Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Herefordshire

Unique reference number SC457068 Inspector Pete Hylton 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 Sharon Michelle Edney Registered manager Gemma Moore Date of last inspection 27/02/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 23/10/2014

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Previous inspection outstanding Enforcement action since last inspection There has been no enforcement action since the last inspection.

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Overall effectiveness outstanding

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

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to accommodate up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The service is owned by a private company.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people make excellent progress as a result of living at the home. They develop their emotional resilience and readiness for adulthood. As a result, the outcomes for young people are outstanding.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

All young people are encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles. Some young people have made exceptional progress in increasing their physical health and wellbeing. Young people enjoy active lifestyles where they take part in regular exercise and make use of the local sporting facilities. As a result, they develop lifestyle habits that benefit their physical and emotional wellbeing. No young people display risk-taking behaviours such as smoking, running away or self-harm. This is because young people feel safe and that they belong at the home. A young person commented that ‘the home has made a difference to me.’

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

All young people are making excellent progress with their education. Where young people have experienced disruptive educational attendance, they now attend fully as a result of living at the home. This ensures that young people are enabled to work towards their goals and fulfil their potential. Furthermore, young people play an active part in the local and wider community. All young people take part in a range of community activities and make use of the local facilities. For example, where young people express an interest in completing voluntary work, they are enabled to do so. This develops young people’s social skills and sense of self-worth. A local community scheme commented that a young person ‘has shown great social skills and has shown fantastic interaction with a large group of people.’

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people are making excellent progress in developing their sense of self-worth. This is because young people feel that they belong and play an active part in the life of the home. Regular discussions with young people seek their views and these translate into actions and outcomes. For example, where young people talk to staff about their décor choices in their bedrooms, changes are quickly made. Furthermore, young people are fully enabled to play a part in enacting these changes. This results in young people feeling both empowered and involved in decisions that affect them. Where young people make requests that cannot be accommodated, for example with pet choices that are not appropriate, the staff team clearly explain the reasons for these requests not being progressed. This supports young people in developing an understanding of the rationale for the decision. This leads to an environment where

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

discussion, negotiation and collaboration underpin young people’s experiences in the home.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Social Workers recognise and value the difference that the home makes to young people’s outcomes. Comments from Social Workers include; ‘the young person has made massive improvements with reducing their offending behaviours’ and ‘this is the 5 of 10 only placement where the young person has settled.’ A teacher commented, in relation to the progress a young person has made since living at the home, that ‘the young person is coming on leaps and bounds.’ This is reflected by young people recognising the progress that they are making. Comments from young people include; ‘my family contact has improved loads and I see my friends a lot too’ and ‘I’ve matured quite a lot.’

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people make excellent progress in developing their knowledge and understanding of the world. For example, all young people learned about Ferragosto and Bastille Day during the summer. This means that young people are encouraged to develop their knowledge of other customs, traditions and significant historical events. As a result, young people are encouraged to reflect on the experiences of others and develop empathy and understanding. Furthermore, this engenders a sense of tolerance, respect and understanding between young people. Where young people follow religious traditions, they are able to do so within a culture of respect from their peers. This ensures that young people are able to practice their religion and express their individuality. A social worker commented that ‘I feel the young person is treated with respect and is supported to develop their individuality.’

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people live in a home where the quality of care is excellent. This is because a committed, stable and highly motivated staff team provide highly individualised care. The staff team have an excellent understanding of the varying, and in some cases, complex needs, of young people in the home. A social worker commented that ‘the staff have an in depth knowledge of the young person’s individual needs and behaviours and characteristics.’

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Quality of care outstanding

The staff team are committed to providing a nurturing and enabling environment. It is evident that staff want the very best for young people and do everything they can to support this. Comments from social workers include; ‘the staff encourage the young person to do their best at home, at school and at college’ and ‘staff promote education, health, contact with families, activities and self-reflection to a high standard.’ Excellent liaison with placing social workers ensures that agreed actions are followed through. As a result, young people receive a consistent pattern of care that is regularly reviewed. Furthermore, this care is centred on the needs, wishes, views and requirements of young people, families and social workers. In particular, the cultural, spiritual, emotional and religious needs of young people are carefully planned for. A social worker commented that ‘the young person knows that the staff

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Quality of care outstanding

will help them with religion and culture choices.’

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Quality of care outstanding

All young people are encouraged to sit together at mealtimes and share their experiences, plans and views. This results in a homely environment where young people are actively encouraged to develop their skills in living harmoniously with others. As a result, tensions between young people are extremely rare. Where they 6 of 10 do occur, the staff team are swift to intervene and model positive behaviour. This is effectively underpinned by excellent relationships between staff and young people.

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Quality of care outstanding

Medication is carefully administered in line with young people’s prescriptions. This means that the health of young people is fully promoted and they are supported with ongoing medical conditions. The Registered Manager regularly checks that medication stock levels are correct and this minimises any errors. All staff are appropriately trained in medication procedures.

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Quality of care outstanding

Social workers value the input from the staff team in reviewing and planning for young people’s care in the home. A social worker commented that there is ‘a very detailed and up to date care plan in in place which I am very impressed with.’ The staff team ensure that the views of young people are consistently sought and captured. This ensures that the staff team provide care to young people that is based on young people’s expressed needs, wishes and requirements. Excellent communication with placing authorities means that social workers are aware of the progress that young people are making in the home. A social worker commented that they have ‘excellent liaison with the home.’ This results in all relevant information being shared and where concerns arise, they are swiftly resolved.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff ensure that young people are supported in all areas of their lives. The ability to provide differentiated care to young people is a key strength in the home. Young people learn about managing their finances, planning their meals and being actively involved in maintaining the home. Where young people are less ready for independence, they are encouraged to undertake tasks around the home. For example, young people are encouraged to keep their bedrooms tidy and help with setting the dinner table.

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Quality of care outstanding

The home is exceptionally well presented, homely and decorated with great care and attention to detail. A social worker commented that the ‘accommodation is excellent, it is very homely.’ Young people are actively encouraged to choose décor and fixtures in the home. This results in an environment where the individuality of young people is both displayed and celebrated. For example, a wall mural in a communal area was designed by young people. Their achievements are proudly displayed on this artwork. This ensures that young people feel a sense of belonging in the home and recognise their excellent progress.

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Quality of care outstanding

There have been no complaints from young people since the last inspection. Should a young person have a concern, they know how to raise this and know staff will take prompt and appropriate action. The young person’s guide to the home is comprehensive and contains all required details. This ensures that young people can raise concerns with outside agencies should they wish to. As a result, young people are empowered to make complaints and know that they can do independently of the staff. 7 of 10

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The safety of young people is at the very heart of staff practice. Young people are safe and feel safe at the home. Careful risk management means that young people are supported to manage their behaviours and emotions. A social worker commented that ‘the young person’s emotional needs are met through access to specialist services.’

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Where young people demonstrate challenging behaviours, the staff team use a range of de-escalation techniques to diffuse situations. Excellent relationships between young people and staff means incidents of challenging behaviour are reducing. Effective and regularly reviewed behaviour support plans ensure that all staff provide a consistency in the management of young people’s behaviours. Physical intervention is only used where absolutely necessary and the frequency is reducing. All required details are recorded and the views and feelings of young people are explored. The Registered Manager reviews any incidents of restraint and speaks with staff to explore any amendments to how behaviour is managed.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The use of positive rewards far outweighs the use of sanctions. This is because young people are encouraged and supported to display socially acceptable behaviours. Rewards range from agreed incentives with young people to the use of verbal praise. This results in young people developing an awareness of how their positive behaviour impacts on others. In turn, this has led to young people reducing challenging behaviours. Where sanctions are given, they are fair, reasonable and proportionate. The views of young people are recorded and the Registered Manager evaluates the use of sanctions to identify any patterns or trends. This evaluation is fed back into care planning. Where the behaviour of young people shows indicators of decline, the staff team quickly implement new strategies to promote positive behaviour.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Complaints from young people are rare and where they do occur, are sensitively handled and swiftly resolved. There have been no incidents of bullying since the last inspection and young people know how to raise concerns. Staff are knowledgeable about the specific vulnerabilities of young people. Highly individualised behaviour management plans are in place and these are regularly reviewed and closely followed. This means that young people experience the security of familiarity and consistency with regards to their boundaries.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Young people are protected from adults who may wish to cause them harm. High staffing levels ensure that young people are appropriately supervised at all times. Rigorous staff recruitment processes ensure that only appropriate adults work with young people in the home. This results in an environment where young people are safe and can build trusting relationships with a stable and consistent staff team. A social worker commented that ‘the staffing is very stable which means the young person doesn’t have to meet new staff all the time.’ 8 of 10 Fire safety is well managed in the home. Regular fire drills take place and all young people know how to evacuate the home in the event of fire. The home environment is safe and poses no risks to the health or wellbeing of young people. Regular checks are made by the vigilant staff team and where defects are identified, they are swiftly resolved. As a result, young people live in a home that promotes their safety and

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home was last inspected in February 2014 and judged to be outstanding. No recommendations or requirements were made at this time. Since the last inspection, the Registered Manager has continued to make improvements to the home. As a result, the home continues to be outstanding.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The Registered Manager holds the required qualifications and was registered by Ofsted in July 2013. The Registered Manager models a commitment to all staff about identifying areas to improve and sustaining an excellent quality of care to young people. Clear development plans are in place to further improve standards in the home. These plans are clearly defined, regularly reviewed and evaluated for impact by the Registered Manager and the staff team.

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Leadership and management outstanding

There is evidence of improvement to the environment since the last inspection. For example, areas of the garden have been redeveloped and new art work, chosen and designed by young people, is proudly displayed in the home. There have also been improvements to the recording of information in young people’s files. Regular audits by the management team ensure that all required information is kept up to date.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The Registered Manager regularly audits the operation of the home, seeking feedback from young people, staff and placing social workers. This results in a home that is continually striving to improve the quality of the home. An excellent understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses underpins the Registered Manager’s improvement plans for the home.

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Leadership and management outstanding

All staff are trained to a high standard and hold the required qualifications. Regular staff training ensures that all staff are current with their knowledge and regularly refreshed with their skills. The management team ensure that regular supervision enables staff to reflect on their practice, discuss their concerns and identify areas for improvement. Staff feel supported in the home, are encouraged to identify areas to improve and are supported to make positive changes. For example, an outbuilding in the garden was removed by staff and young people. This has enhanced the outdoor environment and enabled the staff to engage young people in redesigning their outdoor space. As a result, staff feel empowered; they are able to influence change in the home while improving experiences for young people. A member of staff commented that ‘it’s a great place to work.’ 9 of 10 The Registered Manager ensures that the progress of young people is carefully

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Leadership and management outstanding

monitored and rigorously reviewed. As a result, there is clarity about the progress that young people are making and this is clearly evidenced for parents and social workers. Regular reports, detailing the experiences and staff observations of young people ensure that all parties see the excellent progress being made. Where concerns arise, the Registered Manager ensures that appropriate actions are taken. For example, where education services do not arrange placements, the Registered Manager takes decisive action to facilitate young people’s attendance at school. This tenacious approach ensures that young people do not experience disruption and further promotes their outcomes. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management outstanding

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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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