Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC066187 Inspection date 14/02/2013 Inspector Jo Stephenson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 11/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides short-term care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. It is operated and managed by a private organisation, in partnership with a local authority.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

The judgement at the last full inspection in October 2012 was adequate. Progress since the last inspection is good. The home has addressed the three requirements and three recommendations made at the full inspection. These changes show a developing service that has the capacity to develop further and because of this the quality of care and outcomes for young people have improved. For example, statutory placement plans are in place for all young people and this means their care needs and the aims of the placement are identified.

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Progress

Statutory placement plans are now provided by the placing authority. Staff liaise with allocated social workers to ensure that information pertaining to young people is accurate and reflects their current needs. Keyworkers use these plans as a starting point to complete internal assessment documents. Internal assessments now include essential health information to ensure that staff identify and access external health services to support the physical and emotional development of young people. The home has established partnership working arrangements with specialist health resources, such as child and adolescent mental health services. This means that young people now have comprehensive and integrated support programmes that monitor their progress and deliver interventions to meet their individual needs.

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Progress

The home has made significant improvements to case files, and these now adhere to Schedule 3 of the Regulations. For example, the home retains their own record of review meetings to ensure that decisions regarding changes to care requirements for young people can be implemented without delay. In-house assessment documents are holistic and personalised. Support plans are detailed and reflect the strengths and abilities of young people and specify the support they require to develop their social and emotional skills. Staff now sign and date records with young people following each revision. Case records include personal education plans that consider special educational needs, when applicable. Consequently, staff have a good understanding of young people’s educational needs and support them to overcome barriers to education and make progress in their placements.

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Progress

Consultation with young people is a considerable strength of the home. Young people participate in regular ‘placement plan’ sessions that cover a range of topics, such as family contact arrangements. During one-to-one sessions, staff encourage young people to reflect on their progress and achievements and ask young people to suggest interventions to deter them from negative behaviours and also consider the impact their actions may have on others. Activity plans are individualised and allow young people to embrace new experiences and continue with their hobbies and interests. The home holds regular young people’s meetings and records show that participation is enthusiastic and interactive. For example, minutes include photographs taken during meetings showing young people actively discussing agenda items and chairing meetings. Young people confirm they are involved in the development of the home and say their views are taken seriously.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, the home has recruited a new manager who is registered with Ofsted. The Registered Manager has now established routine monitoring processes to support Regulation 33 and Regulation 34 systems. For example, the manger completes regular case file audits to evaluate the compatibility of internal assessment documents and statutory placement plans. This means that young people experience an integrated and comprehensive approach to meeting their needs. Staff speak positively of the impact the new manager has had on the home. They say that changes made to work practice, such as including a health section in assessment documents, has improved staff consistency. Staff confirm they received regular supervision to assess their performance and this means that the quality of care and outcomes for young people has improved. Staff have now completed all mandatory training and further advanced training is planned to meet the individual

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Progress

The manager has reviewed the home’s health and safety risk assessment to include all areas used by young people and this reduces the risk of harm. The home has undertaken a programme of decoration and refurbishment and this has significantly improved the homely feel of the environment.

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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.

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