Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in East Riding of Yorkshire

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A previous requirement is now met as the registered manager has a system in place to monitor the quality of care that young people receive. This ensures young people’s needs are at the forefront of care practice. A member of staff said, ‘I can now see at a glance if young people have missed any health appointments and if they have, I get the looked after children’s nurse involved.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff benefit from improved recording of their supervision meetings. Records make clear to staff the areas discussed, including any reflections aimed at addressing their needs and identifying any areas of practice for development. This promotes the accountability of staff and helps them make links between their practice and young people’s needs. A member of staff said, ‘We are very transparent, we will always reflect, we share everything, nothing gets swept under the carpet. We really try and do the best for young people.’ Young people’s rights to confidentiality are respected and upheld. For example, records about young people’s daily activities are now made within individual logs. Retaining information about young people’s experiences in this way ensures that they have clear and confidential access now or at a future time.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Policies and procedures regarding the safety and wellbeing of young people are now updated. This ensures that staff have clear and current guidance about what action to take in the event of any concern and this promotes the safety and welfare of young people. These developments meet the three recommendations raised at the previous inspection.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

While it is clear that staff know what action to take to keep young people safe, delays by placing authorities in convening meetings about safeguarding concerns are not challenged. This means information is not shared swiftly with all those involved nor are actions agreed promptly about how to progress matters. This compromises young people’s safety and prolongs their anxieties about the outcome and impact of any concerns. The quality of planning for young people moving in and leaving the home is variable. This is because young people’s needs are not always comprehensively identified at the time of admission. For example, known concerns about one young person were not fully explored with the placing authority. This means the impact of any inappropriate behaviour on other young people in the home is not given due consideration. This undermines placement stability which resulted in a young person, who was admitted in an emergency, quickly moving on. . This experience

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

of further placement breakdown raises young people’s anxieties, jeopardises future transitions and compounds the individual’s traumatic experiences.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people’s placements are very stable and they remain at home beyond the age of 18. This is to make sure the necessary support is in place to enable a smooth transition to adult placements. Risk assessments are in place, aimed at reducing the impact of this variance in age for other younger people. This approach promotes the wellbeing of all young people and the home’s registration category reflects the diverse age range. . A social worker said, ‘I think the staff are doing a good job trying to progress (Name) needs and help her move to an adult provision.’ The registered manager takes appropriate action to safeguard young people and, when necessary, vulnerable adults. For example, concerns raised about the conduct of a visitor, who is also a social care worker, have been passed to the designated person within the local authority. This enabled appropriate actions to be considered to protect the safety and welfare of young people and vulnerable

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

adults. Complaints about the adverse effects of young peoples’ behaviour within the neighbouring areas are effectively addressed. This means staff can work with the young people on identified issues and maintain good relationships with local people. This approach demonstrates to young people how adults can negotiate and reach compromises aimed at keeping everyone safe. Staff are effective at partnership working. This ensures professionals are promptly informed about any developments affecting young people. A social worker said, ‘Staff are good at communicating. They update the emergency duty team (EDT) who then also tell me about what has happened.’ Young people’s social workers are invited to comment in writing about the care and facilities provided within the home. This promotes trust and confidence by those who place young people that there are embedded systems to support ongoing improvement. Young people’s positive behaviour is recognised and rewarded, encouraging them

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to sustain these improvements. This helps young people learn that staff focus on what is going well for them, whilst also supporting them with any difficulties. This effective help means young people learn to make links between their behaviours, thoughts and feelings. As a result, young people are more able to reflect on their actions, increasing their understanding about the choices they make. A member of staff said, ‘You will see from our records, we are much more interested in rewards than sanctions.’ Young people make meaningful progress, taking into account their starting points. For instance, they learn to engage with staff by taking part in education and how to play a full part in celebrating their achievements. These experiences raise young people’s self-esteem, helping them develop trust and promoting increased feelings of security. A senior member of staff said, ‘For (Name) 16 th birthday, she stayed

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

overnight at the village hotel, had a spa and then went for a meal in a limousine hired for the occasion. She went with her key worker’. Staff sometimes restrain a young person, as a last resort, to keep them safe. It is clear that only the minimum amount of force necessary is used. Over time, young people learn that their welfare is taken seriously by staff, who can help them find alternative ways to manage their difficult feelings. This helps allay young people’s anxious feelings, supporting them to relax and invest in routines and structured activities which will develop their emotional wellbeing. . When young people go missing, there are clear agreements between placing authorities, the home and police about what action to take and when. This means despite the challenges and in some cases, prolonged periods of time away, young people generally stay in touch with staff and eventually agree to return to the

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home. A social worker said, ‘I think staff are doing their best to safeguard young people’.

p.4

Information about this children's home

The home may only provide care and accommodation for five children with emotional and or behavioural difficulties and must reduce the number of children by the number of people aged 18 and over for which it also provides care and accommodation.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 Interim Improved Effectiveness

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Where the placing authority or another relevant person does not provide the input and services needed to meet a child's needs during their time in the home or in preparation for leaving the home, the home must challenge them to meet the child's needs. Staff should act as champions for their children, expecting nothing less than a good parent would. In particular, ensure that, when placing authorities fail to swiftly convene a strategy meeting in response to a child protection concern, that this is challenged with the placing authority. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 12 paragraph 2.8)

p.6

Recommendations

 Ensure the registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs as recorded in the child's relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. In particular, obtain all available details prior to any admission to ensure that only those young people whose needs can be met are admitted to the home. This includes determining if there is any pattern of placement breakdown. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56 paragraph 11.4)

p.6

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

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

p.8