Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The young person currently living in the home is safe because his previous risk-taking behaviour has significantly reduced and he are learning how to keep himself safe.  Prior to coming to live at the home the young person had been out of education for some time. He is now receiving educational support from visiting tutors, which is helping them to view their education in a more positive light. Despite this he is still refusing to participate in all his subjects.  Effective working relationships between the staff and other professionals ensure the young person receives the support he needs. Placing social workers are very positive about the quality of care provided.  The young person’s self-esteem and feelings of self-worth have increased because they take part in a range of activities they enjoy in the local community, including going to the local youth club and playing football. Staff are motivated and skilled to ensure the needs of the young person are

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The children's home provision is good because:

addressed. Relationships between the young person and staff are very positive.  The locality risk assessment his has not been updated to consider the needs of the young person currently living in the home.  The home is well maintained and decorated, but the young person has not personalised his bedroom to reflect his own style and choice. This will also give him a sense of belonging.

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the education standard the registered person must ensure that staff:

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Requirement Due date

2(a)(iii)understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers. Specifically that the young person is supported to participate in all his subjects. 31/07/2015

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home. (Regulation 46(1)) 31/07/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure children are given a choice and are supported about how their personal space is decorated (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 16 paragraph 3.19)

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for one child with emotional and or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a large national private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

12/09/2013 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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good

The young person benefits from a supportive and child-focused environment. Staff recognise that when a young person comes to live here they may have experienced environments where their needs have not consistently been met. They benefit from good supportive relationships where they are clearly valued. A young person who previously lived in the home wrote to staff saying: ‘I miss you and everything about you and I wish I had listened to you now.’ A placing authority wrote to the manager saying: ‘we would like to thank you for your flexibility and responsiveness in recent months…(the young person) has presented some challenges and your staff team have coped well and enabled(them) to have many happy times in the home.’ Staff care about the young people and strive for them to achieve good outcomes.

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good

The specialist help available is promoting young people’s psychological well- being. The in-house child and adolescent mental health team provide staff with regular consultation to support the young person’s emotional well-being. A member of staff said, ‘the team visit once a week, it helps us to gain a better understanding of the young person’s needs and behaviour.’ Staff promote young people’s health and welfare by providing good advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They make sure they have access to services they may need, such as providing them with the opportunity to engage in services that will help them to stop smoking. Staff have the skills and knowledge to be able to respond to the health needs of young people. For example, when the young person first arrived the staff took prompt action to ensure he received immediate medical attention for an infection. Staff are good advocates for young people’s education. One young person refused

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good

to engage in any education during his brief time at the home. However, the staff supported him to attend the local job centre and meet with a Connexions worker in order for him to identify what work he would be best suited to. The young person currently living in the home is engaging in some education, which is reasonable progress for him considering his starting point. However, he is not engaging in all his lessons This is because relationships with the young person and his tutors are still in their infancy. However they are using daily trackers to identify any patterns or trends in relation to his attendance and engagement. The staff and tutors are working closely together to promote his attendance full-time.

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good

A range of activities are provided to young people, which take into account their talents and interests. For example, the young person is attending the local youth club and has joined the football team. This has enabled him to make appropriate friendships with boys of a similar age who are positive role models. This is helping to promote his self-esteem and feelings of self-worth.

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good

Staff support young people to develop their independence skills dependent on their age and abilities. For example, staff commented that the previous young person had very good self-care skills, including cooking and washing his own clothes. He also enjoyed cooking for the staff most Friday evenings. This helps to develop confidence and competence in readiness for the transition to semi-independent living.

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good

A young person said y he feels safe and can talk to most staff should he feel worried or upset. High staffing levels promote his welfare and safety, although this can feel restrictive at times.. However, the staff balance this well to ensure his privacy is maintained. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of safeguarding procedures.. Following the interim inspection the staff had their safeguarding training updated, so that they are clear about how to respond to any incidents concerning the protection of children and young people.

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good

The staff understand the risks young people face. The good care and support they provide protects young people by reducing their involvement in criminality, drugs and going missing from the home. The young person previously living in the home was of an age where they exercised his own choice and independence. He did not always listen to the advice and support offered by those working with them. He was involved in a significant incident that placed him and two staff at risk, which resulted in the placement being ended. The staff’s clear and consistent boundaries are generally respected by individual young people. An independent reviewing officer commented that they observed staff deal with a young person’s challenging behaviour quickly and appropriately. Detailed risk management and behaviour support plans provide staff with suitable strategies to support the management of a young person’s behaviour. Staff use a

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good

restorative approach to enable the young person to reflect on his behaviour following an incident. This provides them with the opportunity to learn to self- regulate their emotions. Staff use praise and incentives to promote positive behaviour, and this reduces the need for sanctions. They have had their training in behaviour management updated since the last inspection They use effective behaviour strategies to ensure any incidents of challenging behaviour are kept to a minimum.

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good

Young people benefit from an environment that is safe, secure and protects them from the risk of harm. Staff undertake regular fire evacuations so that young people know how to leave the building safely in the event of a fire. The manager’s risk assessment of the locality of the home has not been reviewed to reflect the needs of the young person currently living here. At the time of the last inspection an investigation was being conducted into an allegation against a member of staff. This was fully investigated and the designated officer was satisfied that the outcome protected young people.

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good

The very experienced and highly competent Registered Manager has been in post for a number of years. She provides strong leadership and direction to the staff team. She is also registered to manage another home within the organisation; however, she manages to divide her time well between the two homes. There is a suitably qualified first line manager who deputises in her absence.

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good

Staff practice is supported by regular supervision, an annual appraisal and effective training which enables them to feel confident in meeting the needs of young people. One experienced member of staff said, ‘supervision is an opportunity to reflect on the young person’s progress…where they are up to…it’s an opportunity to identify any weaknesses and also to be praised. You can get things off your chest…air your opinions and bring about changes.′ Consequently, staff have a strong sense of purpose and are confident in their practice. Another staff member referred to the team as being a ‘strong unit′ where there is good communication between them. This ensures young people receive high quality care from a committed staff team. One member of staff said, ‘I love this job, it’s the best job in the world.’

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good

The provider and manager effectively monitor and review the quality of care. The views of young people, parents, and placing social workers are sought by the independent visitor in relation to the quality of the service. The manager also undertakes monthly audits to help assess the progress of young people and identify any areas of development. The manager has sufficiently addressed the two requirements made at the last inspection in relation …to the restraint records and safeguarding of young people.

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good

The Statement of Purpose accurately describes the service being provided. The manager and staff have a clear understanding of its aims and objectives and work to ensure that they sustain good practice. It is evident the manager understands what the strengths and weaknesses of the home are. The home’s development plan requires some revision because this currently refers to a young person who previously lived in the home. Partnership working with other agencies including the police, placing social workers and education is strong. A placing social worker and educational professional comment positively on the regular contact and appropriate sharing of information. The manager and staff have established effective links within the local community including the local neighbourhood police team. One social worker said, ‘what the home had to offer was a really good package…I received weekly reports and regular phone calls…they tried their very best with my

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good

young person.′ An independent reviewing officer commented, ‘it’s still early days but the multi-agency work is there…the messages from staff are consistent…he is getting the support and attention he needs.’

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good

Placement plans clearly outline the needs of the young person. They link effectively with the local authority care plans. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the young person’s specific needs and how these will be met. There is good evidence to show that when a young person struggled to settle, the manager took steps to review this with the placing authority. A social worker said, ‘staff built good relationships and did their best to engage and motivate him…they gave him the option to turn things around.′ Staff work together to address difficult and challenging situations so there is a consistent approach. A member of staff said, ‘there are six staff potentially telling him six different things, so we need to be consistent and give clear messages…checking things out with each other. This promotes consistency and safety.’ This ensures the young person benefits from stability and a shared approach.

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good

There is sufficient staff to meet the needs of the young person. All staff are suitably vetted with all but one new member of staff being suitably qualified. They are competent to deliver a high quality service to young people.

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good

The home is well maintained and decorated. When young people first move into the home, they are given a small budget to enable them to personalise their bedroom. This helps to promote their sense of belonging. However, despite living in the home for several weeks the staff have yet to support the young person to do this.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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