Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in North Yorkshire

Unique reference number SC457435 Inspector Jacqueline Malcolm 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 Lorna Ann Fearon Registered manager David Nicholas Wollaston Date of last inspection 05/02/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 19/11/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from the excellent quality of care which is competently delivered by the staff team. They settle into a caring and nurturing home where their needs and risks are well managed and monitored. This is irrespective of some young people’s significant challenges. Young people are receptive to the support provided, which helps them to engage with their plans and progress well from their starting points.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people benefit from high quality placement plans and robust risk assessments that reflect their needs and risky behaviours. Exceptionally effective working partnerships with placing authority social workers, schools and health providers gives young people consistency and continuity of care. This keeps young people safe. Young people say they feel safe and stakeholders raise no concerns about the safety of the current group of young people. Young people’s views are respected and listened to in relation to their care and in the general running of the home. This keeps young people firmly at the centre of childcare practice.

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Overall effectiveness

The Registered Manager is aspirational and he manages a motivated, child focussed staff team who share his vision to promote good outcomes. Management monitoring ensures that the strength of the service is further developed and weakness is addressed in the majority of instances. However, some regulation 33 reports contain 3 of 11 evidence of cutting and pasting, which undermines the integrity of the documents. This practice is unacceptable. A strong assurance has been given by management to address this issue to avoid further incidents.

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Overall effectiveness

There has been some success in recruiting new staff to the home. However, the core staff team lacks additional permanent staff to successfully meet the needs of the service without having to stretch the existing staff team. These shortfalls are subject to requirements to ensure they are fully addressed. One recommendation has been raised with respect to a recruitment issue. These shortfalls do not impact on the safety and welfare of the young people. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

The children's home is run by a private company which is a national provider of residential care and education for children. It is registered to care for up to two children or young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/02/2014 Interim good progress 28/08/2013 Full outstanding

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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.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure at all times, having regard to the size of the children’s home, the statement of purpose, and the number and needs of the children accommodated there; and the need to safeguard and promote the health and welfare of the children accommodated in the home, a sufficient number of suitably qualified, competent and experienced persons working at the children’s home (Regulation 25(1) (a)(b)) 27/02/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that the independent person’s report represents a true and accurate reflection on the findings of each visit to the home (Regulation 33(9)(a to e)) 27/02/2015

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Recommendations

5 of 11 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 that the registered person can demonstrate, including from written and electronic records, that it consistently follows good recruitment practices. All personnel responsible for recruitment and selection of staff are trained in, understand and operate these good practices (NMS 16.2) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people have settled into the daily life of the home and they make good progress in relation to their starting points. Both new and established young people are developing and sustaining good relationships with members of staff who prioritise their welfare and interests. This supports young people to feel safe and secure in the knowledge that they are in the company of caring and nurturing adults who are committed to them reaching their full potential. Young people’s sense of belonging, identity and self-esteem is strengthened by their appropriate contact with their families.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people’s health outcomes are significantly enhanced because they do not drink or take drugs. Their health care needs are identified and promptly addressed due to their good access to primary and specialist health care services as required. This promotes their physical, emotional and psychological health needs. Some young people thoroughly enjoy and engage in activities that increase their fitness levels. For example, walking, climbing, camping and doing outdoor pursuits. Other young people are receptive to exploring ways in which they can improve their fitness levels through healthy eating and exercise. This helps young people to make positive life style choices and achieve good and improved health outcomes overall.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people of school age enjoy excellent attendance and this contributes to their overall progress, particularly in relation to their improved behaviours in the school environment. Young people who are involved in work placements are enjoying the experience and attaining very useful practical skills and experience. This excellent level of engagement places young people in an advantageous position to improve their life chances. Young people who have reached school leaving age are conscientious in seeking employment opportunities. This has been through completing job applications, submitting curriculum vitae to secure employment, although their good efforts and motivation are yet to be realised.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people get involved in lots of activities that interest them, which improves their confidence levels and provide good out of school entertainment. Young people who are new to the home express a keen interest in getting involved and resume their talent for golf and other interests.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people show good potential to make a successful transition to adult life. Examples include going to the shops and preparing meals. Some young people occasionally cook meals for the house. Young people maintain their rooms and attend to their personal care needs. This enables them to develop skills that build their self- esteem and personal identity. 7 of 11

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people significantly benefit from the excellent quality of care that is delivered by the positive and committed staff team who place them at the centre of their practice. This aspirational, yet protective environment allows young people to evaluate their previous experiences and connect positively with approachable staff and their peer group. This is irrespective of the barriers leading them to becoming looked after. Staff speak about young people with warm regard and with good insight into each young person’s personality and traits. This shows they take an active interest in the young people and genuinely like and value them.

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Quality of care outstanding

High quality individual placements plans clearly and effectively outline young people’s care, support and safety needs. This includes young people’s needs arising from their personal identity. The plans are reviewed to reflect any significant changes. Staff have a coherent understanding of young people’s plans and ensure their full implementation in delivering a child focussed service. This promotes consistent practice that young people understand because it creates clear boundaries. In addition, regular staff consultation with the organisations psychologist supports the staff team to review current care strategies to ensure they continue to meet young people’s needs. Young people’s placement plans show the excellent, effective partnership relationships with external agencies, such as safeguarding, social care, health, education and the police. This promotes young people’s safety, welfare and future prospects by ensuring them prompt access to services, thus maintaining their

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people’s wishes and feelings are highly respected. Their views are listened to and acted on when this is safe and possible. For example, regular young people’s meetings are held, which enables young people to have their say about the running of the home. Individual key working sessions provide valuable time for young people to discuss a range of pertinent issues. Young people have attended their planning meetings and statutory reviews with staff support, which keeps them fully involved with their plans. These very good practices make young people feel listened to and involved in their lives. Young people know how to make a complaint. One complaint made by a young person was appropriately investigated and resolved. This shows young people that their complaints, irrespective of the outcome are listened to, taken seriously and acted on.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people benefit from living in a clean, well-maintained and comfortable home. They are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms to reflect their interests. Some young people choose not to decorate their rooms, but their possessions show their individual personalities and presence in the home. A new bathroom suite has been installed and new carpets have been laid. The kitchen has been painted and some drawers have been replaced. These improvements enhance the facilities available to young people. The home is situated close to the local busy town centre and coastal area. This provides an excellent range of fun activities and transport routes enabling young people to conduct their daily lives. 8 of 11

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are protected in a safe home environment that takes their safety and their potential for risky behaviours very seriously. This is reflected in the implementation of clear and robust risk management plans. In some cases, the risk assessments are agreed collaboratively with multi-agency contributions. This promotes and safeguards some young people’s potential for high risk and protects their significant vulnerabilities. Staff demonstrate a robust understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities to the young people and carry them out with confidence. This keeps young people safe. Young people confirm they feel safe. One young person said that they highly rated their safety as, ‘nine out of ten.’ Young people benefit from staff who discuss safety issues with them, such as internet safety, in age appropriate terms. The local police community officer is a regular visitor the home and the young people enjoy a good relationship with him. Their

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Keeping children and young people safe good

interventions provide young people with the positive face of the police, raising their awareness about social issues, such as legal highs. Although the current group of young people are not involved in this type of activity, their knowledge and understanding of staying safe issues is enhanced by these informal discussions.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Staff are aware about the procedures to follow in the event of a safeguarding concern. They also have a good understanding of dealing with incidents of bullying in all of its forms, such as cyber bullying and they talk to young people in order to counter this behaviour. Although the current group dynamics minimises opportunities for bullying to happen, the measures prioritise young people’s sense of safety and security in the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The number of missing from care events have significantly reduced. No young people are currently engaged in this behaviour. This was an issue previously for some young people who have since moved on from the home. In the event where a young person is missing from care, staff follow the missing from care procedures to prompt the safe and well return of young people to the home. A young person informed staff that they, ‘don’t go missing and not going to.’

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people understand the house rules and generally comply with them. Their individual behaviour management plans are consistently applied and these are reviewed to ensure they remain current. This ensures that young people and others remain safe. However, some young people’s challenging behaviours have caused sufficient concern to warrant them being moved away for their own safety. Other young people who on a referral order reap enjoyment from reparation work, which has turned a negative situation into a positive one. Staff training in behaviour management supports them to diffuse situations and help young people to reflect on their negative behaviour. This enables them to self-regulate and develop socially acceptable mannerisms. Positive rewards recognise young people’s good behaviour and physical interventions are minimal and have decreased. This is testament to the 9 of 11 positive relationships and good behaviour management systems in place.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Recruitment and vetting practices include the required checks to safeguard young people from contact with unsuitable people who may cause them harm. However, in one file, an undistinguishable photo of a newly appointed member of staff undermines otherwise good recruitment practice.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people live in a physically safe environment. This is achieved through regular checks and maintenance of the fire evacuation system and gas and electrical appliances. These safety measures keep everyone safe.

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Leadership and management adequate

Overall, the home is well managed by a manager who was registered with Ofsted in 2010. He is suitably qualified, skilled and experienced to manage this home and provides good leadership to the motivated and child focussed staff team. The Registered Manager is aware the homes strengths and most areas for weakness and has a fluid development plan in place. This demonstrates capacity for continued improvement. The Statement of Purpose is an informative document that demonstrates the services that young people can expect to receive. Information provided to young people helps them to understand how they will be cared for and how to make a complaint.

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Leadership and management adequate

Although young people benefit from a consistent core staff team, a staff shortage is threatening the capacity of this usually stable team. The Registered Manager is covering additional shifts which if sustained could undermine his management responsibilities. Staff recruitment, the secondment of staff from another children’s home owned by the provider and the use of casual staff is addressing this issue, but is slow to reach the desired outcome.

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Leadership and management adequate

The monitoring systems in place make a valuable contribution to measuring the positive impact of care practices in the home. Internal monitoring conducted by the Registered Manager shows a generally good overview of care practices in the home, with the exception of one aspect of recruitment. However, regulation 33 visits do not include consultation with parents, so it is unclear how the views of parents are confirmed to help the visitor form an opinion about young people’s care and welfare. It is of further concern that some monitoring reports conducted by the regulation 33 visitor show evidence of cutting and pasting of information from one report to the other. This questions the integrity of the documents and it undermines the importance of these visits to the lives of young people. Although there is no negative impact on young people’s outcomes, this is unacceptable practice.

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Leadership and management adequate

The majority of staff hold a level 3 qualification in an approved childcare qualification. Newly appointed staff are inducted into the home and are completing their pre- qualification training. Mandatory and tailored staff training, coupled with regular 10 of 11 supervision helps staff to reflect and develop their practice. Daily shift handovers and team meetings appraise staff on young people’s progress which promotes consistent practice. Staff say they enjoy working with the young people and feel well supported and guided. A member of staff said, ‘I love it!’ This good morale and level of commitment is shown through young people’s good progress.

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Leadership and management adequate

At the last inspection there was one recommendation made in relation to providing securely bound and numbered restraint and sanctions books. This has been resolved and now ensures good accountability of information.

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Leadership and management adequate

Young people’s files are clear, well organised and contribute to their development and progress. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management adequate

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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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