Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Warrington

Unique reference number SC456942 Inspection date 08/01/2014 Inspector Pamela Nuckley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 29/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home, run by a private company, provides care and accommodation for one young person 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

The manager and young person were not present at the time of this inspection. However, the 1st line manager (deputy) and regional manager were present.

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Progress

At the last full inspection in May 2013, the overall effectiveness of the service was judged as adequate. Two requirements and five recommendations were set to address improvement.

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Progress

The home was asked to ensure that staff understand and follow the relevant local authority police protocols on missing children. Staff present at the inspection fully demonstrated their knowledge in this area. The home has made good links with the missing from home coordinator from the police and with independent services that talk to young people on the risks of being missing from home. Further to this, the home has been proactive in ensuring strategy meetings take place to identify plans to minimise young people being missing from home. Although young people are being reported missing from home, the staff ensure that all steps are taken to establish their whereabouts, through working closely with family and professionals and in keep in-depth records of all action taken. However, the home has failed to notify Ofsted when young people have been missing for a significant period of time, such as overnight. This does not give Ofsted a clear overview of the home between

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Progress

At the last inspection the home was asked to ensure that they promote the educational achievement of children. This was specifically in relation to a past resident who had been educated within the home for a long period. The home now has systems in place to assess individual educational needs within the first weeks of placement. Young people then attend the company’s school for further assessment and identified schools, colleges or alternative educational placements are sourced quickly. Therefore, young people have the same opportunities as their peers. The home was also asked to evidence that they celebrated educational achievement. The home now retains certificates of achievement for all young people. One young person received a gift voucher for excellent attendance and another enjoyed a trip to Alton Towers in recognition of good examination results. As a result, young people see that their hard work is rewarded.

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Progress

Young people at this home have excellent attendance at school and are progressing well. Young people are continuing to achieve within education because the manager and staff work closely with educational settings and get the right help and support for them. This is combined with the hard work staff do in ensuring that young people have a routine, are prepared, encouraged, praised and understand the importance of education. They also enjoy a range of weekly activities outside of the home. This provides young people with the opportunity to mix with other young people of a similar age and develop friendships.

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Progress

At the last inspection the home was asked to ensure that avoidable hazards are removed. This was in relation to ensuring that open foods are stored, covered and labelled. All staff have completed a certificated course in food safety awareness and now understand the implications of potential hazards of poor storage. On the day of the inspection all opened food was correctly stored. Young people receive wholesome food that meets their dietary requirements.

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Progress

The home was also asked to ensure that room searches are carried out in accordance with the homes guidance. All staff have read and signed the guidance on carrying out room searches. Further to this, young people have signed to say that this procedure has clearly been gone through with them. As a consequence, they are clear about their rights to be present and how any confiscated items will be secured for them.

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Progress

The home was asked to ensure that staff have their performance individually and formally appraised. The manager of the home was not present on the day of inspection and evidence could not be found to confirm that this had been completed. Therefore, this recommendation has been repeated.

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Progress

The home was asked to ensure that records are clear and up to date. This was specifically in relation to a past residents local authority placement plan not containing factual information. The current young person’s placement plan is in place and contains all the correct information necessary to meet their placement needs. Since the last inspection, the manager has made improvements to the recording systems. There is now a clear audit trail of events and incidents which inform placement plans. Young people’s records are detailed and well structured; these are held securely and confidentially. However, some paperwork is unsigned by the author, staff and manager. For example, the parent, young person and social worker have not signed a local authority placement plan. This does not ensure that all parties are in agreement with the plan. Although this is not currently impacting on the care young people receive, it has the potential to do so.

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Progress

There is a new staffing structure in place at the home. This gives staff accountability for shifts, responsibilities in completing roles and aids progression within the company. Staff receive good training opportunities and say they are supported, through regular supervision, to be able to give good care to young people. Staff are knowledgeable about the homes policies and procedures and demonstrate a sound understanding of the reporting system for any safeguarding concerns. Staff speak proudly of the young people's achievements and the progress they have made; they take pride in the fact that they have been instrumental in this.

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Progress

There are good systems for reviewing and monitoring the quality of care provided. Reports, in relation to any monitoring of the home's practices, are completed in a timely manner and show that the views of young people are taken into account when identifying areas for improvement. These views, improvements and positive areas are then reflected in the homes development plan. This ensures the continuation and forward planning of the service.

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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 have their performance individually and formally appraised at least annually (NMS 19.6)  ensure that the registered person has a system in place to notify within 24 hours the persons and appropriate authorities of the occurrence of significant events in accordance with Regulation 30 (NMS 24.1)  ensure that all records are clear, up to date and stored securely, and contribute to an understanding of a child's life. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that all documentation is signed by the relevant parties. (NMS 22)

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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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