Children's home run by Lancashire County Council in Preston

Inspection report children‟s home: SC035459 1 SC035459 Registered provider: Lancashire 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 home provides residential short-stay care for up to six young people who have learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. The home is run by a local authority.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 27 to 28 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

Date of last inspection: 26 January 2017

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

This children‟s home is outstanding because: Inspection report children‟s home: SC035459 2  Young people receive highly effective and responsive care that enhances their lives and strongly supports their progress.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people, parents, carers and external professionals provide consistently outstanding feedback about the service and express extreme confidence and satisfaction.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people enjoy being at the home. They are provided with regular opportunities to have fun and engage in fulfilling, stimulating activities.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people‟s dreams and ambitions are supported. They are strongly supported to achieve and, as a result, they grow in confidence.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Highly effective, person-centred planning means that young people new to the service, and those moving on from it, can be confident that they will continue to receive care that meets their individual needs.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Safeguarding practice is strong. Managers and staff have a clear understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and demonstrate confidence in safeguarding procedures.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Risks to young people‟s safety and well-being are carefully managed. This helps to ensure that young people are protected from harm.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Staff are highly motivated and demonstrate a strong commitment to the outcomes for young people in their care.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people receive their care from well-trained and well-supported staff.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The registered manager actively seeks ways to continually improve the service and outcomes experienced by young people.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Managers and staff demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusive practice. They support young people to have a voice regardless of their barriers to communication.

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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

 Arrangements for the provision of debriefings following an incident of physical intervention should be reviewed to further support consistent and reflective practice. Inspection report children‟s home: SC035459 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 13/09/2016 Full Outstanding 01/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 16/10/2015 Full Outstanding Inspection report children‟s home: SC035459 4

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Recommendations

 Specifically relating to staff debriefing, the registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair and the principles as set out in 9.35 are respected. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 46, paragraph 9.36)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The care and support provided to young people who use this service is outstanding. Young people benefit from highly individualised, person-centred care, which is tailored to meet their individual needs and wishes. Young people‟s lives are enhanced by the care they receive at the home, and their progress is strongly supported.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people‟s parents and carers are exceptionally positive about the service the young people receive. They describe very high levels of satisfaction and express complete confidence in managers and staff. Their comments include: „My husband and I cannot speak highly enough of this service. It is the only place we can leave our son with confidence, knowing that he will be properly supervised and cared for,‟ and „I can‟t think of a safer or better place I would like [X] to go to.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Professionals involved with the home, such as social workers, also speak very highly of the service provided. One described the staff as having „excellent knowledge of the young people‟ and commented that staff „often go above and beyond‟, to ensure that young people‟s individual needs are met. Another said, „I honestly cannot praise them enough. It is an excellent service and one I am always happy to refer young people to.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

There is a stable team in place with very little turnover. This means that managers and staff know individual young people very well and have a good understanding of their needs. Staff understand young people‟s individual preferences and the things that are important to them. Staff support young people in a kind and caring manner. As a result, young people enjoy trusting and secure relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people‟s care is carefully planned to ensure that their individual needs are met. Managers and staff have good knowledge of young people‟s healthcare needs and have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide safe, effective care. Effective communication with parents or carers of young people helps to ensure that staff are aware of any changes in young people‟s needs. A parent commented that this was the first service she had experienced that had a staff team able to meet her son‟s complex Inspection report children‟s home: SC035459 5 healthcare needs in a consistently safe manner.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Managers and staff work to support every young person to have a voice. This process begins with developing a clear understanding of each young person‟s unique way of communicating. Young people‟s care plans include comprehensive information on how they may express themselves. This could include the use of symbols, vocal sounds or non-verbal gestures. Staff take time to engage with young people in a meaningful way and ensure that they are encouraged and supported to express their thoughts and feelings. Regular consultation takes place to encourage young people to share ideas. A recent example was a survey arranged for the summer holidays about activities and preferred picnic choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

A particular strength of this home is the strong commitment to inclusion demonstrated by managers and staff. A social worker commented, „They offer an inclusive and supportive environment, which enables young people to explore their unique identities in a safe and familiar place.‟ Young people are encouraged to be involved in the running of the home. An example is of one young person who has particular responsibility for carrying out regular checks of the home‟s first aid equipment. She was observed during the inspection, carrying out her checks very carefully. When asked if she enjoyed this important task, she said, „I love it.‟ Another example is of a young person who recently helped to redesign the home‟s sensory room. She expressed her views about the design of the room through eye movements. This demonstrates that managers and staff ensure that all young people have the opportunity to influence their service and have a say

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff at the home have strong links with young people‟s schools. They support young people‟s education through ongoing, effective communication with schools, to help ensure that young people have the appropriate support to meet their individual needs. Young people are encouraged to aim high and achieve their goals. Several young people are in the process of completing national community awards and have developed a whole range of skills as a result. One young person had a dream to work in radio. He was supported by staff to follow his dream and now has a weekly show on a community radio station. Some staff from the home were recent guests on his show and were interviewed by the young person on live radio.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people are provided with individualised support to develop their independence skills. For example, one young person has been supported to develop independent travelling skills. This piece of work has been carried out on a phased basis, to support the young person‟s gradual progression. He is now travelling independently to and from his college on public transport.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people like staying at the home and enjoy very good quality experiences. One parent described how her son would often take his own suitcase from the car and run to the door. Other comments include: „[X] absolutely loves her time there. They do fun trips out, and every child has a chance to choose an activity,‟ and „My child is happy there and benefits from the planning of well-thought-out activities to meet his increasing needs.‟ Much consideration is given to how young people can be supported to engage in Inspection report children‟s home: SC035459 6 fun and fulfilling activities that meet their individual needs. Young people are also encouraged to participate in their local community. Some recent examples include one young person being recognised by the local community for helping with some park maintenance, and a group of young people raising money for a local hospice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

A number of young people who use the service are approaching an age when they will be moving on to adult services. This has been recognised by managers and staff and careful consideration has been given to how young people and their families can be best supported. There are numerous examples of staff from the home working very closely with providers of adult services to ensure that their knowledge and understanding of the young people is passed on. This helps to ensure that young people continue to receive care that meets their needs. A social worker described how staff had been fundamental in reassuring both the young people and their families about the process of transition to adult services. A parent commented, „We have found their support to be invaluable at this anxious time.‟

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

Young people receive care that strongly supports their safety and well-being. They feel safe and comfortable at the home and their parents or carers express high levels of confidence. One parent commented, „I am completely relaxed when [X] is there because I know she is in safe hands. That is worth so much.‟

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

Safeguarding practice is strong. Staff have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and are confident about the action they should take in response to any safeguarding concerns that are identified. The registered manager has created a positive culture within which staff are able to raise concerns. One staff member commented, „We have a strong commitment to the safe care of young people. We have an open and honest culture which promotes this.‟

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

Highly effective risk assessment and care planning ensure that managers and staff have a good understanding of the risks to individual young people. Any action required to maintain young people‟s safety is clearly detailed in their care plan and regularly reviewed. While managers and staff are strongly committed to promoting young people‟s safety and well-being, the service is not risk-averse. Young people are supported to take positive risks, which enables them to learn new skills and increase their independence.

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

Managers and staff work closely with young people to support their learning about important aspects of personal safety. Young people are provided with a wide range of information in accessible formats. This includes easy-to-read guides on subjects such as safeguarding, sexual exploitation, bullying and internet safety. Some young people have been involved in the development of an intimate care policy. This provides valuable information to young people about appropriate physical contact and therefore helps to safeguard them.

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

Staff have a good understanding of young people‟s emotional responses and support young people to develop safe and appropriate behaviours. Staff help young people to be Inspection report children‟s home: SC035459 7 aware of their feelings and how to manage them through direct work, for example with the use of communication feelings cards. Each young person has an individualised behaviour support plan in place, which includes clear information about potential triggers to behaviours and effective behaviour support strategies. This consistently positive support results in a very low number of crisis situations.

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

Incidents of physical intervention or restraint occur rarely. On the occasions that they do, they are recorded in detail and carefully reviewed by the registered manager. However, processes for providing the staff involved in such incidents with the opportunity to review and discuss the incident in detail could be more clearly recorded. It is recommended that records are improved to help ensure that all staff involved in an incident of restraint are provided with a debriefing within appropriate timescales. This will further support a consistent and reflective approach and further promote young people‟s safety and well-being.

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

Young people are provided with safe and comfortable accommodation, which helps to protect them from harm. There are a number of measures in place to promote young people‟s health and safety. These include the completion of a daily fire-risk assessment, which helps to ensure that the specific needs of the young people staying at the home on each day are considered. This helps to ensure that young people will be safely supported in the event of an emergency evacuation. Regular safety checks and audits of the environment and facilities, such as hoists and fire safety equipment, enable the registered manager to identify and address any safety issues quickly.

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

Managers follow well-established recruitment procedures to ensure that new employees are carefully recruited. These procedures include a number of background checks on prospective employees, including full employment histories and police record checks. This reduces the risk of young people being in contact with adults of unsuitable character and therefore helps to protect them from harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

This home benefits from excellent leadership. The suitably qualified and experienced manager leads a management team which has high expectations and aspirations for young people. This means that young people continue to experience outstanding outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a strong shared ethos within the management team of promoting progress and achievement for all young people. The registered manager consistently promotes new and innovative practice, which helps to ensure that young people have the highest quality of care and experiences. One professional said, „The manager and assistants are proactive in making the short break a stimulating experience for each young person.‟

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals, parents, carers and staff speak highly of the registered manager. One member of staff said, „I‟ve never had a more child-centred manager!‟

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is supported by a highly experienced, skilled and committed Inspection report children‟s home: SC035459 8 team. Feedback from staff includes: „This is a strong team. We have discussions at handover and also in supervision. Openness and honesty are present throughout the team,‟ and „We are a team, so all staff are consulted on how best to improve, and this in turn benefits our young people.‟

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

This home consistently looks for ways to improve the service offered to young people. One member of staff said, „Our depth of knowledge and ability to “think outside the box” is almost at the stage where we don‟t even think about “the box” in the first place.‟ One area of outstanding practice is the approach to transitions for young people in accessing adult support. The registered manager recently devised a creative programme for young people to act as „transition inspectors‟, and to inspect and report on local adult services. The young inspectors recently completed their first visit and provided a report to the manager of the adult service, with a number of suggestions. This innovative practice means that the young people feel empowered and informed about services they may access in the future. A staff member said of the programme, „It is hoped it will build confidence and resilience in them and others when going through a challenging time.‟

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

This process has not only benefited young people, but has provided reassurance and support for parents and carers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are highly motivated and have a full understanding of their roles and the ethos of the home. They feel supported, are well trained and regularly supervised. There is a firm commitment to the training and development of staff. The registered manager has recently commissioned advanced training in autistic spectrum disorder for all the members of the staff team, to help ensure that they can meet the needs of the young people they support. One member of staff, after undertaking some commissioned team training in social pedagogy, has gone on to study at degree level and is disseminating learning and knowledge to the staff team. This commitment to staff training and development means that young people‟s complex and individual needs are met by a highly skilled and trained team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

One new member of staff, who has joined the team as a domestic worker, has had training on safeguarding and has a clear understanding of safeguarding and whistleblowing responsibilities. She was able to demonstrate the ethos of the home and her role in ensuring that young people have a „home from home, how you would want your own children looked after‟. There are plans for her to receive all the training available to care staff and in a short period of time she has been supervised and feels supported and valued by her managers. This demonstrates the determination of the managers to ensure that safeguarding and the protection of children are at the forefront of their practice and that their ethos is shared with all staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The views of young people and significant others are taken into account when updating young people‟s care plans. One parent commented, „I feel very fortunate being able to have such a high standard of “home from home” care. The staff are always approachable and incredibly caring in providing an outstanding service.‟ Care plans reflect what is important to young people, and young people are supported to be actively involved in writing and contributing to them. One young person who has no verbal communication was observed accessing her care plan. Her care plan was written Inspection report children‟s home: SC035459 9 in an accessible way that was meaningful to her, and she was able to use it to show inspectors her favourite songs and what activities she enjoys.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Transitions and support for young people and their families who are new to the service are sensitively managed. A social worker said, „The manager always ensures each young person‟s transition is personal to them and includes families and other professionals in sharing information to ensure the transition is seamless and in the young person‟s best interests.‟ A parent whose daughter recently started to use the service was highly complimentary about the assessment process, describing it as „very reassuring‟. She commented that staff had taken great care to ensure that they had a clear understanding of her daughter‟s needs and said, „The feel of the place is right. My daughter has been really happy since coming here. The communication is excellent. My daughter is non-verbal and they give me a full report with pictures, so I know how she has been and what she has enjoyed.‟

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are clear systems in place to ensure regular quality assurance by managers. The registered manager and management team are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and constantly seek to improve the service. Two ways in which they do this are to seek feedback from young people to support staff development and appraisal and through the use of staff evaluation. The registered manager frequently canvasses stakeholders‟ views about specific aspects of the service. For example, he recently conducted a survey requesting people to share their views about the support provided to young people transitioning to adult services.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and staff team are creative in how they gather the views of young people. Consultation with young people is used to improve their service and experiences. One young person, when asked if they are happy being at the home, responded „the place is great‟. Parents and carers are consistently positive about the service provided. Comments include: „The home is excellent. Staff are very caring and proactive,‟ and „The home is fantastic and the people working there are great.‟

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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 Inspection report children‟s home: SC035459 10 children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟. Inspection report children‟s home: SC035459 11

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Registered provider address:

Lancashire County Council, P O Box 78, Preston PR1 8XJ

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Inspectors

Marie Cordingley, social care inspector Jessica Forshaw, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC035459 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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