Children's Home run by Future Focused Ltd in Halton

Inspection report children's home: 2563164 1 Registered provider: Future Focused Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private company. The home provides care and support for two children who can no longer live at home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020. This is the home’s first inspection since its registration in April 2020.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in April 2020.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: Not applicable Inspection report children's home: 2563164 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have made good progress in most areas of their lives while living in this home, in health, education, relationships, behaviour and keeping themselves safe. The manager and staff offer them a good quality of care to meet their individual needs. One professional said of the child they work with, ‘He is doing really well.’

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children said that they had good transitions into the home. However, the manager did not formulate a transition plan to show how the move was planned. Therefore, the manager was not able to take any learning from this, for example, what went well and what she would need to consider next time. The manager has identified in the safer area location assessment risks that are associated with the home’s proximity to a railway line and bridges. However, this information was not used to fully inform the placement decision of the children and whether this proximity would be an issue. Currently, this has not had an adverse impact on the children’s safety, but if not addressed it has the potential to do so.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to regularly attend and engage in education. The children have completed home schooling throughout the COVID-19 restrictions. The children know how important education is and respond well to the education incentives in place. Consequently, the children’s outcomes have improved. However, the home’s education plan does not highlight these improvements or the achievements of the children.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the children to adopt healthy lifestyles by encouraging them to eat a healthy diet and to engage in physical exercise. Children are supported with their individual health needs and they have good access to local health services when they need them. In addition to this, the children engage with a therapist to discuss their emotional health. As a result, the children have been able to explore ways of coping and have strategies to help them. The therapist also provides guidance and support to the staff team.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children said that they are happy and safe, and enjoy living at this home. One child said, ‘We are like a family.’ Another child said, ‘The staff are fantastic.’ The children have settled well and engage in everyday routines. As a result, the children now have contact with their families or with significant people in their lives.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children can regularly share their views about the home and the plans for their own care. Children have regular discussions with their key workers, other staff and the manager during children’s meetings, key-work sessions and reviews. Children feel able to talk to staff and are confident that they are listened to and that their views, wishes and feelings are acted upon whenever possible. Inspection report children's home: 2563164 3

p.2

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

Safeguarding practice at the home is good and it keeps the children safe from harm. The children understand that safeguards are needed to keep them safe, such as the need for one-to-one staffing and restrictions on internet use. Children say that they feel safe and that staff do their very best to safeguard them, including teaching them about risky or unsafe choices, such as knife crime.

p.3

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

There have been no safeguarding concerns to report to safeguarding agencies. Staff demonstrated that they knew the procedure to follow if a concern was to arise. All staff have received safeguarding training and additional supportive training, such as in child sexual exploitation, county lines and safer recruitment, which is refreshed regularly. This means they have the knowledge to support children and that they can identify early signs of involvement.

p.3

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

Children have good risk management plans in place that clearly outline their individual risks. Staff and the children understand the strategies required to reduce and manage risks. As a result, some restrictions have reduced, for example, the children can now have time in the community without being supervised by staff.

p.3

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

Positive behaviour of the children is continually promoted and rewarded at the home. Children can work towards a desired item, such as a bicycle, or take an item from the reward box, as an instant recognition of achievement.

p.3

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

Physical intervention is rarely used at the home and only ever to keep a child or others safe from harm. However, the records do not contain all the necessary detail required by the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. For example, the record does not contain a description of the hold used, whether the manager has spoken to the child within five days of using the measure or that the manager has recorded the effectiveness of the measure. Similarly, the sanction record does not capture the child’s view. This does not help the manager to evaluate incidents or identify potential patterns or trends or allow children to raise any concerns or have their say on the matter.

p.3

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

The children currently living at the home have not been reported missing from the home. One child, who had lived at the home previously, was reported missing on several occasions. Staff followed the missing-from-home protocol and searched the local area and areas that the child is known to have frequented. On her return she received an independent interview in line with statutory guidance.

p.3

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

Safe recruitment and health and safety practices at the home ensure that only the most suitable staff work at the home and that it is a safe place to live. Records show that children, staff and visitors are taken through the emergency evacuation procedure. Likewise, all visitors complete checks for COVID-19. This means that everyone is kept as safe as possible. Inspection report children's home: 2563164 4

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good range of experience to care for the children and staff. She is due to complete her leadership and management qualification in May 2021. Most of the staff team have a relevant childcare qualification. One member of staff is due to finish her qualification soon.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high aspirations for the children living at the home and ensures that they are provided with a high quality of care. The children and professionals spoken to as part of this inspection were complimentary about her skills, knowledge and ability to work closely with them.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager provides the staff with regular and effective supervision that enables them to reflect on their practice. This is in addition to monthly team meetings, where staff can share their knowledge and discuss the children in depth. As a result, staff said that they felt supported, valued and motivated.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff also benefit from a wealth of training and development opportunities to support their continuing professional development. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions the majority of training has been completed online. However, there are face-to-face training events scheduled for the coming year.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Generally, the children’s records are up to date and give enough detail to show the child’s journey throughout their stay at the home. Staff have a good understanding of the children’s needs, experiences and progress. The manager challenges local authorities and other services effectively to provide children with the support that will meet their needs.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home’s statement of purpose, development plan and workforce plan are up to date. Monitoring and review systems at the home help the manager to identify the home’s strengths and weaknesses. The manager is then able to alter her practice when necessary to make improvements that are in the best interests of the children. Inspection report children's home: 2563164 5

p.4

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.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.5

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are located so that children are effectively safeguarded. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(c))

p.5

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered manager should ensure that the safer area report is used when considering new placements. 30 June 2021

p.5

Requirement Due date

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 which includes—

p.5

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

p.5

Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

p.5

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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)(iv)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 30 June 2021 Inspection report children's home: 2563164 6

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that measurements of educational progress and achievements are recorded in the child’s education plan. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.2)  The registered person should help each child to prepare for any moves from the home, whether they are returning home, moving to another placement or adult care, or to live independently. In particular, ensure that the home has a transition plan that supports a child to move in or out of the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.27)

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’.

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Future Focused Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 1, Crows Nest Business Park, Ashton Road, Billinge, Wigan, Lancashire WN5 7XX

p.6

Inspector

Pam Nuckley, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2563164 7 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.6

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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7