Children's home run by Care Afloat Ltd in West Lancashire

Inspection report children’s home: SC062268 1 SC062268 Registered provider: Care Afloat 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

The home is registered to accommodate three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is privately owned.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 25 to 26 September 2017

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: Sustained effectiveness

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

None Inspection report children’s home: SC062268 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 benefit from living in a structured environment with clearly defined boundaries that still allow individuality to thrive. Plans, strategies and areas of personal risk are all individualised to reflect identity and need.  Damaged and sometimes traumatised young people settle and adopt more socially acceptable lifestyles, which helps them to re-engage with their education and learn how to socialise through new experiences and activities. This allows them to develop their own appropriate social network.  This home specialises in creating a warm, homely, nurturing and safe environment for young people who have experienced an unhappy, unsettled and demoralising start to their life.  Based on their starting points when first entering the home, young people regularly make excellent progress in all areas of their lives.  Staff have high aspirations for young people and advocate strongly on young

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Key findings from this inspection

people’s behalves to ensure that their rights are preserved and their outcomes maximised.  A long-serving, dedicated, child-focused manager is well supported by a stable long-serving staff team. All the staff members have contributed to the ethos, culture and working practices developed in the home over the years.  The search for continued improvement is ongoing, and staff are prepared to critically analyse working practices to ensure that they meet the ever-changing needs of young people living in the home.  Excellent monitoring of the home both internally and externally recognises strengths and areas for continued development.

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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

 Ensure constant reflection and evaluation of working practices to enable the home to continue to move forward and progress to continue. For example, continue to review how evidence that reflects the high standards of care in the home to be retained and presented. Inspection report children’s home: SC062268 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/09/2016 Full Outstanding 11/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 21/09/2015 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC062268 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

This is a home that is achieving considerable success in accommodating young people who have often put themselves at risk, and are disillusioned, unhappy and anti- authoritarian on admission. As they prepare to move on from the home, their education has been restored, they have a more positive outlook on life and leave with genuine ambition for their future. Staff are skilled and focused on getting the best for young people, and working practices and daily routines are designed to meet their needs. As a result, based on their starting points, young people regularly make exceptional progress in all areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

For example, a parent told the inspector, `I am so grateful. She would have been in prison or worse if she had not gone the Bungalow. They have absolutely turned her around. For example, she is in college now. I would never [have] thought that would happen. They genuinely care. They are wonderful so patient so caring.’ This was followed up in written thanks to the home. `I can’t even begin to imagine where we would be as a family if it wasn’t for you all. It’s because of you I am so proud of the beautiful, caring, loving young lady that she has become.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Following referrals, excellent procedures are in place to identify need and compatibility of young people, and the home recognises its duty towards other young people already living at the home. For example, the work and transition planning undertaken with the placing authority and previous placement for the latest young person admitted was outstanding. This included a number of long journeys to initially determine whether the home felt it could meet the young person’s needs and, once the placement was confirmed, arranging introductory overnight stays. Distance and time were not viewed as an issue.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The excellent pre-admission procedures allow young people’s needs to be identified early. They are then translated into high-quality planning documents, assessments of risk and strategies to address individual behaviour. These documents are reviewed and updated regularly. They provide direction for the journey to be undertaken, allowing young people to embark on a programme of events that addresses all areas of their lives: for example, stabilising behaviour, developing self-confidence, enjoying new experiences that turn into interests and hobbies, becoming fully engaged with their education, developing social networks and preparing for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Professionals collectively appreciate the positive changes that young people make living at this home and the high-quality consistent care they receive. A social worker told the inspector, `The staff are brilliant. Their knowledge of the locality is so good. They can track and know where the young people are when they are out. They have outstanding links and work so well with the police and the exploitation team.’ In their written evaluation of the home, a social worker wrote, `The staff have been so supportive, very nurturing, just what she needed. I would place another young person without hesitation.’ Inspection report children’s home: SC062268 5 The relationships created between staff and young people are excellent and are often life changing. They are robust enough to withstand difficulties and challenges that sometimes arise. Young people appreciate the support that they get and are proud of their home. For

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

example, one spent time with the inspector to emphasise the outstanding areas of the home. The conversation was summed up with their saying, `We have the staff here that makes this place a real home because they care about us.’ Another who had left recently wrote, `The staff have always been supportive and taken an interest. I now live in my own home and I have learned many skills which help me here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

It is an expectation that staff should have the skill, commitment and understanding to recognise need and have the ability to work creatively with young people. Staff at this home also have a non-judgemental approach to their role, genuine compassion and a deep desire and commitment to get the best possible outcome for any young person in their care. This gives some indication why the standard of care is rated so highly. The home creates a totally inclusive environment for young people who view the home as a home, not another placement. A young person summed this up by saying, `My staff are my family and they look after me and look out for me.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All young people have full-time educational arrangements. For many, education previously has been an area of rejection. Over time and as a result of creative thinking, young people’s attendance and positive engagement with their education improves significantly. For example, with the help of a young person’s social worker, an imaginative full-time education package has been implemented for a young person who has previously struggled with formal education. The young person is enthusiastic about these arrangements and spoke positively about passing exams as well as being introduced to many new experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people’s health needs are well met. Their everyday health needs are addressed appropriately through community-based services that are well established and work well with the home. In addition to this, the home accesses more specialist services when needed. Staff have the knowledge and training to reflect the theoretical models used to underpin certain working practices, for example, in some of the individual work undertaken with young people that covers areas such as abuse, neglect, attachment and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Fitness and good health are an area heavily promoted and link to the activities that young people plan with staff. As well as promoting fitness, activities are devised to meet individual needs. For example, a young person spoke about going swimming regularly and is excited at the prospect of taking up kickboxing. Menus have been revived with a greater emphasis on healthy eating. Overall, young people’s physical, emotional and mental health needs are being well met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Due to the strength of the relationships that enhance the high levels of communication, consultation between young people and staff is an area of strength. Formal meetings are scheduled regularly and provide a forum where choices can be made. Meetings are well planned and used to inform and educate young people. For example, recent meetings Inspection report children’s home: SC062268 6 have looked at and discussed issues such as sexual exploitation and have provided a guide to young people on the role of the immunisation nurse.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Developing independence skills with a view to future transition is another area of strength. Social skills develop and social networks expand as young people grow, mature and develop greater self-confidence. Transitions are well planned, and staff are prepared to go that extra mile while advocating strongly on behalf of a young person. For example, recently staff supported a young person who was not happy with their placing authority regarding the way their planned move was progressing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people live in a home that blends well into the local community. It is spacious and has high standards of repair, fixtures, fittings, decor and equipment. All bedrooms are single occupancy, and are decorated and personalised to suit and reflect the taste of the occupant. A rolling programme is in place, which is designed to refresh, re-decorate and refurbish the home. Young people are relaxed, comfortable and at ease within their surroundings, which have a homely feel to them. This is helped by the many examples of recent artwork, photographs and ornaments of a sentimental value that are on display.

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

The systems in place to keep everyone safe are sound and well executed. For example, detailed risk assessments that identify risks around the home and in the local community are in place. They are reviewed and updated regularly which keeps them current. In addition to this, staff have excellent knowledge and understanding of the local area and they are well informed about any issues that may arise. Appropriate service contracts are in place to ensure that safety equipment is well maintained, adding to the levels of safety in the home.

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

Although not tested since the previous inspection with any formal referrals, the safeguarding procedures adopted continue to keep young people safe. Strong contacts with the external services charged with keeping young people safe are in place, allowing for a swift multi-agency response should a safeguarding issue arise. Staff training is refreshed regularly, which keeps them updated on any safeguarding issues or developments that occur. Responses from young people, parents and other professionals confirmed that they feel the home is a safe place.

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

The management of behaviour is outstanding. An experienced and skilled staff team has the confidence to manage challenging, unsafe, destructive and aggressive behaviour well. Staff get to know young people and understand why each young person behaves in a certain way. They can equate behaviour with what they have learned in the training and from advice received, which are based on theoretical input. This proves to be beneficial when revising coping strategies and monitoring areas of risk.

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

Behavioural incidents, which include those requiring physical intervention, are managed effectively. Although incidents are rare in this home, each one is monitored and evaluated by senior staff. De-briefing sessions with young people and staff provide opportunities to explore the incident to see whether lessons can be learned and whether the situation Inspection report children’s home: SC062268 7 could have been handled differently. Senior staff effectively monitor incidents, looking for indictors, trends or patterns, so that strategies to manage behaviour can be adapted appropriately. This helps to improve practice and aid consistency.

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

This is a home that works positively and supportively, recognising the issues that young people have. It is a non-punitive environment with recognition for good behaviour far outweighing any sanctions imposed. There are boundaries and a structure which young people are expected to operate within. Staff have high expectations for behaviour and conduct. Bullying is taken seriously, and staff act proactively to stop and address issues of bullying, which adds to young people’s sense of security. For them, bullying is not an area of current concern.

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

Young people do not go missing or run off because they do not want to be in the home. Incidents of them going missing are rare. When one does occur, the local knowledge that staff have, coupled with the excellent relationships they have with external agencies, enable young people to return quickly and safely.

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

The retention level of staff is high, which means that young people are being looked after by staff whom they know well, like and trust. This also aids the continuity of care that they receive. Recruitment and clearance procedures for new staff are thorough and meet with regulatory requirement and current guidance. Longer-serving staff are being re- checked regularly, which is deemed to be good practice. This ensures that young people are only being looked after by staff who have been suitably cleared and recruited.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home benefits from having an experienced and suitably qualified registered manager who has been in post for some years. She is well supported by a deputy manager and a stable and experienced staff team who have worked together for some time. Collectively, they are able to advocate strongly to secure the best possible outcomes for the young people in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The organisation, management and daily operation of the home are totally child focused. Managers and staff work cohesively together, demonstrating a team-centred approach that benefits and enhances the consistency of care that young people receive. Staff morale is high and visitors immediately experience a happy, relaxed atmosphere where staff and young people actively enjoy each other’s company. This gives the home a real family feel.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Aspirations for young people are high, which also reflects the high expectations that the management team has for staff. Staff feel well supported and buy into the ethos, culture and working practices they have helped to develop over the years. Formal supervision and appraisal take place consistently. Young people are invited to contribute their views when staff annual appraisals take place. This is viewed as outstanding practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are encouraged and supported with their training needs. There are clear expectations placed on them to complete the core staff training programme, which Inspection report children’s home: SC062268 8 develops and refreshes skills. The manager is proactive in developing or bringing in training for specialised areas to meet the ever-changing needs of young people. For example, staff meetings regularly include a training element. One recently reviewed the nine quality standards. Another included a fully researched presentation on PTSD.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The monitoring of the home both internally and externally is excellent. Internally, the manager uses various systems to monitor and identify areas of strength and areas to be developed. This information cascades into areas of planning, resulting in the creation of a written development plan. This high-quality document provides the manager with a clear vision that links into developing practice and improving outcomes for young people. The manager has also taken this a step further and, with the cooperation of young people, has just developed and introduced a children’s and young person’s development plan for 2017. This is one of a number of outstanding initiatives introduced into the home since the last inspection took place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home has a good record of compliance. Following the previous inspection, no requirements or recommendations were made. However, in a continuous strive for improvement, a number of new initiatives have been introduced. For example, the welcome guide has been revised and updated, staff profiles that complement the young person’s guide to the home have been introduced and a statement of purpose designed specifically for young people has also been created. All are high in quality and have benefited from the consultation and input provided by young people. These are examples of the home’s ability to review and critically analyse its own practice with an overall desire for continuous development and improvement.

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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 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: SC062268 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Care Afloat Ltd, 158 Birkrig, Skelmersdale, Lancashire WN8 9HP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michael Fletcher

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Inspector

Graham Robinson, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC062268 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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