Children's Home run by Cumbria County Council in Cumberland

Unique reference number SC034083 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 Caroline Jane Reid Date of last inspection 30/09/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 12/02/2015

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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

The home was judged adequate at the last full inspection in August 2014. At that inspection one requirement was made. This related to care plans, in particular young people being involved in the developing of the plans. The home has addressed this by setting up a working group to develop a new care planning system that is in line with the new quality standards being implemented from April 2015. Young people are involved in the plan and each plan is individualised with specific targets that meet their needs. This ensures young people are aware of their plans and are fully involved in their care planning.

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This inspection

Young people benefit from living at this home. They make good progress emotionally, behaviourally and socially. In particular, they receive very good support in accessing and attending educational establishments. Attendance levels for the young people are good and improving. Young people are engaging more positively in education as a result of the overall education package and support they receive.

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This inspection

For those young people who have moved since the last inspection, transitions have been well thought through and planned. The Registered Manager has put in place a new admission and planning strategy to ensure that the standard of care can be delivered. This enables new young people to the home to settle in and make progress quickly.

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This inspection

Members of staff provide clear and consistent boundaries and routines, while being approachable and supportive. This helps young people to feel safe and to know they can speak to members of staff about their care. Young people are made aware of the home's boundary agreements. This allows young people to know what is expected of them. Incidents of young people going missing have significantly reduced. Staff are informed about the risks young people may take and have strategies in place to ensure they are kept as safe as possible when out in the 3 of 5 community. 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. The number of notifications relating to incidents is very low. Staff manage young people's behaviour effectively, to avoid physical intervention, and as a result there have been none recorded since the last

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This inspection

Monitoring of the home has improved and is of a good standard. The Registered Manager has clear processes and auditing tools in place to monitor the quality of care and professional practice the young people receive. Any identified areas that may need development are quickly implemented. She then reflects on their effectiveness and the impact they have on the young people. Examples of changes made include risk assessments and behaviour management strategies to meet the changing individual needs of the young people.

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This inspection

The interior of the home is very nicely furnished and comfortable. Young people are able to decorate and personalise their own rooms and this encourages them to invest in their personal areas. The outdoor space is well-kept.

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This inspection

The home continues to forge links with the local police, specialist agencies and charities in the local area and to encourage them to visit the home. Staff work well with others to support the progress of and improve the experiences of young people. 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

30/09/2014 Full adequate 20/08/2014 Full inadequate 19/02/2014 Full adequate 19/12/2013 Full inadequate 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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