Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.2

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The good management and stable staff team is a real strength of this home. There have been no new staff for a significant period, and this has given young people consistency of care. Excellent handovers and team meetings ensure that daily information is passed on, and that strategies, plans and any developments are shared. As a result, young people are cared for by staff who know them really well. The young person currently at the home described staff as ‘brilliant’. She said, ‘They are always there for you.’ Young people’s views, wishes and feelings are at the forefront of this home. Good consultation with them brings about changes or developments. For example, the current young person wanted to change the old education room into a relaxation room. She thought that this would help with her emotions. She said, ‘We have got bean bags and soft furnishings. I am just looking at different colours of paint to

p.2

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

finish it.’ In addition to this, the young person struggles to control her emotions at times, and has been held by staff for her own safety. Staff ensure that she has an opportunity to reflect on these episodes. As part of this, she said that in school, she has a ‘time out’ card and maybe this would help at the home. As a result, she is learning to express herself better, and has not been held for several months. Staff are fully trained in holding young people safely, and robust records give a clear account of any incidents that may occur. There is a good balance between positive and negative consequences. The young person got ‘pupil of the week’ for two consecutive weeks, and the home recognised this achievement with additional clothing money. She also had a positive school report, and the home gave her a top up for her mobile. When she has caused damage to the home, staff have been proportionate in charging her for

p.2

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

replacements, and have given her an opportunity to repair or make things right. However, one entry in the home’s records does not say what the behaviour was or what was damaged, and the manager has not challenged the content of it. This does not ensure that all sanctions are clear, fair or effective. Until recently, the young person had excellent attendance at school and she was doing well. However, a recent incident in school has led to her being home tutored until next week. An educational meeting has been scheduled to look at her special educational needs, and the virtual head for education is identifying another mainstream school placement that has smaller groups and a pastoral service. The young person said, ‘I do not want to go to the company’s school or be home tutored for long. I want to go to school and I am looking forward to it.’ In the meantime, she is completing work from her identified school placement. This

p.2

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

ensures that she will not be out of education for long, has an identified provision that will meet her needs and that she continues to complete set work. Young people’s health is prioritised and all their health needs are addressed. In the past, the current young person has struggled with social situations and maintaining friendships. She now has several friends, and she attends the local cadets. She said, ‘I am going away for the weekend with them and I am really excited, but nervous because we will be in dormitories.’ A member of staff said, ‘She has done so well with her interactions with others, and this will give her an opportunity to be in a large group situation, but be fully supervised.’ The young person’s cultural needs are well met. She said, ‘I have recently had my hair braided by a proper salon, and my skin is so soft because staff make sure I use the right lotion.’ The staff have also been liaising with her extended family members around meals.

p.3

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

They have put together a recipe book, and they have fun trying them out. In addition to this, staff are encouraging the young person to eat healthily and exercise to promote her physical health. The young person attends the gym regularly. The young person now sees her aunty more regularly. This is because staff recognised that this relationship was important to her. She has had some overnight stays, which have gone well. As a result, this has also brought about a change in her overall plan. Her social worker is completing an assessment to see if she can live long-term with her aunt. In contrast to this, the young person has been able to say when contact has been too much for her with other family members, and this contact has been reduced accordingly. Staff have completed contact training, so that they can support and supervise contact safely. This ensures that young people can maintain, build and have meaningful contact with people who are important to

p.3

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

them. A significant improvement is that the current young person has not been missing from care since the last inspection. This has resulted in the reduction of concerns around child sexual exploitation that professionals had for her. Good discussions with the young person about being safe have led to her raising a concern about another young person in the community. The home took decisive action, and reported this concern promptly. Therefore, safeguarding young people is given high priority in this home, and any concerns are discussed with the relevant parties and appropriate action is taken. There are good systems to monitor the quality of care in the home. The home now has a new independent visitor, who visits regularly. The report they produce gives a clear assessment and identifies improvements that the home needs to make. The registered manager uses this information effectively to improve systems and

p.3

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

outcomes for young people. The actions from these reports are used to develop the home, and the home’s development plan reflects this. The home’s location risk assessment shows that they understand the immediate risks and local risks within the community. This informs their practice, in regards to admissions to the home or on safe locations for activities for young people. The young person lives in a homely environment, and she has decorated her bedroom in her individual style. However, the home was asked to ensure that they updated the bathroom. The manager said, ‘We are waiting for the new budgets to be able to complete this work.’ Therefore, this recommendation has been repeated.

p.4

Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home can accommodate one young person with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

04/03/2015 CH – Interim Improved effectiveness

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that young people live in a homely environment. This is specifically in relation to updating the bathroom (‘Guide to the Quality Care Standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9).  Records must be kept and should enable the registered person and staff to review the use of discipline to identify effective practice (‘Guide to the Quality Care Standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59).

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