Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Worcestershire

Unique reference number SC478134 Inspector Suzanne Young 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 Sharon Michelle Edney Registered manager Caroline Denise Nilsson-White Date of last inspection 11/09/2014 2 of 8 Inspection date 13/11/2014

p.1

Previous inspection inadequate Enforcement action since last inspection compliance notice issued

p.2

Overall effectiveness adequate

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

p.2

Overall effectiveness

The home was last inspected in September 2014. The judgement at that time was inadequate. The compliance notice and requirements made at the last inspection have been met as the home now is providing a safe environment and promoting the welfare of young people.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

Young people are safe. Staff work closely with young people to help them manage their behaviour and as a result they rarely engage in risk taking behaviours. They do not frequently go missing and instances of physical intervention have decreased.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

The home provides good quality individual care which promotes improved outcomes for young people. Young people are not consistently experiencing positive outcomes as they are not attending college or engaging in work based activities despite all attempts by staff. Young people are in good health and engage in cooking and other domestic tasks with staff in preparation for independent living.

p.2

Overall effectiveness

The home is now adequately managed and staffed. The home has one vacancy which is managed by the use of regular staff from other homes to ensure consistency for young people. Management monitoring has been effective in bringing about improvements to the quality of care towards young people. 3 of 8 As a result of this inspection one requirement has been made. This relates to procedures and record keeping and does not significantly impact on the safety and welfare of young people. 4 of 8

p.2

Information about this children’s home

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for four young people of either gender with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is one of many children's homes owned by this company.

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) must have regard to any relevant local authority or police protocols on missing children before implementing the missing child policy. (Regulation 16 (5)(ii)) 20/12/2014 5 of 8

p.4

Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people are generally having positive experiences in the home. They are healthy and attend most routine health appointments. They lead healthy lifestyles and do not smoke. Young people are beginning to develop in emotional resilience. They do not engage in risk taking behaviours, such as, misusing alcohol and drugs.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people adequate

There are no young people of statutory school age currently living in the home. Despite staff’s best efforts young people are not engaging in college or employment. This can have a detrimental effect on their confidence and self-esteem. Young people are engaging in structured weekly activities and enjoy leisure activities in the local community, such as, attending the gym and hill walking.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people develop independence skills which are individual and appropriate to their age and abilities. They are encouraged to prepare meals and are supported to complete other domestic tasks. They have regular contact with their family which is actively promoted by staff. As a consequence, young people are able to maintain their sense of identity.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people adequate

Young people are able to have a say in their care and contribute to the running of the home through the planning of meals and activities. They are able to personalise their bedrooms and have a say in the décor of the home.

p.5

Quality of care good

Staff are providing a good level of care towards young people. Young people make attachments and build positive relationships with staff. This is because staff work regularly on an individual basis with young people. They discuss their care needs and ensure their feelings are heard and respected. For example, young people are supported to complete wishes and feelings booklets prior to their looked-after children review to ensure their views regarding their care is shared. External professionals have noticed an improvement in the care given to young people and feel there is now a nurturing presence in the home. As a result, young people feel that staff are concerned about their welfare. Young people are aware of how to complain. All complaints are investigated and acted upon. There have been no new complaints since the last inspection.

p.5

Quality of care good

Staff work closely with health and youth offending professionals to support young people and promote positive outcomes. Although young people are not in education or employment, staff actively encourage young people to seek college courses and work. Staff devise an education and activities timetable in an attempt to engage 6 of 8 young people and provide a structure to their day.

p.5

Quality of care good

Care planning documents are clear and individual. They are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they reflect young people’s care needs. Behaviour management plans give clear guidance to staff on how to effectively manage their behaviour. Records are clear which enables managers to have clarity and oversight of the management of young people’s behaviours. As a result, young people’s negative behaviour has improved over recent months reducing the need for physical interventions to take place.

p.6

Quality of care good

The arrangements for dealing with young people’s medication are secure and appropriately administered. The home is well maintained and the décor and furnishings are of a high standard. Since the last inspection the young people’s toilet, which had no hand washing facility, has now been moved into the bathroom. This has improved the level of hygiene in the home. The staff office has also been moved to the front of the home. This increases security and ensures a more domestic and homely environment.

p.6

Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are safe living in the home and say they feel safe. They can talk to members of staff if they feel unhappy or worried. Instances of risk taking behaviours have greatly reduced since the last inspection significantly reducing the need for physical interventions. Records of physical interventions are clear and the views of young people following a physical intervention are gained. This helps managers to understand, and have oversight into, the management of young people’s behaviours.

p.6

Keeping children and young people safe good

All staff have undergone refresher training to develop their knowledge and expertise in safeguarding. This helps ensure they are aware of the action to take should they have any concerns about a young person's safety or well-being.

p.6

Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people do not frequently go missing from the home. Since the last inspection there have been two instances when young people have gone missing. Risk assessments highlight concerning behaviours and the factors that trigger these behaviours. They are regularly updated and reviewed to ensure staff are aware and able to take the protective measures to safeguard young people. Staff take swift action when young people go missing and ensure they are spoken to by an independent person on their return to the home. Records do not indicate whether police conduct a ‘safe and well’ check as specified in the local police protocol for missing children. The home’s policy on missing children also does not make reference to the local police protocol for missing children.

p.6

Keeping children and young people safe good

The home is physically safe and secure. Regular checks of fire equipment and lighting checks are completed. Young people participate in fire drills to ensure they can evacuate the home in an emergency. The organisation has procedures for the 7 of 8 recruitment of permanent staff which prevents unsuitable people from being recruited. No agency staff have worked in the home since the last inspection.

p.6

Leadership and management adequate

The Registered Manager is appropriately qualified and has been in post since the home opened in April 2014. Requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met.

p.7

Leadership and management adequate

The home’s Statement of Purpose and young people’s guide accurately reflects the home and gives clear information for young people, placing social workers and others using the service.

p.7

Leadership and management adequate

Since the last inspection the consistency of staff has improved. At the time of the inspection there was one vacant staff post and one member of staff on sick leave. The home is no longer using agency staff. Any gaps in staffing are covered by staff from other homes who are regularly used and known to young people. There is always a qualified, experienced staff member of duty to ensure staff are able to adequately care for the young people in the home. Adequate training is available for staff to meet the needs of young people. All core staff have either completed or are in the process of attending refresher training in safeguarding, physical intervention, medication and recording procedures.

p.7

Leadership and management adequate

Staff now feel supported by management. Regular, structured, supervision is taking place for all staff to enable them to able to discuss their practice and development. One member of staff stated, ‘it feels things are a lot more structured and focused now.’ Another stated, ‘staff morale is much better.’

p.7

Leadership and management adequate

External monitoring of the home is taking place on a monthly basis. Managers have developed the internal monitoring processes in the home and now effectively oversee the running of the home. They are developing an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and have significantly improved the care of young people. This has yet to be firmly embedded in management processes to ensure these improvements continue.

p.7

Leadership and management adequate

External professionals report that they have noticed improvements to the home as the home is much calmer and more cohesive. One placing social worker stated ‘there is clearer communication between the staff team.’ Another professional commented, ‘there is now a sense of stability instead of chaos.’ Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.7

Leadership and management adequate

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.8

Judgement Description

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

p.8

Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

p.8

Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

p.8

Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

p.8

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.8

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.8