Children's home run by Harmony Children’s Services

Inspection report children’s home: SC424759 1 SC424759 Registered provider: Harmony Childrens 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 is a privately owned and run children’s home. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children or young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The registered manager is suitably qualified and holds a level 5 diploma in leadership and management. She has managed the home effectively for over five years.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 25 to 26 September 2018

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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: 15 January 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC424759 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/01/2018 Full Good 21/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/05/2016 Full Outstanding 20/10/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC424759 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, the 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 ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that supervision, appraisal and induction of staff are completed in accordance with the home’s statement of purpose. 31/10/2018

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Recommendations

 As set out in regulation 31-33, the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) In particular, the registered manager should ensure that matters relating to capability of staff are thoroughly recorded, and it is good practice to ensure that a performance plan is in place.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people continue to benefit from stable care provided by a caring and nurturing staff team. The young people make steady progress due to the support and guidance they receive from staff who want the best for them. A social worker for one young person said: ‘Staff are brilliant. Over the past six months [name of young person] has really turned it around and made some positive life choices. We are all singing from the Inspection report children’s home: SC424759 4 same hymn sheet.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people have been supported to complete their secondary education, and one young person has achieved higher than expected grades in their final examinations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have high ambitions for young people and promote continuous learning through effective liaison with colleges and the careers advisory service. This has resulted in young people accessing post-16 education and training tailored to their individual needs and interests. Commitment from one young person fluctuates, but staff are resilient in their efforts to re-engage.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff listen to and invest time with the young people. The young people engage in activities of their choosing, such as horse-riding, pamper sessions, football and computer games. These positive experiences have helped to forge trusting relationships with members of the staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Specialist help and support is on hand and staff work collaboratively with outside agencies. This enhances the daily care of the young people in relation to their emotional and physical well-being. Young people are empowered to take more responsibility for their health and they manage their emotions in a more positive way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Work relating to promoting independence has met some resistance. Staff have successfully used incentives and different strategies in their efforts to engage the young people. One young person now makes his own routine health appointments and another young person travels independently.

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

The manager and staff use strategies to de-escalate challenging situations without using any form of physical intervention. This is testament to their understanding and knowledge of the young people in their care and what can trigger negative behaviour.

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

Young people have responded well to a more restorative approach that has seen an improvement in their ability to manage their frustrations in a less harmful way. They are more able to self-regulate their emotions and identify when they are going into crisis. More recently, there has been a marked reduction in damage to the home and no incidents of drug misuse or self-harm.

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

Young people have well-documented risk assessments and behaviour management plans that clearly identify known risk and vulnerabilities. The decision to let young people spend free time outside the home is balanced against the necessity for them to be able to take measured risks as part of their transition into adulthood.

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

There has been a marked improvement in the number of times that young people are missing from care. Close communication and liaison with partner agencies, and the diligence of the staff team in keeping in touch with young people have contributed to this improvement. Likewise, the young people, when spending their free time outside Inspection report children’s home: SC424759 5 the home, more often return home on time. A missing from care coordinator said: ‘I have a really good relationship with the young people; they have a lot of respect for me. Both are progressing their independence and I have observed them to be more mature.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and holds a level 5 diploma in leadership and management. She has managed the home effectively for over five years. She continues to be motivated and committed to the young people in her care and professionals recognise the strengths and passion she brings to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been some movement of staff, with some being new to the service. There is a good gender balance, and permanent staff are either qualified to the appropriate level or in the process of completing relevant qualifications. This ensures that the young people receive care and support from suitably experienced staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager promotes continuous professional development and staff have access to a range of training opportunities. All staff are up to date with their mandatory training. However, staff would benefit from a greater understanding of current issues, such as county lines and gang affiliation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A key strength of the home is the effective partnership working with a number of agencies, ranging from the youth offending service, to specialist mental health teams, careers advisory service and the police. There is collective accountability that ensures the holistic well-being of the young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although staff receive supervision, the regularity is not in line with the home’s statement of purpose. Capability issues are not routinely picked up and addressed as they arise. However, this has not had a direct impact on the quality of care provided. New staff have undergone an induction to the home but have yet to receive formal supervision. A requirement and a recommendation have been made at this inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Young people are consulted regularly through weekly resident meetings and monthly quality assurance processes. Any requests, grumbles or complaints are dealt with as and when they arise. Equally, young people have a voice in all aspects of their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Inspection report children’s home: SC424759 6

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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: SC424759 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Harmony Children’s Services

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Grants, 11 Park Place, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 2RX

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Inspector

Cath Sikakana: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC424759 8 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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