Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Warrington

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:

 There is good introductory planning and careful consideration of young people’s needs and preferences. This means young people settle quickly into their new home.  A social worker said, ‘On the whole I am really impressed. The staff are professional yet warm and have excellent boundaries in place that she is responding to. There is regular communication between myself and the home which is informative. The home itself is welcoming and doesn’t feel like a children’s home. This is something the young person has commented on herself.’  The young person said staff are approachable, caring and they listen. Therefore, she is able to discuss any concerns, thoughts or issues she may have. She said that the advice she is given is good and allows her to reflect on situations.  Educational arrangements are identified prior to placement and good arrangements are made to ensure specific education plans are in place that

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The children's home provision is good because:

include attending the company’s school and working towards attending mainstream school.  There is good continuity of support provided to young people. For example, a child sexual exploitation worker is continuing to work with a young person. In addition to this, safeguarding professionals say that this home is very good at addressing and getting the required services needed to protect young people. This includes looking at different strategies to reduce incidents of them being missing from the home.  Good transition plans allow young people to move in a planned manner and to an area of their choice. They remain in touch with the home and staff continue to contact them to offer advice or assistance.  The manager monitors the quality of care within the home on a monthly basis. She has made improvements in how staffs understanding of on-line training is achieved and has incorporated this into a new practice

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The children's home provision is good because:

development portfolio. However, Regulation 44 visits are being completed by other managers within the company. This does not ensure that independent feedback is given. In addition to this, the manager and the visitor have not picked up on some scribblings out within the records. This means that not all records are clear.

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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

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month. (Regulations 44 (1)). 31/12/2015

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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 that all information is clearly recorded. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Information about this children's home

This private children’s home accommodates one young person with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

21/01/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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good

The young person has recently arrived at this home from another home within the company. Good planning ensured there was a smooth transition that placed the young person’s needs at the centre of the decision making. An impact risk assessment was completed and that positively identified the young person’s strengths and skills rather than just focussing on negative behaviour. This was used in conjunction with the homes locality risk assessment that identifies potential risks in the community so the manager was able to make a good informed decision on the suitability of the placement. The young person said that she received a welcome booklet which staff had taken time to go through with her. She also visited the home prior to moving in. She said that settling in had been easy as some of the staff had worked in her previous home when this one was empty. Therefore, she had already started to form relationships with them. She said, ‘Staff

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good

are awesome. They care. We have fun and they listen.’ The young person discussed the plans she had for decorating her room and that she was purchasing accessories as part of an incentive plan. One staff said, ‘this is important because their bedroom reflects their identity, helps them to belong and they are less likely to damage property they have chosen or earned.’

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good

Good arrangements for educational provision ensure that the young person is not missing large periods of school. She has undertaken educational assessments to assess her academic ability because her previous attendance at school had been poor. This highlighted that she had the ability to sit her English exams early but needed extra support in other areas. Although she is currently being home tutored there is a clear plan for her to attend the company school part-time, after half term and continue to have private tutoring on areas requiring additional support. She said ‘I have visited the school twice and I am looking forward to it. Hopefully, I will do well because I want to eventually go back to mainstream school. This show’s that education is prioritised in this home and the good plans show clear steps of introduction, assessment and further plans to integration back into main stream school.

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good

Young people receive good support and advice in all aspects of their health. The young person said, ‘I would like to lose a little bit of weight. (The manager) is helping me to search recipes from slimming world and staff are helping me make better food choices.’ She continued to say, ‘I also enjoy walking and two staff bring their dogs in so we can go for walks.’ The company employ suitably qualified and vetted clinicians. They undertake assessments with young people and complete individual sessions around emotional anxieties, behaviour and mental health. The young person said that she has started to engage in this process and that it was helping her to reflect on things. When young people have found it difficult to attend the dentists, opticians or doctors the home has liaised with the community nurse. She visits the home and speaks with young people about their concerns. The home also makes good use of rewards and incentive schemes to encourage

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good

attendance at medical appointments. One young person’s health improved because of the support and encouragement from staff. Consequently, he received new speakers for his music system as recognition for engaging.

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good

The young person said that she knew how to raise an issue or complaint but had not needed to yet. She said that she could identify different staff to talk to if she had a concern and was confident that they would listen and respond quickly. Previous complaints from past residents have been robustly dealt with. This included them receiving an acknowledgment of their complaint and the outcome in writing. Also the manager met with them on several occasions to ensure they were happy with the process and outcome. In addition to this, young people are offered independent support, through advocacy to raise any concerns they may have and all professionals are kept up to date of any issue or outcome.

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good

Staff are very good at ensuring young people have and are able to maintain contact with people who are important to them. They will often take and pick up young people who are a long distance from home. Good contact plans explicitly show any restrictions to contact which have been informed by the placing authority. In the past, they have worked closely with parents to repair and build relationships between them and their children. This has resulted in contact being re-established.

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good

Young people have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities. Some young people, in the past, have engaged with this well; pursuing hobbies and attending youth clubs on a regular basis. The current young person likes a more sedate routine but enjoys walking, visiting the cinema and beauty nights. She is new to the area, so staff are discussing all the opportunities available to her. She said, ‘I don’t know anyone around here but I hope to make friends at school and then I can do things with them.’

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good

An outstanding feature of this home is that young people are well prepared for semi-independence. This initially starts with a good assessment of their skills and plans to build upon them. For example, observing their cooking skills, choices of food and routine. They are then assisted to make better choices, looking at comparing prices, having cookery lessons from staff, learning to budget effectively and leading to becoming completely self-sufficient in preparing meals for themselves. They have completed curriculum vitae’s; have been supported to look at apprenticeships and being prepared for interviews. This is further supported as young people are given the opportunity to complete some on line training that staff do. For example, one young person completed a health and safety and responding to emergencies course. As a result, of these excellent practices the young person was in full time employment when he moved into his new home. In addition to

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good

this, staff assist young people to put an independence package together. This gives them all the relevant local knowledge plus important addresses and telephone numbers of services they may need within their chosen community. As part of their transition into independence they have visited and been able to decorate their new home before moving in. In the early days after moving on, staff continue to support young people by visiting or telephoning them and young people still visit the home. This is very helpful to young people at a time of significant change.

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good

The young person said she felt safe and well-cared for at this home. She talked about the good advice she was given to help keep herself safe in the community. Because of the good pre-planning arrangements in place, the young person is receiving additional support. For example, an assessment was completed and submitted to the missing from home co-ordinator from the police. She works closely with colleagues who focus on young people who are at risk of child sexual exploitation. As a result, a child sexual exploitation worker was identified quickly and has started working with the young person. Although, it is very early days, the young person is engaging in this process.

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good

Past residents at this home have been reported missing from home. On one occasion, after exhausting all possibilities and attending several strategy meetings, they had to say that they could not keep the young person safe. Therefore, they served notice on the placement to the local authority. Professionals spoken with all agreed that the home had done everything they could. In contrast to this, one young person was a prolific missing from home person. He often went missing to visit friends in other areas. To address this, the home converted the education room into an activity room. They bought a pool table, darts equipment and computer. Staff visited his friend and invited him to the home. They moved take away night to a Saturday. They picked his friend up, involved him in activities in and out of the home, invited him to join in meals and took him home. This excellent practice significantly reduced episodes of being missing and the young

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good

person was able to maintain this strong relationship with his friend positively.

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good

Care plans and placement plans clearly identify individual needs, routines, daily living, concerns and risks. These are incorporated into a young person’s behaviour management plan. This ensures that staff are able to work consistently with young people and that they receive the same responses. Therefore, young people understand what is acceptable behaviour and the consequences of negative behaviour. These plans are routinely reviewed in staff meetings to ensure they are current and updated regularly. Staff discuss expectations with young people and they are given the opportunity to make things right through restorative practice. Staff say that this gives them the opportunity to reflect on their behaviour and to make things right. They also involve young people in exploring what staff or they could have done differently to manage their behaviour. One staff said, ‘Sometimes it might be that we have done something to fuel the incident. So by listening to

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good

Incentive and reward schemes work well at this home. Young people can earn additional money, large activities, personal items and beauty treatments depending on their individual tastes. This has led to improvements in their behaviour, attendance at education and inclusion in daily routines. The young person proudly showed the inspector two heart shaped lights for her bedroom that she had earned through these schemes. She also had desires for other items that she was working towards. Young people have not been restrained at this home. Staff are well trained should an incident occur that requires a young person to be held for their safety.

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good

Effective and meaningful partnerships between the home, police and other safeguarding professionals promote young people’s safety and welfare. Staff spoken with during the inspection fully discussed their roles and responsibilities in ensuring young people were safe and the procedures to follow. A range of professionals said that the home and manager communicate effectively with them, that they often instigate strategy or planning meetings and that they are fully informed of any incident or concern immediately. Therefore, they had confidence that all appropriate action is taken to fully safeguard young people.

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good

There has been one new staff appointment since the homes last inspection. Recruitment records show that a robust procedure is followed. This includes checking their suitability to work with young people through verifying references and their employment history. They complete an induction to the company, complete all mandatory training before starting work and do shadow shifts at the allocated home. They then complete a six month probationary period. Within this period staff, young people and other professionals are asked for feedback on their practice. They are also supported by a high level of supervision and three probationary meetings throughout the induction period. These good arrangements further protect young people. One staff said, ‘It has been really good, the meetings give you time to reflect on what has gone well and what you need to learn more about. In fact, the young person has chosen me as her keyworker which is great

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good

and I am getting support from an experienced staff member to do this role well.’

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good

The manager was registered with Ofsted in May 2015. She has the relevant qualifications and experience to lead a staff group and manage the home. She also managers another two single bed homes. She ensures that she spends equal periods of time within each home. Three experienced and qualified deputy managers support her across the homes. As part of her on-going development she is completing a PHD in child sexual exploitation (CSE). She has been able to use some of the research in staff meetings to inform staff of current issues. Therefore, staff have a greater understanding of the complexities associated with CSE.

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good

The homes Statement of Purpose reflects the service offered at this home. Professionals say that the ethos of preparing young people for semi-independence is at the heart of the home. This is evident in the last young person’s successful transition into semi-independence.

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good

Most staff are qualified in caring for young people. One member of staff is near to completing an equivalent award and one has recently been registered on it. Staff report that good arrangements are in place to ensure they receive monthly supervision, annual appraisals and development opportunities. They said that staff meetings are an open forum to discuss young people’s progress, practice issues and preparing for the month ahead.

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good

The staff training matrix shows that staff receive all mandatory training which is refreshed regularly. Some training is accessed through on-line training packages. The manager has developed supplementary questions for checking their knowledge and understanding of these. Although it is in its early stages, she has already identified that some staff have not been able to retain the information or understand how this reflects on practice. As a result, this has led to her developing a new development portfolio that focus on how each individual learns, the support they require or whether they need a different type of training. It also focuses on their short term goals and paths of ambition within the company. This means that staff are well supported in their role, have the skills to care for young people and are able to progress within the company.

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good

The home has received two external complaints since the last inspection. One from a neighbour and one from a parent. The manager has responded to these quickly and efficiently. The manager met with the neighbour and discussed the issues around noise and general language of young people. Work was undertaken with the young people and the manager has offered to share the cost of a dividing fence. The neighbour was very complimentary in his written response to the home about the action taken. A parent raised a concern around her son not receiving enough money for clothes, as he always came to visit in the same clothes. The manager did an inventory check and clothing money check and it was found that he had sufficient money and clothing. The young person liked to spend his money on designer labels and wore the same clothes because he liked them. This was discussed with the parent and young person. Follow up work was undertaken with

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good

the young person around budgeting as part of his semi-independence plan. These good practices ensure that all concerns raised are taken seriously and helps maintain good relationships.

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good

Care plans and placement plans reflect the diverse needs of young people. But some records contain scribbling out when mistakes are made. This does not ensure that all records are clear and legible. Reviews are held frequently and young people said that they are encouraged to attend. They said that they could influence their care plan and had opportunities to comment on their records.

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good

The quality of care within the home is regularly monitored by the manager but Regulation 44 visits are undertaken by another manager from the company. This does not ensure that the manager receives impartial advice from an independent person. Although this has not impacted on the good outcomes and practices within the home, it has the potential to do so.

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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

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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