Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Tameside

Outstanding

The children‟s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people live in a warm, friendly, nurturing home where staff are committed to helping young people to accomplish their individual goals and aspirations.  Staff have positive relationships with the young people. They involve them in all decisions which are made about their home. They provide consistency and routine, which have contributed to young people making considerable progress in managing their behaviours in a more positive way.  New admissions to the home settle quickly. Staff take the time to get to know them and ensure that they are well matched with the young people who live there.  Young people say that they enjoy living in their home and get on with all their staff. They say that staff care for them and support them, and that they are fully involved in the running of their home.  Staff give young people‟s safety high priority. Strong links are maintained with safeguarding agencies, such as the local police. This has resulted in a

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The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

reduction in young people going missing from the home.  Behaviour management plans are effective and provide clear guidance for staff on how to recognise triggers and warning signs. Staff involve young people in devising strategies to manage these behaviours in a calmer manner.  The manager is highly proactive in ensuring that young people are provided with the right level of care and support to meet their individual needs. She maintains positive links with a range of care, education, health and safeguarding agencies.  The recent change in management has not compromised the running of this home. The current manager has worked at this home for a number of years in the role of deputy manager.  The manager is keen to develop her team of staff further. She utilises their strengths and provides opportunities for them to reflect on their practice.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Homes should take account of information provided by return home interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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Information about this children’s home

This children‟s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for five young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is privately owned.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 23/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 08/12/2015 Full Outstanding 10/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 29/10/2014 Full Good

p.5

Outstanding

Young people live in a welcoming and comfortable home that is furnished to a high standard. Staff encourage young people to participate in decisions about the running of the home and the decor. They have recently enjoyed being involved in choosing the paint and soft furnishings for their living room. Young people are happy and relaxed in their home, where they enjoy warm and trusting relationships with staff who are highly supportive in helping them to come to terms with the traumas of their past. This hard work has been rewarded by the notable progress that young people make in developing resilience, and increasing self-confidence and self-esteem. These elements have contributed to them developing a sense of stability and belonging. A social worker said: „I‟d have all my young people placed in this home, if I could. It‟s clear that there are brilliant relationships between staff and young people.‟

p.6

Outstanding

Young people are able to develop strong attachments with adults and form positive relationships before moving on to future placements. They learn to live in a group setting and are respectful of one another. They settle quickly and blossom in an environment that has clear structures and routines in place. They are very polite, welcoming visitors by introducing conversation in a lively and friendly manner. A social worker said, „Staff have an excellent relationship with the young people and this is reflected by the respect shown to staff.‟

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Outstanding

Young people who are new to the home make positive relationships with staff and the young people who live there. This is because staff are genuinely interested in them and make every effort to get to know them. Staff gained existing young people‟s views on how they were feeling in relation to the changes in the home, utilising picture symbols of faces showing a variety of emotions, for example. This creative approach gives young people a good opportunity to relay any fears that they may have, and for staff to support and reassure them, and to dispel their anxieties. Consequently, the young people were well prepared and keen to participate in welcoming the new young person to the home. For example, staff encouraged young people to recall how they were feeling when they first arrived, enabling them to have a positive plan for helping the young person to feel less anxious. Consequently, young people have positive relationships, and consider and

p.6

Outstanding

Staff value young people‟s education, and have high expectations for them to attend and achieve. All young people have excellent attendance at school and make good progress from their starting point. The staff support them with their learning and help with homework, if required. Staff ensure that they settle into the school routine and benefit from a positive learning experience. This enables them to move on quickly to mainstream education provision. A social worker said, „I‟m very impressed with the lead workers and the dedication that they have for young people.‟

p.6

Outstanding

The staff team has excellent knowledge of the young people‟s individual needs and staff are committed to learning new skills to achieve better outcomes for them. They are not daunted by setbacks and are persistent in their efforts to help young people to succeed. Staff utilise young people‟s interests and talents to engage and encourage them to achieve, for example purchasing small animals for young people who are passionate about working with them in the future. This also teaches young people about having responsibilities, which will assist them in their adult lives and prepare them for future careers. A social worker said, „Staff do excellent things with X and have bought various animals for X, because they know that she loves them and will enjoy learning how to care for them.‟

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Outstanding

Staff are highly creative and resourceful in designing ways to support young people to participate fully in all aspects of care planning. They source tools and use these to establish young people‟s individual likes, dislikes, interests and hobbies. They regularly monitor and review these so that they know what progress they are making. Young people‟s views and wishes are central to the smooth running of the home. There is a substantial amount of evidence throughout the home to demonstrate the significant progress that young people make. They choose how they want to personalise their bedrooms, and express their opinions and suggestions about special events, outings and activities. They confirmed that they know how to make a complaint if they are not happy with any aspects of their care, and are supported to access independent advocates to help them to express their concerns more clearly, when required. A young person

p.7

Outstanding

said, „I really like my home and I get on with all the staff. There is nothing that I would change. I have no complaints at all and, if I did, I know how to do it [complain].‟

p.7

Outstanding

Staff are suitably trained in safeguarding and have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in keeping young people safe. Robust methods are effectively followed in response to any arising allegations, unsafe practice or suspicion of abuse. Consequently, there has been a significant reduction in young people going missing from the home . A police officer said, „Staff and management treat young people as individuals, and they constantly promote positive behaviour and actions, in and outside of the home.‟

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Outstanding

Staff support young people to understand and manage their behaviour and feelings in a safe environment with clear, consistent boundaries. Behaviour management plans are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are effective and take into account the views and experiences of young people. A young person said: „Staff are really good. I am safe living here and I know how to keep myself safe, because staff have shown me.‟

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Outstanding

Staff are highly proactive in their efforts to locate young people when they go missing from the home. They immediately search for them, driving to their last- known location and places where they are likely to be. They escalate their concerns with placing authorities, the host authority, police and parents. The home has a clear plan in place to reduce these risks and keep young people safe. When they return to the home, young people are provided with independent interviews, providing an opportunity to discuss any issues. Developments could be made in this area. Clear records would assist staff to gain a better understanding of the triggers to these behaviours and an opportunity to plan strategies to minimise the risk of young people repeating this behaviour. A social worker said, „Staff dealt extremely well when X went missing from home. They went “above and beyond” to recover X.‟

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Outstanding

Staff have developed strong links with the police community support officer, who regularly visits the home to maintain positive relationships with young people. Staff are also proactive in communicating with placing authorities and other professionals to highlight any safeguarding issues, and they contribute fully to reviewing and planning strategies that help children and young people achieve positive outcomes. A police officer said, „Young people are 100% safe at this home.‟

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Outstanding

Staff understand the triggers to behaviour and are capable of identifying when a change in a young person‟s life may cause them to react in a negative manner, for example changes in families which have the potential to heighten anxiety and frustration. They support young people to manage their behaviour and feelings safely. Staff work sensitively with these young people and ensure that they have sufficient opportunity to discuss any anxieties they may have, with either them or the organisational therapist.

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Outstanding

Staff employed at the home are subject to organisational vetting procedures and do not start work in the home until all appropriate checks are complete. All fire, gas and electrical equipment is routinely serviced to ensure that is in good working order. This ensures that the environment is safe and that young people are protected from people who may present a risk to them. Judgement grade

p.8

Outstanding

There has been a change in manager since the last inspection. The current manager has been in post since July 2016 and is in the process of applying for registration with Ofsted. She has worked at this home for a number of years in the role of deputy manager, and demonstrates a thorough understanding of its purpose, aims and objectives, as outlined in the statement of purpose. This has helped to maintain continuity in the care of young people. The manager is well supported by a deputy manager and consistent team of staff, who bring a range of experience and knowledge to the home.

p.9

Outstanding

Managers and staff have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the young people in their care. They know that their past experiences are highly likely to contribute to their negative behaviours. Staff consult with young people, their families and placing authorities to collect historical information. This provides them with sound information from which to formulate unique behaviour management plans and risk assessments. Care practice is highly effective and focuses on the young person‟s specific needs. Good links and a combined approach with a range of external professionals mean that young people receive the specific care and support that they require to reach their full potential.

p.9

Outstanding

Care planning is of a high standard and is designed to meet the specific needs of young people. The manager regularly monitors young people‟s progress and development, enabling her to identify any developing patterns or trends. This means that she can take action swiftly to address any areas of concern that are identified. All significant events concerning the welfare of young people are reported to the appropriate authorities quickly to ensure that appropriate action is taken to protect them. She compiles clear, evaluative reports and participates in meetings with young people, escalating issues with placing authorities to ensure that their individual plans are effective and achievable. A social worker said of the manager and staff: „They inform me immediately whenever there is an issue. They re-assess X all the time and put solid plans in place to minimise any risks, to ensure that X is safe.‟

p.9

Outstanding

Staff are highly valued and supported by their managers, and receive regular supervision and support from them. Staff development is ongoing, through training and regular team meetings. All staff have completed mandatory safeguarding training and additional guidance which focuses on the needs of the young people, such as on countering sexual exploitation and radicalisation. The staff team is solid and consistent. All staff are either appropriately qualified or are working towards the required qualifications within timescales. They are highly committed to supporting and assisting the young person to achieve good outcomes in preparation for adulthood. The manager is committed to promoting staff development and improving practice to ensure that young people receive a high standard of care from staff who have sound knowledge and understanding of their complex needs. To implement this, she has sourced training from the home‟s local authority and has devised personal

p.9

Outstanding

development plans, looking specifically at individual strengths and improvements. She utilises team meetings and staff supervision to provide opportunities to link research to practice, helping them to understand why specific strategies and methods are implemented for certain behaviours. A young person said, „Staff are great. They really help me and know what I need, and what to do when I get upset.‟

p.10

Outstanding

Staff have formed positive relationships with placing authorities, independent reviewing officers, youth offending workers and psychologists. They utilise advice and the contributions from these agencies to ensure that young people are afforded the best possible life chances. Managers and staff are highly regarded by these people. A social worker said, „I recommend staff at the home to other colleagues, and continue to praise them for the care that they provide to young people.

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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

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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.

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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 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

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Information about this inspection

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 0300 123 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, 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,

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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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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