Children's Home run by Radical Services Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report children’s home: SC476083 1 SC476083 Registered provider: Radical Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is run by a private organisation. It is registered to care for up to three children and/or young people who have social, emotional and/or mental health difficulties. The manager is appropriately qualified, and was registered with Ofsted in May 2019.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

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.

p.1

outstanding

Date of last inspection: 15 January 2019

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: Outstanding

p.1

Enforcement action since last inspection:

None. Inspection report children’s home: SC476083 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/01/2019 Full Outstanding 22/11/2017 Full Outstanding 26/10/2016 Full Good 11/05/2016 Full Inadequate Inspection report children’s home: SC476083 3

p.2

outstanding

Children and young people make exceptional progress in this home. They live there a long time and consider this home their home. Children and young people spoke eloquently about what they like about this home. They said that they are lucky to live there. One said, ‘I don’t just like it here, I love it.’ They are happy and able to focus on the things that matter to them most. This allows them to make and sustain progress in all areas of their development.

p.3

outstanding

Members of staff form strong relationships with children and young people. Staff turnover is remarkably low. Children and young people are growing up in the care of the same members of staff, which adds to their sense of security and stability. Children and young people take an active part in key-worker sessions with members of staff they trust and know very well. As a result, children and young people respond positively to the high-quality care they receive.

p.3

outstanding

The attendance of children and young people at school or college is excellent. They are making very good academic progress. Children and young people have aspirations for their futures and are working towards these ambitions. Members of staff support children and young people with homework and revision for exams. Children and young people accept this support because of the strength of their relationships with members of staff. Children and young people view their education as a positive part of their lives. They know they are doing well, which is good for their self-esteem.

p.3

outstanding

Children and young people are healthy. They attend routine medical appointments, including at the dentist and optician. Where there are emerging health issues, members of staff respond quickly. This means that potential problems do not develop. A qualified mental health practitioner speaks to children and young people about their worries. The mental health practitioner also provides advice for the staff team. Children and young people make excellent progress because of the approach to their physical and mental health.

p.3

outstanding

Children and young people enjoy a wide range of activities. They attend community groups as well as doing activities with the home. This means that they extend their social networks and improve their social skills. Children and young people enjoy sleepovers at their friends’ homes. In turn, they welcome their friends into the home. Members of staff meet the family of friends in the same way as a good parent would. Children and young people are free to enjoy their social activities because of the care that members of staff take to ensure that they are safe.

p.3

outstanding

Children and young people are actively involved in what happens in the home. They help to decide on the home’s decor, activities and holidays. They take part in the recruitment of new staff. Children and young people appreciate their views being sought. This helps them to become fully invested in the home. They learn that they have a voice and a right to give their views on issues that affect them. Inspection report children’s home: SC476083 4 Members of staff help children and young people to maintain links with friends and family, including when they live far away. Family members are extremely grateful for the care and support their children receive. Children and young people do not become anxious about the time they spend with their family members. This supports their sense of identity, regardless of how far away from their families they live.

p.3

outstanding

Members of staff ensure that children and young people are safeguarded effectively. For some, there is evidence of notable improvements since the last inspection. The frequency of missing-from-home incidents has reduced dramatically. There have been no incidents of self-harm for many months. There are no current concerns about exploitation and no issues with substance misuse. Children and young people respond very well to discussions with members of staff about potential issues. As a result, children and young people make and sustain remarkable levels of progress.

p.4

outstanding

Members of staff enable children and young people to take age appropriate risks. For example, one young person with a complex history now has free time with a partner. This was achieved after work was undertaken with the young person in order to help them understand their vulnerabilities. Members of staff understand that children and young people must learn to keep themselves safe. They take a sensible approach, supported by their excellent relationships with children and young people. The plans for one young person would benefit from including ways of allowing them more independence. The registered manager accepts this.

p.4

outstanding

Members of staff follow home and local protocols on the rare occasions when concerns arise. For example, members of staff search local areas and further afield if someone is missing. Members of staff make excellent use of individualised risk assessments. These are regularly reviewed to reflect changes in risks or behaviour. The quality of recording is excellent and records focus on the experience of the child or young person. As a result of this approach, members of staff have an excellent understanding of the risks for children and young people. This means that the work they carry out is meaningful and brings about positive results.

p.4

outstanding

The behaviour of children and young people is very good. Members of staff reward positive behaviour. Sanctions are used sparingly. There has been a significant reduction in the number of incidents of behaviour that challenges. Staff very rarely have to physically intervene with any child or young person. Members of staff work together to ensure that routines and boundaries are clear. This helps children and young people to feel cared for and safe. They experience their carers as competent and confident. As a result, they generally comply with expectations.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is a passionate, skilled leader. She is committed to ensuring that children and young people receive extremely good care from her staff team. She cares deeply about the children and young people, and is an excellent role Inspection report children’s home: SC476083 5 model for members of staff. As a result of her approach, children and young people are looked after by a staff team that is consistently supported to perform well.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Members of staff undertake a wide range of training courses. Recent learning includes issues specific to these children and young people as well as more general topics. Members of staff learn invaluable skills to manage behaviour that might challenge. It is highly likely that this has contributed to the low rate of incidents in the home. The provider intends to develop a particular model of therapeutic care. Plans are in place for all members of staff to undertake a comprehensive training package. It is too early to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Members of staff receive regular supervision. They reflect on their practice with suitably experienced senior staff. This helps to develop their ability to meet the needs of children and young people. All members of staff are qualified or will achieve the qualification within the appropriate timescales. This is an improvement on the last two inspections. This means that children and young people are cared for by members of staff who have the knowledge that they require to perform well.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has excellent relationships with members of the professional network. Professionals confirmed that she is viewed as being skilled and knowledgeable. They respond positively to requests for intervention. For example, representatives of a support service visited one young person at home, when asked to do so by the registered manager. This made a notable difference to the young person at a time of difficulty.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager advocates on behalf of children and young people. She is tenacious in her approach. For example, when children and young people need to move to a new school, she ensures that the transition is smooth. As a result, children and young people’s learning is not interrupted. Children and young people learn that their carers consistently promote their needs. This supports the positive relationships that exist between members of staff and the children and young people.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager understands the progress made by children and young people. Case files tell the stories of children and young people well. Members of staff encourage children and young people to read what is written about them. The registered manager has recently introduced new monitoring systems to the home, to ensure that any gaps in files are rectified. These new systems are straightforward and are likely to be extremely useful, although it is too early to judge their effectiveness.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager responds very well to external monitoring of the home. Recommendations made by the independent visitor are implemented quickly. The independent visitor knows the children and young people and ensures that their views are gathered and evaluated. The reports from three recent visits were not sent to the regulator, due to a change in processes. Senior managers understand what went wrong and have committed to making the changes required. This will ensure future compliance with the regulation. Inspection report children’s home: SC476083 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to— HMCI. (Regulation 44(1)(7)(a)) 09/04/2020

p.6

Recommendations

 Children’s home staff should take reasonable precautions and make informed professional judgements, based on the individual child’s needs and developmental stage, about when to allow a child to take a particular risk or follow a particular course of action. Staff should discuss the decision with the child’s placing authority where appropriate. If a child makes a choice that would place them or another person at significant risk of harm, staff should assist them to understand the risks and manage their risk-taking behaviour to keep themselves and others safe. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.7) Inspection report children’s home: SC476083 7

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC476083 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Radical Services Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rouse House, Wyther Lane, Leeds LS5 3BT

p.8

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Sarah Williamson

p.8

Inspector

Jane Titley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC476083 9 to 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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9