Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.2

The children's home provision is good because:

 The young person said that he had been very anxious about moving to this home but that, due to the good introductions and staff listening to him, he had settled very well. Due to the good relationships that have been established, his health, education and social isolation have improved.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Excellent arrangements around education have enabled the young person to continue at his identified school. His attendance has improved to 100% and he has ambitions for his future.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff have worked closely with the young person and health professionals to improve his health. After refusing to attend the dentist during previous placements, he is now receiving dental treatment. Staff work closely with health specialists to ensure that his medication is reviewed and that his emotional and mental health are monitored.  A key strength of this home is that staff are diligent in observing, reporting, initiating, monitoring and taking the lead in any potential or actual safeguarding incident. These practices have resulted in excellent outcomes for young people, and other professionals speak highly of the home's involvement in this area their involvement with the home in this area.  The registered manager understands the strengths and weakness of the home and has a development plan in place to address any identified shortfalls.  The manager and staff work closely with placing authorities and a range of

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

professionals to ensure that the young person receives a tailored package of care. This is evident in the feedback gained from professionals as part of this inspection, and in the improvements and achievements gained by the young person.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Previous recommendations on updating the home’s bathroom have not been met. Therefore, a requirement has been given to improve the bathroom. A recommendation has been given on considering the impact of identifying a young person’s sexual identity.

p.3

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 ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.4

Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

p.4

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and care standard, the registered person must— 2(c)(i) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. 31/10/2016

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third party information. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.4

Information about this children's home

This privately run children’s home can accommodate one young person with emotional or behavioural disabilities.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

1/3/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

Good

The young person has recently been placed at this home. He said, ‘I was very distressed, moving here, because I do not like change. But the staff were very nice to me. They gave me a book about the home and they talked to me.’ He continued to say, ‘I was anxious because they did not have access to the internet, but the manager sorted this out quickly.’ As a result, the young person has settled quickly into the routines and boundaries of the home. His social worker said, ‘The young person is a complex young man. Funding was initially for six weeks but, due to the excellent progress he has made, this has been approved by the panel as a long- term placement. He has settled well, because staff have worked hard with him and he is at the centre of their care.’ The home has all the necessary documents in place to ensure that his needs can be met and for the continuation of his care. These are regularly updated. Any

p.6

Good

updates are discussed in staff handovers, and staff sign to say that they understand them. However, the company has recently changed the format of the home’s placement plan and the front page asks for the young person’s sexual identity. A member of staff recorded his sexual orientation on the form after he made a comment about his sexual orientation. However, there is no previous information indicating this in his records and it has not been mentioned by previous carers or professionals involved in his care. This does not ensure that information on young people is recorded in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third party information. It may also breach the privacy and confidentiality of the young person’s sexual identity. The young person said that he knows how to make a complaint, but has not had a reason to do so. He was able to identify several independent people whom he

p.6

Good

could contact if necessary. These good arrangements ensure that he can raise any issue about his care.

p.6

Good

The young person has attended the same school since primary age. Excellent arrangements have ensured that he has continued at the same school. Staff have worked closely with him around the importance of attending school and have put an incentive scheme in place to encourage this. As a result, his attendance is now 100% and his behaviour in school has improved. His most recent report states, ‘I am really pleased at how (Name) is applying himself. He has made excellent progress in maths and has a mature attitude to his work.’ Staff liaise with school on a daily basis so that this progress can be maintained. The young person said, ‘School is OK. They get on my nerves sometimes and don’t listen, but I want to do something in computers as a career.’ Therefore, young people are working in line with their peers and have ambitions for their future. Sourcing, maintaining and finding alternative education provision for young people has always been a key

p.6

Good

strength of this home. Previous young people have done extremely well and have gone on to complete college courses or further educational opportunities. For example, one young person is now completing a hospitality course while working part-time in a café. The home has been able to do this because it has strong educational links within the community and values the importance of a good education for young people. The young person said that he is offered a wide range of activities, but he prefers to play on his computer. Staff are fully aware that one of his issues is that he keeps himself socially isolated. They are encouraging him to try new things and he now has some unsupervised time in the local community. The young person said, ‘I like playing ‘Destiny’. The staff keep mithering me to do more activities, but I don’t like kids or going out. I do play board games with them and watch television. I am

p.7

Good

thinking about going to cadets.’ Staff are mindful that they do not heighten his anxieties in this area, and are making some progress in that he is considering different options such as attending cadets. The young person’s health has significantly improved. He had previously refused to attend the dentist. After in-depth discussions on the importance of this, he attended. He is now awaiting some dental treatment. He continues to refuse to attend the optician, but staff are working on this and are hopeful that they will have the same outcome as with the dentist. The young person receives controlled drugs for an ongoing condition. There are robust recordings, storage and administration of this medication within the home. This is further strengthened through regular medication training for staff. A key strength of the home is its partnership working with a number of agencies to promote the young person’s well-being. For example, staff have made a referral to

p.7

Good

the company’s clinician team to assess whether he has Asperger syndrome and to give staff guidance to help them understand how his traits affect his thought processes. The young person readily accepts that he does not eat a healthy, balanced diet. He said, ‘I am very fussy about what I eat, but the home is getting me to try more foods to keep me healthy.’ Staff say that they include a variety of vegetables, fruit and different options, but the home’s records do not reflect this. The inspector discussed with the manager that, given his reluctance to eat a healthy diet, it would be good practice to record what was being offered and what he ate. The young person has contact with a previous foster carer and his sisters. Because there are clear plans in place staff understand their roles and responsibilities in supporting contact,. These include any restrictions on unsuitable adults who have been identified by the local authority, and the actions that staff need to take if

p.7

Good

contact is made by these persons. This means that the young person can continue to see and maintain relationships with those who are important to him. Judgement grade

p.7

Outstanding

The young person said that he was safe at this home. There are no known safeguarding issues in relation to him, but staff have worked closely with him to ensure that he is safe when accessing the internet. There are excellent security protocols in place which highlight to staff any concerns or inappropriate use. This home has an excellent record of being observant in identifying and taking action when there are safeguarding concerns. They support young people very well and if necessary challenging professionals to take action. For example, when previous young people have accessed Facebook and concerns have arisen, they have contacted the necessary professionals. This has led to unsuitable adults being apprehended by the police. More importantly, staff have discussed, completed projects and used supporting material to explain the risks of being missing from home, of child sexual exploitation and general fraudulent aspects on the internet.

p.8

Outstanding

This has led to young people becoming increasingly safe and has given them the knowledge to report any concerns that they may have. In addition to this, they were able to discuss and put their own strategies in place to alert staff if they felt unsafe in certain circumstances. One young person came to the home as part of an agreed strategy to protect her from child sexual exploitation while an investigation was carried out by the police. Staff say that this was a difficult time, because the facts could not be discussed with her. However, she was fully supported through the process and has now been placed with foster carers. Professionals say that this home is excellent in drawing their attention to possible or known incidents, which it communicates effectively, initiating strategy meetings and reducing any concerns that it has for young people. A social worker said that the manager is an excellent advocate for young people. In addition to this, the manager and senior staff have

p.8

Outstanding

completed an additional safeguarding and investigation course. This includes being involved in a mock court case. One member of staff said, ‘It was quite intimidating and frightening, but really shows you how young people feel in these situations.’ The staff team is also currently working on a community project with the local police and child exploitation team around identifying hotspots in the community. There are four groups looking at different aspects, and they are collating and discussing the information that they have found. This will help the police in locating missing young people and putting more visible community police into the identified areas. Excellent risk assessments identify the vulnerability of the young person. They are clear on strategies to reduce risk and actions for staff to take. The staff work closely with the young people through detailed key-worker sessions to highlight any concerns and to discuss strategies that they think may work. Behaviour

p.8

Outstanding

management plans are in place that are supported by a very good incentive system, from which the young person receives additional funding for gaming vouchers. This has been successful in reducing negative behaviours displayed in school and at the home. He has not required to be physically held. However, staff have been fully trained in these areas to ensure that young people are fully protected. Consequences for unacceptable behaviour are minimal but, when applied, the young person said that they are fair. The young person has not been reported missing from this home. When incidents occur, staff work closely with the police to ensure that young people return safely. Further to this, the manager liaises with the ‘missing from home’ coordinator from the police when a referral to the home is made. This allows them to share intelligence and have a clear risk assessment in place. She and the community police visit the home occasionally to introduce themselves to young people, have a

p.8

Outstanding

chat and generally maintain good relationships. Young people who have been placed at this home in the past but have now left reduced their episodes of being reported missing significantly due to these good practices. A stable staff team cares for the young person. This means that he has been able to make good, honest, open and positive relationships with them. The impact of this is that he starting to take on board the good advice that he is given, such as attending the dentist. There have been no new staff appointed, but a previous inspection of the home’s recruitment process found that it was robust. This further protects young people from unsuitable adults. The young person lives in a safe environment, because staff ensure that all health and safety issues are addressed. Renewal certificates are in place for the safety equipment, and fire evacuations are completed regularly.

p.9

Good

The manager was registered with Ofsted in 2006. She has appropriate childcare and management qualifications. She has experience of working with young people on a one-to-one basis and in group settings. She also manages another home. She ensures that she spends equal periods at each home. The manager uses her knowledge and experience well. She is a strong ambassador for young people and prioritises staff support. She has recently been promoted to a senior position within the company, but does not envisage moving to her post until a new manager has been identified and she is able to give a good handover. The home’s statement of purpose reflects the service that is offered at this home. The staff team and manager understand the aims and objectives set out in the statement. Thus, young people are admitted, discharged and cared for in line with its ethos. Most staff are qualified in caring for young people. Two members of staff are

p.9

Good

nearing completion of the award. Because of the longevity of the team of staff, most are well experienced and have a senior role within the home. Other staff have had the opportunity to progress, but have declined. Another has hopes of becoming a manager one day. This shows that staff have the opportunity to develop at the home. Staff said that the supervision, training and development opportunities that they receive support them to give good, consistent care to the young person. Appraisals take place regularly, and the manager has improved the appraisal system by devising a form to capture the young person’s views. She uses this effectively to demonstrate an all-round view of their development and practice. Staff meetings are held regularly and the young person’s week, incidents and progress are fully discussed. Any additional information from professionals is also shared. This allows staff to discuss openly, to debate and to make changes to the

p.9

Good

young person’s care, routine and risk assessments. In addition to this, staff are able to reflect on their practice and to discuss changes in law or training. For example, a member of staff delivered a PowerPoint presentation on the quality standards relating to care planning, key working and the deprivation of liberty. Therefore, staff are more aware of how these issues impact on young people, and it enhances their knowledge and helps them evidence their good practice within records. An independent visitor monitors the home on a monthly basis. Reports have improved, because an independent person is completing them and ensures that he consults with the young person and other professionals to evaluate or address any concerns or positive comments given. Therefore, the manager receives unbiased feedback that helps improve and develop the home. In addition to this, the manager regularly monitors the home and clearly identifies any actions required,

p.10

Good

such as updating of paperwork or a lack of signatures on records. All actions are taken through to the home’s development plan with clear strategies to remedy any issues found. It is constantly reviewed and amended as the service progresses. The manager makes good use of feedback from consultation with young people, staff and professionals to identify areas for improvement. For example, she is currently working with the company and training provisions to enhance staff training. She said that staff complete mandatory training which has to be refreshed periodically, but that longstanding staff are not learning anything new. Therefore, she would like them to be able to access training on a deeper level that goes beyond the basic information required. The young person said that he fully understood his care plan and is confident that he can influence the plan. Records clearly reflect the plans for the young person

p.10

Good

and show the progress that he has made within a short time period. Plans are updated regularly and sent to the relevant professionals. This ensures that all parties are aware of any recent changes to the plan. A professional commented on the excellent communication from the home and the excellent in-depth monthly summary reports that he receives. He stated that the manager was very capable and an excellent advocate for the young person. The staff and manager work collaboratively and effectively with a range of professionals and other agencies. All the professionals spoken with as part of this inspection spoke positively about the home, especially about the progress that the young person had made. The manager has challenged professionals when they have not been available for appointments or meetings, most recently around omitting essential information on a recent referral to the home. She has also worked hard with the young person in getting him to understand why it is

p.10

Good

important for him to attend meetings about him. He said, ‘My future plans are to stay here. I didn’t use to go to meetings, but the manager said that they are my meetings, so I should go. I am involved now and say what I want.’ As a result, he recently attended his review, and was able to voice his wishes and feelings. At the home’s last full inspection, a recommendation had been given to improve the bathroom. This had initially been recognised as needing updating by the operations director of the company. It was not met, and the recommendation was repeated at the interim inspection. However, it has not been completed. The manager feels that the bathroom is adequate, but the floor is uneven and attention is needed to the floor covering. Therefore, this has been raised as a requirement.

p.11

What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against ‘Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection’. An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements

p.12

What the inspection judgements mean

are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

p.12

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 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

p.13

Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and ‘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 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.13

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, work- based 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.14

Information about this inspection

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

p.14

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.14

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.14