Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Torbay

Unique reference number SC457567 Inspection date 12/04/2013 Inspector Janice Hawtin Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/03/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is operated by a private company and is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements Adequate : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

The home provides effective personalised and well-planned care which is responsive to the needs of young people. Care staff work tirelessly and in partnership with young people, parents and other stakeholders in attempting to secure positive outcomes. Some progress for young people is evident across many areas of their development. This is often from a difficult starting point and a history of several placement breakdowns. One parent commented ‘this is the best place my child has ever lived (apart from at home) and the staff are some of the nicest people I have ever met.’ Young people feel safe in this environment and are able to speak to staff if they have any concerns or worries.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is well organised and efficiently managed. A dedicated and insightful manager is in place; she has the confidence, and is supportive of a small team of staff. She is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and a development plan is in place.

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Overall effectiveness

Detailed independent monitoring of the home assures the quality of care provided. The manager makes use of this process to address any issues. In addition young people are further protected through regular monitoring by the manager. This allows early identification of any issues so that prompt action can be taken, additional support can be sourced if necessary and the quality of care is assured.

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Overall effectiveness

Many changes have been made following the recent acquisition of this home by a national provider of childcare. Improvements to care planning, additional training for staff and monitoring of outcomes are beginning to have a positive impact on the service provided to young people. Fire detection systems are in place, young people and staff regularly practice drills so that they know what to do in the event of a fire. One fire door did not meet regulations, and a locked door between one fire exit and the assembly point could increase the time it takes to ensure young people’s safety.

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Overall effectiveness

Recommendations to further improve the quality of care provided to young people have been made. These are to address minor shortfalls in several areas including: independence skills analysis, first aid training for one member of staff, reflective practice following the use of disciplinary measures and keeping a history and memorabilia of young people’s time in care.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, in particular ensure that fire doors are effective and that all doors leading to the assemble point are kept unlocked or open automatically in the event of a fire.(Regulation 32 (1) (a)&(b)) 16/05/2013

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 support and encourage young people to reflect on and understand their history by keeping appropriate memorabilia of their time in the placement and recording significant events (NMS 22.6)  review incidents of challenging behaviour and the effectiveness of interventions, to enable staff to reflect and learn to inform future practice and risk assessments (NMS 3.21)  ensure the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated. Avoidable hazards are removed and risk reduction does not lead to an institutional feel (NMS 10.3)  ensure staff receive sufficient training which qualifies them to administer first aid to children and young people. (NMS 6.7)  ensure independence skills assessments are evidenced and provide a focus for the home's contribution to pathway planning (NMS 12.2)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for young people are adequate .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make progress in developing their confidence, self-esteem and emotional resilience in this home where they are valued. Their achievements are celebrated; school certificates are posted on walls alongside significant art work and well-ordered records of achievement. A history of their time in care and other memorabilia is not kept along with these to afford young people now and in the future opportunities to reflect on and understand their care history.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Contact with families is encouraged and supported by staff where appropriate. Some family relationships and home visits have been re-established after significant gaps. This is helping young people to improve their understanding of their background and develop a positive self-view. Some are spending increasing amounts of time with family and working towards full rehabilitation.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Health care planning is detailed and individualised. Staff support and encourage young people to have an understanding of key health risk and to take responsibility for their own health. Despite the efforts of staff young people do not take responsibility for their own health and well-being. They fail to attend regular routine and specialist checks which support good health. They also continue to smoke and take other risks which could affect their long-term health. Young people understand about healthy eating and have made improvements to their diet. They understand how to access the health services available to them in the community, including sexual health services.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are encouraged to take part in a range of activities in the community and in the home. There is some disengagement in accessing community leisure resources as young people approach adulthood. While they have some college friends in this area and go out for bike rides, they prefer to spend leisure time in their area of origin and with their family.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Following successful completion of full time compulsory education and exam success, young people benefit from attendance at college and are undertaking vocational courses. They have clear and high aspirations for the future, supported by high expectations from both staff and parents. Attachments with the staff are evident which adds to improving self-esteem and confidence. Practical life skills are encouraged and young people help with a range of household tasks and develop independence skills. Staff encourage young people, depending on their age and ability, to take responsibility for food shopping and menu planning, personal hygiene and keeping their bedroom in a reasonable state.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Improvements in behaviour are notable. There has been a reduction in anti-social behaviour and offending as young people become more mature and take responsibility for their actions.

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Quality of care

Young people benefit from the quality of care provided; they enjoy positive and mutually respectful relationships with the staff. Social workers, parents and other stakeholders report that young people receive a ‘good’ standard of care with effective levels of communication and information from staff.’ This supports collaborative working and contributes to meeting the aims and objectives of placements.

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Quality of care

Each young person has a detailed individualised plan which identifies their care and development needs. This holistic and comprehensive approach to care planning ensures that young people are afforded opportunities to develop to their full potential. Plans are regularly reviewed and are agreed by young people. Although known to staff, the acquisition of practical independence skills is not well documented to evidence progress. Plans and risk assessments identify triggers to difficult behaviour and detail action to support productive responses. Clear boundaries and expectations also support the positive behaviour of young people, maintaining their safety and protecting their dignity by minimising the need for physical restraint.

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Quality of care

Young people are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance. They are enrolled in further education practical skills courses. Support provided by staff ensures attendance and achievement. Staff work in partnership with colleges allowing an early resolve of any issues and avoiding disruption to learning. Young people know how to make a complaint and can speak to staff if they have any concerns. A young person friendly complaints form is available which is easy to complete. In addition young people have parents and contact with other professionals who would advocate on their behalf if needed.

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Quality of care

Young people influence all aspects of the care provided. They attend and contribute to care planning and review meetings where their views and wishes are taken into account and influence the decisions made. Consultation with young people affords them opportunities to provide feedback about the service and the staff. Young people routinely choose décor for the home, food and activities. The care provided is led by the needs of young people, making them feel valued and contributing to the success of placements.

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Quality of care

The home is appropriately located, within easy reach of community facilities and transport links. Personalisation of the environment by and on behalf of young people adds to their sense of belonging. A decorating programme is underway and many areas have been recently painted, some areas still require attention. Two inappropriate locking devices fitted to kitchen units are not consistent with a domestic environment. Some regular health and safety checks have not been completed. Drinks left in a young person's bedroom while he was spending some time away from the home had gone off and some food in the fridge was beyond its sell by date. These issues detract from what is otherwise a suitable and homely environment.

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Safeguarding children and young people

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

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people feel safe in this home. They benefit from one-to-one dedicated staffing and an environment which supports close supervision if needed. Consequently there is early recognition of any problems or issues; this avoids the escalation of difficulties or destructive behaviour. Young people are allowed to take age appropriate risks as part of growing up. The home accommodates young people on a single placement basis and as such bullying is not an issue.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff understand the needs of young people and their particular vulnerabilities; this supports individual behaviour management planning. Positive behaviour is encouraged using rewards, modelling and encouragement. Disciplinary measures, such as sanctions, are rarely used. Physical interventions are also rarely necessary. Records and reflective practice following the use of disciplinary measures is insufficient in demonstrating consideration of their effectiveness. One risk assessments had not been updated following a serious incident, potentially leaving staff vulnerable when lone working.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Arrangements for the vetting of visitors and allowing access to the premises are effective in protecting young people. The recruitment process provides for careful selection, vetting and monitoring of staff. This avoids unsuitable people having access to young people. The quality of relationships between staff and young people, attendance at college, individual support sessions and external monitoring of the home all contribute to keeping young people safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Incidents of young people going missing from this home are unusual. There are some on-going issues when the whereabouts of a young person are known but they are absent without authority. Staff have taken action and work in partnership with parents and placing authorities to ensure the welfare and safety of young people in these circumstances.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff receive assessed first aid training, it is not clear if all have undertaken child specific emergency first aid as required. There could be gaps in their knowledge of how to deal with children and young people’s medical emergencies. Attention to ensuring the environment is physically safe through regular risk assessment and review supports the safety of young people. Annual checks are completed on gas and electrical installations.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people take part in fire drills and know how to get out in an emergency. The home is fitted with early fire and smoke detection systems. One fire door lacked sufficient smoke retention ability and did not shut tight on the automatic closure. Outside of the main building there is a locked door between one exit from the home and the assembly point. These shortfalls could compromise the safety of staff and young people in the event of a fire. Action was taken towards addressing these issues on the day of inspection.

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Leadership and management

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

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Leadership and management

The home is managed by a competent and experienced Registered Manager who has the support of a small but sufficient staff team. Staff used to cover vacancies or sick leave are known to young people, this helps them feel safe and secure and provides consistency of care. The needs of young people are at the core of the services provided. Staff have positive relationships with and work in partnership with other agencies which enhances the quality of care provided. One professional stakeholder offering a specialist service made the following comment 'the staff team provide excellent support which is consistent and young people get on really well with staff, young people have matured.’

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Leadership and management

Recent changes of ownership within the wider organisation have brought about significant developments to benefit young people. Policy documents and records have been updated. Many of these which have been implemented by the manager have improved access to the information and guidance needed by staff. Young people’s records are well ordered and contribute towards understanding their life history and care needs. They are stored securely to avoid breaches of confidentiality. Conditions of service for staff have improved alongside both mandatory and specialist training opportunities. This contributes to the enthusiasm, competence, knowledge and skills of staff in meeting the needs of young people.

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Leadership and management

Regular supervision by the manager provides staff with the support and guidance needed to fulfil their role and responsibilities to young people. Individual appraisals are in the process of being completed to enhance personal development opportunities.

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Leadership and management

The manager understands the strengths and weaknesses of the service. A development plan is in place and the manager and senior staff have a commitment to compliance and continuous practice development. This document along with the home’s Statement of Purpose is currently being revised within the wider organisation as was agreed during the registration process. No requirements or recommendations were made as a result of the previous inspection.

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Leadership and management

A revised and additionally robust format for external monitoring of the home has been introduced. As well as monthly external monitoring there are other care professionals visiting on behalf of the Registered Individual to ensure the quality of care. Monthly monitoring by the manager contributes to identifying patterns and trends in the service provided so that appropriate action can be taken if needed. The progress of young people is monitored, summary reports are provided weekly to placing authorities to keep social workers updated and to inform further planning and reviews.

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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 and the evaluation schedule for the inspection of children's homes.

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