Children's Home run by Friends Therapeutic Community Trust in Cambridgeshire

Unique reference number SC025733 Inspector Louisa Bayley Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Peter David Clarke Date of last inspection 28/10/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 10/03/2015

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Previous inspection outstanding Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

In the time since the full inspection, managers and staff have continued to develop and progress the care and practices in the home. This contributes to on-going improvement in this outstanding provision. A parent said: ‘Everything is outstanding there.’ Another said: ‘Moving into care was a very traumatic time for us as a family but the staff have made it the best it could be.’

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This inspection

There were no requirements or recommendations raised at the full inspection and no shortfalls identified during this visit.

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This inspection

Parents are effusive about the care provided. All young people experience a high level of nurture and care; they know that staff hold them in high regard and are committed to meeting their needs. One parent said: ‘My son has developed confidence; he has become more settled and developed his own personality and identity.’ Another said: ‘My son has made amazing progress. It has been excellent.’

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This inspection

The feedback from parents, staff and young people evidences the positive impact living in the home has. Progress is evident in individual engagement with therapy, taking on roles of responsibility within the therapeutic community, independence skills, education, social interactions and reducing negative behaviours.

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This inspection

The senior management team have effective systems in place to monitor all aspects of the provision and practice in the home. Individual staff take ownership of specific areas of responsibility, contributing to high standards of practice, performance and care.

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This inspection

Managers are involved on steering groups and research projects, which places them well to share good practice and network with external experts and professionals. This is beneficial to the on-going development of professional and technical 3 of 5 knowledge that underpins good practice.

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This inspection

Staff have warm, affectionate and genuine relationships with young people. This provides firm foundations for young people to progress in all areas of their development. Staff talk knowledgeably about the young people. They speak with fond affection for those who have moved on and give insight into how those young people continue to be supported.

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This inspection

One parent talked about the positive outreach programme that will be offered when her son leaves the home. This level of support reduces anxiety for parents and gives young people significantly increased chances of successful transitions to independence.

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This inspection

Young people talk fondly about the staff. They develop secure attachments, enjoy spending time with staff and feel they are treated respectfully.

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This inspection

This has been a settled period. There has been one restraint, no complaints, no incidents of missing and no significant incidents to report. This demonstrates the strengths of positive relationships, clear boundaries and expectations.

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This inspection

Positive partnership working with external professionals is a key strength. Well- established networks enable young people to access a range of services outside of the home. Multi-agency meetings, that include young people, support transparent care planning and ensure young people have their say. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

The service is run by a charitable community trust and provides a therapeutic programme and treatment for up to 17 young men with emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The service caters for a specific range of needs and ages as detailed in the Statement of Purpose.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a semi-independent bungalow on the premises. The wide range of facilities includes on-site education and vocational workshops to support accredited work- based learning courses.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/10/2014 Full outstanding 17/02/2014 Interim good progress 09/10/2013 Full good 26/02/2013 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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