Children's Home, Residential special school run by Cambian Whinfell School Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceeds the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Leaders and managers work collectively together to ensure young people receive an outstanding level of care. They have the will, drive and energy to regularly evaluate practice and implement change.  Shortfalls are quickly identified and addressed through the rigorous and methodical monitoring of the home, which takes place with consistency.  Expectations of staff performance are high and there is an energetic programme of supervision, appraisal and training which provide staff with the skills and knowledge to meet the complex needs of the young people they care for.  Managers work collaboratively with external agencies and where necessary, advocate strongly on young people’s behalf to ensure they receive the best possible multi-agency input.  Managers are inspirational in ensuring all staff share the same high aspirations for young people, with disability not recognised as a barrier to them experiencing a full, enriching lifestyle.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Safeguarding is given the highest priority to ensure vulnerable young people are protected both within and when away from the home.  Staff create a warm, non-punitive and non-judgemental environment that provides young people with structure they are comfortable with, but leaves enough room for them to grow and explore the world so they can create their own identity.  Risky and challenging behaviours significantly reduce as young people settle into their placement. For example, serious behaviour management episodes and young people going missing are extremely rare  The ethos, culture and working practice of the home, promote, encourage and provide opportunities for young people to develop new skills, as they journey towards greater independence. They make significant progress in all areas of their lives, which is recognised and appreciated by young people’s parents and other professional partners working with them.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people live in an inclusive environment where regular consultation, based on the outstanding relationships developed with staff, allows them to express opinions, make choices and take a meaningful and active role in the way the home operates.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home provides care, accommodation and education on site for a maximum of 14 young males with a learning disability, including complex needs and autistic spectrum disorders.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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outstanding

The quality of individualised care provided to young people is outstanding. From rigorous placement criteria to ensure compatibility, through to becoming more independent, young people thrive in an environment that is non-judgemental and committed to meeting their needs. They benefit from having a staff group that has the experience, commitment, skills and abilities which assist and encourage them in their journey through the home and into adulthood.

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outstanding

This is recognised by the young people themselves. For example one spoken with says; ` I like being here now, I think it is really helping me.’ Another takes this further by saying; `I would not be where I am now if I had not come here. Being here has helped me get my life back.’ One young person spoke for many by saying; `This place has calmed me down so I can think and plan for my future better.’ A particular strength is with the way staff work in partnership with parents, which aids the progress made by young people. Parents recognise the positive changes in their child and are happy to reflect on this to inspectors. For example; `His personal hygiene and diet has improved greatly. Staff are very caring with him. They understand his complexities.’ Another says; `He has blossomed during his time at the home. They have helped him to become the man he wants to be.’ One parent concluded; `He is now highly motivated in all aspects of his life. He has

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outstanding

developed his social skills and is fully engaged with his education.’ The relationships created between young people and the staff group are outstanding. Staff work with a team centred approach, providing a consistency of care which overlaps with the school. As a result, young people form strong attachments with staff which creates trust and respect. As one parent noted in her discussion with an inspector; `staff work as a team. There is a real consistency between care and education.’ The strength of the relationships and trust created between staff and young people form the foundation on which the home functions. For example, behaviour management is well managed through the use of relationships, along with the understanding staff have in regard to the individual needs of young people. As a result, serious behaviour management incidents such as physical intervention and young people running away are rare occurrences and do not feature as part of

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outstanding

daily life within the home. Based on their starting points, young people make outstanding progress as they journey through the home. Case management and planning are highly organised and implemented with individual needs identified. Close monitoring and regular review ensures plans and strategies are kept current to meet the ever changing needs of young people as they progress and mature. Parents support this view with one saying; `He has made remarkable progress since he came here. He had shut down completely and was incapable of walking down the street without having panic attacks. He has made remarkable progress as he is much more capable of doing things for himself. His independence has grown.’

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outstanding

Professionals from external agencies support the views of parents. For example, a social worker states; `He is making excellent progress in his residential placement’. Another says; `I feel the level of care he receives is excellent. He has a great relationship with staff and they describe him as a delightful lad to have around.’

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outstanding

The organisation and arrangements to promote young people’s health remain outstanding, with continued progress made since the previous inspection. For example, the home has improved the way it receives, records and disposes of its medication. This alongside the comprehensive and well established arrangements for daily health needs and the access the home has to more specialist input when required ensures that young people’s health needs are fully addressed.

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outstanding

Health promotion has strong links with the extensive activity programme which encourages young people towards a healthier lifestyle. For example, through activities, healthy eating, weight management, fitness and sexual health. This results in young people’s physical, emotional and psychological health needs being well met.

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outstanding

Young people confirm they are consulted regularly and can contribute positively to some aspects of daily life. For example, the current topic being considered following overtures from young people is an extension to the range of drinks they can access overnight.

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outstanding

The arrangements for independent advocacy are another area of improvement, with young people now due to have monthly access to a visiting advocate. This is an example of the homes ability and willingness to evaluate and improve on its existing practices, with the intention of improving outcomes for young people.

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outstanding

Young people benefit from living in an environment that is purposely of low stimulus to meet their needs. Single occupancy bedrooms are personalised to suite the taste of the occupant. Overall the quality of décor, furnishings, fixtures and equipment is high, which creates a homely environment where young people feel comfortable and relaxed.

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outstanding

Young people benefit from living in a warm, homely yet structured environment which provides them with positive experiences on a daily basis. Cohesive working practices between the different designations of staff allow for individualised, co- ordinated package of care and education to be implemented. Underpinning the high quality service provided is the strength of relationships created between young people and staff, which are based on building trust and common respect.

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outstanding

Young people state clearly that they feel safe in the home and are confident they live in a safe environment. Parents and other professionals who work with young people and their families share this view. For example, one parent says; ` I’ve seen a fantastic change in him. I have peace of mind that he is in a safe place.’

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outstanding

Safeguarding and keeping young people safe is an area prioritised by the home. Planning documents and individual assessments of risk take account of a young person’s vulnerability. The systems in place to protect them are excellent with all staff receiving initial safeguarding training that is updated annually, along with the homes policies and procedures. Excellent links are maintained with the external agencies charged with keeping young safe.

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outstanding

Although it is rare for young people to go missing, the systems in place to deal with an incident are fully understood by staff, who respond quickly when required. The home has an excellent record of changing absconding behaviour, a fact recognised by a social worker who wrote; ‘The biggest improvement has been that he has not tried to run away or refuse to return (this was a huge issue before he went to this home) and he is able to manage his emotions and feelings resulting in his behaviour no longer being challenging.’

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outstanding

Steps to improve the system have been taken recently following consultation with local Police. This has resulted in the creation of an information sheet for each young person. Along with a recent photograph they contain all the necessary information specified by the Police. They can be e-mailed to save time, which ensures the agreed protocols for dealing with vulnerable young people who go missing are implemented without delay. This is another example of the home looking to build on practice that had previously been judged as outstanding, with a view to improve the safety of young people.

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outstanding

Further, recent developments link to recruitment and clearance procedures. For example, young people are now actively involved in the selection process for new staff. In addition, the re-checking of longer serving staff every three years is now being implemented earlier than previously. This ensures new checks do not over- run the suggested timeframe. Both these developments add to the rigorous recruitment and clearance procedures already adopted by the home. They have the benefit of improving safety for young people, as well as giving them some ownership in how the home operates.

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outstanding

Behaviour management is handled well, with few incidents taking place that can be classed as serious. For example, incidents that have required physical intervention have reduced significantly since the previous inspection. Some months ago a decision was taken to change the behaviour management techniques in use. Following a full staff training programme, the new techniques adopted are now fully embedded into working practices.

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outstanding

Young people are living in a home where care and support override sanctions. The strong and trusting relationships built up between staff, young people and their families, allow young people to grow, develop and mature in a non-judgemental and non-threatening environment. As a result, they thrive as they grow and mature, allowing them to reach their full potential prior to entering adulthood.

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outstanding

The registered manager of the home, who is suitably qualified and experienced, forms part of a management team that shares the same aims and ethos. This allows them to work together co-operatively and cohesively. Managers are inspirational and have high aspirations for the young people in their care, along with high expectations of their staff regarding performance.

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outstanding

Feedback from the staff group shows they are proud to work in the home. They have confidence in the management team and are fully supportive of the ethos, culture and working practices built up over the years. For example, one staff member remarked to an inspector; `It’s a nice feeling coming into work. I gain new experiences every day.’

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outstanding

Staff retention is good and morale is high, with staff reporting they feel well supported. This is underpinned with a comprehensive programme of induction for new staff, which includes fortnightly supervision. For more established staff, the formal supervision programme is active and takes place with consistency, culminating with an annual appraisal. This helps staff to understand the impact they can have on young people, along with the emotional impact that caring for them can have. The high quality of the supervision and appraisal programmes, clarifies areas of responsibility and accountability for staff, as well as aiding the professional development.

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outstanding

A comprehensive training programme reflects the commitment to staff development by the management team. For example, staff are expected to update their core skills at regular intervals, an area that is closely monitored by managers. This ensures staff have and retain the skills which allows them to meet the complex and ever-changing needs of young people in their care.

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outstanding

A particular strength of the home is its ability to critically review its own practices and procedures with a view to continued development. The success of this is based on the efficient and rigorous internal and external monitoring of the home which is on-going. Managers are clear about the strengths of the home along with areas for development. Information picked up through monitoring is cascaded into a comprehensive development plan which is reviewed regularly to ensure that the exceptionally high standards are retained.

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outstanding

Following the previous inspection only one recommendation was made, which has now been fully addressed. As a result, improvements have been made with the consultation process that takes place between young people and their parents, with the independent person undertaking the external monthly monitoring of the home.

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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

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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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