Children's Home run by Crystal Care Solutions Limited in Cheshire East

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

Young people say this is a good home where they feel safe, protected, happy, and well cared for. One young person said, ‘Staff here are brilliant and do their upmost for you. They listen, try to make things happen or tell you why they cannot.’ Another young person said, ‘Staff are great.’ Consultation documents show that professionals involved with the young people’s care also speak highly of the staff and their relationships with young people at this home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s health has improved because staff ensure that young people understand the importance of being in good health. One young person, who in prior placements refused to attend specialist appointments, is now going regularly. This means his condition is robustly monitored. Health plans now show what work, information and research has been done around young people’s culture and heritage. As a result, young people are experimenting with different foods such as goats curry and attending specialised hair salons. Another young person has researched and has information around a genetic condition that may affect him in the future. This means that young people are receiving the right support to embrace their culture and that other young people within the home are learning from these experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have not been reported missing from this home. Staff follow the local area’s protocol and fully understand their roles and responsibilities in this area. Clear risk assessments show the vulnerability of each young person and the agreed reporting measures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In general, young people are well behaved within the home. They say this is because they are more settled, that they are learning to take responsibility for their behaviour and good incentive and reward schemes help them to improve. One young person said, ‘I got an exercise ball for my gerbil because of my good attendance at college. I love my pets, so this was great.’ Other young people have benefitted from receiving additional console games and DVD’s. There has been two occasions were young people have been held for their and others safety. All staff are fully trained to ensure that this intervention is done safely. But, the record of restraint does not follow the guidelines set out in The Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. For example, it does not show what preventative measures were taken prior to the restraint or whether young people have had the opportunity to discuss the incident. Further to this, the acting manager has not assessed the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

effectiveness or signed the record to ensure it was appropriate. This does not ensure that restraints are robustly monitored or that young people have the opportunity to reflect on the incident.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people say that staff fully take all their concerns seriously. One young person has been fully supported to raise an issue around an external professional. As a result, decisive action was taken and the young person was happy with the outcome. One young person complained that he was being bullied within the home. Staff completed individual work sessions with each young person around bullying language and behaviour. Mediation work was completed with all three boys and the young person was able to reflect that he had also used bullying language. He was happy that the issue was addressed fully. As a result, one young person said, ‘Staff do not tolerate bullying, they deal with it quickly and we all get on well together now.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people attend educational placements that are specific to their individual needs. The home works very closely with education professional to ensure the young people’s vulnerabilities are understood and that everybody is safe. As a result, young people’s attendance is good. One young person is currently applying to universities for a specific course. He said, ‘I want to be a zoologist. I love animals and I have several pets. I am doing an animal care course at the moment and I hope to get into university.’ He is also volunteering at a café in a local church. He said, ‘I helped out on Christmas day by serving the homeless and refugees dinner. It was really good.’ This shows that young people have ambitions for their future, they have the same opportunities as their peers and that they have compassion for others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s placement plans show the progress and work being undertaken to ensure that young people can go into semi-independence safely. One young person has moved into the company’s leaving care service. He visited several flats, helped decorate, and chose the soft furnishings. Because of these good transition arrangements he continues to do well and remains in touch with the home. Another young person is preparing to move on. He has started to receive a bursary and take responsibility for all his needs. Staff are assisting him to be confident in having the skills he will need such as cooking, cleaning, and completing applications for university. He said, ‘I have not been looking at accommodation yet because I have applied to three universities and want a flat near to which one I get into. In addition to this, the home bought him driving lessons as a Christmas present. He said, ‘I have had six lessons and I am doing well. This will help me get

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

around when I am at university.’ This means that young people are well prepared for semi-independence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the homes last inspection the manager has consulted with a wide range of professionals to ensure that communication between them is good. A recent quality assurance visitor contacted all parties and all the consultation documents show that they all are happy with the quality of care within the home, the communication, and the progress of the young people. A parent said, ‘They have done a great job and saved my and my son’s relationship. Great support. Thank you.’ Young people said that they were not happy with all the paperwork that they had to read each month. Therefore, the home has devised a letter that tells them what has gone well in the month and what areas they still need to work on. One young person said, ‘This is much better and we do not have to read each plan.’ This shows that the home listens to young people’s views, wishes, and feelings and improves things for them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has ensured that all outstanding repairs have been fixed, new curtains and blinds have been purchased and all of the young people have recently redecorated their rooms. One young person said, ‘I love my room and I am proud of it.’ Therefore, young people live in a homely environment in which they take pride in.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The acting manager completes staffs supervisions regularly but she still has not received any formal training in this area. This means that a suitably qualified person does not supervise staff. In contrast to this, staff say that supervision is good and important to their role. They said they can discuss their practice, any issues, or concerns and that they have developmental opportunities. As a result of this, two staff members have progressed to being Registered Managers within the company and two staff have left. This has left a shortfall within the team and the home is currently recruiting for new staff, several interviews have already been completed. A new deputy manager has been identified and she has a social work qualification. The Service Manager said, ‘At the moment, the home is not taking any further referrals for the vacant bed because we have identified that this would stretch staff and we do not wish to have different staff covering shifts.’ This

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

ensures that there are enough staff to care for the young people in placement and they receive consistency of care. Staff have monthly meeting to discuss the young people, developments or improvements within the home, research articles and policies and procedures. An agenda shows all subjects that require discussion but the actual recordings do not reflect this. For example, the agenda for the December 2015 meeting says that the use of E-cigarettes, research and safeguarding will be discussed but this is not documented. Therefore, it is unclear whether these conversations took place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager has recently taken up a senior position within the company. Ofsted were notified of the interim arrangements in place to manage the home. An acting manager is in place and she is currently undertaking her level 5 in Leadership and Management award. She has several years’ experience of working with vulnerable young people and demonstrated a good understanding of their complexities. She is completing an application for the Registered Managers position. She has made some good changes within the home which include restructuring the filing system so information held at the home is more accessible to staff and young people. She has also devised new individual recording books that ensure young people only have access to their information. This means that young people’s information is kept confidential.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An independent visitor monitors the quality of care within the home but the manager said that the reports were not robust enough to help her improve the service. Therefore, they have commissioned another private agency to undertake these visits and this will start in February 2016. The manager completes her own quality assurance report on a monthly basis and consults with a wide range of professionals and with the young people. Any improvements or developments are taken forward to the homes development plan. Due to these good arrangements young people have seen their requests acted upon such as getting a new smoothie machine, slow cooker and monthly letters and redecoration of their bedrooms. In addition to this, the manager is very good at notifying all parties when a serious incident has occurred and the outcome. This means that all professionals understand the action the home has taken and are kept informed of any

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Information about this children's home

This privately run children’s home can accommodate up to four young people 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

19/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

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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

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline, or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes: details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; has spoken to the user about the measure; has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3) (a) (v) (vii) (b) (i) (ii) (c)) 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):  Ensure that staff receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified person. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all incidents of control, discipline, and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair and the principles within paragraph 9.35 are respected. This includes the manager signing the record. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 46, paragraph 9.36)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff understand the importance of clear recordings. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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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