Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC456347 Inspector Catherine Honey Type of inspection Interim 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 Kirsty Hunt Date of last inspection 19/06/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 05/02/2015

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

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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This inspection

The home has declined in effectiveness as not all young people feel safe living in the home and outcomes for some young people have been impacted upon by other young people's poor behaviour. Poor management of negative behaviour led to a rise in missing from home events, substance use and criminal activity. More recently, poor placement matching has led to a rise in bullying behaviour within the home. Efforts to stop bullying behaviour are ineffective, resulting in some young people living in an environment of intimidation. In addition, maintenance issues within the home and outdoor environment have not been acted on promptly which could present as a risk to young people and staff.

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This inspection

At the last inspection, two requirements were made. Both are met. One requirement related to ensuring staff and young people were kept safe during family contact. A clear risk assessment and plan is now in place which promotes increased safety for young people and staff. All notifications of significant events are now received by Ofsted, ensuring the regulator has a appropriate overview of the functioning of the home.

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This inspection

A recommendation was made to improve the garden area in the last inspection, which in parts is unsightly, and could pose a health and safety risk to staff and young people. Although plans are now in place to make improvements, these were only agreed a few days before the inspection, demonstrating that the Registered provider has not acted promptly. As a result the recommendation made at the last inspection is raised to a requirement. In addition, windows in the home were damaged several months ago by a young person trying to gain entry to the home. To ensure the home is safe from unauthorised entry, the windows are nailed shut meaning they cannot be opened. A maintenance plan is now in place to fix the damaged windows, however this has taken several months meaning young people 3 of 6 and staff have not been able to open windows in communal areas of the home.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, there was a rise in missing from home for all young people. Although rates of missing from home events are now decreasing, at the time they were at their peak young people also became involved in criminal activity. This demonstrates poor outcomes for young people. More recently, bullying incidents have risen with particular young people being targeted by others living in the home. As well as physical and verbal confrontations, young people have used social media to intimidate peers. Staff support victims of bullying sensitively and reiterate to all young people that bullying is unacceptable, however strategies to reduce bullying have been ineffective as bullying has continued despite a young person complaining they felt unsafe.

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This inspection

There have been some staffing changes since the last inspection; some staff have transferred to the home from other homes within the company. Currently there is no record of the recruitment and vetting checks for these members of staff held at the home. It is important a copy of these checks are available so the manager can ensure young people are cared for by suitable people.

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This inspection

Despite the shortfalls identified, most young people are making positive progress in relation to their starting points. Most young people are engaged in education, attend well and are making positive academic progress. Some young people are preparing for transition to independence. They are realistically considering their future options, including employment. A social worker stated, 'My young person has flourished while living at the home.' Other young people have changed schools recently and are eager and enthusiastic to attend their new provision. Staff and young people have positive relationships most of the time. Young people enjoy the company of staff and spending time with them, demonstrating spontaneous hugs towards favoured staff members.

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This inspection

Relationships with stakeholders such as the local police have improved. Social workers confirmed that communication is frequent; the looked after child nurse visits the home regularly as well as youth offending services. The police missing persons' coordinator confirms the home are in frequent communication during periods of young people being missing and follow the appropriate missing from home protocols. Good quality relationships with external stakeholders helps ensure young people receive holistic care and support. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The home is managed by a large, private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties or learning disability.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/06/2014 Full adequate 11/12/2013 Interim inadequate progress

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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 that the children’s home is conducted so as to promote and make proper provision for the safeguarding and welfare of children accommodated there (Regulation 11 (1) (a)) 21/02/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the home to which children have access are so far as reasonably practicable free from hazards to their health or safety. This relates specifically to the garden (Regulation 23 (a)) 21/02/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children’s home used by children are of sound construction and kept in good structural repair externally and internally; and are reasonably maintained. (Regulation 31 (2) (d,e)) 21/02/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): 5 of 6  ensure the children’s home has a record of the recruitment and vetting checks which have been carried out on those working for the children’s home. (NMS 16.3) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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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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