Children's Home run by 4d Care Ltd in Cambridgeshire

Unique reference number SC064557 Inspector Tracy Murty Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person 4D Care Limited Registered person address 8a New Road Mepal ELY Cambridgeshire CB6 2AP Responsible individual Michael Alan Coles Registered manager Andrew Mervyn Bradley Date of last inspection 11/11/2014 2 of 7 Inspection date 26/02/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection None

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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

At the last full inspection of this home in November 2014, one requirement and four recommendations were made.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager has devised and implemented a new register, containing all required information on young people placed at the home. Environmental risk assessments for all areas of the home have now been reviewed and updated. There is now better evidence of action taken by managers, in response to any recommendations made by the independent visitor each month. Significant work has been done to improve the recording of any incidents of bullying and work undertaken with all parties involved. The Registered Manager has failed to ensure that a clear and comprehensive summary of any allegations made against staff has been recorded on staff files. There have been no reported allegations since 2014, but the recording of previous ones does not reflect the actions taken by the Registered Manager. There has been no significant impact on young people as a result of this shortfall, but a requirement has been raised.

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This inspection

Young people continue to achieve well in their placements in this home. Educational attendance and engagement is very good. Some young people attend local colleges or have accepted places for local colleges for this year. Staff and managers work closely and very positively with placing authorities and other agencies to secure smooth and positive transitions for some young people to independence. This includes the provision of outreach services for some young people, once they move to their own accommodation. This reflects the commitment of staff and in young people expressing their desire to remain in the local area and maintain friendships and educational placements once they leave care.

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This inspection

Young people have a wide range of fun and stimulating social activities provided to them throughout the year by the staff team. As well as taking part in local clubs and 3 of 7 activities, staff are planning for holidays abroad this year and supporting young people to take part in a physical activity week in this country. Young people express great pleasure and happiness in the activities they are offered and take part in. The home and on-site educational provision also uses a reward system for young people. This enables them to earn points each week towards paid activities. Young people respond very well to this incentive scheme, with noticeable improvements in their engagement and achievements within education as a result of this.

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This inspection

Young people have all of their health needs well met in this home. A particular strength of the home relates to its commitment to ensuring that all young people have access to specialist therapeutic services and support in a timely manner. Regular meetings take place to discuss and consider the complex emotional and psychological health needs of young people with staff, managers and a psychologist. This leads to clear plans for young people and an increase in their emotional wellbeing over time.

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This inspection

There has been one complaint reported since 2013. The Registered Manager has clear systems in place to respond to any concerns and has ensured that young people receive detailed letters as to what action has been taken and the outcomes. There have been no reported notifications of relevant incidents for this home since the last inspection. Staff display confidence and high levels of competence in being able to support young people and manage any incidents. Over time, this has led to a reduction in concerning behaviours for some young people. There have been no new admissions or discharges of young people from this home since the last inspection. This reflects the positive placement stability and positive outcomes being achieved by the staff team for young people placed here.

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This inspection

Records clearly reflect the work done to support young people in all aspects of their lives. The staff team have worked particularly closely with placing authorities to support and promote contact for young people with family members. This has led to a significant increase in contact for some young people since the last inspection. Staff provide practical support to facilitate contact across the country for young people with their families. This increases the young peoples' sense of belonging and self-worth.

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This inspection

Not all young people have an up-to-date local authority care plan on their files. The staff team produce their own internal care plans, which are detailed and comprehensive. The local authority care plans for some young people do not reflect their current placements or contact arrangements and have not been updated as a result of the looked after review processes. This has not had an adverse impact on the care provided to the young people.

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This inspection

Managers monitor the care and services provided to young people on a regular basis and ensure that reports are sent in to Ofsted in a timely manner for consideration. Careful monitoring of all aspects of the care provided is undertaken by managers to ensure that the holistic needs of young people are met. Incidents of restraint are 4 of 7 well recorded, with young people being offered medical attention following any use of restraint and their views clearly recorded. There is also positive evidence of staff debriefs, following the use of restraint. This further supports both young people and staff to understand why restraints have been used and the effectiveness of them.

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This inspection

Young people report feeling safe and well cared for by the staff team in this home. They feel able to discuss any issues or concerns with staff and have access to other agencies and professionals to talk with as well. The children's guide for the home contains clear and detailed information for young people, including details of how they can make a complaint and who they can contact. Regular and close communication with placing authorities, parents and carers is also evident and further supports young people. 5 of 7

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It is registered to look after a maximum of six young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Education facilities are provided on-site by the organisation for some young people.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/11/2014 Full good 06/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 11/09/2013 Full good 08/01/2013 Interim inadequate progress

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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 written records are kept of any allegation of abuse and of the action taken. This is with specific reference to any allegations made about persons working in the home. (Regulation 16(2)(d)) 10/04/2015

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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 the home contacts placing authorities to request updated care plans for all young people placed at the home. (NMS 25.5) 6 of 7 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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