Children's home run by The Together Trust in Stockport

Inspection report children’s home: SC025740 1 SC025740 Registered provider: The Together Trust

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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 provide care for six children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home forms part of a large social care company.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 27 to 28 November 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 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: 7 February 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people receive nurturing, individualised care from a committed staff group.  Staff understand what is important to young people. They spend time with them and offer them new opportunities.  The registered manager and staff work effectively with professional stakeholders and families to provide young people with consistent care. Inspection report children’s home: SC025740 2  Young people enjoy school placements which meet their needs and support them to achieve their potential.  Young people are missing infrequently. Staff are proactive in searching for young people when they are missing. The home works well with the police to make sure that young people are at risk for the minimum time possible.  All young people make good progress from their starting points. Some young people make exceptional progress in addressing their risk-taking behaviour.  Young people benefit from carefully assessed family contact which promotes

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Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The registered manager should ensure that all visitors sign the visitors book, that there are systems in place to discuss the use of restraint with staff and young people, and that the independent visitor’s report reflects what has occurred that month, to demonstrate how young people are safeguarded and their welfare is promoted.  Staff should ensure that all case recording is contemporaneous, clear and helpful to young people.  Staff should support young people to develop positive relationships with others, both in and outside the home.  The registered manager should ensure that there is a system in place to notify Ofsted in a timely manner of significant events in the home.  The registered manager should ensure that there is a system in place to provide all agency staff with an induction to the home, and that all staff regularly receive supervision.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 12/07/2016 Full Good 15/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 26/11/2015 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC025740 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered provider must ensure that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (2)(b)). In particular, that staff ensure that all visitors to the home sign the visitors book. 02/01/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 48 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so, has spoken to the user about the measure. 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)(b)(i) and (c)) 02/01/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the independent person’s report sets out the independent person’s opinions as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44(4)). In particular, that the independent visitor sets out each month how children’s care safeguards them effectively and promotes their well-being. 02/01/2018

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Recommendations

 Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. In particular, staff should ensure that records are contemporaneous, clear and helpful to children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Inspection report children’s home: SC025740 4  The use of external agency staff can be a positive choice to complement the skills and experiences of the permanent workforce. Any external agency staff should meet the requirements in regulation 32(4) regarding mandatory qualifications and the registered person should consider their skills, qualifications and any induction necessary before they commence work in the home. In particular, that a record is kept of the agency staff’s induction to the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes

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Recommendations

regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.16)  The registered manager must have a system in place so that all staff receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. In particular, that this takes place regularly for all staff, including those staff who are within their probationary period. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 60, paragraph 13.2)  Children should be encouraged to develop positive relationships with others both in and outside the home as set out in the positive relationship standard. However, staff should be alert to the possibility that children may be at risk from such relationships including other young people in the home, and take appropriate steps to protect a child where there are concerns for a child’s safety.

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Recommendations

In particular, that staff seek to help young people to repair relationships with peers where bullying has occurred. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.13)  The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.13)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, all four young people currently in placement have made good progress against their plans. Staff provide highly individualised care which reflects staff’s detailed understanding of young people’s histories, behaviours and needs. Carers invest in positive relationships with young people to provide nurturing care. As a result, young people are able to talk with staff about what is difficult for them. One young person said to staff, when they reflected on the underlying cause of his behaviour: ‘How do you know me so well?’ Staff are able to meet young people’s needs because they understand the impact of young people’s previous experiences on their behaviour, and they work closely with therapists to develop clear care and behaviour management plans. Social workers value the investment which staff make in their relationships with young people. One social worker commented: ‘A strong point of the home is that staff are very

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

committed to my young person. They are solution-focused when challenges arise.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people have made excellent progress in attending and engaging with education. The registered manager and staff work with virtual school headteachers, placing social Inspection report children’s home: SC025740 5 workers and special educational needs coordinators, to ensure that young people are able to access the most appropriate schooling. Staff have positive partnerships with schools; for example, they support young people at school or provide comprehensive handovers to school staff, so that young people benefit from consistent care which contributes to young people’s progress. One young person uses public transport to travel to and from school, which helps them to develop their independence and self- confidence. One headteacher said:

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

‘He is a different child from when he moved into the home. Staff work closely with us; there is a good handover in the morning. He speaks highly of the home and his key worker. Good communication and partnership working have enabled him to make the progress. The continuity of school-home has been key for him.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s good health is well promoted. Staff ensure that young people register with, and attend, universal health care services, so that their physical well-being improves. Staff are highly effective in working in partnership with psychological therapists. The care that home staff provide is informed by this input and the specialist training staff have received. As a result, staff are able to meet the needs of young people who have highly complex needs and behaviours, who continually make good progress. Staff encourage young people to develop their own interests and hobbies. They take them to visit new places, including archaeological digs, castles, play areas, parks, cinemas and museums. This broadens their experience and self-confidence, as well as being enjoyable. Staff support young people to be as independent as possible, given their age and ability. Some young people are able to shop, budget and cook for

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

themselves, which is good preparation for adult life. Staff encourage young people to take age-appropriate risks as they learn to manage social interactions more independently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people develop their sense of identity and permanence. Staff ensure that young people’s views are central to their day-to-day care; for example, young people select menus and activities. Staff are aware of young people’s individuality and encourage choice and personal expression, for example in choosing their bedroom decor and their own clothing. Staff promote young people’s contact with family and friends, when that is safe and in their best interests. Carers help young people to understand when there need to be changes to these arrangements, to maintain their safety.

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

Young people become increasingly safe while at the home. Staff understand what to do when young people are missing, and the frequency of missing incidents has reduced. Staff look for missing young people in familiar places, and contact family and friends. Staff are conscientious in seeking out young people who may be in risky situations. They work with the police to ensure that young people are at risk of harm for the minimum period possible, for example by sharing information and young people’s photographs with the police. Staff are alert to young people’s presentation on their return from going missing, and are aware of the signs of child sexual exploitation. Staff ensure that an Inspection report children’s home: SC025740 6 independent person arranges return interviews to inform strategic management of any missing behaviour.

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

Staff are able to manage situations and behaviour well. They make good use of de- escalation techniques, and reflect on how recent training has led to improvements in their management of young people’s behaviour. This has led to improved outcomes for young people. Staff only use restraint when necessary. There are shortfalls in terms of the registered manager ensuring that staff have an opportunity to discuss episodes of restraint with her, and in terms of staff offering young people the opportunity to discuss the use of restraint. This represents lost chances to develop and improve responses to challenging situations. Staff address any bullying between young people robustly. There remain some difficulties between some young people, which staff are endeavouring to repair.

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

Staff manage allegations effectively and promptly. They have an open dialogue with the designated officer to develop allegation management plans and a proportionate response to allegations, which safeguards young people and staff. The designated officer said:

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

‘ I do have regular contact with staff. I think this is testament to their good understanding of what to refer and when, and when to seek discussions. From my observation, they do safeguard young people appropriately.’

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

Some young people are able to verbalise how safe they feel living in the home, and they value the relationships which they have with staff. One young person said: ‘I like my key worker. She is kind and listens to me.’ Young people understand how to complain, but this has not been necessary since the last inspection. Staff notify Ofsted of any serious incidents in the home so that the regulator is aware of patterns and trends as they occur. However, staff do not always notify Ofsted in a timely manner, which means that this information is not always up to date.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably skilled, qualified and experienced. She has been in post for two years. She has a good understanding of young people’s progress, and is proactive in advocating on young people’s behalf to prevent delays in placing authorities implementing their plans. The registered manager is visible and available in the home. She has high aspirations for the development of the home; however, she has been thwarted in achieving these developments due to staffing shortages, and shortfalls in staff’s performance. There are plans in place to address these issues, and contingency plans are in place to manage planned management changes in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager develops effective partnership working with professional stakeholders and families. They value her leadership in coordinating multi-agency responses to young people’s complex behaviours, and in showing great commitment to the young people in her care. She is robust in her challenges to other agencies who are not contributing to young people’s care plans, as agreed. A social worker commented: Inspection report children’s home: SC025740 7 ‘She is a proactive manager and always contacts me with any issues, and staff are always available for meetings and are very knowledgeable about my young person and his needs, and do advocate on his behalf.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager ensures that safer recruitment practices are in place for the recruitment of staff. This prevents unsuitable people from working in the home. There have been a number of staff changes. This has meant, at times, that there have been a number of different staff working in the home. The registered manager endeavours to ensure that a core member of staff is leading each shift, and that there is consistency in the agency staff used. There are no clear arrangements in place for each temporary member of staff to receive an induction to the home. This does not ensure that they are aware of young people’s risks and behaviours, and how they can most effectively meet young people’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is generally proactive in addressing staff training and developmental needs, to ensure that the team works together to provide nurturing care which meets young people’s complex needs. In particular, she organised for core staff to complete specialist training around sexually harmful behaviour and therapeutic parenting, which has been very effective in improving staff’s understanding of young people’s complex behaviours. The registered manager supports staff to improve their case recording. However, there are still some shortfalls in staff maintaining complete and contemporaneous records, which are useful to young people. Staff report receiving good informal support from their manager. However, not all staff receive formal supervision regularly, including those who are within their probationary period. Staff work effectively as a team, which provides a supportive environment and enables new staff to develop.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is developing her monitoring systems. She has made progress in addressing the requirements made at the last inspection, reflecting her commitment to continually improve the quality of care provided. The registered manager uses her own reviews to understand patterns and trends. She responds well to the independent visitor’s scrutiny, which helps the home to improve. However, the visitor does not consider the experiences of each young person in order to inform an opinion as to whether staff safeguard young people or promote their welfare. This is a missed opportunity to capture positive practice and to alert the provider, and Ofsted, to any concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and staff ensure that the home is a friendly and welcoming environment. They display photos of young people, and there is evidence of their toys and interests, making the home a personalised and homely environment.

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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 Inspection report children’s home: SC025740 8 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: SC025740 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Together Trust Centre, Schools Hill, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 1JE

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Inspector

Rebecca Quested, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC025740 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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