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 last 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’s progress remains steady and they continue to enjoy stable placements. A key strength of the home is the quality of the relationships between the young people and staff. Staff know the young people well, listen to them and invest time in them. They ensure young people receive the help and support needed in terms of their emotional health, and they proactively support their educational needs. Consequently, young people experience consistency of care that promotes their welfare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At times there have been tensions between the young people. However, staff use key work sessions and group discussion productively to resolve any issues. This helps them to respect the boundaries and think about the impact of their behaviours on themselves and others. One young person recently asked for support from the clinical team with his low moods. Although still in its infancy, this will help him to explore past difficulties and learn to understand the triggers for his low moods. Young people are in good physical health and recognise what constitutes as healthy living. They are actively involved in menu planning and cooking so that they learn to understand the importance of a healthy diet. That said, young people continue to smoke despite receiving advice about the potential risks on their long term health.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people are in full time education or training. However, there are inconsistencies in attendance for some young people. Staff work directly with individual young people and education providers to improve attendance, but this is not always successful. Consequently, this has the potential to impact on some young people’s future life chances and economic well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff actively encourage young people to access and participate in a range of social and recreational opportunities within the local community. For example, they enjoy attending the local youth club and playing football. One young person is very involved in the Children in Care Council, which provides him with the opportunity to have a say about things that matter in his life. All young people are developing relationships outside of the home; however they would benefit from further advice and guidance in relation to their sexual health, particularly in keeping themselves and others safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home provides a safe and secure environment and good levels of supervision ensure, as far as possible, that young people are safe from harm. As a result, the incidents of young people going missing from the home are extremely low. In addition, there are no concerns in relation to physical interventions, consequences, complaints or safeguarding practice. Staff praise and reward young people for demonstrating positive behaviours, this increases their understanding of acceptable behaviours. Individual risk management plans and behaviour management plans reflect any current areas of risk and the measures used to help reduce risks. They are well known by staff and implemented in practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection the manager and staff are working with young people to help improve their skills and confidence needed for independent life. For example, they can shop, budget and travel independently. Furthermore, one young person has been encouraged to make his own doctor’s appointment and communicate with the bank. The manager is working with a placing social worker to ensure the transition plan for one young person promotes a positive ending for him.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager provides strong leadership to a well-supported staff team. Effective monitoring ensures the quality of care is maintained and there is consistency in practice. The manager and staff demonstrate a strong commitment to meeting the needs of and improving outcomes for all young people.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people 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

11/03/2015 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):

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that, in line with their individual health plans and the ethos of the home, children are offered advice, support and guidance in key areas of health and well-being such as, but not limited to, mental health, sexual relationships, sexual health, contraception and 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

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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