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

Unique reference number SC066821 Inspection date 20/03/2012 Inspector Anne Bannister Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 02/11/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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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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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

This home was judged as outstanding at the previous inspection in November 2011. This interim inspection judges the home has made good progress, demonstrating continued commitment to ensure positive outcomes for young people in their care. No requirements or recommendations were made following the last inspection or as a result of this inspection.

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Progress

Young people are happy, settled and feel safely cared for in the home. They enjoy positive relationships with staff that are based on mutual respect. Outcomes for young people are very good, which helps them progress and achieve. They are cared for by a motivated, committed staff team. Morale is good and staff feel very well supported.

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Progress

Leadership and management at the home are very good. The Registered Manager and provider actively seek the views of young people and parents/carers to involve and engage them in the operation of the home. Young people are encouraged to express their views and to be involved, both in their individual care plans and the running of the home. Individual key worker sessions with young people are effective in helping young people to achieve their goals. Young people's rights are effectively promoted by the staff team. Their views, feelings, wishes and expectations are taken into account and recorded in their day-to-day plans. They are included and involved in important decisions in their lives to fully explore how their needs will be met effectively. The Registered Manager works with the staff team to improve outcomes for children. Where issues in practice are identified, thorough reviews are carried out

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Progress

in a positive manner to learn lessons and review care plans in a constructive way.

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Progress

Behaviour management is positive. Staff are non-punitive in their approach and help young people understand the impact their behaviour may have on others. Young people continue to be helped to develop a range of strategies which they can call upon at times of high anxiety or upset. This enables them to make good progress in their ability to solve problems and manage their behaviour. This in turn continues to promote positive relationships with their families and the wider community. Although there has been an increase in the use of physical management of young people since the previous inspection a comprehensive review of incidents attributes this to the unsettled behaviours of a new admission to the home. In recent weeks there has been a noticeable decrease in incidents around these challenging behaviours.

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Progress

The ethos of the home promotes open consultation with young people. Praise, encouragement and rewards result in young people feeling valued and respected.

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