Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

Unique reference number SC457183 Inspector Pamela Nuckley 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 Michael Ore Registered manager Sonia Ann Bennett Date of last inspection 19/08/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 16/02/2015

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

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

There have been a number of new young people coming to live in the home since the last full inspection. Good impact risk assessments show that young people’s individual needs are assessed and the manager has made sound decisions on the information provided. However, some placements have not been successful because the placing authority has not supplied sufficient or relevant information. This has brought about changes in the company’s referral process. For example, a form is sent to social workers prior to admission which asks specific questions around possible child sexual exploitation (CSE) concerns. This means that the manager can make an informed decision on whether the home can meet the individual needs of young people. In addition to this, safeguarding professionals say that the home works really well with them. They say the home is proactive in discussing concerns with them, in raising strategy meetings and keeping them up to date with outcomes

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This inspection

for young people. Therefore, they have good relationships with the home and appropriate action is taken when young people are identified as at risk.

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This inspection

Good arrangements are in place to assess individual needs of young people prior to placement. The manager works in partnership with social workers and others to ensure the placement can meet their needs. They listen carefully to young people’s views. One young person said,’ I wanted to come back here. Staff are great and I was doing well in college. I had also made lots of friends in the area.’ This also allows young people to develop and maintain relationships.

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This inspection

In a very short time, the home has ensured that the young person’s education is prioritised so they will be in place after the half term. The young person said, ‘I want to complete my college course in construction, so I will be able to get a job in the future.’ As a result, young people’s education is not disrupted for long periods and they have ambitions for their future. 3 of 5 Young people’s health is well managed. The manager provides staff with information in regards to specific conditions young people may require assistance with and makes good use of other professionals such as the looked after children (LAC) nurse as a source of advice and guidance. This means that staff are aware of individual issues and will be able to alert medical professionals if necessary. At the last inspection the home was asked to ensure that young people’s emotional health was addressed within their health plan. Young people are not currently receiving

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This inspection

additional support for their mental health but the company’s clinical psychologist will be assessing the young person psychological health. Therefore, this recommendation has been repeated.

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This inspection

Young people’s records are improving. They now provide a better understanding of young people’s background, placement plan and individual needs and how they are to be met. The manager monitors all records within the home on a monthly basis but has not effectively challenged or evaluated the content of some records. For example, several records have the word ‘aggressive’ within them without stating what the actual behaviour was. Furthermore, some mistakes have been scribbled out. This does not aid clarity in recording or an understanding of what behaviour prompted the issue in the first place. In addition to this, staff who have not been present at staff meetings have not signed the record to indicate they have read and are aware of updates or changes. This has impacted on knowing when additional information has been reviewed. For example, a request to read and sign the home’s risk assessment has not been completed by all staff. As a result, not all staff are

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This inspection

aware of the changes. Consequently, two previous recommendations have been repeated.

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This inspection

Significant incidents are reported to the appropriate professionals. But some notifications have lacked information, sufficient detail or a record of actions taken by the home. This means that Ofsted were unable to monitor and fully assess that the appropriate actions had been taken. Further to this, staff report that the electronic recording system is ineffective because they are periodically unable to access the internet, send or receive e-mails or print information. They say this has been a long standing issue and although the company has assessed the systems, there has been no improvement. This does not ensure that staff are able to work effectively and may impact on the electronic records kept by the home. 4 of 5

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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

19/08/2014 Full good 18/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 02/10/2013 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 that records are clear and up to date. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that the minutes from staff meetings are read and signed (NMS 22)  ensure that entries in records are legible (NMS 22.4)  ensure that information held electronically is capable of being reproduced (NMS 22.1)  ensure that young people's emotional health needs are promoted (NMS 6.1)  ensure that the manager regularly monitors all the records in the home (NMS 21.2)  ensure that all significant events relating to the protection of children accommodated in the home are notified to the appropriate authorities. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that the information supplied is robust. (NMS 24) 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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