Children's Home, Residential special school run by Cambian Whinfell School Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Unique reference number SC066821 Inspection date 02/11/2011 Inspector Anne Bannister Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 16/02/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service that exceeds minimum requirements Satisfactory : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Brief description of the service

This privately owned children's home provides accommodation, care and education for a maximum of 14 young people with learning disabilities, including complex needs and autistic spectrum disorders.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be outstanding .

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are helped to achieve their potential socially, emotionally and academically. All aspects of their personal wellbeing are nurtured and they are making excellent progress and achieving positive outcomes in all areas of their lives. Young people are assisted to take control of their own lives and to develop emotional resilience. All aspects of care planning and practice are highly personalised and tailored to comprehensively meet the individual needs of each young person and take into account their characters and abilities. Young people appreciate the care and support they receive from a very committed and dedicated staff team and enjoy living at the home. Robust safeguarding practices promote the safety and welfare of young people who feel safe and comfortable living at the home. This is reflected in the strong and positive relationships and trust that exist between young people and staff. All young people are encouraged to become involved in making choices about

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Overall effectiveness

how the home develops. Effective communication and observation skills are used by staff to seek young people’s views about all aspects of the care. Young people enjoy a full range of social opportunities and experiences. No requirements or actions have been raised as a result of this inspection.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are outstanding .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are supported to develop independent living skills, social skills, problem solving abilities and to develop emotional well being and the ability to think independently.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people have a good attitude to attending education and achieve because they choose to and they want to. Young people are helped to achieve their full potential by working towards appropriate levels of accredited courses that allow celebration of their achievements and enhance their self esteem and self confidence. They are making exceptional progress in developing their knowledge and skills and work towards both formal and vocational qualifications. A parent commented 'my child had totally disengaged with education, he's now caught up and is achieving. He has the chance of an independent future'. A social worker commented that 'he has caught up with all the formal education he had previously missed. The home environment promotes a 24 hour continuous learning programme, and as a result of the very consistent approach of both care and education staff, who work very closely together, he is making huge improvements.' A young person commented ' I am

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Outcomes for children and young people

achieving, I am enjoying life, I am less anxious and I am now taking entry level exams.' Young people requested extra curriculum clubs and as a result now enjoy music appreciation, creative writing, health and art and craft clubs. This development confirms to young people that they can positively contribute to the way the school develops.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are well supported to make a successful transition into adulthood. They undertake a specific programme aimed at developing their life skills, which is delivered at a level commensurate with their abilities and vulnerabilities. Progress for young people in these areas is exceptional. Detailed transition plans are consistently followed across care and education, helping young people gain independence skills which assist them to integrate into the local community. A parent commented ' he really trusts staff, they understand him and help him work on his issues so that his behaviour is socially acceptable and he is able to be a part of and be involved in the local community.' Young people's self confidence and self esteem is developed through participation in work placements which are set up to expand young people's skills and interests and develop their communication skills. For example placements

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Outcomes for children and young people

include the local Oxfam shop, a local bed and breakfast, community volunteering to keep Kendal clean and green, and a local environmental project. Young people are very proud of the achievements they make. The progress in building young people's independence, self esteem and confidence means that all young people are participating in a full range of opportunities and social experiences. This is enabling them to achieve their full potential and make informed choices, including involvement in hobbies that can continue once they move on from the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit from regular and appropriate contact with their families. Practical support is offered by staff to transport and take the lead role in any supervised contact arrangements. Systems are well established which enable young people to make and receive telephone calls as well as to meet with any visitors in private. Both young people and their families report improvements in their relationships. Young people indicated that this is because they have learnt to think about the impact their behaviours have on other people. A parent indicated 'we are now having the best family times together. We look forward to him coming home. This placement has been brilliant for all of us'.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

Young people have strong and trusting relationships with staff and are valued and accepted as individuals. Staff are extremely effective at building positive relationships with young people. They are very knowledgeable about individual young people’s level of understanding, vulnerability and ability. As a result they engage with young people appropriately to provide the support and reassurance young people need to reduce their anxieties. A parent commented that her child is 'starting to understand himself, he is being taught life skills for his future. All young people in the home are encouraged to meet their full potential. It’s a brilliant place.'

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Quality of care

Young people know how to make a complaint and have access to a comprehensive information file in the lounge, which provides them with a range of information about how to raise issues with the home or alternatively seek support from a range of independent organisations that champion young people's rights. This information is available in formats which meet all young people's abilities. Young people are very confident that if they raise issues with staff they are generally sorted out informally.

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Quality of care

Young people thrive living in this stable, very caring and supportive environment. Young people benefit from staff practice which gives them consistency, structure and routine, and as a result young people feel very settled and have a strong sense of belonging. Young people are encouraged to have high aspirations and to be proud of their achievements. Staff are fully committed to enabling young people to overcome any difficulties they may face so that they are able lead happy and fulfilling lives. Exceptional monitoring and updating of placement plans and strategies for helping young people takes place to evaluate young people's progress on a daily basis and to ensure that plans are up to date, relevant and meet the needs of each young person. This is achieved through very close liaison between care and education staff, practice reflects a 24 hour learning curriculum that ensures young people are aware of the

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Quality of care

positive achievements they are making in all aspects of their lives. The educational achievement of young people is exceptional, taking into account both their attainment and their progress from their starting point at the time of placement. There are daily reflective meetings at the end of the school day where key workers can directly hear the progress and good work young people have achieved. These meetings assist young people to gain skills in communicating and evaluating their performance. They celebrate and affirm the progress both they and other young people are making.

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Quality of care

Staff actively encourage and assist young people to develop their own identities while recognising the identities and achievements of others. Staff actively seek young people's views about the running of the home; for example, young people help choose what they have to eat, how they spend their money and what they do in their spare time. Leisure activities include membership of the local golf club, swimming at the local leisure centre, involvement in local community fund raising initiatives, which all help to integrate young people into the community. Young people feel listened to and state that they have a say in all aspects of their lives. House meetings and key worker sessions also provide young people with venues to raise issues and give their views about how the home is run. Young people advise that they are helped to understand why it may not be always possible to action the things they request. Staff work openly, transparently and communicate positively

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Quality of care

with young people. As a result young people enjoy a relaxed, trusting environment where they engage positively with adults.

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Quality of care

Young people are encouraged to lead healthy lifestyles. Young people's healthcare needs are well met. They are registered with the local services and are fully supported to access any healthcare appointments. Staff have an excellent understanding of young people’s specific health needs and have received relevant training to ensure young people’s needs are met on a daily basis. Specialist intervention is provided to those young people who require specific input. Coordinated planning with the health services ensures that young people always get the medical treatment they require.

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Quality of care

The registration of the home covers two individual houses. The school is part of the main house. All living areas are warm, welcoming and homely. They are furnished, decorated and maintained to a very good standard, which ensures the environment is conducive to the positive care of young people. Young people are given the opportunity to personalise their rooms with posters and pictures. A good balance is maintained of ensuring that the living areas are safe and secure as well as being comfortable and homely.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is outstanding at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There are excellent systems in place to safeguard and protect young people. Staff receive training to update their knowledge and have a full understanding of safeguarding policies, procedures and actions they should take, if an incident arises. Staff work effectively with parents and the safeguarding agencies to promote young people’s safety. Discussion with other professionals involved with the home, confirm high levels of communication between themselves and the unit. This ensures that young people receive the support required to encourage them to take responsibility for their own safety. Young people indicate that they feel the home provides them with a safe place to live in.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people benefit from the skills staff employ to help them manage their behaviours. The staff team are trained in the management of challenging behaviour and the appropriate use of physical intervention to keep young people safe. Staff are skilled in using a range of de-escalation techniques to help reduce the need to use physical intervention. When young people are struggling, staff will offer them support to help them take control of their behaviours. Following any incident young people and staff look together at the issues that led up to it, the impact it has on others, and develop positive strategies for how young people can respond in future similar situations. Young people say it helps them to discuss difficult times, sometimes to apologise and plan a more positive response in the future. Analysis of all incidents indicates a significant reduction from pre-admission to the present time. The level of negative behaviour continues to be reduced with positive behaviour

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Safeguarding children and young people

being supported and suitably rewarded. Young people are helped to develop a range of strategies which they can call upon at times of high anxiety. This enables young people to make good progress in their ability to solve problems and manage their behaviour which in turn promotes positive relationships with their families and the wider community.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are taught to respect one another and understand that bullying in any form is not acceptable. They are aware that staff have a zero tolerance to bullying and are confident that staff deal with any circumstances should they occur. Young people learn to respect people's differences and are taught about the effects of discrimination.

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Safeguarding children and young people

A clear system is well established for the reporting and recording of any event where young people go missing. These include agreed protocols with the local police. There has been one incident, where young people have gone missing, since the last inspection. Records show that staff respond positively to any absence. This ensures the safe return of young people at the earliest opportunity.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Robust staff recruitment practices are established to ensure the protection of young people. These practices ensure that new staff are suitably vetted and do not commence employment in the home until all the relevant checks have been carried out.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Health and safety policy and practice guidelines are well established to ensure that staff and young people are appropriately safeguarded.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are outstanding .

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Leadership and management

Young people enjoy outstanding outcomes because of the commitment of the whole staff team. Care and education staff work in an innovative way to ensure young people achieve their full potential. The home is very effectively and efficiently managed in a manner which promotes young people's best interests. The Registered Manager and care staff demonstrate a very strong commitment to delivering an outstanding quality care to all young people.

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Leadership and management

The manager is qualified and experienced in his role. There are clear arrangements in place to ensure appropriate management of the home when the manager is absent through an experienced deputy manager.

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Leadership and management

There are a range of quality assurance processes in place at the home, including monthly monitoring visits by the company's appointed representative. These report on the quality of the service provided to young people. There is evidence that any actions highlighted in these different processes are followed-up and that these lead to improvements in facilities and practice.

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Leadership and management

Progress has been made since the last inspection. This includes responding to requirements to improve recording procedures for restraints and sanctions, and recommendations that statements of educational need and personal education plans are included in young people's files. In addition action has been taken to ensure that checks are undertaken to ensure any furnishings young people bring to the home conform to fire safety requirements and that young people do not place themselves and others at risk by the usage of extension cables in their bedroom. The staff team is sufficient in number, competent, motivated and professional. Members of staff receive high levels of support, training and supervision to maintain their professional development and monitor their performance. Management practice ensures that staff have the competences and skills required to work effectively with the diverse needs young people present. Staffing levels are maintained throughout

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Leadership and management

the day and night to meet the individual and collective needs of young people. They are cared for by a very enthusiastic, committed staff team who have a variety of experience in the care of children and young people. Young people receive a high level of individual support.

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Leadership and management

The home's Statement of Purpose clearly outlines its aims and objectives. It also describes the level of service young people can expect to receive and how they will be cared for. This information is readily available to all interested parties. A young people's guide is also produced which provides them and their parents with clear information they need to know about the home. This information is usually provided to young people prior to their admission to the home and is available in a format which can be adapted to meet young people's levels of understanding. There is a clear commitment at the home to anti-discriminatory practice and supporting young people's cultural needs.

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Leadership and management

Young people’s written records are securely stored and provide a clear and detailed picture of young people’s progress and experiences. The records provide a narrative for young people’s daily lives, observations about young people’s mood and behaviour and analysis of the day’s events. These comprehensive records provide an insight and understanding of young people’s lives and contribute to the planning for young people’s future.

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Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is outstanding .

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