Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in West Northamptonshire

Unique reference number SC456719 Inspection date 18/04/2013 Inspector Catherine Honey Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 27/02/2013 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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Brief description of the service

This privately owned children's home is part of a large national organisation. The home can provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who display emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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

Young people in this home benefit from highly individualised care. They make good progress especially with their personal development and skills as a result of the care they receive. A strength of the service is how it listens and consults with young people.

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Overall effectiveness

Staff provide a warm, relaxed and homely atmosphere. Consequently, young people say they are happy living in the home and have positive views of the staff and each other. Young people’s safety is a priority.

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Overall effectiveness

The staff understand and respond to incidents and issues as they emerge; managing behaviour and working hard to give young people the skills to keep themselves safe.

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Overall effectiveness

The management team have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. They have plans in place to ensure continual development, which underpins positive outcomes for young people.

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Overall effectiveness

The inspection identified some shortfalls relating to the home's Statement of Purpose; records of staff supervision and guidance relating to the use of bedroom door alarms.

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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) compile in relation to the children’s home a written statement (in these Regulations referred to as “the statement of purpose”) which shall consist of a statement as to the matters listed in Schedule 1. In particular, the age range; description of therapeutic placements and interventions and the independence flat ( Regulation 4 (1); Schedule 1 (8 )(a)(11)(25)(26)) 24/05/2013

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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

 review the written policy that sets out how electronic monitoring devices should be used, how they promote the welfare of children, how children will be informed of their use, how legitimate privacy of children will be protected and how children will be protected from potential abuse of such measures (NMS 10.5)  ensure a written or electronic record is kept by the home detailing the time and date and length of each supervision held for each member of staff, including the registered person. The record is signed by the supervisor and the member of staff at the end of the supervision. (NMS 19.5)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people quickly settle at the home and make good progress in relation to their starting points. One young person stated, ‘I’m settled here, I was kicking off when I came here and I don't do that anymore.’

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people establish particularly close and trusting relationships with staff. Through these they grow in self-confidence and are better able to deal with difficult and challenging emotions when they arise. As a result young people's behaviour has improved; they experience better self-esteem and work toward a positive future.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Most young people are involved in or have been involved in education and further education. Some are attending regularly and achieving well. Others have achieved further education qualifications and are considering their next course. For some, attendance and academic progress has been difficult. Where education placements have broken down due to poor behaviour, young people are reflective as to the reasons why and are eager to seek alternatives. A young person stated they 'enjoy everything about school’.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people achieve good health outcomes and recognise themselves what they need to maintain good health, for example, beginning to take responsibility for a healthy lifestyle and losing weight. Young people who previously engaged in risk- taking activity such as substance misuse have decreased this behaviour.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people engage with staff and professionals and because of this their understanding of their sexual health improves. Consequently, they make positive decisions about their lifestyles, based on good levels of understanding and knowledge.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are prepared well for independence. There is a flat on the ground floor of the home that is used to help young people prepare for independence. Here, they practice and develop skills in cooking, budgeting and living more independently.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The importance of contact and of building relationships is given high priority by the home. Contact arrangements are supported by staff who support young people to develop a positive personal identity; understand their cultural heritage and sustain attachments. Young people have free leisure time when they meet with friends and invite them to the home. Young people are able to pursue the things that personally interest them. For example, dance classes or going to the fair. This enables young people to develop individual interests and be engaged positively with the local community.

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Quality of care

One of the home's strengths is the way staff and the management team listen to young people. Young people are encouraged to be fully involved in their statutory care reviews. When they have concerns about decisions that have been made in relation to their care, staff support them to challenge these by helping them make a complaint or access advocacy services.

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Quality of care

Young people's voices are evident and influence developments in the home’s practice, such as, the installation of new showers; the conversion of a spare room in to a cinema and the purchase of a pool table. In addition, a 'you said, we did' newsletter has been produced and is displayed around the home demonstrating how Requests made by young people have been responded to.

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Quality of care

On a day-to-day basis, young people learn negotiation skills, for example, in agreeing a contract for mobile phone and internet use. Young people say they feel listened to and are able to see how their requests and suggestions have changed things in the home. This view was reinforced by staff. Young people receive individualised care. On admission, they are consulted about their likes and dislikes, religious and cultural needs and plans are quickly put in place to meet these needs. Important documents such as the Statement of Purpose are translated in to different languages should this be needed, for example for parents to gain more information about the home.

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Quality of care

Young people receive good access to healthcare. Staff are proactive in registering young people with local health agencies as soon as they arrive at the home. If young people have any specific health concerns on admission, support is accessed quickly. Staff ensure that young people have access to routine medical, dental and optical services. The company also offers access to other specialist services such as psychological assessments or access to a counsellor.

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Quality of care

Young people are provided with properly prepared, wholesome and nutritious meals which meet their dietary needs and individual preferences. They are consulted about menu choices. Staff demonstrate a good awareness of the safe administration of medication and young people are encouraged to keep physically active, thus promoting good health outcomes.

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Quality of care

Young people benefit from being able to talk to staff about their feelings through key working session which are also used to discuss their targets in their placement plan. Young people have ample opportunities in these sessions to make their views known. Staff have positive relationships with external professionals are able to utilise resources such as arranging specialised safeguarding awareness sessions for young people. As a result, vulnerable young people are supported to stay safe.

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Quality of care

Strong relationships with education providers mean education placements can be organised without delay. Staff actively use their strong links with education, training and careers providers to try and secure alternative provision for those who are currently not in formal education. Staff support young people to attend interviews and foster young people's independence and confidence in this way.

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Safeguarding children and young people

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

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people confirm they feel safe living at the home; they have appropriate access to a phone and know how to contact their social workers should they wish to. Families and placing social workers feel confident and reassured by the care and support young people receive. Young people benefit from high levels of supervision. High risk behaviours are carefully managed in consultation with other professionals. Staff receive specialist training to keep young people as safe as possible.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Internet safety is of high priority at the home. Young people sign internet safety contracts and are supervised by staff who are knowledgeable about internet safety. Young people receive guidance and support which helps them understand how to keep themselves safe on the internet. Where young people have used the internet inappropriately, for example, by letting a younger peer access the internet on a mobile phone, appropriate action is taken to limit this risk.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Positive behaviour is encouraged and young people are relaxed and behave well around the home. This is supported by good relationships between young people and staff as well as good supervision. Levels of restraint are low and it is only used in exceptional circumstances. Use of sanctions is also low. Sanctions are reviewed regularly for effectiveness and young people are encouraged to comment.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home uses alarms on young people's bedroom doors at night time to aid staff in their supervision of young people. Young people believe these alarms are left on during the day time as well as at night. The majority of staff confirm that the alarms are turned off in the morning and only turned on again at night time in line with the home's policy. However, not all staff could confirm these procedures. Therefore staff and young people are unclear on the use of these alarms. The lack of clarity about their use does not promote consistency or recognise young people’s rights to be treated as individuals.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home works closely with specialist police officers and exploitation professionals to support those young people known to be at risk. Incidents of young people going missing from care are very few. Where young people do go missing, staff are competent at following missing procedures and are proactive in searching for young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The staff have a good awareness of the response and reporting procedure for potential child protection issues. They follow protocols and are proactive in communicating with external professionals to promote young people’s safety. There is a strong relationships between the home and the missing from care coordinator for the area, who stated, 'It’s a ‘we’ relationship, not an 'us and them' relationship. We work together to secure the best outcomes.' Staff engage in training with the local police about child sexual exploitation and demonstrate a good understanding of the subject.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Where allegations are made against members of staff; responses are robust and appropriate. When significant events occur, the placing authority, Ofsted and other appropriate persons are informed. This enables good information sharing and means the regulator can monitor significant events at the home. Staff are fully aware of the home's whistleblowing policy.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The environment provides a safe and secure space young people. Appropriate checks in relation to fire and health are routinely undertaken. The home practises regular fire evacuation procedures and young people and staff are clear about what to do in the event of an evacuation.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are good . The home has recently been taken over by a new company and has been re- registered with Ofsted. The Registered Manager has been registered with Ofsted recently. The majority of the staff team remain the same.

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Leadership and management

The Registered Manager routinely monitors the quality of care in an effective and timely fashion. She has strong relationships with young people, and consults informally with them on a regular basis. Young people state they have not noticed any negative outcomes from the change in ownership; they like the fact the staff team have remained the same. When asked what has changed over the last few months, young people stated they are consulted more and that they feel listened to.

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Leadership and management

The Registered Manager has a good quality development plan which is reviewed regularly. This lists areas for progress and improvement. For example, there is an in depth maintenance plan and the improvement to the fabric of the building has been recognised as an area for development. Improvement works on creating more attractive and individualised bedrooms has started already. This indicates the service’s capacity to improve.

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Leadership and management

Staff speak confidently and animatedly about their roles. They know the young people well and are able to describe the progress they have made while living at the home. Staff feel well supported and receive training opportunities. Despite records not being up to date, staff receive regular supervision and are well supported in their role, giving them the skills and competencies to fulfil their role. When asked what has changed over the last few months since the home's new registration, a member of staff stated 'We’re listening to the young people more and asking them what they want. That’s why we’ve got a pool table in the meeting room. Seeing the young people’s views in action is brilliant. There have been positive changes.'

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Leadership and management

To cover gaps in rotas, the home occasionally use agency staff. Young people confirm agency staff they have met previously are usually used; they prefer this as the arrangement promotes some continuity of care. The manager is clear about safe vetting and checks on employees and demonstrates an appropriate understanding of safe recruitment practices.

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Leadership and management

Young people's files are well organised and records are stored securely. Young people are encouraged to read paperwork relating to them and are encouraged to have their own copies of review documentation including reports written by the home. This demonstrates that young people are involved in their own care.

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Leadership and management

The home's Statement of Purpose adequately describes the function, aims and objectives of the home However, there are some oversights, such as: the age range of young people to be cared for; the provision of therapeutic placements and the use of flat for young people getting ready for independence. These oversights have not affected the care of young people; placing authorities confirm they are clear about the aims and objectives of the home and have access to a separate document that provides information about therapeutic placements.

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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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