Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

Unique reference number SC456729 Inspection date 30/04/2013 Inspector Pamela Nuckley Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/02/2013 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

The home, run by a private company, provides care and accommodation for two young people with 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

This is an established home which has recently been taken over by a large private company. The Registered Manager and stable staff team remain in place.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are continuing to make positive steps because they live in a supportive, caring and nurturing environment which enables them to make good progress. Young people say they have good and positive relationships with staff which are built upon honesty and trust. Professional bodies comment upon the, 'supportive, professional and stable staff team’ and say how much young people have thrived here.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people say they are safe and attribute this to staff working with them to identify and reduce risk. The manager and staff are good at ensuring young people's welfare and safety are protected. Young people say they feel listened to and they contribute to the running of the home. They say they are able to complain and feel confident to do so.

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Overall effectiveness

The home is well managed by an extremely committed Registered Manager and staff team. Staff have high, but realistic, aspirations for young people and work effectively to promote their growth and social and emotional development. Staff work exceptionally well with schools, families, social workers and young people. This ensures young people continually receive the right help, support and guidance. Records and documentation are generally well maintained, but young people’s files lack structure. This does not affect young people directly but is an area for improvement.

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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

 ensure that records are clear, up to date and stored securely, and contribute to an understanding of the child's life. (NMS 22)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make good progress in all areas of their lives. They are making measurable progress about their emotional resilience, health, safety, personal relationships and education. Young people are growing in confidence, self-esteem and self-respect. They are proud to discuss the progress they have made with visitors and say they wish to remain at this home. Young people are aware of their background and, with good support from staff, are able to make sense of this and how it has affected them. One young person said: ‘I am now aware of how some of my friends would influence me. I feel I can now say no and that’s because staff have worked with me.' Social workers commented on the continued improvements for young people in education, behaviour and safety saying, ‘they have made good progress’ and, ‘the excellent support given means young people feel happy and settled.’ Therefore, young people are maturing, taking more responsibility for

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Outcomes for children and young people

themselves and show empathy towards the needs and feelings of others. They are continuing to make positive choices and risk taking behaviours have significantly reduced.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people have been encouraged to explore their own and different cultures through a variety of opportunities. After staff explored one young person's religion with him he has been attending church. Both young people have completed a project on their own identity which is supported by photographs and displayed within the home. Young people have celebrated the Chinese New Year, St George’s day and Valentine's day. One young person is planning to enlighten staff about his heritage by having a themed night on Germany. Young people are aware of cultural celebrations within the community. Therefore, young people are embracing cultural differences and have a sense of their own identity and background.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people have good access to a range of health professionals to meet their emotional and physical needs. They receive support from staff to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Some young people take responsibility for making their own appointments and are of an age and understanding to make decisions about taking their own medication. Staff ensure that they do this safely. Young people are involved in activities, such as playing football and skiing to keep them fit and healthy. They eat healthily and often cook for themselves and others. One young person said ‘I did a full roast for everyone on Sunday and it was scrumptious.’ This shows that they are involved in the home and it assists with independence skills.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people who historically had little attendance at school and were being home tutored, have progressed to attending the company’s school fulltime. Their attendance at the school is very good. Young people have high aspirations for themselves and some have clear career paths in mind, for example, being a midwife. Some young people are currently taking exams to secure the qualifications they need to achieve their chosen career paths. School reports clearly demonstrate the progress young people have made over the past year, such as improving key stage levels. One young person proudly discussed with the inspector his improving results, especially in mathematics. One placing social worker commented: ‘education was an area of concern last year but this young person now has one hundred per cent attendance.’ Young people said that they were rewarded for attendance and progress within education with tickets to a concert of their choosing. Therefore,

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Outcomes for children and young people

young people felt that their achievements were celebrated and that this encourages them to do well.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit from regular and appropriate contact with their families and friends. This enables them to develop and sustain positive relationships with those people who are important to them. Staff work exceptionally hard to ensure young people enjoy their time with their family. They are acutely aware of young people's vulnerabilities and make sure they are effectively and sensitively supported. Young people enjoy the same social experiences as other young people of a similar age and ability, for example, spending time with their friends and eating out at restaurants.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people effectively become more independent and make a successful transition into adult life, appropriate to their abilities, age and level of understanding. They establish positive and appropriate social relationships, are able to succeed in education and develop a range of practical skills. This includes cooking, menu planning, shopping and sewing. Young people's views are integral to the running of the home. Young people say, 'we attend staff meetings, so we are fully involved in any changes or suggestions to make things better. We have a big say in what happens.' This includes plans for holidays, decoration and outings. Young people happily display art work and photographs of their family around the home. Young people said they are fully included in their care plans and can influence change within them. Consequently, young people said they were really happy here and wanted to stay until they were eighteen or until they were ready for independence.

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Quality of care

Young people thrive because they live in a stable, nurturing and supportive environment. They have a strong sense of belonging. They say, 'this is our home' and, 'I want to stay here'. Staff are good at building positive relationships with them and young people are learning to resolve any problems in a constructive manner. This is supported by comments from social workers who say they are, 'extremely impressed' by the, excellent care and support provided to young people’. Young people feel valued because staff listen to them, value their opinions and respect them as individuals. They say, 'the staff are great, they listen and try to help us.’ As a result, young people enjoy positive relationships with staff which enable them to make good progress in all aspects of their lives.

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Quality of care

Young people are aware of the complaints system should they have any concerns. One young person had raised a concern and was very happy that it was dealt with quickly and to a satisfactory conclusion. Young people are given information on other services that they can contact if they do not wish to use the home’s procedure. Staff also ensure that young people continue to know about how to complain by consulting with them on a regular basis. Staff say this makes the system accessible, transparent and that it shows that young people’s views, wishes and feelings are of paramount importance to them. Social workers say staff are very good advocates for young people and are positive parental role models.

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Quality of care

Young people's care is planned well and these plans provide a good picture of their personal needs, support needed and the progress they have made. Young people also complete their own care plan giving their thoughts, views, wishes and feelings within it. Therefore, staff can care for young people in an individualised way, driven by the young person. The home works well in partnerships with families, placing authorities, schools and health care professionals to promote young people's welfare. Social workers say communication between them and the home is excellent.

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Quality of care

Young people live in a healthy environment that actively promotes their physical health and emotional well-being. Young people’s health care needs are identified on admission and reviewed regularly. Staff closely monitor young people to ensure they remain fit and well and take effective action to ensure they receive the right help at the right time. The home draws on specialist support when necessary. For example, one young person has a speech and language therapist. The therapist attends the staff meetings periodically to assist staff to understand any specific need or way of working to help the young person. This ensures continuity of care.

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Quality of care

Young people’s educational needs are well supported. The organisation has a school where the young people attend. Staff have consistently high aspirations for young people and support them with homework, being prepared for their day and by celebrating their achievements. Young people talk enthusiastically about the support they receive from staff with regards to their education. The home is committed to ensuring young people can access further education and are working with young people to identify college opportunities. As a result, young people are doing really well in education and have aspirations for their future.

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Quality of care

Staff encourage young people to take part in a wide range of activities and follow their individual interests and talents. Young people enjoy going skiing, football, cinema and scouts. They also attend the local youth club. Young people have the same opportunities as any other young person of a similar age. This includes eating out at various restaurants, going to concerts, on holiday and days out. Young people said that they are able to maintain friends in the community; they keep fit and follow their chosen hobbies.

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Quality of care

Young people live in a comfortable and homely family house in a residential neighbourhood. It is close to shops, public transport, schools and community amenities. The house is decorated and furnished to a good standard. Young people helped in choosing the recent redecoration of the home and have adorned the main hallway with photographs of them and their families. This makes a warm, inviting and family home atmosphere. There is lots of space for young people to relax or to invite friends in; they can have privacy with visitors or just relax on their own. Young people's bedrooms are personalised and clearly reflect their individual tastes and interests.

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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 say they feel safe and are safe. The home has good arrangements in place to protect the welfare and safety of young people. All staff receive training in safeguarding as part of their induction and this is regularly updated. Staff have undertaken key worker sessions with young people to develop their understanding about keeping themselves safe. Young people spoke of how having good staff to talk things over with has helped them to take better care of themselves and not be influenced to put themselves in risky situations. For example, ‘I know I have choices and it’s about making the right choice.’ They know that they have better self-control too, ‘I am much better at controlling my anger now.’ Social workers echoed this with comments such as; ‘this young person has matured so much and now does not present with the deep concerns I had, they are taking responsibility for their own behaviour’. This shows that the excellent work staff are doing with young people is

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Safeguarding children and young people

significantly impacting on their behaviour and giving young people the tools to keep themselves safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff are committed to preserving the confidentiality, dignity and privacy of young people. Excellent relationships with social workers mean staff are fully aware of any issues which may impact upon young people's safety or well-being and are able to take supportive action by reporting concerns to relevant agencies. Social workers are very complimentary about the home’s commitment to keeping young people safe, while enabling them to have the same opportunities as their peers.

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Safeguarding children and young people

This is a significant reduction in instances of young people becoming missing from the home. The manager and staff are working closely with social workers, young people and their families to address this issue. If young people leave the home without permission staff work in line with agreed local protocols that includes searching the local area to locate them and ensure they return safely. Young people's risk assessments clearly identify any potential risks and the strategies used to reduce these. Staff also work closely with the police, the designated missing from home co-ordinator and young person to ascertain why they went missing, where they were and to put strategies in place to reduce incidents. Staff are trained in behaviour management, including the appropriate use of restraint. The number of restraints has significantly reduced as young people respond to more effective behaviour management strategies, such as praise and

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Safeguarding children and young people

rewards. Staff encourage young people to discuss their negative behaviours and take responsibility for their mistakes. Where a sanction has been imposed records show these are fair and reasonable. Young people like that they can sometimes make amends by completing a chore or helping rectify any damage, rather than have a sanction. This, coupled with incentive schemes, positive role models in the staff, praise and encouragement, means that young people are taking responsibility for their actions and it has had a positive impact on their behaviour.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are protected, as far as is possible, by safe recruitment and vetting procedures to ensure they are only cared for by suitable people. In addition, young people are further protected by good health and safety procedures in the home because staff carry out regular health and safety checks of the premises and obtain certifications for gas, electrical and fire safety checks. Regular fire drills ensure young people and staff know how to evacuate the building safely. Visitors are required to produced identification, are supervised whilst in the home and understand the fire evacuation procedure.

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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

Young people live in a home that is effectively managed by an experienced and qualified Registered Manager. The manager is responsible for managing another home within the organisation which means she is not in full time day-to-day charge of the home. However, a qualified senior manager deputises in her absence.

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Leadership and management

The stable and well qualified staff team demonstrated a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities, with a strong commitment to delivering good childcare practice, tailored to the specific and diverse needs of the young people. Staff say they work extremely well as a team and have the best interests of young people at the heart of their practice. This is evident through the good progress young people are making. Regular opportunities to meet as a team mean they are able to consider young people's progress and modify any plans to ensure they remain current.

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Leadership and management

All staff at this home have the National Vocational Qualification level 3 in care and young people. The numbers of staff on duty are sufficient to meet the needs of the young people. Staff receive regular supervision and their performance and development is appraised. This means they are able to reflect upon their performance and consider ways of further enhancing this. Staff training opportunities have significantly improved at this home. All staff identified this as the area that the home had most improved on. Staff were confident that they were being given the knowledge and tools to help young people succeed and overcome barriers. A training matrix is in place for the coming year. This includes refresher training of pertinent subjects and specific training relating to young people’s needs. This ensures that staff have the right skills to effectively support young people The Statement of Purpose and young person's guide are shared with young people,

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Leadership and management

their families and placing authorities. These are well written and provide a clear picture of the home's aims and objectives. This means placing authorities, young people and their families are well aware of the care and support young people can expect to receive. Social worker's and independent reviewing officers are knowledgeable about the care and support provided. They are complimentary about the home and the good progress young people are making.

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Leadership and management

The home demonstrates a capacity for continued improvement based on the progress young people have made from their starting point of placement. Monthly monitoring of the home ensures the quality of care is kept under review. All significant events are notified to the appropriate authorities. The Registered Manager has a realistic understanding of the strengths of the service and the areas for further development. These are highlighted within the homes development plan and therefore improve the quality of care for young people. Young people, their families and staff are regularly consulted about the care provided. Therefore they are able to influence the running of the home. Young people's records are up to date and stored securely. However, young people’s information, which is contained within files, is not structured well. The file has an index for information to be stored in relevant sections. Some information has been incorrectly placed. For example, some

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Leadership and management

education records had been placed in an unrelated section. Therefore, this has the potential to impact on records showing an understanding of a child’s life or relevant information being missed by the reader.

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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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