Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Warrington

Unique reference number SC456800 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 Natalie Anne Yates / POST VACANT Date of last inspection 19/11/2014 2 of 7 Inspection date 26/02/2015

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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

The Registered Manager left in November 2014. Ofsted were informed promptly along with the interim arrangements for managing the home. An acting manager has been in place since this time and Ofsted is currently processing her application for the registration. She has the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 3 and is currently concluding the level 5 qualification in leadership and management. In addition to this, she has a degree in psychology and is completing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). She has several years’ experience of working with young people with behavioural difficulties as part of a clinical assessment team and as a deputy manager within a children’s home. She has also applied to manage another two homes within the company that are in close proximity to this home. There is a suitably qualified and highly experienced deputy manager who deputises in her absence. Young people say the acting manager is

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This inspection

excellent, approachable and fair. They said what they really like is that she spends time with them. Staff reflect these comments and feel that the team has grown because they are well supported and listen to.

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This inspection

Young people have been at this home for a significant period of time. There has been an unsettled period due to firm boundaries being introduced in preparation for transition to post 16 provisions. For example, independence money is now appropriate to what young people would receive when in the community. This has also included approaches to earning additional monies and not watching television when not in school. Young people have been able to reflect on this period and say that these are good things. One young person said, ‘I feel better that I have to earn money and my independence money is more realistic and I will be able to manage when I move into my flat.’ As a result, young people understand the reason for changes and are now accepting the boundaries in place while continuing to make good progress. 3 of 7 Placement plans, care plans and health plans have now been updated. This ensures that young people and staff are clear about any arrangements for their care. Young

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This inspection

people said that they are fully involved in these plans and could influence changes when needed. For example, one young person said that they now make their own appointments with health services and take responsibility for taking their own medication. This shows young people are well supported with their plans for preparing for independent living.

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This inspection

One young person is preparing for independence. She said, ‘I am a good cook. I have also made a book with all the address and telephone numbers of services I may need. I wash, iron and clean. I do my own shopping and I have been saving for a deposit on a flat and things I might need.’ She is confident that the skills she has learnt at this home will prepare her for living on her own.

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This inspection

Young people say that they have made good relationships with staff and enjoy being with them. They said that staff listen to them, have fun and they try to make things happen. However, one young person said, ‘I don’t make any complaints because it is not worth it. You only get the answer that they want and I feel that my issues are just swept under the carpet.’ The acting manager has discussed all the concerns through key worker sessions and has come to some mutual agreements with her but has not addressed these formally through the complaints system. Therefore, young people do not know all the action taken or have a formal outcome to their concerns. This does not show that young people’s views, wishes and feelings are fully acted upon. In contrast to this, one young person said, ‘I had an issue with a member of staff and we did a mediation session. This was really good as we both were able to get are points of view across and we now have a better relationship with each

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This inspection

When young people place themselves at risk of significant harm, staff work closely with external agencies to recognise and devise strategies. The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) says that this home robustly shares all concerns with them. The Staff continually explore unsafe behaviours with young people and ensure that they have all the information available to them to keep themselves safe. This helps ensure young people are protected and assisted to understand why adults are concerned about them. Young people are supported to take reasonable risks to promote their natural growth, development and maturity. Staff actively promote the welfare of young people living in the home. Staff demonstrate that they understand their role and responsibilities in protecting, recording and following policies and procedures in all safeguarding issues. As a result, young people have been confident in being able to raise historical concerns and any safeguarding issue within the

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This inspection

home. Due to these good procedures all young people said that they were very safe at this home.

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This inspection

Young people have not been reported missing from the home and they have not been physically held. Young people say there are really good incentive schemes in 4 of 7 place and they are rewarded for good behaviour. One young person has just received a bean bag for her room for cooking tea and another went to Blackpool for a reward. Therefore, young people say that their behaviour has improved and sanctions are minimal but fair when given.

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This inspection

Young people attend college or mainstream school. Their attendance dipped for a short while but due to the focus on acknowledging positive behaviour through good incentives and the good relationships with educational providers, they are now improving. At the last inspection the home was asked to ensure that young people's learning is promoted and supports their development. This was in relation to updating their education plan. They have not been updated. The information provided is brief with lots of boxes not filled in. In addition to this, the acting manager has not robustly followed up outstanding personal education plans (PEP’s) which were completed several months ago. This does not ensure that staff have the most up-to-date information to be able to help young people with their education.

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This inspection

Young people say that they like their home, that there is lots of space and they are able to decorate their rooms and are consulted on the overall decoration of their home. One young person is extremely artistic and their art work is displayed throughout the home. In addition to this, all young people have photographs of themselves and their family in the living room. This enhances the homely environment. However, young people raised issues around the kitchen cupboards and the dryer being broken. One young person said, ‘It is not nice to see wet washing all over the radiators in the front room and it stops the heat getting out.’ The acting manager says that these things have been reported several times but is awaiting a date for them to be repaired. This means that young people do not live in a well maintained home.

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This inspection

Records kept in the home are mostly of a good quality and reflect the care given to young people. However, staff report that the electronic recording system within the home 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, being reproduced.

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This inspection

There are good systems to monitor the quality of care in the home. The Registered Manager uses this information effectively to improve systems and outcomes for young people. The actions from these reports are used to develop the home and the home’s development plan reflects this. The home’ location risk assessment shows they understand the immediate risks and local risks within the community. This informs their practice, in regards to admissions to the home or on safe locations for activities for young people. 5 of 7

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a national provider. It provides care and accommodation for up to two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is also registered as a school.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/11/2014 Full good 21/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 16/05/2013 Full good

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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 educational achievement of children accommodated in a children's home is promoted. This is specifically in relation to updating the educational plans (Regulation 18 (1)) 31/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a written record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of the investigation. This is specifically in relation to responding to verbal concerns in a formal manner. (Regulation 24 (5)) 31/03/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that information held electronically is capable of being reproduced 6 of 7 (NMS 22.1)  ensure that young people's views, wishes and feelings are acted upon (NMS 1.1)  ensure that staff have up-to-date information about each child's educational progress. This is specifically in relation to having the young person's PEP in place (NMS 8.7)  ensure that the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained. This is specifically in relation to repairing or replacement of kitchen cupboards and the dryer (NMS 10.3) 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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