Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Blackpool

Unique reference number SC415710 Inspector Caroline Jones Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Cambian Childcare Limited Registered person address Pinnacle House 2 Oakwood Square, Cheadle Royal Business Park CHEADLE Cheshire SK8 3SB Responsible individual Kamran Iltaf Abassi Registered manager Anthony Stephen Newton Date of last inspection 04/03/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 09/07/2014

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Previous inspection satisfactory progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

This is a good home, where young people progress very well in relation to their starting point. This is supported by thorough care planning and risk management of young people with challenging and complex needs. Positive relationships between staff and young people, alongside consistent boundaries provide the basis for managing behaviour effectively. Staff continue to work hard with young people new to the home to help them settle. Young people say: 'I like the staff. I would give the home a good mark.'

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Overall effectiveness

Staff have a good understanding of their duties in promoting and protecting young people's welfare. Young people confirm that they feel safe in the home and that they like the staff who care for them. Young people have good advocacy support from the staff, which ensures they have a voice within decisions for their future. Young people benefit from a strong core team of staff, which provides consistency and predictability for young people.

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Overall effectiveness

Leadership and management arrangements are strong and areas of strength and weakness are effectively identified and addressed. Quality audits by the senior manager further ensure the continuous improvement of care practice with young people. There are two breaches of regulation relating to email provision and the updating of risk assessments. Gaps in practice relate to recording, the provision of 3 of 10 activities, and maintenance of the home. These shortfalls have not impacted negatively on the welfare of young people to date. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a large private company. It provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 18/12/2013 Full good 22/03/2013 Interim good progress 09/01/2013 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 young people are provided at all reasonable times with facilities to send and receive electronic mail in private. This relates specifically to replacing the home's computer (Regulation 15(4)(b)) 04/08/2014

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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 welfare of children accommodated there. This relates to ensuring risk assessments are updated. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)) 04/08/2014 5 of 10

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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 information about young people is clearly and accurately recorded (NMS 22.5)  ensure that young people take part in a range of leisure interests and activitie (NMS 7.2)  ensure that the home is well maintained and decorated. (NMS 10.3) 6 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people make good progress across all aspects of their development. For example, young people new to the home are working well through their emotions, to move forward in life. This is supported by staff and trained therapists. This promotes a positive and effective response to young people's specific needs. As a consequence, they are settling in the home and making positive relationships with staff.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from education that is targeted to meet their individual needs. Their attendance in full-time education has increased and they make progress. Young people are currently undertaking examinations in line with their peers and are proud of their achievements. Staff promote educational achievement and young people are encouraged to learn at home. A home tutor is available to support young people individually with their learning.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from effective and consistent health care. They are registered with general medical practitioners and have detailed plans to meet their health needs. Young people are educated in a variety of health and wellbeing matters, including sexual health. Furthermore, individual key work sessions add to young people's learning to ensure they have the knowledge to make informed decisions. Medication is stored safely and records are maintained appropriately. Staff receive suitable training to support health and wellbeing to ensure young people enjoy good health.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are learning skills for independent living such as: budgeting; cooking; using public transport; and being encouraged to take appropriate risks as part of growing and developing. These practices help equip young people with the skills and competence for adulthood. At times young people make inappropriate choices, although staff continue to work well with them to ensure they learn from their experiences.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are offered a range of leisure activities to promote their interests and they do participate at times. However, consistent participation is not achieved and an activity has been missed. This means that young people are missing out on opportunities to develop their skills and confidence further.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Staff work closely with placing authorities to promote contact that is positive and enjoyable. This enables young people to build relationships with those significant to them. This is reviewed to ensure the continued safety of contact. Additionally, young people benefit from the emotional support of staff at these times. There is a telephone for young people to access at all times to promote and support contact further. However, the home's computer is broken, which limits their private access to 7 of 10 electronic communication.

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Quality of care good

Young people feel that staff care about them and that they are concerned with their welfare. They can identify a particular staff member who they trust and would confide in. This enables young people's worries to be responded to effectively. They enjoy positive relationships with staff who have an excellent understanding of their individual needs.

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Quality of care good

Young people are involved in care planning and their placement plans are tailored to meet their individual needs. Furthermore, proactive relationships with young people's families and partner agencies ensure that young people's changing needs are consistently identified and met. Communication is good and their feedback about the quality of care received by young people is sought to ensure suggestions for improvement to the service are acted upon. For example, a social worker suggested specific training around a young person's needs, which the Registered Manager is acting upon.

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Quality of care good

Young people's views are sought and responded to regularly in the daily running of the home. For example, through regular young people's meetings. This process is currently under review to further improve young people's contribution. Young people are confident to raise a complaint and have used this to settle any dissatisfaction. These practices empower young people to have more control in their day-to-day lives.

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Quality of care good

Young people live in a healthy environment where their physical, emotional and social wellbeing is promoted. They have prompt access to health care services, including specialist services to meet their individual needs. Staff also encourage young people to lead a healthy lifestyle, through preparing nutritious food, menus exercise and socialising. Additionally, medication is stored safely and administration records are maintained appropriately. All staff have a suitable first aid qualification to ensure safer caring of young people.

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Quality of care good

Young people live in homely accommodation that blends into the neighbourhood. They have their own bedrooms that reflect their interests. However, the home is looking tired in areas and requires further attention to ensure the highest standards of accommodation for young people. Young people have privacy to see their friends and family. This affords respect and dignity to them. 8 of 10

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

There are appropriate arrangements in place to safeguard and protect young people. Staff receive safeguarding training that is refreshed and have a good understanding of their duties in promoting young people's welfare. Young people feel safe in the home and staff work with them individually to address any vulnerabilities and risks. Behaviour management plans and risk assessment reports are in place but are not updated to reflect the current practice for managing risks. Consequently, staff do not have up-to-date written information in responding to young people's changing needs for safety and protection.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Agreed protocols are in place with the local police to respond to incidents of young people missing from home. Staff work very well within the protective network of professionals to protect young people. Although there is an increase in these incidents, proactive multi-agency working is in place to manage this and a recent reduction has been achieved. This is also due to young people moving on from the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people's behaviour is well managed and there have been five incidents of restraint involving two young people. These are thoroughly reviewed by leaders and managers to learn and improve behaviour management strategies. Staff are clear that this is only used as a very last resort to prevent harm to young people. Behaviour management techniques, recently introduced, such as incentive charts, are working well with young people to promote their positive behaviour. This enables young people to learn and accept responsibility for their actions.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Young people live in a home that provides physical safety and security. There are no major hazards to compromise welfare. Fire safety and health and safety checks are carried out at the required intervals. The home has effective systems in place to maintain safe working practices and fulfil health and safety obligations. Staff are vigilant and take appropriate steps to verify visitors’ identity to ensure the protection of young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe adequate

Organisational policies and procedures are in place to promote safer recruitment practice. All staff are vetted and reference checks are all undertaken before any appointment of staff is made. These are repeated at suitable intervals during their employment to ensure young people continue to be protected.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager of the home has been in position since April 2012 and is currently undertaking a recognised management qualification. He has experience and skills relevant to the role and over four year’s management experience. The Registered Manager, team leaders and senior manager together provide leadership and accountability and staff fully understand the roles and responsibilities delegated 9 of 10 to them. This ensures the smooth running of the home.

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Leadership and management good

Young people's care is scrutinised by effective monitoring systems to ensure high quality care. Action plans are addressed following visits from an independent person, to ensure timely improvements are made. Regular quality audits by the senior manager complement quality assurance processes and these further improve the quality of care to young people. The Registered Manager is clear about the strengths and weaknesses of the service and continues to focus upon achieving positive outcomes for young people. All significant events are notified to the relevant authorities and appropriate action is taken to protect young people. There are no requirements or recommendations to follow up from the last inspection.

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Leadership and management good

Staff confirm that they are very well supported and have regular quality training. Staff new to the home have an induction programme and this includes the Children’s Workforce Development Council’s induction standards, which further ensures their competence and skills during their probation period. Regular supervision, team meetings and training opportunities all contribute to the competence of the staff.

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Leadership and management good

Young people’s records are held securely and confidentially to protect their safety and dignity. They cover all matters required in the regulations. Although, the accuracy of information is not always achieved. Further recording training has already been identified by the Registered Manager to improve the skills of staff. The Registered Manager and staff are well aware of their responsibility to keep up-to-date with legislation and they take positive action when young people's information from local authorities is not provided. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management good

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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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