Children's Home run by 4d Care Ltd in Cambridgeshire

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 who live at this home have often experienced significant physical, emotional, and in some cases sexual harm. Consequently, the impact of this abuse can affect their behaviour in a number of ways. Some of the young people have required physical intervention to prevent them from harming themselves or others. Staff have received training in de-escalation skills and restraint. Since the previous inspection, staff have physically intervened on 29 occasions. Generally, the records of these restraints are of a suitable standard. There have been four occasions where the records were incomplete. Managers have reviewed the interventions to ensure appropriate use. However, the manager has not recorded their reflections of the intervention. As a result, managers and staff are not considering the usefulness of the restraint in managing specific situations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use sanctions when a young person’s behaviour is not positive. On two occasions, the manager has not recorded the effectiveness of the sanction. Consequently, there is a lack of reflection on whether consequences for negative behaviour support young people to make positive changes. The independent visitor has commented on these shortfalls but the manager has not taken action to address it. This does not support good oversight to ensure consistently effective behaviour management.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have maintained and made progress with their education. Placing authorities speak highly of the work completed in this home. A social worker commented: ‘My young person has 100% attendance at school. They like the school and the plan is to support a move towards some lessons in a local mainstream school, which will be very positive.’ Staff work in partnership with the school on-site, to motivate the young people to achieve their educational goals. The school uses unique, individual plans, to identify areas where young people’s interests lie. They use these as a vehicle to bring in other aspects of the curriculum. This helps to cultivate an interest in education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do not go missing from this home. Staff have a clear protocol to follow if a young person does go missing. Direct work discussing the risks in the community from exploitation and inappropriate internet use takes place, both in the school and by key workers in the home. Observation of young people engaging with staff demonstrates a nurturing approach. Staff work hard to build up positive relationships. Young people say they are safe in this home. A young person replied ‘of course’ when asked if they felt safe. Young people speak very affectionately about staff. One described the staff as ‘wacky and wonderful’. These strong relationships help young people to grow in self-confidence. This is a particular strength of the staff group.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use up-to-date care plans and risk assessments to carefully and consistently meet young people’s needs. They use a number of different ways to integrate young people’s wishes and views. There are regular young people’s meetings, as well as direct work with key workers, that address specific aspects of their care plans. For example, staff have discussed ways that young people can manage their relationships with each other in key work sessions. Consequently, young people have made progress, as incidents of unwanted behaviour have reduced. One social worker reported: ‘The local authority have just completed the looked after children’s review and they are happy with the progress that has been made. There has been a reduction in aggressive behaviour and young people have learned to understand their emotions.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has acted on the requirements from the previous inspection. He has ensured that all visitors to the home sign in prior to gaining access. Staff complete good quality reports for young people, which the manager reviews. This helps him to measure progress and to guide staff to focus on specific areas that may accelerate better outcomes. Managers use these reviews to ensure that staff are concentrating on building trusting relationships with the young people. The manager works with specialist therapists to help to focus the work with young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff encourage young people to participate in a range of interesting activities, such as, rock climbing, roller skating and trips out. Young people can gain extra activities through positive behaviour incentives. This has helped them to learn to manage their conduct appropriately. These activities take place in the community, promoting friendships outside of the home.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned home provides care for up to six young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Some young people attend the on-site education facilities the organisation provides.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

06/01/2014 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

13: The leadership and management standard:

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered person is required to:

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Requirement Due date

(2) (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 29/03/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

Ensure that records of restraint enable the registered person and the staff to review the use of control, discipline, and restraint to identify effective practice and to respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 49 paragraph 9.59) Ensure that the registered person actively seeks and acts on the independent scrutiny of the home as well as make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 55 paragraph 10.24)

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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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