Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC396463 Inspection date 05/12/2013 Inspector Jo Stephenson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 05/07/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home provides care and accommodation for up to two young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. This service is operated by a private organisation.

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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 home was last inspected in July 2013. The judgement at that time was adequate. Progress since the last inspection is good. The service has appropriately addressed the three requirements and six recommendations that were made at the previous inspection. This means that the outcomes for young people have improved because of significant developments in the quality or care provided by the home.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, internal placement plans and support plans have been personalised to reflect the specific and individual needs of young people. For example, risk assessments for young people now include the impact that their behaviour may have on other young people in the home. This means that young people benefit from bespoke interventions strategies that effectively challenge negative behaviours. Young people participate in one to one sessions that reflect their actions and consider the impact these have on others. As a result, intervention strategies are bespoke and encourage and celebrate socially acceptable behaviours. Subsequently, the welfare and safety of young people is protected and promoted.

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Progress

Young people are safe in the home and say that they feel safe. They no longer identify bullying as an issue in the home. Further improvements include young people participating in one to one sessions that discuss bullying and the impact this can have on their development. Young people say they are comfortable in raising any complaints they may have regarding issues of bullying or other concerns, and are confident that these will be addressed by staff. Records demonstrate that all concerns raised by young people are appropriately responded to and addressed within suitable timescales. This further promotes the welfare and safety of young people.

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Progress

The home’s Statement of Purpose has been amended to reflect the occasions when young people are admitted to the home in an emergency. Procedures relating to these circumstances have been updated and clarified. These include the completion of compatibility risk assessments to consider the impact emergency admissions may have on young people already residing in the home. As a result, young people are not apprehensive of new young people being admitted to the home. Subsequently, they are able to build suitable relationships with their peers. Furthermore, pre- admission assessment tools identify the individual needs of young people and consider these in relation to the skills and experience of the staff team. This means that the home only provides a service for young people whose specific needs they are realistically able to meet.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the home has recruited a number of new staff. This means that young people are better supported because the number of staff on duty reflects the individual needs of young people. Subsequently, the welfare and safety of young people is promoted. Additionally, the home has clarified arrangements for senior care staff to deputise in the absence of the Registered Manager. For example, when the Registered Manager is taking annual leave, senior care staff provide day to day management oversight in relation to the running of the home. As a result, young people benefit from a consistent approach supporting their development and this further promotes their safety and welfare.

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Progress

The Registered Manager has ensured that a revised training programme is in place to confirm the competency of the staff team. Staff who have been recently recruited to the service participate in bespoke induction training to evaluate their skills and experience. Nevertheless, some mandatory training for staff has recently expired. For example, food hygiene refresher training has not been arranged within suitable time scales. This does not impact on the quality of care for young people as the staff rota has been amended to reflect this training shortfall. However, a recommendation has been made to improve this area of practice.

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Progress

The home has been re-decorated in parts and new furniture has been purchased to replace previously damaged fixtures and fittings. This is part of a planned rolling programme of refurbishments. As a result, the home presents as welcoming and relaxing and this provides young people with a comfortable environment to live in.

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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 staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of the children and purpose of the setting. (NMS 18.1)

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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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