Children's Home run by The Partnership of Care Today in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report children’s home: SC467268 1 SC467268 Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today Children’s Services

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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 is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is owned by a private organisation.

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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 good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 1 February 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Sustained effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people are making good progress across all aspects of their development. Inspection report children’s home: SC467268 2  Young people are making and sustaining good relationships with a committed staffing team.  Staff ensure that young people are able to have a voice and influence their day- to-day care experiences.  There is a clear emphasis on supporting young people to achieve in education.  Healthcare is excellent and young people are supported to maintain good physical health.  Young people who have a history of high-risk behaviours are becoming increasingly safe; they do not go missing from this home.  Staff are well managed and supported to provide a good standard of care for young people.  Leaders are proactive in securing the support of other agencies and enhancing outcomes for young people.  Placing authorities have provided highly positive feedback about the care provided to children at this home.

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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 statement of purpose is generic. It does not fully reflect the aims of the service and would benefit from revision.  Following an incident of control, discipline or restraint, young people should have the opportunity to speak to the registered manager, or a person authorised by the manager, about the incident.  The manager’s review of the quality of care provided in the home should demonstrate how feedback gathered from stakeholders is being used to influence the service.  The home is currently undergoing a programme of modernisation. Some communal areas still require redecoration to ensure that the environment is as homely as possible.  One communal room in the home is kept locked for a reasonable purpose; this has not been recorded in a risk assessment.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Monitoring equipment was used for a short time in the home with consent. Staff must seek written permission from the placing authority to use any monitoring devices in the future.  A risk assessment with a specific review date should be agreed with placing authorities when a young person is likely to be the subject of high supervision levels.  Missing from care interviews are always requested but authorities do not always provide them. The feedback from interviews is not always recorded or evaluated. Inspection report children’s home: SC467268 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/10/2016 Full Good 23/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 04/01/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC467268 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 registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)) 15/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home a record is made. The registered person must ensure that within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(c)) 15/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating . The registered person must ascertain and consider the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (2)(5)) 30/03/2018

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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

 Just as in a family home, children should be able to access all shared areas of their home unless there are specific reasons why this would not meet a child’s needs. Limits on privacy and access may only be put in place to safeguard each child in the home (regulation 21(c)(i)). Any decisions to limit a child’s access to any area of the home and any modifications to the environment of the home, must only be made where this is intended to safeguard the child’s welfare. All decisions should be informed by a rigorous assessment of that child’s individual needs, be properly recorded and be kept under regular review. (‘Guide to the Inspection report children’s home: SC467268 5 children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.10)

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Recommendations

 Any home using CCTV or other monitoring equipment should have a written policy describing how this will support the safeguarding and well-being of those living and working in the home in accordance with regulation 24. Homes must gain consent to any monitoring or surveillance by the placing authority in writing at the time of placement. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.16)

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Recommendations

 Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Where there are safeguarding concerns for a child, their placement plan, agreed between the home and their placing authority, must include details of the steps the home will take to manage any assessed risks on a day to day basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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Recommendations

 When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is situated in a rural location. It is currently undergoing a programme of modernisation and has been redecorated to a very good standard in most communal areas. Young people have bedrooms that are comfortable and personalised to suit their individual preferences. However, there are still communal areas and bedrooms that require updating. Young people have lots of outdoor space for recreation and education. One of the rooms in the home is usually locked, as there is a pet reptile housed in there and the space is reserved for therapy sessions. The home did not have a written record of the reasons for limiting access to this room. Best practice recommendations are made to address these matters.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, five young people have moved out of the home. Most transitions were planned and positive. Staff have continued to provide appropriate emotional support, which demonstrates the positive and valuable relationships made within the home. Staff at the home took a decision to end one placement, after a safeguarding incident. This was managed sensitively and appropriately. Two young people have recently moved into the home. Most young people are placed at the home Inspection report children’s home: SC467268 6 when in crisis. Staff are very skilled at providing reassurance, a positive introduction to other young people, and explaining the routines of the home in order to help young people settle well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All young people have access to full-time education on site. One young person has increased his attendance from 40% to 100%, which is excellent progress. Both the care and education staff teams work very hard to ensure that young people remain committed to their education, using appropriate reward systems and sanctions where necessary. Young people have aspirations for their future, and this is nurtured and encouraged by the staff. For instance, one young person is pursuing a vocational course in sports coaching and development. Another young person is preparing to return to a mainstream educational setting.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Healthcare plans are comprehensive, and staff ensure that young people are able to access therapeutic support for their emotional health needs. A qualified clinician in the home provides this. A healthy and well-balanced menu is on offer, and all young people have an active lifestyle, which contributes to young people maintaining good physical health. Staff engage young people in structured and positive activities. These include cycling, trampoline activities and trips to the local youth zone. One young person who was unable to swim has made progress in becoming more comfortable in the water. Staff help the young people to build and sustain good relationships with their peers. This helps to build confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people attend regular house meetings and make decisions about key aspects of their day-to-day care arrangements. Staff ensure that young people know their rights and entitlements, and how to make a complaint. Staff remind young people about their right to access advocacy services.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are encouraged to develop skills for independence in an age-appropriate manner. Contact is promoted and facilitated in line with individual care plans. One young person has recently re-established positive contact with a sibling, with the support of staff. Another young person is being supported to return to live with a family member. Staff are instrumental in ensuring that he is able to build a relationship with this family member. They travel long distances to transport him and are working closely with the placing authority to aid the transition plan.

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

Young people said that they feel safe at this home. Young people who have a history of high-risk behaviours have not exhibited these difficulties since moving into this home. Some young people who have previously absconded from other settings do not go missing. When past residents went missing, the staff were highly proactive in searching for them and returning them to the home without police involvement where possible. There are risk assessments in place with clear steps for staff to follow. Staff have requested an independent return interview after each incident. The relevant placing authorities have not always provided this service and, consequently, the leadership team Inspection report children’s home: SC467268 7 has researched and sourced local service options to ensure that these always take place. A best-practice recommendation is made to ensure that the content of the interviews is recorded and evaluated and that staff take account of any information gathered when

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

Some young people placed at the home have been subject to high levels of staff supervision, in particular when they have first arrived at the home. This was agreed in partnership with local authorities, and, in all cases, young people have developed trusting relationships and enjoyed more freedom to socialise outside of the home. A best-practice recommendation is made to ensure that such arrangements are the subject of a formalised assessment of risk and have an agreed timescale with review dates that are clear to all parties, including the young people themselves.

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

Staff focus on de-escalation and redirection techniques in order to defuse situations. This is largely successful. One social worker said about a young person, ‘His behaviour has stabilised and his anger and aggressive manner appears to have eased in the time he has resided at the home.’ This is excellent progress. On occasions when staff have had to intervene physically to ensure the safety of young people or others, this has been appropriate and only implemented as a last resort. Leaders do scrutinise the records and evaluate each incident to identify trends or practice issues. Young people are provided with an opportunity to discuss the incidents and are encouraged to reflect on their behaviour. On occasions, a staff member who was involved in the physical management of the young person has provided this opportunity to talk. However, this does not provide the young person with someone independent of the intervention to raise a

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

potential concern, should the need arise. A requirement is made to address this shortfall.

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

Risk management plans are comprehensive and have clear strategies for staff to follow. Staff take appropriate action to reduce any potential risks, including direct key-work sessions and seeking support from external services. When risks are identified, immediate action is taken to safeguard the young person. In response to an incident, staff introduced monitors to alert them when young people leave their bedrooms at night. This was with agreement from the relevant placing authorities. Such arrangements require written consent, and a recommendation is made to ensure that this is obtained in the future. Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions and to reflect on their behaviour. They participate in a structured reward system, which has proved successful in reducing the number of incidents of challenging behaviour and increasing the engagement of young people in the structured

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

When a young person made a safeguarding allegation, the manager ensured that this was reported appropriately to enable a thorough investigation. This was in accordance with the home’s safeguarding procedures. Staff have had appropriate safeguarding training. They are clear about their roles and responsibilities and understand how to raise a concern. The physical environment in the home is risk assessed regularly, and leaders ensure that young people and staff take part in regular fire evacuations. Inspection report children’s home: SC467268 8

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and has a wealth of experience of caring for young people in residential care settings. An experienced deputy manager, who is working towards a leadership qualification, supports him. They work together positively to provide strong leadership of a stable and committed staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders are reflective and have recently recognised that some young people have made excellent progress in placement, but were not moved on swiftly enough by placing authorities. The statement of purpose should be revised to reflect the view that this setting is not generally a suitable long-term option for all young people. A requirement is made to reflect this and make the ethos of the home very clear from the outset.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff reported that the setting is well managed and said that they feel supported and happy in their roles. One member of staff described the management team as ‘brilliant’. Staff benefit from regular training opportunities, which provide them with the necessary skills to care for young people who have complex behavioural needs. Leaders conduct regular, effective supervision and hold team meetings that enable the staff to contribute to care planning and behaviour management for young people. Internal and external monitoring systems are used effectively to ensure that young people make good progress and achieve good outcomes. Leaders track progress and monitor the quality of service through regular audits. They seek feedback from young people, staff and placing authorities but this is not always clear in the review of the quality of service provided. A requirement is made to address this matter.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and staff work positively with placing authorities and other services. Three social workers from different placing authorities have provided highly positive feedback. One social worker said, ‘Staff are very committed to working with the young people and communicate effectively with professionals.’ Another commented, ‘I have nothing but good feedback about this home, [the young person] made significant progress during his time at [the home].’

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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 Inspection report children’s home: SC467268 9 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: SC467268 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Partnership of Care Today Children’s Services

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lansdowne House, 85 Buxton Road, Stockport, Cheshire SK2 6LR

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Inspector

Nicola Thomas, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC467268 11 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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