Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

Unique reference number SC457183 Inspector Pamela Nuckley Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

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 Sonia Ann Bennett Date of last inspection 18/03/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 19/08/2014

p.1

Previous inspection satisfactory progress Enforcement action since last inspection There has been no enforcement or compliance action since the homes last inspection.

p.2

Overall effectiveness good

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

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Young people make very good progress in relation to their starting point across all aspects of their welfare and development. A key strength to this is the consistent and dedicated staff team who provide excellent support which is fundamental to young people maintaining placement stability. Young people have consistently positive views about the quality of their care. One young person commented ‘the staff are really great. They look after me really well and because of this I have really improved my behaviour.’

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Young people's views are central to the operation of the home. Young people enjoy very nurturing and positive relationships with all the staff. They acknowledge the progress they have made since coming to live at the home and say this is due the support they receive. A social worker said ‘The staff engage well and let me know when there are any changes pertaining to the child in placement, they also liaise well with the child’s parents. The staff always appear to have the child’s interest at the centre of their intervention. They really know the young person and work with him to facilitate his move to independence.’

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Young people feel safe and are kept safe. Highly effective behaviour management 3 of 10 practices enable young people to make significant improvements in their behaviour. As a result, their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth have improved.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

The home is effectively managed. The manager and staff are committed to providing a high standard of care that ensures improved outcomes for young people. However, there are some areas for improvement identified at this inspection relating to; Regulation 34 reports, furnishings, reviews, young people’s emotional health and signing of documents. 4 of 10

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a national provider. It provides care and accommodation for one young person with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is also registered as a school.

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 02/10/2013 Full good

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.4

Recommendations

 ensure that records are clear and up to date. This is specifically in relation to ensuring all documents are signed by the author, staff and manager (NMS 22  ensure that the home contributes effectively to young people's statutory revie (NMS 25.3)  ensure that the result of all statutory reviews are recorded on a young person file (NMS 25.8)  ensure that young people's emotional health needs are promoted (NMS 6.1)  ensure that the home is well maintained. This is specifically in relation to replacing the kitchen cupboards and cooker (NMS 10.3)  ensure that the manager regularly monitors all the records in the home. (NMS 21.2) 5 of 10

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people have been in placement for a significant period of time and the home can demonstrate their input in improving outcomes. In addition to this, young people say that they have improved due to the good care that they receive. They say that since coming to live at this home they have made good progress in terms of their education, behaviour and emotional resilience. They are growing in confidence, and are developing a positive self-view. Young people experience placement stability and this gives them a real sense of security. As a result, they have formed positive attachments with the staff.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Overall, young people are healthy and understand the importance of healthy living. But they do not always choose to eat a healthy diet. However, young people report that staff continue to encourage them and offer alternative meals. Further to this, staff have worked closely with the doctor and identified nurse to ensure that they are healthy and continue address this issue. Young people have also completed a course in food hygiene. In addition, they regularly take part in activities, such as football and free-walking to keep them fit and healthy. Young people’s health plans reflect this work and also detail immunisations, medical conditions and registration at appropriate health services. Specialised professionals complete individual therapy reports. However, information from these reports have not been included within the health plan. Therefore, young people’s emotional health is unclear. This does not ensure

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

that young people and staff understand the issues that may impact on a young person’s emotional health or resilience.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

One young person has recently finished a college course and has enrolled on another college course that starts in September. He said ‘I am unsure of what I want to do in the future but I definitely want a job. So I am doing some taster courses so I know what’s available.’ As a result, young people have a good work ethic and are looking forward to their future.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people do not currently have contact with their family. But they said that if they wished to that they were confident that staff would assist them. On the day of inspection, one young person had his friends round. They were welcomed by staff and were encouraged to stay for the evening. The young person said ‘my friends like to come here and chill with me. I am not embarrassed and it’s great that they can join in stuff with me.’ As a result, young people say that this makes it feel like home.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

The home quickly secures young people’s pathway plans and assesses young people’s skills on admission to the home and throughout their stay. One young person is in the process of moving into semi-independence. They said that they had visited their new flat several times and had been working on an independence plan for some time. This included receiving independence money, independently shopping and cooking and 6 of 10 completing a curriculum vitae (CV) in preparation for employment. As a consequence, young people say they develop practical skill which helps to prepare them for adult life. In addition to this, the manager has been instrumental in assuring that the transition plan is done at the young person’s pace and not with the wishes of other professionals. In addition to this, there is a clear plan of outreach support for the young person, by staff, after they have moved. Therefore, young people are moved

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people good

in a planned way, supported within the transition and with their needs being central to the plan.

p.6

Quality of care good

Young people live in a nurturing, warm and supportive environment. Staff have consistently high aspirations for the young people in their care. A core staff team provide young people with consistency and stability that enables them to feel very settled and secure. Young people say this has contributed to their improving behaviour.

p.6

Quality of care good

Staff ensure that young people are consistently involved in their care planning. Young people's views are central to the running of the home. They are fully involved in reviewing their behaviour, activities, menus and day-to-day arrangements. This means young people feel respected and that their views and opinions are important.

p.6

Quality of care good

Young people enjoy positive and constructive relationships in the community. Young people's friends are made very welcome at the home. They regularly stay for tea and are often invited along on trips out. Young people say that they enjoy going to the cinema and have recently had fun kayaking in Wales. Young people say lots of opportunities are given to them to go on activities but they are also happy to just stay in and watch television or play on consoles.

p.6

Quality of care good

Placement plans for young people are detailed and updated as required. Young people's needs and plans are regularly reviewed and discussed in team meetings. This means that all staff are aware of a young person’s plan and so implement actions consistently. Staff have developed excellent working relationships with parents, social workers, education providers and health professionals. This fully promotes the welfare of young people.

p.6

Quality of care good

Staff promote and support the education of young people effectively. They positively address challenges and barriers to young people's full participation in further education. Staff actively seek additional support for young people who have little or no formal qualifications. They also continue to seek alternative options when college placements break down. For example, one young person is having taster days at college to help them decide what career they wish to pursue.

p.6

Quality of care good

The home is comfortable, furnished and decorated to a good standard. Young people can choose the décor for their bedrooms and personalise them to their own style and 7 of 10 taste, enhancing their sense of belonging. However, some of the kitchen cupboards are ill fitting and the oven does not work fully. This does not ensure that young people live in a well maintained home.

p.6

Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Young people say they feel very safe and are kept safe. They feel confident in discussing any concerns they may have with the staff. All staff are well trained in safeguarding, child sexual exploitation (CSE) and e-safety in order that they are able to respond effectively, recognise symptoms and keep young people safe. Staff work exceptionally well with safeguarding agencies to promote the welfare and safety of young people. In addition to this, staff use key working constructively to discuss risks, safety and presenting behaviours with young people. Young people say that staff are clear, honest and to the point when highlighting issues with them. One young person said 'I am more aware now of associated risks than I was when I came here. So now I can make an informed choice whether I do something or not. I also realise that lots of things can impact on others even though you don’t mean them to.' As a consequence, young people are reflective and risks have significantly reduced.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

A key strength of this home is the fact that young people do not go missing. There are robust procedures in place should this happen. Effective risk assessments clearly identify any potential risks that young people may face and the strategies to manage these, so that the welfare of young people is fully protected.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Detailed behaviour management plans describe possible triggers for challenging behaviour and the most appropriate methods for staff to use in managing it. Another key strength of the home is the fact that they do not restrain young people and there has been no negative behaviour resulting in a consequence since the last inspection. One young person said ‘my behaviour has really improved because I am becoming an adult. I like it here and staff are really good.’ In addition to this, young people felt that the good reward, incentive and positive consequence schemes also assist in their improving behaviour.

p.7

Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Young people are protected, as far as is possible, by the safe recruitment and vetting of staff. This ensures they are only cared for by suitable people. Young people are further protected by robust health and safety procedures in the home. Regular fire drills ensure young people and staff know how to evacuate the building safely in the event of an emergency.

p.7

Leadership and management good

8 of 10 The manager was registered with Ofsted in 2008. She has the Registered Managers Award (RMA) in care and has experience of working with young people for a long time. She also ensures that her knowledge is kept up to date by reading recent legislation, internet articles and completing refresher training. She also managers two other single placement, children’s homes. She divides her time equally between the homes and is supported by a qualified assistant manager who deputises in her absence.

p.8

Leadership and management good

The core staff team is stable and experienced, providing young people with a good quality of care and support. They are well supported through regular supervision and have their performance appraised annually. Further to this, training is regularly updated, so that they are up to date with professional developments to effectively support young people. The manager and staff can clearly demonstrate the difference the home has made for young people and their outcomes.

p.8

Leadership and management good

The home provides a Statement of Purpose and children's guide. These give an overview of what placing social workers, parents and young people can expect from the home. The home is diligent in ensuring that all notifiable events are reported to the appropriate professionals. As a result, professionals are clear about the service provided and say they are fully informed of any incidents within the home. They say that communication is a strong point of the home.

p.8

Leadership and management good

Young people have regular reviews to ensure that the placement is continuing to support young people and that future plans are discussed. The home provides the meeting with a written report that gives an overview of young people’s progress or concerns. This report is pre-set with specific boxes for reporting on. However, some of these boxes are empty and could have shown continuing improvement. In addition to this, the home has not been proactive in acquiring the minutes of the last review in May 2014. This does not ensure that staff are aware of any actions identified or that they have been acted upon.

p.8

Leadership and management good

The young people’s files are stored confidentially. Recording of information overall is good and provides an effective picture of a young person's daily life. All information is stored securely to protect the confidentiality of young people. However, the author, staff or manager, have not signed some records such as the homes review, risk assessments and general documentation. This does not ensure that all parties are in agreement with the plans, that records are clear or that the manager has good oversight of the home.

p.8

Leadership and management good

The home is independently monitored on a monthly basis to assess the quality of care given to young people. However, the young person has not given the independent visitor consent to access their files. But the manager also has systems to monitor, report on and evaluate the administration of the home, to help ensure that any areas of weakness identified are promptly acted upon. This includes consulting with young people, parents and social workers to capture their views on the quality of care provided. However, this system has failed to identify the shortfalls raised in 9 of 10 this report. Therefore, the quality of care is not robustly monitored.

p.8

Leadership and management good

At the homes last inspection in March 2014, three recommendations were set to improve practice. The home was asked to ensure that children understand the importance of a healthy diet, that they were supported into independence and that new carpet was purchased for the landing area. These recommendations have been fully met. A new carpet has been purchased and laid. Additional work has been completed with the young person by a specialist nurse on a healthy diet and robust semi-independence plans are in place.

p.9

Leadership and management good

The shortfalls within this report are mainly documentary and are having little or no impact on the delivery of care and good outcomes for young people. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.9

Leadership and management good

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.10

Judgement Description

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

p.10

Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

p.10

Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

p.10

Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10