Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Cambridgeshire

Unique reference number SC456846 Inspector Tracy Murty 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 Victor Takadiwa Registered manager Carol Ann Nobbs Date of last inspection 30/01/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 18/11/2014

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Previous inspection satisfactory progress Enforcement action since last inspection None

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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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Overall effectiveness

Young people receive highly personalised and well-planned care in this home. The staff team work exceedingly hard to ensure that young people experience significantly improved outcomes. From their starting points, young people increase in relation to their self-confidence and sense of worth. They move on to independence with the skills and confidence needed for a successful transition.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people significantly influence the running of this home. Their views, wishes and feelings are fully taken into account by the staff team and acted upon. Young people feel central to all aspects of the care provided for them. They read and consider all relevant records and have made a valuable contribution to the décor of the home and decisions about how to make improvements.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people report having exceedingly positive relationships with the entire staff team. They feel highly valued and able to approach staff with any issues they may have. Young people report feeling very safe living in this home. They receive highly personalised and focused care and support at all times. This includes excellent multi- agency working to ensure their holistic needs are met at all times. There are very close and proactive working relationships with a range of agencies, including education providers, advocates and police. 3 of 11 The Registered Manager fully understands the strengths and weaknesses of the home and has robust plans in place to ensure continual improvement. Two requirements and two recommendations were made as a result of the last interim inspection of this home in January 2014. These have all been fully met. A wide range of comprehensive risk assessments are in place for all young people. All staff

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Overall effectiveness

members receive regular supervision and appraisal. The gardens and grounds present as welcoming and secure for young people. Placement plans and other records now reflect clearly work done with young people on equality and diversity issues. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. A private organisation owns and operates this setting and others in the area.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 08/10/2013 Full good 5 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people have made exceptional progress in relation to their self-confidence, sense of worth and emotional resilience since moving to live in this home. For some young people, they have experienced several placement breakdowns before moving to this home. They now present as confident, secure and able to manage their emotions much more constructively. Plans for some young people include moving to foster care. This reflects the significant progress they have made in this home and ability to make this transition. It also reflects the skills and dedication of the staff team in helping young people to make such improvements.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people enjoy very good health. Staff ensure that their holistic health needs are clearly identified at the point of admission and responded to in a very timely manner. This includes ensuring that any specialist mental health provision is sourced and provided. Young people benefit from having access to general and specific mental health services and engage well. Some young people also make their own routine health appointments, as part of their independence planning. They fully consider their health needs and work positively with staff to ensure they are met.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people have exceptionally good attendance in relation to their educational provisions. Prior to moving to this home, some young people’s attendance and engagement in education was very poor. Since moving to this home, they now all attend regularly and are achieving exceptionally well. Some young people have secured further education placements at local colleges. Others now regularly receive certificates for their excellent attendance. Others have secured local work experience placements and are doing extremely well. From their starting points, all young people make excellent progress in relation to their educational achievements and have aspirations and goals for their futures.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people strongly influence the running of this home. They contribute to decision-making about internal décor. They have asked staff to make the home feel less institutionalised by removing menu planners from noticeboards and other general information. Their views and wishes have been fully acted upon by the staff team, leading to young people feeling a real sense of worth and value. Young people feel very confident in raising any concerns or complaints they may have with the staff team. These are dealt with and resolved in a very timely manner. Young people consider and read their records and make comments. The staff team proactively seek and respond to the views of all young people and see them as central to all aspects of how the home is run.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people enjoy regular and appropriate contact with family members and significant others in their lives. They enjoy direct and indirect contact, supported by the staff team. 6 of 11 Young people receive excellent support and guidance in relation to making the transition to adult life. Specific and sensitive work is done to ensure that they have the skills and confidence necessary to make a successful move from this home. Staff support young people to learn how to manage their own finances, to plan, shop and prepare their own meals. Young people have bank accounts and learn how to budget. Staff support them to make their own appointments and identify suitable accommodation options. One placing social worker commented on the work done to prepare a young person for their move to independence. They stated; 'Since the young person has been living in this home, they have made huge steps towards becoming a confident and independent young adult'.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people work with staff exceedingly well to consider and address any concerning or unsafe behaviours. There has been a significant reduction in anti-social and offending behaviours by young people since they moved to live in this home. The staff encourage young people to fully engage in direct work with them and other agencies. The police community support officer (PCSO) regularly visits the home to discuss any specific issues or concerns with the young people. The PCSO reports excellent relationships with both staff and young people in this home. They report that young people learn the consequences of their unsafe behaviours and have made significant improvements. Young people engage with the police and other agencies and showed a marked reduction in concerning behaviours over time.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people take part in a wide range of social activities in the local and wider community. Staff actively support them to identify things they would like to do and organise activities. Young people take part in such activities as drama and dance classes, kickboxing and cheerleading. Some young people have taken part in local events through their involvement with such organisations and clubs. This increases their sense of value and integration in their community.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people enjoy very positive and sound relationships with each other and the entire staff team in this home. One young person stated; 'we are a family, kids and staff. We care about each other, have our ups and downs, but this is our home'.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff ensure that young people have clear and consistent boundaries in place to meet their holistic needs. An advocate for one young person stated how well staff support one young person. They stated that prior to moving to this home, the young person did not have boundaries in place to support them. They reported that the staff team have enabled this young person to feel secure and able to better understand the consequences of their actions.

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Quality of care outstanding

The views, wishes and feelings of young people have significantly influenced how the home is run. Young people make suggestions, which staff act on wherever possible. 7 of 11 This has recently included the menu planners being written on a chalkboard in the kitchen. One young person requested this, as they did not like the printed menu planners. Other changes have also been made to how information is displayed in the home, at the suggestion of young people. Young people also feel able to make a complaint about anything of concern to them. Staff respond quickly to any formal complaints made. One young person stated how well staff deal with any concerns they raise. They like the fact that they receive a formal response from the manager as to what has been done to resolve any issues.

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Quality of care outstanding

Placement plans for all young people reflect their current and changing needs. Staff ensure that they are regularly reviewed and updated. The staff team are particularly diligent in chasing any missing documentation from placing authorities and ensuring that this is evidenced on young people's records. Key work sessions undertaken with young people ensure that specific issues are addressed and assist them greatly in making progress. Such direct work includes focusing on keeping safe, racist and bullying behaviours and health care.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff have consistently high aspirations for all young people in this home. They ensure that they have access to independent advocates, who visit the home and attend meetings with them. One member of staff stated; 'we have the same aspirations for the young people as we would for our own children, we want them to do the very best they can here'.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff work tirelessly to ensure that the educational needs are met for all young people. One placing social worker praised the staff for such work. They said; 'The work the staff have done to support this young person with their education has been fantastic. They have fought to make sure her needs are met. A fantastic team and we will definitely be looking to use this home again'.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff know the young people's needs extremely well and use imaginative practices to ensure that they develop and grow in confidence. They have enabled young people to have holidays, focusing on their individual likes and take photographs and display these throughout the home. Young people gain in confidence through their engagement with local clubs and groups. Staff source such activities and celebrate the successes of all young people. Some young people have won awards for their achievements and take great pride in this. One young person stated in a letter to the manager; ' thank you for helping me to achieve the award and for believing in me. Some of the last year has been the best times of my life. You guys are amazing, you all care and love us like we are family to you'.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff work extremely closely and positively with other agencies and professionals. One police community support officer stated;' this is the best home I work with by a mile'. They praised the staff team for asking them to come and speak with young people and for helping to dispel some negative images young people previously held about the police. Education providers also enjoy very positive relationships with the staff team. Staff call to discuss any issues of concern about young people with them. 8 of 11 One education provider works closely with the staff and visits the home to support one young person's attendance and engagement on a regular basis. Young people have independent advocates. Two advocates both praised the staff team for their excellent communication skills and in ensuring that young people's views are always at the forefront of their practice. This caring approach has led to young people

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Quality of care outstanding

increasing significantly in confidence and a sense of worth.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Young people report feeling very safe living in this home and believe that the staff keep them safe at all times. They feel they can speak with any member of the staff team about any concerns or issues they may have. They also receive regular support and visits from independent advocates. This further enhances their sense of safety and trust.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Young people benefit from clear and robust risk assessments; which are regularly reviewed and updated. Staff support young people to take age-appropriate risks, as part of their preparation for moving to independence. Staff devise and implement very specific and detailed behaviour and risk management strategies for young people. These contain detailed information on the potential triggers for young people to go missing or display other concerning behaviours. Staff fully understand the needs of the young people and know how to respond to them. Young people assist the staff to complete their risk management plans. They work with staff to understand what their risk factors are, risky behaviours and strategies to manage them. Such full engagement and participation in devising the plans has led to a significant reduction in missing episodes for young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Staff work very closely with placing authorities and police in relation to missing incidents. Two placing authorities spoken with during the inspection praised the staff team for their excellent communication skills. There are very few incidents of young people going missing or being absent from this home. One placing authority reported that when a young person did go missing; 'the staff could not have done more to try and locate the young person and followed all procedures'.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

There is minimum use of physical restraint in this home. Records clearly reflect the antecedents, actions taken and always include a debrief with the young person involved. Young people report feeling that any use of restraint is proportionate and reasonable. They state that they are always offered the opportunity to receive medical attention and to speak with an independent person. Young people feel that the use of restraint is rare, as they can manage their own negative emotions through other means, due to the support and de-escalation strategies used by the staff. The Registered Manager reads and considers all use of physical restraint and comments on its appropriateness and effectiveness as part of her monitoring of the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Any incidents of bullying are dealt with in a very clear and consistent manner. All 9 of 11 young people read and sign a bullying contract on admission to the home. They are also provided with the home's anti-bullying policy and procedure. Very few incidents occur, as young people understand the zero tolerance of the staff team to such behaviours. Where there have been concerns, the staff have asked that the local police community support officer meet with the young person. This has proved to be very beneficial and adds to the excellent direct work done with young people by their key workers.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The recruitment and selection of staff in this home is robust and prevents unsuitable people from being able to work with vulnerable young people. Regular checks and updates are sought by the Registered Manager, to ensure staff remain suitable to perform their roles. Any allegations or suspicions of harm have been dealt with very competently and effectively. Staff report confidence in how any allegations are dealt with by the Registered Manager. They display a very detailed knowledge and awareness of what the procedures are and the role of the local authority designated officer (LADO).

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Leadership and management outstanding

The Registered Manager has been in post for over a year. She has the qualifications, skills and experience necessary to perform the role. The Registered Manager sets very high expectations and standards for all staff and continually strives to improve the services provided. One member of staff stated how motivational the manager is for the entire staff team. Another member of staff noted the significant improvements made since the manager came into post last year. This view is also supported by the local police, who commented on the significant improvements for young people and in working relationships with other agencies.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The staff team respond very promptly and proactively to any concerns or complaints raised by young people. Young people report total confidence in being able to formally raise any concerns or issues they may have. Staff support them to express their concerns and ensure that the issues are investigated and responded to within a set timescale. Young people report feeling very satisfied with how staff and the manager respond to their complaints. They receive written responses and also provide feedback on how their complaint was handled by the staff team. This ensures that all young people feel confident and able to raise any issues of concern they may have at any time.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The Registered Manager has a robust and clear development plan in place for the home. This is supported with pictorial evidence of how improvements have been made to the home. Young people fully contribute to the décor and furnishings for the home. They have recently chosen and assisted staff in wallpapering the hallway, with paper they chose. This reflects the staff team's total commitment to ensuring that young people significantly influence how the home is run. 10 of 11 The Statement of Purpose for the home is clear and detailed. It sets out the aims and objectives for the service and is understand by both young people and placing authorities. The staff team have also produced a child-friendly version of the Statement of Purpose for young people, as well as a parent's guide to the services provided. This attention to detail enables young people, their parents and carers to fully understand the ethos and aims of the home.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The Registered Manager ensures that all looked after review meetings take place within the required timescales. She very diligently monitors and chases any outstanding minutes from such meetings. The staff team also take their own very comprehensive notes during all meetings and reviews. These are typed and placed on the young person's file. Such imaginative and proactive methods enable staff to continue to meet the needs of young people, pending receipt of formal minutes. The Registered Manager diligently ensures that emails and correspondence are placed on young people's files, as evidence of the actions she and the staff team have taken to secure key documentation.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home is visited by an independent person each month. They consider all aspects of the care and support provided to young people and produce a report for each visit. The visitor routinely tries to engage young people during their visits, as well as making contact with placing authorities and parents/carers. The Registered Manager considers any recommendations made from those visits and ensures that prompt action is taken to address and meet recommendations. The Registered Manager ensures that all staff can demonstrate the positive impact that the care they provide has had for young people.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The home is decorated and furnished to a very high standard. Young people have been able to choose their own wallpaper and paint colours for their bedrooms. They also contribute to the décor of communal areas of the home and assist staff to make it a very homely and welcoming environment.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The staff team report exceptionally high levels of satisfaction in the quality of supervision and training they receive. The display exceptional skills in being able to work with young people and meet their holistic needs at all times. They feel very well supported by the Registered Manager. One member of staff stated; 'I love my job, we are like a family and I really look forward to coming in every day and being with the young people'.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The entire staff team work very closely and proactively with a range of agencies and professionals to meet young people's needs. One placing social worker stated; ' the staff at this home are one of the best teams I have had the pleasure of working with. They are very down to earth, but also very professional and always have the best interests of the young person in view'. 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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