Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Shropshire

Unique reference number SC476267 Inspector Julian Mason 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 Samantha Millward Registered manager Christopher Stephen Fletcher Date of last inspection N/A 2 of 9 Inspection date 05/08/2014

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Previous inspection N/A Enforcement action since last inspection No enforcement action has been taken.

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

This was the home’s first full inspection since reregistration in March this year. Previously, the service had been registered and operational under a different company name.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people’s welfare and protection is paramount and they receive the necessary level of support that successfully meets their needs and promotes their safety. The staff team are conscientious and committed to managing the home’s routines in a way that best suits each young person and their circumstances. Young people are able to make meaningful contributions to the running of the home because they are listened to and encouraged to express themselves. Staff provide an environment where young people are treated fairly, with equal regard and consideration. Young people feel safe in the home and with the staff who look after them. Young people state, ‘it’s the best, I’ve really been helped a lot’ and ‘staff are always making sure everyone’s safe.’

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Overall effectiveness

Staff have access to a good range of up-to-date information that informs them about each young person’s individual needs. Frequent multi-disciplinary meetings ensure that key professionals working directly with young people can contribute to and shape arrangements for day-to-day care, education and therapy. Professionals are 3 of 9 very positive about the service stating, ‘the home has a caring and nurturing atmosphere’, ‘staff go out of their way to be helpful’ and ‘good consistent information is given to me about the child’s progress.’ Staff feel very well supported by managers, seniors and each other. One member of staff stating what many within the team reflect, ‘it’s a good team of people who are committed to doing the best they can for each young person.’ 4 of 9

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is run by a private organisation and offers care and accommodation for up to five young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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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 parts of the children's home use by children are reasonably maintained. This relates to the home's downstairs hallway carpet and heating system (Regulation 31(2)(e)) 30/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) provide suitable laundry facilities for use by staff and children accommodated in the home. This relates to accessing a working washing machine. (Regulation 31(3)) 30/09/2014 5 of 9

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people receive good support and care to help them recover from their traumatic and difficult life experiences. They are able to bond with their carers, which helps them to grow in confidence and become more resilient. Young people are able to work with a range of professionals to ensure that care and support matches their individual plans. For example, young people participate in planned life story work, which helps improve their understanding and knowledge of their personal histories and identities. This work is professionally delivered and provides young people with opportunities to progress their emotional resilience and recovery. Young people also benefit from coordinated and careful planning of therapeutic work in helping them to deal with loss and bereavement as an example. Overall, young people are making good progress in relation to their individual circumstances on arrival to the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are aware that they are valued as individuals and that they have the potential to be successful. Young people have confidence in the adults around them and this helps to build their self-esteem. A consistent approach to health care ensures that young people receive the services they need to maintain their good health and well-being.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people’s attendance at school is very good and staff monitor their progress through regular dialogue with teachers and support staff. The home’s routines prioritise and promote education as being important. This is reflected in the flexible approach to supporting young people when they have trouble with their learning or relationships. Staff listen to what young people have to say in order to help them overcome challenges and to maintain their attendance and attainment.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people are able to pursue individual interests and hobbies as well as taking part in a range of leisure activities and trips. Young people are encouraged to try new leisure pursuits, which staff actively support and facilitate. One young person stating, ‘there’s lots to do but I am really looking forward to our summer holiday next week.’

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Quality of care good

Young people experience a living environment that promotes positive social interactions, respectful behaviours and personal safety. Staff use their knowledge, skills and training to help young people learn and understand how to behave towards each other and maintain socially acceptable boundaries. Young people have significant histories of difficult and risky conduct but staff work consistently and patiently, following agreed plans that aim to help modify and improve relationships. Young people gain honest feedback that promotes opportunities to positively 6 of 9 influence the way they relate to each other and their adult carers. One professional commenting, ‘the staff are constantly aware of what the young person is doing and will talk to him about any concerning behaviour as well as praise him.’

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Quality of care good

Young people are helped to learn about their rights and entitlements; they know how to raise a concern if they are not happy about something. Young people have made a number of complaints and the home’s records show that these have been dealt with quickly and successfully. Staff use a range of ways to consult young people from attending ‘children’s chat’ meetings through to less formal consultation arrangements with key carers. Because of this approach, young people’s views, wishes and feelings are well known and considered as part of their overall care and daily routines. The staff team successfully focus on enabling open communication with all young people that effectively and consistently places young people at the centre of how the home operates.

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Quality of care good

Young people are involved in the planning and review of their care along with key designated professionals. Written information is detailed, reflecting individual circumstances and needs of each young person. Plans clearly address daily living arrangements, the aims of the placement and who is responsible for each aspect of the plan. Staff encourage and support young people to talk with their social workers and independent reviewing officers about matters that are important to them to ensure their views are incorporated into formal reviews of their care. Staff are able to draw on detailed information regarding young people’s backgrounds, identity and needs to ensure they receive the right support.

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Quality of care good

Young people live in a suitable, safe and pleasant home with enough communal space for everyone. The home’s environment is comfortable and homely; it is reasonably maintained and decorated although a small part of the downstairs hallway carpet is heavily stained. Young people’s bedrooms are personalised with their own belongings, choice of furnishings, as well as wall decorations such as posters and photographs. Avoidable hazards are removed or remedied when discovered to ensure good standards of health and safety are achieved for everyone.

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Quality of care good

Some of the home’s domestic equipment such as the washing machine and heating system are broken or faulty. Delays in fixing or replacing this equipment continue despite managers pursuing these matters with company representatives. Previous complaints received by the home relate to similar issues about delays in maintaining the home’s facilities. Although these complaints were addressed and resolved, problems around timely responses to the domestic needs of the home continue. Currently, young people’s needs in relation to their domestic surroundings are not being fully met.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

7 of 9 Young people are looked after by a staff team that care about their safety and welfare. Young people feel safe in the home and with the adults who look after them. Close supervision of young people inside and outside of the home significantly adds to their feeling of being protected. Young people rarely leave the home without permission or go missing from care. Individual plans contribute to keeping young people safe; these include assessments that help to inform staff of risks and what to do to protect everyone. Staff regularly talk to young people about matters that relate to keeping safe, they appreciate that their well-being is important to the adults who look after them.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff are trained in safeguarding practices and procedures, and they are alert to any signs or symptoms that might indicate that an individual is at risk. Where disclosures or events of a child protection nature occur, the Registered Manager and staff team work professionally and responsibly with other agencies to ensure information is appropriately shared that follows local safeguarding procedures and protocols. The Registered Manager works in partnership with other child protection professionals in making sure young people are safe. Young people’s safety and protection is prioritised when risks or concerns are discovered or reported.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Behaviour within the home is a frequent topic of conversation, expected boundaries are clearly communicated, young people feel that staff are ‘fair’ and tackle relationship difficulties appropriately. Staff invest time and prioritise their attention when there are difficulties so that they can directly influence young people’s behaviour for the better. Personalised behaviour management strategies for each young person provide staff with practice guidance on interventions and de-escalation techniques, which promote better relationships and interactions. Physical interventions are being used as a last resort and in accordance with the home’s policy. Managers closely monitor the use of this measure to ensure it is only used in the right circumstances.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The home’s environment is assessed regularly to ensure safe standards are achieved. Staff and young people’s safety is further promoted by having access to fire prevention and detection equipment that is regularly tested and serviced. There are scheduled opportunities to practice the evacuation of the premises to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager is suitability skilled, qualified and experienced and has been registered with Ofsted for just over a year. The Registered Manager is supported by an able, qualified and experienced deputy. Good leadership and management ensures that the home is effectively, efficiently and consistently managed for the benefit of all young people.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager has well-established systems and practices for monitoring 8 of 9 and evaluating the operation of the home. There is a clear focus on continuous improvement and there is a written development plan that supports this agenda. Young people, placing social workers and staff regularly contribute their views and opinions about the home’s operation. This information is reflected in the Registered Manager’s monitoring and taken into account when assessing the quality of care being provided.

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Leadership and management good

The provider has well-established arrangements in place to monitor the home. Monthly visits are conducted and findings are reflected in written reports, which are sent to Ofsted. The reports reflect key areas of the home’s operation and make an additional contribution to the evaluation of the service and what is being achieved for young people.

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Leadership and management good

The home provides good access to a range of information that describes how the service operates and how it will achieve improving outcomes for young people. The Statement of Purpose and young people’s guide are reviewed regularly to ensure the information is current and up to date. Comprehensive case files are maintained to ensure all required information reflects each young person’s experiences, progress and development. Young people’s privacy and confidentially is maintained because case files are kept securely and safely.

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Leadership and management good

Staffing is relatively consistent and sufficient in number, experience and skills to support the work of the home. Teamwork is exceptional, which delivers reliable and familiar quality care. The team make-up is diverse and includes a wide range of people with different backgrounds, skills and experiences. The staff team are very flexible and adaptable in responding to the changing needs and circumstances of each young person.

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Leadership and management good

Staff receive good management support, including regular supervision and annual appraisals to help guide them in their roles. A rolling programme of mandatory and refresher training is provided together with opportunities to access more specialist areas of learning that relate to young people’s needs. Staff feel very well supported in their work and can access practical advice and guidance on a daily basis from a range of sources to help guide them in their work. These arrangements ensure young people continue to receive the care they need from informed and competent staff. 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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