Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

Unique reference number SC457175 Inspector Pamela Nuckley 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 Michael Ore Registered manager Beverley Ann Woods Date of last inspection 23/01/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 31/10/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection There has been no enforcement action since the homes last inspection.

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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

Young people say that they like living in this home and they wish to stay until they are ready for independence. Young people have started an apprenticeships which includes attending college. Young people’s behaviour is generally good and continues to improve. They are feeling more confident and more able to accept the support that is available to them and to begin planning for their futures.

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Overall effectiveness

Staff are fully committed to promoting young people’s safety and well-being. Young people feel safe and are protected from harm. They develop good relationships with staff and settle well in the home. They are positive about the staff and the quality of care they receive.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people’s social workers and other professionals are very positive about the standard of care and support provided. They are also complimentary about staff’s ability to work with young people who have complex needs and present challenging behaviour. One social worker said ‘I am very impressed with the outcomes for this young person.’

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Overall effectiveness

Good behaviour management strategies are well thought out, are consistently applied and have secured improvements in behaviour for young people. Staff 3 of 11 provide effective personalised, care, which takes full account of the individual needs of each young person. Staff work well with other professionals in planning and delivering individual care plans to meet young people's specific needs. They also work effectively and in a co-ordinated way to manage and reduce risks to promote young people's safety.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people live in a well-managed children’s home that provides them with good quality care. This enables young people to achieve positive outcomes in their lives. The manager is competent and has considerable experience in residential childcare. The manager knows the strengths and weaknesses of the home and takes action to secure improvements.

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Overall effectiveness

One area for improvement has been identified. The manager needs to ensure that all documents are signed by the author. 4 of 11

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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.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/01/2014 Interim good progress 23/05/2013 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 Registered Manager regularly monitors, all records kept by the home. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that all documents are signed by the author. (NMS 21.2) 5 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people say that they are happy at this home and that they are becoming more mature in their approach to life. As a result, young people are making good progress towards achieving positive outcomes in many aspects of their lives. For example, young people are engaging in further education and are taking work placements seriously.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people say that their culture and heritage is truly respected at this home. One young person said ‘I am a Muslim but I also like western culture. The staff here support my beliefs and wishes. They made sure I had the appropriate traditional dress for Eid and I was able to join in with my family’s celebration. My family thought I looked lovely.’ They continued to say ‘ I also did Ramadan but I struggled with the regime in college but staff were great and praised me for attempting it.’ This shows that young people’s culture is truly respected and that young people appreciate this.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people say that they have developed good relationships with staff and therefore, they are increasingly willing to accept help and guidance available from them as well as from other professional staff. As a consequence, young people are developing greater confidence and self-esteem.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people enjoy good health and have generally healthy lifestyles. They take responsibility for their personal care and enjoy healthy diets and physical exercise. They have very good access to a full range of health services, and receive support and information about any specific health problems. Consequently, they understand the importance of healthy lifestyles and health risks, such as smoking.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

One young person has started an apprenticeship which includes attending college. They said ‘I am doing really well. I love it. I have made lots of friends and I earn my own money.’ As a result, their attendance is excellent and they have ambitions for their future.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Staff work hard to ensure that young people have contact with their families is a safe, positive and pleasant environment. This includes having contact within the family home and going on activities with siblings. One young person said ‘I love seeing my family and I am starting to see them more, which is great. Staff are really good and make sure that I am ready and take me.’ This shows that young people are benefitting from appropriate and well-managed contact with their family and other important people in their lives.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The home has a pathway plan in place for the young person but this has not been the focus of their placement. Agreement between the social worker and the home is to work on education and safety issues. This is because the young person has anxieties 6 of 11 around moving on. However, independence plans will be discussed at the next review. In addition to this, the staff continue to assess young people’s skills and encourage them to be self-sufficient such as cooking, ironing and cleaning for themselves. Young people play a central role in deciding about their futures, with staff helping them to consider their options and think about what they want for the future.

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Quality of care good

Staff use good communication and interpersonal skills to develop positive relationships with young people. Staff say that good, trusting and honest relationships are the building blocks to a safe placement and ensuring that young people grow and learn. One member of staff said ‘it may take a while to build a relationship, but young people know we are open and honest and that we are here for them. It is through these relationships that they learn to trust, change their behaviour and move forward in their lives.’ As a consequence, young people feel staff are interested in their welfare and said, ‘They are great. I can talk to any of them. We have fun and they really take an interest in me.’

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Quality of care good

Staff encourage and support young people to give their views on all aspects of their care including for example placement plans, changes in the home such as the re- decoration of the home, their bedroom, menus, their education and any leisure activities that they may wish to be involved in. Young people are confident about expressing their views because they feel they are listened to.

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Quality of care good

Young people are offered a range of activities. One young person said 'I often just go out at a weekend because I am tired in the week because I work. I would rather just chill out. But staff make sure I do something active of a weekend.' In addition to this young people have had holidays abroad to Tunisia and Salou, plus a holiday to Butlins. Young people say that they have visited theme parks and that their family and friends have been included. Photographs displayed within the home show young people having fun.

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Quality of care good

Placement plans are good with staff being clear about the day-to-day care arrangements for the young person. Placement plans also clearly identify individuals’ heritage and identity. Young people are encouraged to pursue their individual beliefs and are offered a range of material to develop their understanding of individual choice and difference. Young people’s placement plans are monitored by staff who work in close partnership with young people, their placing social workers and, where possible, their parents. One social worker said ‘the communication between us is excellent. I am fully informed of any issues or when documentation has been up dated.’ This ensures that the individual care needs of the young person living at the home are known and are addressed in their individual care arrangements.

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Quality of care good

By effectively listening to young people’s views and working with educational 7 of 11 professionals, young people are receiving further educational opportunities. For example, one young person was not fully engaging in formal education and wished to go to college. Due to the good links and hard work of staff they are now on an apprenticeship. This has also had a good impact on their behaviour. Young people say their behaviour has improved because they are working now and have matured. This shows that staff address young people’s educational needs effectively and as a result, young people are doing well.

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Quality of care good

Young people live in a healthy environment where their physical, emotional and psychological health is promoted and where they are able to access the services to meet their health needs. If necessary, there is access to health agencies and specialised services. Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their health and lifestyle choices; this leads to a positive impact on young people as they understand the risks the choices that they make involve. Effective policies and procedures concerning the storage, handling, administration and disposal of medication safeguard young people's welfare. As a result, young people receive their medication in line with their prescription.

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Quality of care good

Young people say they know how to make a complaint but have not done so. One young person said ‘I am told frequently about how to raise any issue but I would just tell staff and I know they would fix anything quickly. I also have loads of people I could talk to if I was unhappy such as, Ofsted or my Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO).’ As a result, there have been no complaints since the home was last inspected and young people have a range of professionals to talk to, if they wished.

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Quality of care good

Young people enjoy living at the home. The home is comfortable and has a homely atmosphere. The quality of the furnishing and decoration at the home is good. Staff take suitable health and safety measures to ensure that the home is free from hazards. The location of the home provides young people with access to a broad range of local community facilities and recreational opportunities.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people feel safe and are protected from significant harm. Staff work effectively with young people, parents, safeguarding agencies and Ofsted to promote young people’s safety. Staff know what they need to do to protect individual young people because they have a clear understanding of the young people’s particular vulnerabilities based on their personal circumstances. Young people’s individual care plans clearly identify any risks they may face and outline effective strategies to ensure their welfare is promoted and protected. Staff ensure plans for young people’s safety are put into practice and fully address their needs.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff provide young people with good advice on personal safety, including relationships, and what to do if they have any worries. Young people state that they are able to talk to staff and are confident that the staff would respond quickly if 8 of 11 young people needed help. Staff are effective in balancing the need for protection with enabling young people to take reasonable risks as part of their growth and development.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Although young people have been reported missing on several occasions this is a significant reduction compared to their previous placements. The missing from home co-ordinator from the police said ‘This home is very good at following the missing from home protocol. They keep me well informed of any changes to behaviour and initiate strategy meetings. The staff are very proactive and clearly have the safety of young people at the forefront of their practice.’ Due to these good procedures and the young person’s engagement with their work placement, there has been a significant reduction in them being reported missing from home, over the last few months.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The home does have a sanction system in place but emphasis is placed on positive regard rather than punishment. Therefore, positive rewards outweigh sanctions. Young people have received additional monies, gifts, hair products and activities in response to continuing good behaviours. There has been one physical intervention since the homes last inspection. This was within the community and was necessary to safeguard individuals. Records within the home show that the manager monitors all restraints. Young people complete an interview to ensure that they understand why the action was necessary. These systems are well recorded and they evaluate the impact of each measure on young people’s behaviour. This information is useful as it helps the manager and staff review the appropriateness and effectiveness of the measures used to promote positive behaviour.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The recruitment and selection of people working at the home is very thorough. This ensures only people with suitable skills, experience and competencies work at the home and that children and young people are protected. There are also suitable systems in place to ensure that visitors to the home are suitably checked and supervised.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

All fire, gas and electrical equipment are serviced annually. Young people take part in regular fire drills to help keep them safe.

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Leadership and management good

The manager was registered with Ofsted in 2005. 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. This ensures that the home continues to run smoothly in her absence. 9 of 11 The home is effectively and efficiently managed. It is operated in accordance with the aims and objectives of its Statement of Purpose and children’s guide. The Statement of Purpose has been updated to reflect staff changes. It provides an accurate and comprehensive picture of the home and of the services it provides. The young people’s guide is very clear, attractive and informative. It contains all the

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Leadership and management good

required information and is relevant to young people’s lives.

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Leadership and management good

The manager has a clear and realistic understanding of the strengths of the service and the areas for further development. The home’s development plan sets out how the manager intends to progress the service. Since the last inspection the house has been redecorated and a new kitchen has been installed.

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Leadership and management good

A competent and well-supported staff team looks after young people. The staff are enthusiastic, caring, work well together and provide young people with a good standard of care. The numbers of staff on duty are sufficient to meet the needs of young people. This includes the support they need for education and activities, visits to their families and attending appointments.

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Leadership and management good

Most of the staff team are qualified in the National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in care. Some staff are in the process of finishing the equivalent qualification. The company is very good at ensuring all staff are registered on a suitable qualification at the time of their employment. Staff complete all mandatory training before starting employment. They also receive additional training specific to young people's individual needs. In addition, they have had their work practice and development appraised to identify areas of improvement and training needs. As a result, staff say that they are well supported, have very good training opportunities and that their manager is very approachable. This ensures that a suitable, qualified and supported staff team cares for young people.

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Leadership and management good

Regular staff meetings are organised to review the effectiveness of young people's care plans and to discuss practice issues. Young people are always invited to these meetings and, if they do not attend, their views are always shared at the meeting. Staff work hard though to encourage and support the young person to attend the meeting. This enables the young person to give their views about their care and the development of the home.

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Leadership and management good

There are various systems to monitor quality of care. Regulation 33 and 34 monitoring is regularly carried out and young people, professionals and parents were possible are consulted during monitoring visits. Reports appropriately review performance and identify areas for improvement. Therefore, Ofsted have a clear overview of the quality of care between inspections.

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Leadership and management good

All significant events are notified to the relevant authorities to ensure the welfare and safety of young people are further protected.

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Leadership and management good

The young people’s files are stored confidentially. Recording of information overall is 10 of 11 good and provides an effective picture of a young person's daily life. However, the manager, author and relevant parties have not signed some of the documentation within the home. For example, an initial baseline assessment and a decision record were not signed. Therefore, it is unclear whether all parties are in agreement with the plans. This is not currently impacting on young people, as staff and young people were clear about the plans; but has the potential to do so.

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Leadership and management good

One recommendation was set at the homes last inspection. This has been fully met. A new kitchen has been installed. Therefore, young people live in a homely environment. 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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