have been identified, the registered manager has taken appropriate action to deal with these.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support young people to learn new independent living skills. However, some young people find it hard to adjust to the responsibilities placed upon them by their independent plans. Nevertheless, staff take their role of developing young people’s life skills seriously, and support young people to keep their rooms tidy and to plan, shop for and cook their own meals, depending on their ages and abilities. As a result, young people were confident in their ability to care for themselves.

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

Young people said that they felt safe and well cared for at this home. They put this down to members of staff showing them that they care and staff discussing safety issues with them. One young person is beginning to establish positive relationships with members of staff and he said that he would be confident about sharing any concern with them. A professional said, ‘They know her inside out. Therefore, they can often anticipate what she is going to do. They have excellent diversion and de-escalation skills and this helps them to deal with any issues.’

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

Members of staff undertake safeguarding training during their inductions to the home, and receive regular refresher training. Staff have recently had refresher training on missing from care. Staff invited and supported a young person to attend this training course. As a result, members of staff have demonstrated their understanding of their roles and responsibilities in this area and the young person has gained a clear understanding of why staff have to take the action that they do. In addition to this, members of staff receive a good level of training in child sexual exploitation, radicalisation and e-safety. Therefore, staff are aware of the signs, symptoms, and behavioural changes that may occur when young people put themselves at risk, and are able to take the necessary action.

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

Missing-from-care episodes from the home have significantly reduced. For one young person this is evident from her starting point. Staff clearly follow the missing-from-home Inspection report children’s home: SC431931 8 protocol when reporting and recording all incidents, as agreed with the young person’s social worker. The social worker said that she has completed return interviews with the young person, and that she has no concerns.

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

Young people’s behaviour has significantly improved. This is because there are good routines, structures and boundaries at the home. This is reflected in the minimal sanctions, and in the good rewards received by young people. Young people have the opportunity to reflect on their behaviour and can make things right. For example, one young person broke a milkshake-maker in anger. She cleaned up the mess and apologised. The registered manager said that no sanction was needed because a natural consequence was that she did not have the milkshake-maker, which she loved. As a result, young people understand that there are consequences to their actions.

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

The company has recently improved its recruitment procedures. This is because several new staff throughout the company have not passed their probationary periods. The responsible individual said that although some applicants have relevant qualifications and pass the interviews, this does not mean that they work well with young people. Therefore, the company now has a four-stage recruitment procedure. After applicants have been suitably vetted, they spend time with the young people. The young people feedback to the company any views and comments. New staff then receive a high level of support throughout their induction and probationary periods. This means that any issues can be identified quickly.

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

Young people live in a safe and well-maintained home. This is because the registered manager and members of staff take their responsibilities seriously and ensure that all health and safety requirements are fully met. Renewals of insurance and gas and electric appliances are completed. All young people, members of staff and visitors are taken through the emergency evacuation procedure. This means that everyone could leave the home safely, if an emergency was to occur.

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The effectiveness of leaders and registered managers: good

The registered manager was registered with Ofsted in October 2011. She has several relevant qualifications in childcare and a management qualification. Therefore, she has the experience and the knowledge to lead a staff group and manage the home. A new deputy manager has been appointed to support the registered manager in her role. All staff have a childcare qualification. This means that a well-qualified team cares for the young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and registered managers: good

The home’s statement of purpose reflects its aims and objectives. The registered manager has a development plan that helps to prioritise improvements in the home. For example, the registered manager has recently developed its recruitment procedure by adding a meet-and-greet section. This will ensure that the registered manager can assess the suitability of an applicant through a practical session, and that applicants understand the role by working alongside staff. The registered manager is looking at developing supervision. She is currently working on a new staff file structure to evidence Inspection report children’s home: SC431931 9 that the impact training, reading policies, procedures, and practice discussions help to improve and develop the way that staff work with young people. This shows that the development plan for the home is a live, working document.

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The effectiveness of leaders and registered managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision and appraisals, and report that these are beneficial to their practice. The registered manager also uses the induction and probation processes effectively. Staff said that the registered manager supports them, and that they have access to a range of training opportunities. They said that this motivates them, helps them to develop and helps them care for young people well. In addition to this, a staff meeting takes place monthly. Part of this meeting is set aside to discuss practice issues. For example, the staff team has recently discussed an Action for Children leaflet on the ‘voice of the child’. They have looked how this can influence the records of what young people say. This means that staff can use external information to influence their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and registered managers: good

The registered manager and the staff have positive relationships with other professionals and agencies. The local community police often visit the home. Therefore, young people get to know the police and see them in a different light and the police speak to young people about everyday matters. Professionals commented on the excellent communication from the home and said that members of staff are good advocates for the young people. A parent said, ‘I cannot fault them. They are excellent.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and registered managers: good

In some instances, the registered manager has challenged the local authority when information in the young people’s documents has been wrong. However, she has not taken the same action when documents have been delayed. For example, a young person had a looked after care medical in May 2017. The home has not received the report and the registered manager has not robustly addressed this. This does not ensure that the home has the most up-to-date information with regard to the young people in its care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and registered managers: good

At the last inspection, a requirement was given to ensure that the independent visitor’s monitoring and reports reflected the findings within the home. The company identified a new service to undertake these visits. This has been successful and his reports have identified areas for improvement, for example for staff to use a 24-hour clock in recordings; closing off notifications to Ofsted; and ensuring that return home interviews are completed. However, the independent visitor does not give a statement on his opinion as to whether young people are effectively safeguarded, and whether the conduct of the home promotes young people’s well-being. This is required by the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. In addition to this, the registered manager was asked to establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating the quality of care provided. The company introduced a new format. However, the

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The effectiveness of leaders and registered managers: good

registered manager has not completed all the sections, and has not identified any actions for improving the home. Therefore, this requirement has been repeated.

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Information about this inspection

Inspection report children’s home: SC431931 10 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 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: SC431931 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Progressive Futures Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 18a London Street, Southport, Merseyside PR9 0UE

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Inspector

Pam Nuckley: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC431931 12 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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