Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Tameside

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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Summary of findings

 Young people live in friendly nurturing environment where they receive excellent care and support. Staff highly value young people and have created a warm family atmosphere where young people are able to make positive relationships with adults and other children and young people who live there.  Young people’s education attendance is 100%. Staff encourage and support young people to engage in education. They work collectively with education staff to promote educational progress.  Staff are highly motivated to promote healthy lifestyles. Health plans are comprehensive and specific to individual health needs. Staff ensure young people receive appropriate support services for their emotional and physical needs.  Staff introduce a range of recreational opportunities and experiences to young people. In-depth risk assessments and behaviour management plans assist young people to safely participate in community activities which

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Summary of findings

develop self-confidence and self-esteem.  Young people’s safety is given highest priority. Staff have an excellent knowledge and understanding of young people’s risks and vulnerabilities and make sure that the right action is taken to keep young people safe from harm.  Care practice is underpinned by thorough safeguarding procedures and well considered risk management plans. Challenging behaviour is sensitively and effectively managed as staff support young people to find improved ways of dealing with their anxieties and frustrations.  The manager has high expectations of the staff team and is dedicated to promoting the best possible outcomes for young people. She is highly motivated and has a strong focus on driving improvement to ensure young people receive exceptional individual care and support.  A collaborative approach is taken to meet young people’s needs, by effective liaison with education and health care professionals. These connexions are

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Summary of findings

used to ensure young people are provided with the right level of care and support to meet their specific needs.  Decision making and planning for young people’s futures is excellent. The manager effectively analyses the progress young people make and is proud of their accomplishments. There is considerable understanding of young people’s future needs and how consistent care is the key to young people making successful transitions to adulthood.

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for five young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

10/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.4

outstanding

The home environment is warm and welcoming and is personalised throughout with photographs of the young people who live there. Staff support and encourage young people to choose the décor for their bedrooms and other living areas in the home. Young people gain a sense of belonging and settle into the home, making positive transitions from previous placements. They take a pride in their environment and develop good attachments with their staff. A young person said: ‘I’m very happy here and I like all the staff.’

p.5

outstanding

Staff provide young people with highly individualised care. They gain a thorough knowledge of their complex needs by consultation with placing social workers and families wherever possible. They are highly resourceful in gaining young people’s views on their preferences and care experiences. For example, young people participate in completing quiz books to assist staff in identifying specific targets, such as skills needed in preparing for adulthood. This method has significantly helped young people accomplish a variety of abilities; such as cooking using recipes and learning how to budget. A social worker said: ‘Staff are wonderful. I have never known a home and staff team so brilliant in the work they do to help young people develop and progress.’

p.5

outstanding

Staff support and encourage young people to enjoy healthy lifestyles. All young people are registered with routine health services and receive support they require from specialised services. The home has strong links with a variety of healthcare services such as the child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and the organisation’s therapeutic service. This ensures that young people receive support to address emotional and physical health needs, such as self-harmful behaviour. These support systems and the work staff continue to do is successful in helping young people reduce this behaviour. A social worker commented: ‘X has blossomed since she came here. Harmful behaviour has significantly reduced and X is becoming more confident.’

p.5

outstanding

Staff have high aspirations for young people and value their education. Young people who did not attend school on admission have been gradually introduced to the school environment. Education attendance is 100% and some young people have had the opportunity to sit exams and are planning further education. Others have received awards for volunteering with animal care. Staff work collaboratively with education staff and the communication between the two teams is effective. They regularly discuss strategies and approaches, which help develop consistent responses to meeting young people’s educational needs as well as managing their behaviour.

p.5

outstanding

Young people were seen to be happy in the home and had lots of conversations and interactions with staff. Staff talk caringly about all young people and are confident in their provision of remarkably good care. Staff work hard to develop and maintain trusting and supportive relationships with young people who feel valued, respected and safe. When issues or concerns are identified within any relationships between young people and others outside of the home, staff work proactively and effectively to address these. For example, staff have undertaken anti-bullying work with young people to raise their awareness of how behaviour may impact on others. They take immediate action when a situation in relation to bullying was identified from another in the community. They quickly arranged a meeting with a number of agencies to help promote a positive relationship between the young people. This positive action is anticipated to improve

p.6

outstanding

Young people are fully involved in their care planning, and are well supported to participate in and influence decisions affecting their lives. Staff have sourced materials to help gain a wide range of information about young people to provide highly individualised care. Interactive books containing questions on what makes me feel anxious for example, has assisted staff to empower young people with confidence to express their views and opinions about their care. The extensive work staff do has resulted in young people taking ownership over their lives and to plan positively for their future. This approach runs throughout the home and demonstrates how young people are making significant progress. An independent reviewing officer commented: ‘Staff gain young people’s views for meetings and we continue to be extremely pleased about the support staff provide.’.

p.6

outstanding

Staff encourage young people to develop appropriate peer relationships and widen their friendship group outside of the home. They take a parent-like approach to ensuring these friendships are positive and safe. Young people who are at risk of sexual exploitation spend free time participating in structured activities such as girl guides and experiencing trips out with staff and the other young people. This allows them to enjoy time away from the home and in a safe environment. Young people are encouraged to invite friends for tea, enabling them to make positive friendships as well as enjoying activities with them.

p.6

outstanding

Staff give young people’s safety top priority. Individual risks are clearly identified, understood and well managed. Interventions are sensitively supported by clear individual risk assessments and behaviour management plans. Staff are alert to indicators of risk and are able to identify signs when young people are at risk of sexual exploitation. They take immediate action to protect them by supporting them to engage in activities designed to discourage them from negative influences in their lives. They take a multi-agency approach, working with police, placing authority and the home’s local authority to ensure that young people are safe from harm. A social worker said: ‘This is the best place for X, staff keep her safe. Any risk issues are dealt with immediately and professionally.’

p.7

outstanding

Young people say that staff keep them safe and they learn how to keep safe. They know that the actions staff take are because they care and need to protect them. Staff support them to understand and manage their behaviour and feelings in a safe environment, with clear consistent boundaries. Behaviour management plans are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are effective and take into account the views and experiences of young people. A young person said: ‘Staff are really good, I am safe living here and I know how to keep myself safe because staff have helped me.’

p.7

outstanding

Staff are highly proactive in their efforts to locate young people when they go missing from the home. They immediately search for them, driving to their last known location and places they are likely to be. Staff encourage young people to engage in activities with them and other young people who live there. They escalate their concerns with placing authorities, host authority, police and parents. The home has a clear plan in place to reduce the risk and keep young people safe.

p.7

outstanding

The home has developed highly effective links with specialist agencies in respect of risk assessments for the young people. This helps to promote their safety and well- being. Positive behaviour is encouraged with clear and consistent boundaries to assist young people in understanding the effects of their behaviour on themselves and others. Young people who self-harm are supported to find more positive ways to express their feelings, such as talking to staff about their emotions. Staff engage them in pamper sessions and they choose rewards such as having a beauty treatment which also builds self-esteem and self-confidence. Overall, this is having a positive influence on young people and means that there is a significant reduction in self-harmful behaviour.

p.7

outstanding

Staff employed at the home are subject to organisational vetting procedures and do not start work in the home until all appropriate checks are complete. All fire, gas and electrical equipment is routinely serviced to ensure they are in good working order. This ensures the environment is safe and that young people are protected from persons who may present a risk to them.

p.8

outstanding

The manager was registered in July 2015. She has a vast amount of management experience and the necessary skills to provide clear leadership and management to a highly motivated and committed staff team. The manager is supported by an experienced deputy manager. Both are extremely child-focused, confident and proactive and have an excellent understanding of the individual needs of vulnerable young people.

p.8

outstanding

Care planning is of a high standard and is devised to meet the specific needs of young people. The manager regularly monitors young people’s progress and development, enabling her to identify any developing patterns or trends. This means she can take action to swiftly address any areas of concern that are identified. All significant events concerning the welfare of young people are reported to the appropriate authorities quickly, to ensure appropriate action is taken to protect them. She compiles clear evaluative reports and participates in meetings with young people; escalating issues with placing authorities to ensure that their individual plans are effective and achievable. A social worker said of the manager and staff: ‘They inform me immediately whenever there is an issue. They re-assess X all the time and put solid plans in place to minimise any risks to ensure X is safe.’

p.8

outstanding

The manager and staff have a comprehensive understanding of the young people in their care. They know how past experiences are highly likely to contribute to their complex behaviours. Staff consult with the young people, their families and placing authorities to gather historical information, affording them good evidence with which to devise unique behaviour management plans and risk assessments. Care practice is highly individualised and focuses on young people’s precise needs. Strong links and a combined approach with a range of external professionals ensures that young people obtain the individual care and support that they require to reach their full potential. A police officer commented: ‘The managers and staff do a great job. Even when they have tough times and they do a fantastic job and they are a credit to their profession.’

p.8

outstanding

Staff are highly valued and supported by their managers and receive regular supervision and support from them. Staff development is ongoing through training and regular team meetings. Staff have completed all safeguarding training and additional guidance which focus on the needs of the young people, such as sexual exploitation and self-harm. The staff team is strong and consistent. They are highly committed to supporting young people to achieve good outcomes in preparation for adulthood. A member of staff said: ‘We have a good management and staff team. We are committed to our young people and strive to get the best outcomes for them.’ The home is consistently managed and successful in meeting the aims and objectives outlined in its Statement of Purpose. Child focused practice is rooted within the home's philosophy and has resulted in young people achieving positive outcomes in many aspects of their lives. A staff member said: ‘From their starting

p.9

outstanding

points the young people have made massive progress and we are extremely proud of them.’

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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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