Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Torbay

Unique reference number SC457318 Inspection date 23/10/2013 Inspector Janice Hawtin Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 18/04/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned by a private organisation. It is registered for the accommodation and care of two young people, of either gender, with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the full inspection in April 2013, the overall rating was judged to be good. Two requirement and two recommendations were made to further improve the quality and standards of care. The home has fully addressed one requirement and one of the recommendations. One requirement around compilation of a suitable Statement of Purpose now has an agreed extended timescale for completion. One recommendation is continued until fully addressed; a further requirement and two recommendations have been raised as a result of this inspection.

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Progress

The home has taken action to provide adequate precautions against the risk of fire spreading through the home. Some fire doors and frames have been replaced and all fire doors are in working order to ensure they close effectively. Regular checks ensure fire safety equipment is in good working order and all visitors are shown fire exits. Records of fire evacuations do not evidence that all staff and young people have been involved. This could compromise their safety in the event of an emergency. The process for determining independence skills has improved since the last inspection. Records of achievements and discussions demonstrate how much work is done with young people to prepare them for independence. A system for monitoring independence skills lacks full assessment, leaving potential for some areas of support to be missed. This recommendation continues.

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Progress

Most areas of the home have been recently decorated, and significantly the windows have been replaced throughout the building. These improvements make for a homely and comfortable environment in which young people appear relaxed and happy. There is an on-going programme for refurbishment and decoration in place, to maintain the recent improvements.

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Progress

Full time education provision has proved difficult to secure for one young person. However, the home have worked in partnership with both the social worker and the local authority education department to try and secure a school placement. In the meantime the young person receives home tuition and is involved in some education activities with staff. Staff and the young person hope the education issue will be resolved in the near future. The young person does not currently have a formal plan of educational activity to support learning and development during school hours when tuition is not provided. Consequently it is not possible to demonstrate that all is being done to compensate for the lack of a school placement.

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Progress

Work in partnership with other agencies and a programme of intervention is helping to deal with a young person’s inappropriate behaviour. Restrictions on unsupervised free time agreed in multi–agency meetings are protecting young people from further safeguarding issues. These restrictions are not currently subject to the homes behaviour management risk assessment. Consequently proper oversight and detail to inform future review and planning is not readily available and could lead to unnecessary extension of unsupervised free time.

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Progress

Behaviour management continues to be based on positive and meaningful relationships between young people and staff. Physical intervention does not feature as a behaviour management techniques and this protects the dignity of young people. Young people are involved in decisions made about them and feel valued. Those who have moved on from the home keep in touch and appreciate that staff will offer support and guidance and continue to act in their best interests.

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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 ensure this document is clear and understandable (Regulation 4 (1)) 01/12/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) conduct the home to make proper provision for the welfare of the children accommodated. In particular ensure risk assessments support the decision to restrict young people's access to unsupervised free time. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)) 22/11/2013

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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

 ensure that all staff and young people practice evacuations so that they know what to do in the event of an emergency (NMS 10.9)  provide formal and planned education and training opportunities during school hours to young people who do not have access to a school or college placements (NMS 8.8)  ensure independence skills assessments are evidenced and provided a focus for the homes contribution to care planning. (NMS 12.1)

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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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