Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are very experienced at managing risky behaviours, including missing from home. When a young person does go missing, they follow agreed protocols to ensure their welfare and safety. Staff work in partnership with the police and other safeguarding agencies to protect, as far as possible, the young person. Despite this, one young person continued to place himself at risk by going missing which resulted in his placement ending prematurely.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person currently living in the home is benefitting from living in a single occupancy home, without the influence of other young people. He is building positive relationships with staff and he is becoming increasingly safer as staff help him to reduce difficult behaviours. The placing social worker said,‘ the home is addressing all his needs…it’s really positive…he is improving and there are less incidents.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two requirements and one recommendation made at the last inspection have been addressed. Prior to moving to the home the young person had minimal participation in his education. He is receiving good support from the staff to help him re-engage, and they saw an increase in his attendance when he started attending one of the organisation’s own schools. However, since the Christmas break, his attendance has stalled, and despite staff efforts he refuses to re-engage. The manager and staff are working proactively with education professionals to help the young person overcome the barriers to his learning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person’s views and opinions are highly valued. Regular planned key work sessions give the young person the opportunity to talk about any issues that may be impacting on their progress. Furthermore, they are encouraged to be involved in decisions about their care within the home. The young person confirmed he was given the choice about how he would like to personalise his bedroom. This supports his investment in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are child-centred and demonstrate a good understanding of the young person’s needs. His physical and emotional health needs are well supported. For example, he has started to engage with a therapist from the organisation’s clinical team; although this is still in its infancy. Staff have also been successful in getting him to attend the opticians recently. However, the young person continues to smoke and was observed using an e-cigarette during this inspection. His health plan does not make it clear what support, advice and guidance he is being given in relation to smoking or who has given permission for the use of the e-cigarette.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person said they like living in the home, his comments included, ‘it’s alright, sound.’ There are no concerns in relation to physical interventions, negative consequences, complaints or safeguarding practice. However, the young person was recently charged with theft from the home and criminal damage. Risks are kept under regular review and there is effective partnership working to help the young person understand the impact of his criminal behaviour. The placing social worker commented, ‘communication is good and I get weekly reports that enable me to see what he’s been up to on a day-to-day basis.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are positive links with the local area designated officer (LADO). Effective communication ensures allegations against staff are handled fairly, quickly and in accordance with statutory guidance. This ensures the young person is supported and protected.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is effectively managed by a Registered Manager who is committed to delivering high quality care. A placing social worker said, ‘Kelly is brilliant.’ She uses learning from internal and external monitoring activity and inspections to improve practice. However, the monthly visits are undertaken by another manager from within the organisation. This potentially compromises their ability to make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements to safeguard young people effectively.

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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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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. (Regulation 44 (1)). 31/03/2016

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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

 The registered person should ensure that, in line with their individual health plans and ethos of the home, children are offered advice, support and guidance on their health and well-being. Staff should have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to help children understand, and where necessary work to change negative behaviours in keys areas of health and well-being such as, but not limited to, nutrition and healthy diet, exercise and use of tobacco.(The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 35 paragraph 7.18)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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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