Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Cambridgeshire

Unique reference number SC456846 Inspection date 30/01/2014 Inspector Clive Lucas Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 08/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home provides care and accommodation for three young people. A private organisation owns and operates this setting.

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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 previous inspection the home was judged to be good. Since that time the home has made satisfactory progress, with some areas of improvements and some areas that require attention. At the previous inspection shortfalls were identified relating to records, monitoring, fire doors and the children's guide.

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Progress

Records of sanctions and restraints are now fully recorded to provide clear information. Young people are involved in decisions over sanctions and their views are recorded and taken into account. This involvement results on more effective processes for managing behaviour. Records are monitored by the manager ensure that they are appropriate. When necessary she will speak to staff and young people and as a result may amend a sanction to make it more appropriate.

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Progress

Fire doors have been adjusted so that they now close properly and provide better safeguards against fire. The children's guide has been amended so that it includes details informing young people how they can contact their independent reviewing officers and the Children's Rights Director. This provides young people with ways of making their views heard and is a significant safeguard for them. Since the previous inspection young people have continued to make progress in some important areas. There have not been any incidents of young people going missing from care. This is a significant change and has reduced the risk that young people are at when they are missing from the home. Social workers who have young people living at the home speak positively about the progress that young people are making. This includes better attendance at education for some young people. Young people who are experiencing difficulties in education receive support to overcome

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Progress

these and find appropriate further education courses. This provides young people with better opportunities to achieve in their education and find employment. Social workers also speak of risk taking behaviours having reduced significantly and young people's behaviour improving. One social worker commented on the improving relationships that young people have with staff, saying they had 'gone from strength to strength'. This all leads to stable and beneficial placements for young people and supportive relationships to help young people with emotional problems.

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Progress

There are areas of the exterior of the home that require attention. There is a pond in the garden which has been partly filled in with rubble and soil, but not completely, and the torn pond liner is exposed. There are several missing or broken paving slabs around the property. These issues look unsightly and do not contribute to a homely and pleasant feel.

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Progress

There are risk assessments in place for young people, however, they do not always include clear information on the risks and what action needs to be taken to reduce them. Staff take action to protect young people from harm and liaise with social workers to ensure that there can be a shared view of risk. They also use outside agencies where appropriate to work with young people about risks. However, not having these measures set out and recorded does limit staff's ability to be clear and consistent about how they effectively reduce risks for young people.

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Progress

There are plans for young people which highlight what work needs to be done to help them in areas such as developing an awareness of diversity. While there is work done to address these areas, it is not always reflective of the plans and the actions identified in them. The work that is done does help young people to develop an awareness of diversity, but as it is not always consistent with the written plans it’s effectiveness is harder to assess. Some staff appraisals are out of date. Consequently, the appraisal process has not been used to look at their work and training needs.

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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) ensure that the children’s home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated there. This relates to having comprehensive written risk assessments for children (Regulation 11(1)(a)) 28/02/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed receive appropriate appraisal. (Regulation 27(4)(a)) 14/03/2014

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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 home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained, this is in relation to the garden and grounds (NMS 10.3)  ensure that staff meet children’s individual needs as set out in the child’s placement plan taking into account where appropriate their relationship with the wider group of children; this relates to helping young people develop an understanding of equality and diversity. (NMS 2.3)

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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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