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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection the home has remained relatively settled with few changes to either the young people in residence or the staff group. It has been a period where young people’s progress has been continued, resulting in positive outcomes being achieved in all areas of their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Detailed plans and strategies, along with assessments of risk address the individuality and needs young people have. As they are reviewed and updated they provide evidence which shows the progress young people are making socially, emotionally and educationally.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people live in an environment that has fair and recognisable boundaries, which helps them to feel safe and secure. This allows them to explore and work towards reaching their full potential as they journey through the home and achieve a more independent lifestyle.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New referrals are being handled appropriately. Senior staff have a clear understanding around the areas of need the home can successfully address. Steps are taken when referrals are received to ensure those needs can be met and that compatibility with the other young people resident is considered. This goes some way towards ensuring placement breakdowns do not occur.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No changes to the management structure of the home, along with few changes to the staff group means young people have benefitted from receiving a consistency of care. They are looked after by a staff team who understand their needs and have the skills to address them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are well organised and managed by an experienced management team. They have the ambition and desire to keep moving the home forward in an effort to improve practice and ultimately, outcomes for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

For example, since the last inspection a number of new initiatives have been introduced which include; the introduction of monthly visits to the home by an independent advocate and with young people now taking an active role in their key workers annual appraisal.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The monitoring of the home both internally and externally meets with all statutory requirements. The active programme of staff training remains on-going with recent training being completed in safeguarding, child sexual abuse and Prevent training. This ensures that staff are up to date and have an understanding of the potential dangers that can affect the young people in their care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a good record of compliance, although no requirements or recommendations were made at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The one recommendation made as a result of this inspection follows feedback received from both young people and staff. In the home the Wi-Fi and quality of the internet are poor. This has been going on for some months and has been referred by staff for action to the parent company, who have yet to come up with a satisfactory solution.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall the period from the last inspection has been a settled one. The home continues to be well managed and organised and there is a genuine commitment to look for continued improvement. As a result the outcomes for young people remain positive.

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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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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should take account of the views, wishes and feelings of young people in relation to their access in the home to the internet and Wi-Fi (NMS 7 (1)( c))

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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

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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