Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Torbay

Unique reference number SC456863 Inspection date 27/02/2014 Inspector Jim Palmer Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This home 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. The service has good internal and external links to specialist services to work with young people with those complex needs.

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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

At the last full inspection conducted in October 2013, the overall effectiveness of the service was judged as good. Quality of care was judged as outstanding; each of the remaining outcome groups were judged as good. One statutory requirement, regarding the content of the Statement of Purpose and two good practice recommendations were made. The recommendations were in relation to the regular review of fire safety risk assessments which had not been reviewed by a regional manager and the monitoring of the quality of the service. Since that inspection, managers and staff have taken timely and effective action to address each of these matters.

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Progress

A new Statement of Purpose has been produced and submitted to Ofsted by the company before the date identified in the requirement (01/12/2013). However that edition continued to require further amendment and managers were in the process of making further amendments to the Statement of Purpose at the beginning of this inspection. A final edition was produced before the completion of this inspection. The revised edition has removed all ambiguous or confusing wording. It adds clarity to the level of service this home provides and addresses each of the areas required in the Children's Homes Regulations. The home has a current children's guide for young people.

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Progress

The home was asked to ensure that all risk assessments, specifically the fire safety risk assessment were regularly reviewed. Action has been taken to address this matter and all risk assessments are regularly reviewed and signed by staff and managers.

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Progress

The home was also asked to ensure any patterns or trends identified in the monitoring of the quality of the service were identified in the service development plan. Since that inspection the service development plan has been revised and now has set goals and targets along with proposed target dates for implementation.

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Progress

A number of improvements to the quality of the service have occurred since the previous inspection. Young people and staff commented on the improvements which includes a new car, a new bed for a young person, a new television and a games console. All of these items further improve the quality of the living environment for young people.

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Progress

At this inspection the home was found to be making good progress and no statutory requirements or recommendations were made.

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Progress

Young people continue to benefit from sharing an environment with staff who are skilled in working positively with young people and encourage self reflection. Staff provide opportunites for the young people to set and manage the consequences of their own behaviours. As a result of this positive approach to behaviour management, the need for external behavioural controls is very limited. There have been no restraints, unauthorised absences and few sanctions since the last inspection.

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Progress

Young people recognise the progress they are making and generally are happy living in the home. although may prefer to be living elsewhere. They report that they feel safe in the home and enjoy positive relationships with most staff. They also speak positively about the opportunity for ongoing staff support and contact whilst they are away from the home. Staff work closely with other professionals and family members in order to promote positive outcomes for young people.

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Progress

Young people continue to be encouraged to contribute to decisions regarding their future plans and the day to day running of the home. Although at times young people find this participation difficult, staff are pro-active in ensuring that the young person’s views are heard.

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Progress

Young people's health needs continue to be well met and monitored. As a result attendance at medical appointments has improved. The manager and staff are particularly good at liaising with specialist health services such child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHs) and ensuring regular medical reviews are held which ensures that young people are able to access specialist services in a timely manner. Contact between the home and school is good and most young people make steady progress in school. There is a significant improvement in school attendance and absences from school have reduced since the last inspection.

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Progress

There is a range of social and leisure activities that young people are encouraged to participate in however these are not always taken up. Young people say that leisure activities arranged through school are generally varied but the choice available through the home is more limited. The most popular leisure activity is playing computer games and the home has recently bought a new games console following a request from a young person.

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Progress

Management of the home remains good. The manager is passionate about promoting the interests of young people, and advocates on their behalf. The home is well monitored and staff and managers continue to work energetically to improve the quality of the service.

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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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