Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Torbay

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

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Date of last inspection 12/04/2013 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 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

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 inadequate progress .

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Progress

At the first full inspection in April 2013 the home was judged to be good overall, with adequate judgements for outcomes and for leadership and management. One requirement and five recommendations were made to improve the quality of care. Action was taken to address the requirement and three of the recommendations. The quality of care has declined since the last inspection, primarily due to a lack of care and attention to management and administration tasks. As such the home is judged to have made inadequate progress.

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Progress

A requirement in respect of fire safety has been addressed. Consequently, fire doors were repaired or replaced, door guards have been fitted which close automatically in the event of fire and escape routes are no longer compromised by locked doors. This avoids unnecessary risk to staff and young people in the event of a fire.

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Progress

To address a previous recommendation, staff are beginning to keep a folder containing memorabilia of young people’s time in placement. This will help them to reflect on and understand their history once they have moved on. Incidents of significant challenging behaviour are few and far between. One was fully addressed and dealt with effectively. Reflective practice detailed in supervision demonstrates attention to learning from this incident.

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Progress

Attention has been paid to improving the environment. All areas are free from avoidable hazards, and the lounge and dining area have been refurbished. This home is in the process of being decorated, and a new kitchen is due to be fitted within days of this inspection. Young people personalise all areas, creating an environment which is both homely as well as comfortable.

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Progress

Following a previous recommendation, the suitability of first aid training undertaken by staff remains ambiguous. The manager has received three days’ training; other staff who also lone work have done one day’s training. It is not clear if either course is suitable for those working with children and young people. This could lead to gaps in knowledge of how to deal with medical emergencies.

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Progress

A recommendation to evidence independence skills so that the home has a focus for planning has not been addressed and is repeated.

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Progress

The Statement of Purpose recently provided to Ofsted contains inappropriate information which could compromise the welfare and safety of young people. Sharing this information with those who do not have a legitimate right to know it breaches confidentiality. In addition, other information is missing from the Statement of Purpose, and in some areas the detail is misleading or not clear. This fundamental document has been published without scrutiny and/or approval within the larger organisation, demonstrating a lack of proper oversight. This Statement of Purpose has now been withdrawn and immediate action was taken to address these issues.

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Progress

Records kept in the home do not provide clear and accurate information about young people or effective guidance to staff. At least three records of presenting risk exist; none of these provide comprehensive, up-to-date information. The most significant document does not contain detail of effective responses to behaviour management. The permanent staff team are fully aware of how to respond to difficult behaviour and have been able to deal with this effectively. Agency and other staff who work at the home do not have easy access to the information required to provide effective, informed care to young people.

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Progress

Rewards schemes used to develop acceptable behaviour are unrealistic and unachievable for young people. This makes them ineffective as a behaviour management tool.

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Progress

Planning documents have been updated in illegible print, and actions agreed in reviews have not been recorded to inform planning documents. This issue has been exacerbated by the length of time between reviews and receipt of meeting minutes from placing authorities. This shortfall makes it difficult to ensure that the care provided matches the expectations and agreed focus for interventions identified by the placing authority. The system in place for monitoring records has been ineffective in identifying these issues. Staff are not always receiving the formal support and guidance needed to fulfil their roles and responsibilities. Gaps in the regular provision of supervision exist, with some gaps of up to eight weeks during holiday periods.

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Progress

Relationships between young people and staff remain warm and caring. Young people feel safe and say they get on well with all the staff team, especially key workers. Young people's friends are welcome, and visit the home, which encourages the development of friendships.

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Progress

A robust approach to dealing with incidents of absence without authority continues to safeguard young people and ensures their welfare during these times.

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Progress

Staff deal effectively with any issues of bullying, notably in education environments. This avoids disruption to learning.

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Progress

The home continues to work effectively in partnership with parents; one described the home as ‘smoothly run and providing good care’.

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Progress

Issues identified during this inspection were taken seriously by the Registered Manager and area manager. Many were acted on during the inspection.

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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 (Regulation 4(1)) 31/01/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) implement a written policy (in this regulation referred to as 'the behaviour management policy) 'which sets out the means whereby appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the home. In particular ensure behaviour management risk assessments and plans are clear and offer consistent guidance to staff (Regulation 17B) 31/01/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that at all times, at least one person on duty at the children's home has a suitable first aid qualification (Regulation 20(e)) 31/01/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) maintain in respect of each child the information, documents and records specified in Schedule 3. Specifically the result of any review of the placing authority’s plan for the child, or of his 31/01/2014 placement plan. (Regulation 28(1)(a))

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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 information about individual children is kept confidential and only shared with those who have a legitimate right to know (NMS 22.3)  ensure the home implements the policy that clarifies the purpose, format and content of records to be kept on the child's file. There is a system in place to monitor the quality and adequacy of record keeping and take action when needed (NMS 22.1)  ensure independence skills assessments are evidenced and provide a focus for the home's contribution to pathway planning (NMS 12.2)  provide staff with regular supervision (NMS 19.4)  ensure that sanctions and rewards are clear, reasonable and fair. (NMS 3.8)

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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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