Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Torbay

Unique reference number SC456910 Inspection date 12/11/2013 Inspector Jim Palmer Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 13/06/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

Brief description of the service

This home is registered for up to two young people. It is owned and operated by a national provider of children's services. The home looks after young people who may display complex emotional and behavioural needs.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress .

p.3

Progress

At the previous full inspection held in June 2013, the overall effectiveness of the service was judged as good with leadership and management judged as adequate.

p.3

Progress

At that inspection two statutory requirements and six good practice recommendations were raised. The home has taken measures to address each of the statutory requirements by redrafting the Statement of Purpose in accordance with the requirement. The company consulted with Ofsted regarding statements for each of their homes nationally and have agreed a timescale for completion of this task for every home by 1 December 2013. This home has completed the redrafting; however, the statement is awaiting ratification by senior managers. As a result, the requirement will remain until the new Statement of Purpose in place.

p.3

Progress

The second requirement was to ensure that all monitoring visits under Regulation 33 provide evidence of consultation with young people living in the home, their families and professionals working with young people placed. Reports submitted to Ofsted since the last inspection show that attempts have been made to consult with those people but only with limited success. The company has introduced a new format for completed reports of those visits and have appointed independent Regulation 33 visitors. However, this new role has not yet started. As a result of these changes there is evidence of consultation with young people and their families.

p.3

Progress

The home has successfully addressed five of the six good practice recommendations arising from the previous inspection.

p.4

Progress

Since the last inspection, the manager and staff are aware of the importance of advocacy services for young people. This is discussed with young people when appropriate and is followed up with placing social workers. The home has contacts with local advocacy services and will make arrangements locally for young people, if social workers request a local advocacy service. Case records evidence that the home is proactive in arranging these services when appropriate to do so.

p.4

Progress

All young people now have consents for medical treatment recorded by the home. The manager and staff are very aware of the fact that these need to be signed by a person with parental responsibility, and are proactive in seeking this. However, some young people accommodated under section 20 of the Children Act 1989, have consents signed by the placing authority, where there is no adult with parental responsibility available to give consent. Therefore this recommendation is judged as met. As a result young people are now able to access medical services in an emergency without delay.

p.4

Progress

The home now holds a staff recruitment profile for all staff regularly working in the home; these records confirm that all staff are appropriately recruited before starting work. Relief bank staff records are held centrally and are countersigned by regional managers before bank staff are able to work in individual homes. This provides evidence of robust safe recruitment practice.

p.4

Progress

At the last inspection the home was asked to review the effectiveness of safeguarding training and ensure that all staff are confident that they know how to make a safeguarding referral if needed. Most, though not all, staff are confident about how to make a referral outside of the organisation. This recommendation is repeated.

p.4

Progress

Since the previous inspection the manager has introduced regular case file audits, to ensure that the quality of records meets the quality standards laid out in the national minimum standards and Children's Homes Regulations 2001. All records checked were up to date, clear and signed by the person making the entry, ensuring a clear audit trail and accurate records for young people..

p.4

Progress

Case records now hold evidence of robust chasing of missing placement information from local authorities. The manager proactively reminds placing social workers if information is lacking or visits and placement reviews are overdue for any reason. As a result young people’s needs and how they will be met are clearly identified.

p.4

Progress

Most young people continue to make good progress. Young people currently living in the home enjoy living there and are making steady incremental progress. Each young person attends school regularly and where appropriate undertakes direct work with external agencies to address specific individual issues. Attendance in these activities exceeds expectation in some instances.

p.4

Progress

Young people continue to be supported in gaining greater social awareness and independence. All young people are encouraged to fully participate in the day-to-day running of the home and their placement reviews and planning meetings.

p.5

Progress

Since the last inspection, the manager continues to provide, clear strong leadership to the staff team and young people. The home is well managed. Improvements since the last inspection include improved liaison between the manager and local child and adolescent mental health services. As a result, the accessing of local services for young people is improving.

p.5

Progress

Behaviour management of young people is also an improved area of practice, as a result of excellent communication between staff members, a skilled, consistent staff team and strong management and leadership. Most significant events are notified to the appropriate agencies with delay, however in one case there was a significant delay.

p.5

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.

p.5

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 accurately reflects this service and is comprehensible to all persons listed in the Regulation (Regulation 4 (1) and (2)) 04/02/2014

p.5

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure all events listed in column 1 of Schedule 5 are notified to Ofsted in accordance with column 2 without delay (Regulation 30 (1)) 04/02/2014

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that the learning and development programme is evaluated for its effectiveness. In particular ensure that all staff understand procedures should allegations be made by young people (NMS 18.2).

p.5

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.

p.7

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.

p.7