Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in East Riding of Yorkshire

Unique reference number SC457308 Inspector Ann-Marie Born 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 Lorna Ann Fearon Registered manager Michelle Simpson Date of last inspection 24/03/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 22/07/2014

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection None

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

Young people report they are safe, happy with their care and enjoy good, positive relationships with staff and each other. An independent reviewing officer said, 'they have kept her safe so she can grow.’ Young people are cared for by a warm and nurturing staff team who hold realistically high aspirations for their future. A young person said 'I know that they are keeping me safe' and that the staff had 'inspired me as strong women and I am going to be a strong woman.'

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Overall effectiveness

Exceptional care and placement planning is effective and responsive to young people's existing and developing needs. As a result, young people who are settled and engage with the home experience improved outcomes across all aspects of their development. Young people are regularly consulted on all aspects of their care and have the opportunity to contribute to their own care planning and to the running of the home. Social workers and parents report very positively about the quality of care and experiences for young people. A parent stated: 'When there have been incidents of her going missing or hurting herself they constantly review with her what they are doing, which makes that difference. They are very committed and conscientious.'

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager provides strong leadership and sets high standards. Young people's needs are clearly identified and achievements acknowledged and celebrated. Effective monitoring processes ensure that strengths are built upon and 3 of 11 any weaknesses or patterns of concern are promptly recognised and addressed. Young people currently resident in the home fully benefit from such diligence. A social worker stated, 'I think they are doing a fantastic job and it is the very best place for her.' However not all young people have been appropriately placed in recent months which does not fully promote the welfare of all young people. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children's home is operated by a large national organisation. It is registered for up to five young women who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a flat attached to the main house for one young person who is working towards independence.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/03/2014 Full good 01/08/2013 Interim good progress 26/03/2013 Full outstanding

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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 home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the safeguarding of children accommodated there, in particular the registered person shall be mindful of the placement of new residents on the young people already living in the home. (Regulation 11 (1) (a)) 28/08/2014 5 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people, even those who have only been resident in the home for a short period of time, build trusting and sustainable relationships with staff and each other. The resultant increase in self-confidence enables young people to develop a clear understanding of their diverse backgrounds and how that is impacting on their lives today. A social worker stated: 'She’s building a bond with staff and she really likes it there. I think she’s doing really well. She has settled down and she’s making attachments with staff and other young people.'

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people currently resident in the home have been well placed thereby enhancing their opportunities for growth and success. However, some young people were not appropriately placed in the past necessitating their swift transfer to other homes. The resultant disruption for both those young people and those resident in the home does not assure positive outcomes for all concerned.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people’s holistic health needs improve as a result of the comprehensive programme of support to address identified need. Young people learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle as a result of enjoying a healthy balanced diet and participating in regular exercise. A young person said, 'I'm really proud of myself because I can swim now.'

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people's educational achievements improve as all are engaged in education provision. Some young people are receiving tuition via the company’s own school while others attend mainstream college placements. Those young people who fully engage with the support provided by the home make exceptional progress and are expected to move on to attend university. Young people recognise that good educational attainment improves their life chances and employment opportunities and request additional subjects. For example, science and music.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people, in line with their care plans, are fully supported to have contact with parents and other important family members. As a result those significant familial relationships are maintained where appropriate. This effectively promotes pride in young people's origins and culture while providing external support for young people now and in their future independent lives.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Those young people who are being prepared for transition to independence and adult life make significant progress. The exceptional use of the semi-independence flats within the home ensure young people learn essential practical self-care skills such as budgeting, shopping, cooking and cleaning. In addition, those young people are developing positive friendships and relationships within the community. As a result young people's self-esteem and feelings of self-worth increase giving them the confidence to build further relationships when they move on. For example, to 6 of 11 university or in to independent living.

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Quality of care outstanding

The warm, nurturing and committed staff team are exceptional role models for young people. Consequently young people who fully engage with the care provided enjoy excellent relationships with staff and each other. Young people understand the ethos of the home, trust staff and feel safe which enables them to make sense of past experience and build solid foundations for the future. On occasion young people’s behaviour is not acceptable but they feel secure enough in their relationships with staff to express their regret following any incident sure in the knowledge that staff continue to care for them. An independent reviewing officer stated: 'She has really complex needs and they have provided her with the security and stability she needed. I have to put that down to the consistent care they have provided,' and a young person said 'This is easily the best home I have been in and as far as I'm concerned this is my home and I'm very proud of it.'

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people all report that they can share their views on all aspects of their care. They use residents meetings, key worker sessions and just daily chat to let staff know what they want and need. As a result young people feel valued as individuals, listened to and that their points of view are important. In addition, staff sensitively enable young people to understand why they cannot always have their wishes, for example unsupervised contact with family members. A young person said, ' I feel I can trust staff because they listen.'

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people benefit from being offered a range of ways in which to express any dissatisfaction within the home. Young people confirm they are happy to express feelings. Staff work hard with young people to anticipate any 'grumbles' before they become a problem. Consequently, there have not been any complaints.

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Quality of care outstanding

Excellent care plans fully incorporate every part of a young person’s culture, background and personal identity. Young people's individual diverse needs are planned for and addressed further enhancing opportunities for fulfilment. The insightful and proactive staff team sensitively support young people to make sense of past negative experiences and how they are impacting on their lives today. Any and all achievements are celebrated with young people and fully documented in their files. As a result young people recognise the progress they have made, understand what the plans are for their futures and how they can influence those decisions.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people’s physical and emotional health improves as a result of the healthy environment provided by the staff. Young people learn the importance of healthy lifestyles through the positive example set by staff. For example, a healthy diet, 7 of 11 regular exercise and not smoking. In addition, the committed staff team ensure that young people attend all generic and specialist health appointments and are proactive in linking young people with specialist community provision where appropriate. For example, the sexual health clinic.

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Quality of care outstanding

Enthusiastic staff are ambitious and aspirational for young people to academically achieve to the best of their ability and enter the world of employment or further study fully equipped. As a result young people who have been resident in the home for some time have made remarkable progress in maintaining education placements and have ambition to make a difference themselves. For example, to become a child psychologist or work with animals. A young person said: 'I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn’t for the home. They pushed me to succeed and supported me every step of the way so that I could move on. They never felt I couldn’t do something because I was in care and gave me the confidence to believe that of myself.'

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people enjoy living in a comfortable, spacious home which is ‘homely’ and inviting. There are a range of communal spaces where young people can spend time together with staff or alone. Meal times are fun, lively events where young people come together with staff to share details of their day and plan evening activities. Young people living in the semi-independence flat join with in with the main house for some shared meals enhancing the sense of belonging and communal experience for all. A young person said, 'I really love living here, it's my home.'

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people, their parents and professionals report that they are safe in this home. The committed and conscientious staff team do all they can to safeguard young people and enable them to understand the dangers some of their behaviours pose and why adults are concerned for their safety. The majority of young people understand these concerns and do not place themselves at risk. However some young people are still in the process of testing boundaries and on occasion display unsafe behaviours despite the proactive intervention of staff. Nevertheless a social worker commented, 'I think they go above and beyond for (name) to keep her safe.'

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are of different ages and different stages of their care experience which could result in bullying behaviours. Staff are very well aware of the risks and proactively work with young people to prevent such occurrences and enable young people to understand and celebrate each other’s differences. Young people do not report any bullying within the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

There has been an increase in the number of missing episodes within the home since the last full inspection. Comprehensive individual risk assessments identify potential triggers and staff strive to engage young people in positive activities in order to prevent absences. However, a new group of young people have yet to fully engage with the home’s ethos and have been absenting themselves. If a young person is 8 of 11 missing, staff actively search for them and do all they can to return young people to the home safely. As a result, such episodes are slowly decreasing and professionals report that this is a marked improvement in young people's behaviours in previous placements. A social worker stated: 'I think she has made huge progress. With foster carers she was absconding and self-harming every day but since she’s been there it’s reduced.'

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people learn the benefits of positive behaviours by way of excellent, consistently applied behaviour management strategies. These are complemented by the innovative use of a positive consequence and reward system. Young people report how much they enjoy earning these rewards and 'getting treats'. Nevertheless, there has been an increase in the number of physical interventions necessary to safeguard young people since the last inspection. Young people’s response to these events and any lessons are fully explored by the manager promoting an improvement in behaviours. There is a genuine sense of warmth of feeling between staff and young people. Consequently even those young people who have been in the home a short period of time express genuine remorse at the violent incidents they have been involved in which place both themselves and staff at risk.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

However, not all young people have been appropriately placed within the home since the last inspection which has had a negative impact on the behaviour of other young people on occasion. More consideration needs to be given as to whether the home can fully meet the needs of all referrals when balanced against the needs of those young people already in residence.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Robust recruitment procedures are effectively followed ensuring young people are not cared for by people who may pose a risk to them. Young people are further safeguarded by the excellent attention to detail which ensures their home is well maintained and vigorous health and safety procedures are carried out. In addition the excellent demographic risk assessment for the neighbourhood identifies areas of potential risk, for example train lines and where young people may congregate and indulge in anti-social behaviour. Young people are effectively protected by these measures. A young person said, ''I feel really happy and safe here and this is my home.'

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Leadership and management good

The organised and efficient Register Manager is fully qualified to manage this home. She has many years’ experience both within the residential care sector and as a manager. Parents and professionals speak very highly of her knowledge and management approach. A parent commented: 'We think the staff are absolutely fantastic, especially the manager. The management is spot on' and an independent reviewing officer said, 'they advocate very well for her, the manager has been excellent.' 9 of 11 The home and young people are accepted members of their community. The Registered Manager has instituted a community file which is underpinned by a ‘Good Neighbour Policy’. Young people benefit from this proactive approach which enables them to feel that they belong enhancing their self-esteem.

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Leadership and management good

The home continues to demonstrate its capacity to improve. The previous recommendation was met in that each young person’s cultural identity needs are formally recognised in care planning and proactively planned for in day-to-day care. The comprehensive child sexual exploitation protocols are consistently updated ensuring young people are protected in light of any current concerns. In addition the recent introduction of the 'positive consequences' system has fully benefitted young people and improved behaviours. Young people enjoy having a chosen goal to aim for and behave accordingly.

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Leadership and management good

The comprehensive Statement of Purpose is complemented by a bright, colourful and informative guide for young people. These documents effectively ensure that young people, their parents and other interested parties are fully cognizant of the care to be provided. As a result most young people are appropriately placed increasing their opportunities for growth and success. However the admission of some young people has been unsustainable. Such admissions did not benefit those young people or the young people already placed in the home.

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Leadership and management good

Robust internal and external monitoring processes include the views of young people and other interested parties. Young people are regularly consulted about their views on the care they receive and their views incorporated. As a result young people feel empowered to express their wishes and feelings and build further bonds with the home. The Registered Manager uses information gathered as part of her monitoring process to further benefit young people. For example, the introduction of the 'positive consequences' system.

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Leadership and management good

Young people benefit from being cared for by staff who are well trained, effectively supervised and fully supported to meet their needs. An excellent development plan clearly identifies the strengths in this home and areas for development in day-to-day care and plans for the future. This active document is readily available for staff and constantly reviewed and updated. This consistent, reflective practice ensures young people are provided with current and relevant care at all times.

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Leadership and management good

The proactive approach of the Registered Manager and staff ensure that young people’s reviews and visits with professionals take place within requisite timescales. In addition, young people are fully involved in preparing for their reviews. As a result young people know what their care arrangements are and are confident in expressing their views about future care plans.

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Leadership and management good

Young people’s plans are comprehensive, detailed and fully contribute to their understanding of their day-to-day care now and the plans for their future. They are stored securely to maintain confidentiality. 10 of 11 All significant events are comprehensively recorded and notified to all appropriate agencies within requisite timescales. Young people are safeguarded by the multi- agency decision making opportunities this provides. A social worker said: 'They communicate well with me. I have no complaints about them at all or any worries. ' 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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