Children's Home run by Cumbria County Council in Westmorland and Furness

Unique reference number SC061810 Inspector Elaine Clare Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Cumbria County Council Registered person address Organisational Development The Courts, English Street CARLISLE CA3 8NA Responsible individual Lynette Marjorie Burns Registered manager Hilary Southward Date of last inspection 24/06/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 09/02/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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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 improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

At the last inspection carried out in June 2014 the home had an overall judgement of adequate and seven recommendations were made. The provider has considered the recommendations made; young people are given further opportunities to improve on their independence skills including cooking for themselves and making their own way from collage. Young people going missing from the home have significantly reduced. When young people do go missing reports clearly identify the strategies being used to locate the individual. Young people are encouraged to self- medicate, where a risk assessment is in place. Admissions to the home follow a careful matching process to ensure that the placement can meet the needs of the young person being considered. Shortfalls in staffing and the supervision of the Registered Manager has been addressed.

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This inspection

Young people make good progress in numerous areas of their lives including engaging in education, life skills, accessing and enjoying work experiences. The overall package of care and education enable young people to move forward and focus on adult life post 18 years old. Young people embrace the opportunity to develop independent skills and support in becoming young adults. Professionals say they have no concerns about the provision and a parent stated `It's good they have not given into him.’ And on the staff the parent stated 'very pleasant' and 'easy going.'

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This inspection

Education attendance is excellent with young people moving on from mainstream school to local colleges which offer courses that provide skills for employment post 18 years of age. All young people are positive in accessing the courses and understand that qualifications and skills gained can greatly influence their future lives. Staff fully support all college placements and communicate extremely well with college tutors to ensure appropriate supervision is in place. 3 of 5 Staff provide clear and consistent boundaries and routines while being approachable and supportive. This enables young people to feel safe and to feel they can speak to members of staff about their care and worries, and to reflect of their pasts behaviours. Young people say they `talk to me and calm me down.’ Incidents of young people going missing have significantly reduced and are currently considered rare. Responses to any young person going missing are quick and robust with all

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This inspection

appropriate agencies notified. The local police stated 'there is a good working relationship.' Physical interventions are also rare and, if used, are correctly applied with very good records kept. Staff are extremely well informed of the risks young people may take when out in the community and have strategies in place to ensure they are kept as safe as possible and are properly supervised. Relationships with other professionals, including the missing person's co-ordinator for the police are excellent. The Registered Manager has developed excellent communication systems with all relevant agencies which in turn supports progress and improves experiences for the young people.

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This inspection

Managers and leaders continue to be effective in monitoring the quality of care and professional practice the young people receive; both are of a good standard. Staff have undertaken training in child sexual exploitation and e-safety. This ensures they have a good awareness and can pick up on and respond to changing or concerning behaviours. Where improvements are identified they are addressed across the whole organisation, such as implementing a new care planning system to meet the changing needs of young people

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This inspection

No requirements or recommendations have been made as a result of this inspection. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by the local authority and provides care and accommodation for up to six boys or girls. The home is registered to care for young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/06/2014 Full adequate 03/02/2014 Interim inadequate progress 18/10/2013 Full adequate 18/02/2013 Interim good progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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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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