Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Torbay

Unique reference number SC456910 Inspector Jim Palmer Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Advanced Childcare Limited Registered person address Pinnacle House 2 Oakwood Square, Cheadle Royal Business Park CHEADLE Cheshire SK8 3SB Responsible individual Stephen James Nevitt Registered manager Beverley Lorraine Goode Date of last inspection 12/11/2013 2 of 11 Inspection date 15/05/2014

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Previous inspection satisfactory progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness adequate

Outcomes for children and young people good Quality of care adequate Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management adequate

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Overall effectiveness

Young people make good progress and in some instances the developments they achieve exceed expectation. This is particularly so in achieving a high level of school attendance, and becoming more aware of the impact their behaviour has on others. Staff are tenacious in challenging inappropriate behaviours in a positive manner. Even at time when young people can be very challenging, the staff display skill and do not reject the young person, whilst challenging those behaviours. As a result, young people develop greater self-awareness and take responsibility for managing their own behaviours. As a result outcomes for young people are good.

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Overall effectiveness

Many aspects of the quality of care young people receive is good and the home's manager is an experienced and respected leader. However, the physical environment of the home show signs of damage from the winter weather including the fabric of the building, as a result challenging behaviours. The small rear garden is not well maintained and broken glass, presents a hazard to young people. The manager and staff have made repeated requests for the building and garden to be repaired and made safe. However whilst work was in progress at the time of the inspection, it was not complete. As a result the quality of care can only be considered adequate.

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Overall effectiveness

Safeguarding young people is good. The home has strong links with the Local 3 of 11 Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Young people confirm that they feel safe in this home.

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Overall effectiveness

Parents, placing social workers and IRO's confirm that young people are making good progress. Each young person agrees they are benefitting from living in this home.

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Overall effectiveness

At the most recent inspection two statutory requirements were made. One of these related to the Statement of Purpose and was repeated from the previous inspection. The other was regarding delays in notifications of significant events reaching Ofsted. The manager had revised the Statement prior to the last inspection, but it had not been ratified by senior managers. The edition available for this inspection is a significant improvement, however still contained some description of services provided that the manager and staff could not accurately describe. The manager is asked to further refine the Statement of Purpose.

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Overall effectiveness

Notifications of significant events are now regularly audited and as a result all notifications made since the last inspection, are made in a timely manner.

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Overall effectiveness

One good practice recommendation was made at the previous inspection, that the effectiveness of staff training be reviewed particularly safeguarding children. The manager has reviewed the effectiveness of the training and safeguarding referral procedures are regular agenda items of staff meetings. Staff are now clear as to the procedures they should follow if they have a safeguarding concern.

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Overall effectiveness

Other areas identified for further development, include ensuring that all staff receive appropriate training supervision and appraisal, that the monitoring of the quality of the service under Regulation 33 is strengthened and that all parts of the building inside and out are maintained and decorated to a good standard.

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Overall effectiveness

In addition the manager is asked to review the Statement of Purpose, ensure that staff receive specialist training in order to meet the needs of children in a timely manner and ensure that all new staff register for a professionally recognised qualification within six months.

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Overall effectiveness

The overall judgement for the effectiveness of the service is adequate. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

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.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/11/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 13/06/2013 Full good

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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 all persons employed, receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal (Regulation 27(4) (a). 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) interview, with their consent and in private, such of the young people accommodated there, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as appears necessary in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home (Regulation 33 (4) (a)). 31/07/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children’s home used by children are of sound construction and kept in good structural repair externally and internally and kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained Regulation (31 (2)(d)( e)) 31/07/2014 5 of 11

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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 the children’s home has a clear Statement of Purpose which is availabl and understood by staff and children and reflected in any policies, procedures and guidance. It is available to the responsible authority and any parent or person with parental responsibility. (National Minimum Standard (13.1))  ensure the home has good links with health agencies, including specialist serv where appropriate, such as CAMHS and sexual health services. Notably sexua identity issues. (National Minimum Standard (6.9))  ensure all existing care staff have attained a minimum level 3 qualification or working towards the Diploma within 6 months of confirmation of employment (National Minimum Standard (18.5)). 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are supported in developing a positive view of themselves by encouragement to participate in a wide range of activities to increase their abilities and promote self-worth. Staff are pro-active in providing incentives for young people and in providing recognition when young people make good progress; as a result they develop positive social skills. Significant improvements have been made in personal and in some cases family relationships. Effective discussion takes place with young people regarding the impact that specific behaviours have on their lives and relationships with others. This enables young people to resolve disagreements in a positive manner and they develop a greater awareness of other people’s views and perceptions.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Staff encourage and support contact with young people's families and other significant people, in consultation with placing social workers. Where this is not possible, the home is pro-active in arranging visits by an independent person or advocate if a young person wishes such contact. Staff appropriately challenge young people's values and attitudes, which encourages young people to reflect on how they may be perceived by others. Young people confirm that they have made considerable progress in this area since living in the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

All young people regularly attend school, despite previous periods of non-school attendance prior to living in the home. For some young people this is a significant improvement. Young people confirm that they enjoy school and are benefitting from the work undertaken whilst at school. Some young people for whom English is not their first language, translations can be provided. Young people gain internal awards at school and are able to sit external exams. Some young people exceed expectations at school whilst living in this home. Liaison between school and care staff is good; staff accompany young people to school and provide support to young people in the classroom setting if required. As a result staff have a thorough knowledge of ongoing issues and are able to achieve common goals with young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are able to access a wide range of medical facilities in a timely manner. All young people are appropriately registered with health professionals and are strongly encouraged to take responsibility for promoting their own good health. This includes encouraging young people to attend all appointments. For most young people this has improved significantly, though at times this remains a difficulty for some. In addition to young people's physical being promoted they are also able to access specialist services to meet any emotional and psychological needs. The home has good links with local Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHs) and also benefit from in house psychological service provision. Where additional specialist consultancy support is required by young people or to support staff, the manager is pro-active in requesting such services and is currently making such a request. Young

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Outcomes for children and young people good

7 of 11 people are encouraged to undertake regular exercise, for example joining a local running club and eating a balanced diet. They are provided with advice and guidance regarding behaviours that present a risk to health and the importance of good personal hygiene. As a result young people develop a good awareness of the importance of these matters.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Throughout the time that young people are living in the home, they are encouraged and supported in gaining social and life skills that they will need in order to make a successful transition into adulthood. Each young person said that are well supported by staff in gaining those skills, though not all young people enjoy taking responsibility for organising their day to day living.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

All young people currently living in the home, say they have made good progress since living in the home and are now more confident of being able to live successful lives in the future.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

As a result young people's physical and emotional health needs are well met.

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Quality of care adequate

A strength of this service is the quality of relationship between young people and staff. Young people benefit from open, challenging but non-judgemental relationships, which encourage them to explore and develop their own values. Staff meet regularly with young people both formally and informally to discuss a wide range of issues. Young people say that staff show them respect and this improves their self-image. Young people can contribute to the day to day running of the home and are actively involved in planning for their futures. All say that their views and opinions are valued and that they feel listened to. Young people say they are aware how to raise any concerns they may have and believe they would be listened to and taken seriously.

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Quality of care adequate

Staff take considerable care when talking with young people to ensure that that understand why it is not always possible to act on their wishes or why it may not be in their best interests to do so. Young people say that they are confident that staff act in their best interest.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people's needs are well assessed and recorded. Al staff are aware of young people's placement plans and how they contribute to it. The home operates a key- worker system, however all staff contribute to personal discussions and the young person can choose which staff member they choose to speak with. Staff communication is good.

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Quality of care adequate

The home is able to access a range of specialist services in order to meet the needs of young people in a timely manner. Young people benefit from having highly individualised placement plans that identify individual needs, how they are to be 8 of 11 reviewed and who will undertake individual areas of work. Placement planning is good. Each young person has identified targets and timescales for meeting them; these link to individual risk assessments which are reviewed regularly. Young people are encouraged to participate in their placement planning and review.

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Quality of care adequate

Young people's behaviour is managed mostly by positive reinforcement; the home's behaviour management policy focusses young people to consider the implications of their behaviour on both themselves and others. Young people reflect on the impact of their behaviour and learn to develop positive strategies, as a result the use of sanctions and restraint is low. When young people behaviour is very challenging, the staff adopt a non-rejecting policy and placements are able to be maintained as young people learn to manage sometimes difficult behaviour. Young people say this has enabled them to feel safe and secure and make positive progress.

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Quality of care adequate

The home has suffered some damage as a result of extreme bad weather during the winter and some physical damage caused by challenging behaviour. The staff and manager have sought to have this repaired in a timely manner by the maintenance department. Some requests for repair take an unacceptable time to complete. As a result the building is not of a suitable standard. Despite this being raised by the manager, staff and the Responsible Individual, this has not been identified in all Regulation 33 visitor reports.

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Quality of care adequate

As a result and despite some very good practice by staff, this outcome group can only be judged as adequate.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The safety of young people is a high priority of the staff and manager in this home. All staff receive training in safeguarding procedures. At the last inspection the home was asked to review the effectiveness of the safeguarding training as not all staff were confident about how to make a referral should it be necessary. This review is now complete and safeguarding procedures now are a regular agenda item on staff team meetings. Staff knowledge is significantly improved. The home has regular contact with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and all staff are now familiar with home to contact the LADO if required. Notifications are now made promptly to the appropriate agencies. As a result of these changes young people's safety is increased. Young people report that they feel safe within the home and say that bullying is not currently an issue within the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff are extremely vigilant regarding the whereabouts of young people, and are fully aware of the risks associated with young people being absent from home, including sexual exploitation. There are good links with the local police and local authority. As a result there have been no unauthorised absences since the last inspection. There are robust systems in place for the prompt notification of any unauthorised absences and staff are aware of the importance of offering young people the opportunity to 9 of 11 talk about any reasons they may have for leaving the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people's behaviour is very well managed in the home. Staff appropriately challenge inappropriate behaviours in a non-judgemental manner, allowing young people to develop a sense of understanding the impact their behaviours have on others. As a result the use of sanctions and physical restraints is very limited. Each young person has an individual behaviour management plan and individual risk assessment staff are skilled at managing inappropriate behaviours in a positive manner. When the use of restraint is required, it is well recorded and monitored by staff and managers, Reflective practice is used to consider alternative approached that may be used. Consultation with placing social workers is good.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The safety of young people is promoted by robust staff recruitment procedures. Individual staff profiles are now held in the home; these hold all of the required information and confirm that no staff member commences working prior to statutory checks being completed.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

All equipment, gas and electricity fittings are subjected to regular safety checks, along with fire safety equipment. Staff are very aware of their duty of care in promoting the safety of each young person.

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Leadership and management adequate

Young people benefit from living in a home in which the manager and staff are committed to meeting their needs through highly individualised placement planning. As a result young people make significant progress toward achieving good outcomes.

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Leadership and management adequate

At the previous two inspections a requirement was made regarding the Statement of Purpose, which did not accurately describe the service and some sections were fully understood by staff. The manager had prepared a draft Statement which was more concise and more accurately described the service, but at that time had not been ratified, so the Statutory Requirement was repeated. At this inspection a further Statement of Purpose had been sent to Ofsted. Some of the deleted references in the previous draft had been re-inserted. Some of the text used jargon which was not clearly understood by staff or the manager. The new Statement is a significant improvement, however further revisions of the text need further revision, as a result a recommendation is now made.

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Leadership and management adequate

The manager has a very good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the service and is pro-active in improving the quality of service received by young people. Areas of service improvement that are within her sphere of responsibility are addressed in a timely and effective manner. However there continue to be weaknesses in the external monitoring of the quality of service, in that in most cases Regulation 33 visits, are taking place whilst young people and staff are out of the building and only the manager is on duty. Opportunities for wider consultation with 10 of 11 family members, social workers and others is not conducted with due diligence. In one report the physical environment of the building was described as good, despite numerous requests by the manager and comments by the RI that the condition of the building and garden is unacceptable.

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Leadership and management adequate

There are no complaints recorded since the last inspection; all previous complaints have been well recorded and monitored by managers. Young people are aware of how to raise a complaint and confirm that they are confident any complaint will be looked into fairly and thoroughly.

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Leadership and management adequate

The home has a service improvement plan, and young people are consulted and able to contribute to that process.

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Leadership and management adequate

Staff are well supported by the manager and supervision takes place regularly however several staff training and development opportunities are significantly reduced since late summer 2013. Not all staff are registered to complete a professional qualification within required timescales.

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Leadership and management adequate

Records are well maintained and are regularly audited by the manager, young people’s case records are up to date and young people, the computer system used by the home frequently fails to work delaying access to information at times.

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Leadership and management adequate

All notifications of significant events are made to appropriate within timescales. Placing social workers confirm that communication with the home is good. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management adequate

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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