Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Somerset

Unique reference number SC457327 Inspector Jim Palmer Type of inspection Interim 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 Sharon Michelle Edney Registered manager Claire Jane Reed Date of last inspection 18/10/2013 2 of 6 Inspection date 15/10/2014

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Previous inspection inadequate progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

At the last interim inspection conducted in October 2013 the service was judged as making inadequate progress, as a result a compliance notice was issued. A monitoring visit was carried out in November 2013, which concluded that the home was effectively developing strategies to rectify the shortfalls identified in interim inspection all requirements and recommendations were either met or there were robust plans in place. Two additional recommendations were made and no Statutory Requirements.

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This inspection

Since the monitoring visit the manager and staff have continued to address and consolidate the progress identified at the interim inspection.

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This inspection

The manager provides strong and clear leadership to the staff team which creates an ethos in which a commitment to improving outcomes for young people is evident. As a result, high expectations are set for both young people and staff leading to significant social and educational developments being made by young people.

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This inspection

Robust action has been taken to ensure that young people's needs are fully assessed prior to placement being offered and that staff are able to meet needs. Systems for ensuring that one young person's admission does not have a negative impact on others are strong, ensuring that the welfare of each young person can be promoted. The home has introduced pro-active systems for gathering pre-placement information. Detailed impact risk assessment are routinely used to develop effective risk management plans to ensure that staff are able to meet identified needs and ensure the impact of any individual placement can be safely managed in order to promote the welfare of each young person living in the home. The manager records and monitors all placement requests, this provides a clear audit trail that appropriate placement matching considerations are being maintained. 3 of 6 The structure and content of young people's case records has been reviewed and

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This inspection

young people are involved in the design and content of their placement plans. These are now compiled by young people in conjunction with their key workers, as a result they are clear, understandable and relevant to young people. They confirm that they are fully engaged in this process and they understand the reasons for their placement and what outcomes they are seeking to achieve. This development is well embedded in day to day practice. Young people also are also able to record key events and achievements during their stay in the home in a journal that they take with them when they leave, these contain photos, comments from young people and staff and various documents, providing an excellent chronicle of the young person's time in the home. These records contain numerous pieces of memorabilia. Young people's case records are well constructed, up to date and regularly audited. As a result key essential information is easily retrieved and is understandable to all

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This inspection

There is strong evidence that the home has effectively implemented systems to ensure that young people's case file information is presented in a format that is accessible, comprehensive and relevant to young people to help them develop a good understanding for their reasons for placement.

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This inspection

The home has been substantially re-decorated and refurbished since the last inspection. The quality of accommodation is very good, and provides good quality pleasant domestic accommodation for young people. Young people confirm they like the home and their bedrooms. New dining room chairs replace the previous ones which were described as institutional. This view is endorsed by visiting professionals who have commented on the good quality and homely atmosphere created within the home. Maintenance of the home has improved since the last inspection; the young people's bathroom is currently in the process of being refurbished.

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This inspection

Since the previous inspection, a new staff training programme is in place. This includes a number of on-line training opportunities for staff. Specialist training for staff is available at the manager’s request. For example training in Global development delay, has provided staff with better understanding and awareness, of possible causes for some behaviours young people may display. Staff confirm that they are well supported and can contribute and comment about their personal development needs. Staff are supported in their direct work with young people by a company employed clinical psychologist who undertakes direct work with young people in addition to providing professional guidance to staff. Comments from placing professionals praise staff skills in meeting the needs of young people, many of whom had numerous unsuccessful placements, but have subsequently settled in this home and are making good overall progress.

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This inspection

Staff receive training in anti bullying awareness, and this is now a standing agenda item at staff meetings and in supervision. Young people say that bullying rarely takes place in the home and that staff are vigilant and take appropriate action when it does occur. Young people confirm they feel safe in the home and say that the 4 of 6 behaviour management practice is positive and supports them in managing their own behaviours. Incidents are well recorded and reviewed, young people are given the opportunity to have their views recorded and incidents are followed up in one to one meetings with staff.

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This inspection

Door alarms are fitted to two bedroom doors, in order to prevent young people being at risk from others entering their room at night. The risks are well assessed and the alarms are deactivated if risk levels reduce. All young people, placing social workers and parents are aware of the use of alarms and agree to them. These arrangements are detailed in young people's placement plans.

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This inspection

There is a significant reduction in the number of occasions on which young people are missing from home. A robust protocol is now in place. Some young people, who have a history of previous absence from placements, are positively supported if they leave the home and as a result settle well and make good progress. This is confirmed by social workers (SW) and independent reviewing officers (IRO).

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This inspection

Since the previous inspection and monitoring visit, staffing levels have increased. The home is now fully staffed with a minimum of one to one staff cover, plus management time on each shift. As a result there are sufficient staff to allow considerable individual time with each young person and respond appropriately to their needs.

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This inspection

Young people's safety is promoted by robust staff recruitment processes. No staff start working until all checks are satisfactorily completed, however, the home does not hold documentary evidence that all agency staff are recruited to the same level.

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This inspection

The staff and managers remain committed to raising the quality of care provided for each young person and to working with them in an open and positive manner. Significant progress has been made since the previous inspection and monitoring visit. Each of the recommendations and requirements has been effectively met. 5 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private national service provider and is registered to care for up to three young people of either gender, who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/10/2013 Interim inadequate progress 16/07/2013 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

 ensure the children’s home has a record of the recruitment and vetting checks which have been carried out on those working (including as volunteers) for the children’s home which includes agency workers. (NMS 16.3). Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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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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