Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Torbay

Unique reference number SC457567 Inspector Janice Hawtin 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 Stephen James Nevitt Registered manager Jennie Halima Morris Date of last inspection 12/12/2013 2 of 10 Inspection date 16/07/2014

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Previous inspection inadequate progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

Young people make good progress in this home, often from a very difficult starting point and following several previous placement breakdowns. A parent commented, ‘Things are much calmer now when they come home to visit and behaviour is better’. Despite the good progress in their other outcomes, young people do not achieve as well educationally. Staff provide good support. One recommendation is made as a result of this inspection to further improve the education support for the young people.

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Overall effectiveness

A Registered Manager is in place, she has the support and confidence of a small, experienced and qualified staff team who provide consistency for young people. Effective personalised and planned care is responsive to the needs of the young people and compliant with the expectations of the placing authority.

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Overall effectiveness

The strengths of the home are understood and effective action is taken to tackle any areas of weakness which could disadvantage young people. The development plan is in a format which promotes continuous practice development and significant improvements have been made recently to recording systems, the Statement of Purpose and the Young Person’s guide.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people report that they feel safe and are safe in this home; they trust the 3 of 10 staff to act in their best interests and know how to complain. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company and is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/12/2013 Interim inadequate progress 12/04/2013 Full good

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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

 provide planned support and opportunities as needed to maximise young people's educational achievement and to minimise any underachievement. (N 8.4) 5 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people are helped to develop confidence and a positive self-view in this home where they are valued and treated with understanding. The environment is personalised with young people’s belongings and they are fully consulted about décor and fittings in their bedroom. A daily diary and photographs are kept for young people so that they have appropriate memorabilia to support understanding of their history when they move on from the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Contact with families is promoted and supported where appropriate and a parent reported that the staff were good at communicating and letting her know what was going on. Relationships with families and the frequency of contact has improved, helping young people to feel valued and maintain understanding of their background and history.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

A careful balance between acquiring independence skills and nurturing young people allows them to develop both social and emotional skills alongside practical skills. Young people are helped to consider their diet and take some responsibility for healthy eating supported by the staff.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Health care planning is detailed and up-to-date, providing a clear history of immunizations and medical history. Staff support and encourage young people to take responsibility for their health. They attend regular routine health checks. Although staff work tohelp them give up, some continue to smoke which could affect their health into adult life.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Despite the efforts of the staff, young people who present with a long term history of poor school attendance struggle to re-engage in a classroom setting or concentrate fully during work provided to the home or during home tutoring sessions. Alternatives are not equivalent to full time education which results in young people missing some opportunities for continuous learning and development. While alternatives are being sought, young people are getting further behind in their achievement. This puts them at a disadvantage when completing with peers for further education or employment options.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Risk taking and unacceptable behaviour has diminished since placement in this home. The need for police involvement in the lives of young people is also reduced and this avoids their behaviour becoming criminalised which can affect employment opportunities into adult life.

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Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people are consulted about activities on offer and they benefit from engaging in team sports and also using gym equipment provided in the home to help them keep fit. They enjoy playing games and are skilled in electronic and board games. . 6 of 10 Young people also spend time in the community with friends which promotes social interaction with peers and the formation of friendships. Specialist activities are also supported by the staff.

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Quality of care good

Young people benefit from the care provided. They confirm they are happy in the home and get on with all the staff. Social workers and other professionals report that young people are doing well; they appreciate the small consistent staff team communicate effectively and work in partnership to benefit the young people. A parent reported that they receive regular weekly updates and can phone if they have any concerns: they are in contact with the home daily which they describe as ‘brilliant’.

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Quality of care good

Young people have detailed individualised plans which identify their care and development needs. Plans are reviewed and updated monthly to ensure compliance with placing authority expectations and agreed development targets. Consequently the level of independence is effectively balanced with young people’s need to be nurtured and to develop socially and emotionally.

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Quality of care good

Plans and risk assessments identify triggers to difficult behaviour and detail action to support productive responses. Staff relationships with young people are sound and the consistency of practice supports the positive behaviour of young people, maintaining their safety and protecting dignity by avoiding the need for physical restraint. Improvements in behaviour and a decrease in risk taking behaviour are evident.

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Quality of care good

Young people know how to make a complaint and say they can speak to staff if they have any concerns. Complaints and grievance forms are readily available. Details of several independent associations who would provide support and guidance to young people if needed are available in the home. They include detail of independent advocates. In addition young people have contact with their family and other professionals who would advocate on their behalf.

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Quality of care good

Young people influence all aspects of the care provided. They attend and contribute to care planning and review meetings where their views and wishes are taken into account and influence the decisions made. Consultation with young people affords them opportunities to provide feedback about the service and the staff. Young people routinely choose clothing, toiletries, activities and food. The care provided is led by the needs of young people, making them feel valued and contributing to the success of placements. Individual support sessions provide regular opportunities for topical discussions and the early resolve of any concerns or worries. These are also used to inform and educate young people: examples include discussions about diet, smoking and behaviour. 7 of 10 The home is located in a residential area close to local amenities with good public transport links. The home has its own vehicle and staffing is a minimum of 1-1,

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Quality of care good

making it possible to transport young people to school, contact and leisure activities. Personalisation of the home by and on behalf of young people adds to their sense of belonging. The environment is homely and well maintained.

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Quality of care good

Staff do not underestimate the importance of education for young people and they work in partnership with schools and education providers to encourage young people to attend and achieve. Home tutoring and some additional extra-curricular activities are provided to positively engage young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people confirm that they feel and are safe in this home. They can talk to any member of staff if they have any worries or concerns. They trust staff to act in their best interest to keep them safe. The staff have a good understanding of their needs and provide individual support to young people which allows them to express issues and discuss problems.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff understanding of the particular vulnerabilities of individual young people supports behaviour management. A professional stakeholder reported, ‘The young person is engaging well, the staff at the home work in partnership with other professionals to manage the young people’s behaviour effectively’. As a result young people understand that their negative behaviour has consequences and the focus is on restorative justice rather than criminalising behaviour. Behaviour is also managed through clear expectations and boundaries. Sanctions are used occasionally although the balance of behaviour management techniques is in favour of constructive interventions. Distraction, discussion, praise and reward schemes are used to develop positive behaviour.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The use of physical intervention is rare and has not been used recently. Training is provided to all staff on the safe use of restraint techniques. This ensures staff have the necessary skills should these be needed.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Safeguarding of young people is a priority and all staff receive formal training so they know what to do and who to contact in the event of a child protection issue. Risk assessments support the avoidance of unnecessary risk while allowing young people to take age appropriate risk as part of growing up. The young people are involved in activities which include spending time in the community and on their own for brief periods at the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Children are protected by the vetting of visitors to the home and a visitor’s book is signed to keep a record of those entering the premises. The recruitment of staff includes appropriate checks on candidates. This helps to protect young people from 8 of 10 adults who may seek to do them harm.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Regular health and safety checks take place to protect the young people. A fire risk assessment is in place as well as fire detection systems. Young people and staff practice evacuations so that they know what to do in an emergency.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

From a history of going missing and/or absent without authority, young people rarely go missing from this home. Protocols are in place so that the staff can work effectively with the police to return young people quickly should this be needed.

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Leadership and management good

A Registered Manager is in post who has substantial experience of work in the care of young people. She has more than four years’ experience in a management role with responsibility for supervising care staff. The manager is dedicated and enthusiastic in her role and clearly wants what is best for the young people.

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Leadership and management good

Staff work in partnership with other agencies and there are close working partnerships with the organisation’s own school. This is alongside work in consultation with mental health professionals and youth justice workers. This ensures young people have access to the services and opportunities that they need.

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Leadership and management good

Training opportunities for staff are comprehensive. All mandatory training for staff is up to date and they can readily access specialist training to ensure proficiency. Young people benefit from a staff team who are well trained and equipped to meet their needs. All are qualified and hold a level three child care qualification which supports competence in their work practice. The Registered Manager has a care qualification and is currently part way through a high level diploma in Leadership and Management.

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Leadership and management good

Support for staff is provided in several ways including team meetings and informal discussions with the manager. Staff report, and records confirm, that they receive the support needed and guidance is readily available alongside regular formal supervision. This ensures staff understand their responsibilities in continuing to develop practice and provide a high quality service to young people.

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Leadership and management good

Action has been taken to addressing the previous requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. Records have been reviewed and amended so that risk assessments and care plans are now clear and can be readily understood. The Statement of Purpose has been updated and is readily available. It offers clear information about the facilities to parents and placing authorities. Of particular note are the improvements to the young person’s guide. Clip art has been replaced with photographs and the document is clear about the facilities and services offered to young people. 9 of 10 Regulation 33 visits to the home are completed to assure the quality of the service and further safeguard children and young people. A development plan is in place and it has been produced in a format which contributes to continuous practice development and avoids drift. The Registered Manager monitors the quality of care

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Leadership and management good

on a regular basis and a summary of findings is provided to the regulator Ofsted for quality assurance purposes.

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Leadership and management good

Arrangements for the maintenance and repair of the home and gardens has improved recently as the wider organisation introduced a new system for report and responding to requests. Damage to the home has been repaired quickly. This means the environment is homely and well maintained, demonstrating to young people that they are valued. 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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