Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Lancashire

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

Action has been taken to address the one requirement and two recommendations raised at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person has had a health assessment, and consequently a full review of her health needs is now complete. Staff are acting on recommendations made by the children’s looked after nurse, and subsequently promote her well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager ensures that significant events are notified to Ofsted in a timely manner. Good quality information enables the regulator to monitor incidents effectively, and can be assured that actions taken to minimise risk and reoccurrence are satisfactory.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relevant plans provided by the placing authority have been updated, but their content continues to be poor. For example, pathway plans provide insufficient detail about the young person’s needs, next steps, and how these are to be met as she prepares for independence and adulthood. A recommendation is raised for the home to address this with the authority so that relevant plans provide a framework for care planning moving forward.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people report feeling safe, and say they have a sense of belonging. Staff demonstrate patience, understanding, and resilience in the face of challenging behaviour, and consequently stick with young people through the most difficult of times. This generates trusting relationships. Young people are now opening up to staff about sensitive and traumatic past experiences, and this enables them to start to make sense of these. A young person reports: ‘Staff help me, and they try really hard to keep me safe’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Self-harming behaviour remains a concern and staff work diligently with one young person to control and minimise the risk of harm. Incidents are responded to robustly, ensuring she receives medical treatment and emotional support. Staff advocate strongly at times of crisis meaning that in-patient care is provided and assessments undertaken when necessary. A reduction in the frequency of incidents demonstrates some progress is being made, and periods of stability are beginning to emerge.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partner agencies are positive about and confident in the standards of care provided. A health professional said: ‘The home is continuing to do what has probably been the best job of managing and nurturing X of any residential placement throughout her teenage years.’ Furthermore, a social worker said: ‘I am confident they can keep her safe’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers respond to young people’s needs and changing circumstances. Effective liaison with the placing authority means increased levels of support have been established. For example, a young person now receives more frequent therapeutic support to help meet her emotional needs, an advocate is in place, and levels of family contact have increased in line with her wishes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work hard to promote positive and safe contact arrangements. A family member reported to staff that this Christmas was the nicest they have experienced in five years. Staff travel long distances to facilitate contact, as well as enabling siblings to have extended and enjoyable stays at the home during school holidays. Consequently, young people are supported to develop and maintain relationships with those who are important to them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers robustly address complaints and safeguarding concerns. Information is clearly recorded and shared readily with partner agencies. Consequently, all matters are investigated, and remedial action is taken where necessary. This promotes the welfare and safety of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff report they are well supported, and as well as supervision they receive fortnightly clinical support. Given the intensity of care they provide, together with the risks and vulnerabilities they manage, this is invaluable. As a result, staff have the opportunity to reflect on practice, share ideas, and review strategies about how best to support young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Health professionals advocate for staff to receive additional training in a specific area of mental health, and whilst this is being sourced it is yet to be implemented. As a result a recommendation is made so that staff receive the necessary training to broaden their knowledge and skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good practice identified in this inspection is not underpinned by clear record keeping. For example, information is added to the risk assessment, health plan, and placement plan on an ad-hoc basis as events happen. Documents have not been reviewed and updated in their entirety since October 2015, and this demonstrates a lack of management oversight. Furthermore, the absence of a specific risk management plan does not provide a clear framework for staff to work to when young people are in crisis with their mental health. Staff do respond well to incidents, and this recording shortfall has not impacted negatively on young people to date.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Four recommendations are raised following this inspection to secure improvements and develop practice moving forward.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 1 young person who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned and managed.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

06/03/2015 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):  Ensure 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. Specifically in relation to improving the quality of the Pathway Plan (The guide to the quality standards, page 12, paragraph 2.8).

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Specifically, to draw up a crisis/risk management plan to manage hospital attendance and admissions (The guide to the quality standards, page 42, paragraph 9.5).

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff can access appropriate resources to support their training needs, specifically that staff access specific mental health training to enhance their knowledge and skills in this area (The guide to the quality standards, page 53, paragraph 10.11).

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Recommendations

 Ensure all children's case records are kept up to date, specifically that managers have the time and space to review and update the child's placement plan, health plan, and risk assessment (The guide to the quality standards, page 62, paragraph 14.3).

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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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