Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Stockport

Good

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

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The children’s home provision is good because:

 It is evident that the stability, consistent care, routines, boundaries and additional support given to the young person have assisted her to make excellent progress across all areas of her life.  The young person’s views are central to her care, and she has several opportunities to make her wishes known. Members of staff work collaboratively with a range of professionals, such as social workers, teachers, parents and health agencies. This has ensured that the young person has engaged with them all and has made significant improvements across these areas. This also means that everyone is aware of her plan and their roles in executing it.  Education is strongly promoted at this home. The young person has 100% attendance at school and she has recently been selected by her peers to represent them on the school council. She is currently revising for her exams and has received several certificates for achievement. However, this

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The children’s home provision is good because:

progress is not recorded in her education plan.  There have been significant improvements in the young person’s health. She has received additional support from a clinician to address her emotional well-being. The young person said that this support has been extremely beneficial to her and she can now regulate her behaviour more appropriately. However, the young person’s health plan does not reflect these sessions and the progress she has made with her emotional health.  The home has been extremely successful not only in safeguarding the young person but in assisting her to recognise and reflect why adults were concerned for her. The impact of this is that she has not been reported missing from home and has reduced incidents of self-harm and aggressive behaviour.  Effective management ensures the continuous improvement and development of the home. Good monitoring systems identify the home’s strengths and areas that can be improved.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

8: The education standard In order to meet the education standard the registered person must: 8(1)(2)(a)(i) ensure that staff help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that these plans are kept up to date. 31/01/2017

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Requirement Due date

10: The health and well-being standard In order to meet the health and well-being standard, the registered person must ensure: 10(1)(a) that the health and well-being needs of children are met. This is specifically in relation to their emotional health and includes information provided by the clinicians. 31/01/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Both the arrangements for contact and any agreed details must be included in the placement plan. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that long journeys for contact have clear guidance. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph 11.15)

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home can accommodate one young person who has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

22/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Good

The young person transferred from a multi-bed home to this solo home after a planning meeting agreed that she required more support. This decision has been very beneficial to her, as she has made excellent progress in all areas of her life. At first, her negative behaviour continued, but with the consistent routines, boundaries and additional support these incidents have significantly reduced. Good care plans provide members of staff with a clear understanding of the young person’s individual needs. These are further enhanced because the young person has added her own thoughts, views and feelings. Thus, members of staff clearly know how she wishes to be cared for. The young person puts most of her progress down to the strong relationships that she has with members of staff. She describes them as, ‘caring’, ‘like family’, and ‘comforting’. Likewise, members of staff show genuine warmth towards and interest in the young person. As a result, the young person feels valued and well

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Good

cared for. This has improved her self-esteem, maturity and confidence. Before being placed here, the young person had poor attendance at education settings. This home prides itself on identifying, supporting and ensuring that young people receive education in line with their individual needs. At first, the young person was home tutored, but this was quickly moved on to her attending the company’s school. She has made exceptional progress in her attitude to learning, catching up on missed work and in her relationships with her peers. This is evident in the many certificates that she has achieved for her progress and in her being elected school councillor by her peers. A teacher said, ‘[Name of young person] has made significant progress since attending this school and is now well on her way towards achieving a range of recognised qualifications at the end of year 11. Her confidence has grown over her time here, and she is now very popular with staff

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Good

and pupils [in] the school. She has the ability to see right from wrong. She is an active voice on the school council and a positive mentor to some of the younger and more vulnerable pupils.’ The young person said, ‘I am doing very well. I originally wanted to be a police officer but I am now thinking about working in the care environment.’ The home has an education plan in place that discusses her educational needs and the support required by members of staff, but they have not included all the exceptional progress that she has made, such as being a school councillor, and the certificates of achievement that she has gained. This does not celebrate her achievements or provide a full record that she will be able to reflect on in later life. In addition to this, her personal education plan is only partially completed. The manager had notes from the meeting, so she was aware of the actions raised but had not noticed that the returned record had not been fully

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Good

completed. This means that there is not a formal account of the meeting. The young person is placed a long distance away from home. Therefore, she had no friends in the local area. Initially, she also struggled in maintaining appropriate age-related friendships and gravitated towards older young people. However, she has now made good relationships with her peers at school and she spends time in the local community with them. Her friends visit the home, stay for tea and go out on activities with her. The young person enjoys going walking in scenic areas or on the beach. She often takes a member of staff’s dog for a walk with her. She also enjoys going to the cinema and having pampering nights with staff. She said, ‘The manager is currently pricing up a holiday to Disney World in Paris. This is in recognition of all my hard work. I can’t wait.’ This shows that the young person is making appropriate relationships, being rewarded for her achievements and is

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Good

involved in community life. The young person’s health has improved because members of staff, alongside incentive schemes, have encouraged her to attend all main appointments. The young person is currently considering lowering her weight through healthy eating. She is using the internet to research healthy menus, such as low fat meals, and she likes walking for exercise. The manager has liaised with a specialist nurse for advice and has checked that there is no medical reason for not supporting her with her dietary requirements. Members of staff have been sensitive with this issue and are using semi-independence tasks to encourage her to make the right choices, such as healthier shopping choices and planning and making meals from fresh produce. The young person’s emotional health has significantly improved. She sees a clinician on a fortnightly basis and has engaged in these sessions well. The young person said, ‘My behaviour has improved because I have found better ways of

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Good

communicating. Therefore, I am not as angry. I have not self-harmed and I have better relationships with staff.’ However, the young person’s health plan only gives a list of dates when she has seen the clinician. In addition to this, the home receives a detailed report from the clinician. The home has not evaluated this information to show how she has progressed, whether any strategies have been included or what subjects have been covered. This means that members of staff do not have a clear picture of the young person’s emotional health. Members of staff support the young person to keep in contact with her family. Originally, she was only able to have supervised telephone contact, and this has progressed to unsupervised telephone contact and visiting her family in their local community. There are good contact plans in place that show the agreements, contacts, dates and times. However, the home needs to consider, as good practice,

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Good

including arrangements for transporting and supervising the young person, for example taking comfort breaks and ensuring that they have all the information at hand in case of breakdowns, as it is a long journey and unfamiliar territory for the staff team.The young person is being prepared for semi-independence very well. She said, ‘I do not know whether I wish to return to my local area or stay here. So staff are looking at both options.’ The young person said that she is confident that she will be able to care for herself because she has been completing life skill tasks. For example, she has a budget, completes a shopping list, purchases the items and cooks her own meals with support from staff. She has also looked at college courses in the local area that would be transferable to her hometown if she wishes to return there. This means that the young person is gaining life skills and that a contingency plan ensures that any changes can be adapted to quickly.

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Outstanding

The young person has made significant and measurable progress in keeping herself safe. The young person’s independent reviewing officer said, ‘Since being at this home, she has progressed well and she has gained a better understanding of the risks that she put herself in and her vulnerability.’ She continued to say, ‘At her most recent review, she was able to discuss how much she had worked with professional agencies to improve her relationship skills and understanding. I recently visited her and I was really impressed with how she reflected on her past, her experiences, how she had progressed and the decisions that she has made that affect her current and future plans.’ Before being placed here, the young person was at high risk of child sexual exploitation and was often reported missing from home for long periods of time. The home contacted an advocate whom the young person could talk to independently about these concerns. The young person has engaged with the

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Outstanding

advocate and she said that she now fully understands why adults were concerned about her safety. She recently wrote a letter to staff to thank them for all their hard work. She wrote, ‘If I never had you all keeping me safe, God knows where I would be today. I was in massive danger of child sexual exploitation, drugs and alcohol abuse and you have saved my life.’ She continued to say, ‘If I didn’t have you, I could have been in a terrible situation that I could not get out of. I have learnt so much. I am a changed person. I want to say a massive thank you.’ The young person has also completed PowerPoint projects on several issues relating to child sexual exploitation and bullying. She has presented these to her peers in school. As a result, other young people have shared concerns with her and she has been able to report to teachers and other professionals when she has been aware that other young people are at risk.

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Outstanding

The home works collaboratively with all safeguarding professionals to ensure that young people are safe. A safeguarding professional said, ‘The manager contacts me appropriately, manages concerns properly, brings matters to my attention, deals with everything by process and consults with me regularly. She does over and above … what I would want but I appreciate this level of thought.’ She continued to say, ‘The manager often contacts me to attend the staff meeting to give a bespoke session on safeguarding to members of staff.’ This shows that safeguarding young people is a high priority at this home. Similarly, because of the high level of input around ensuring that the young person understands the risks that she has placed herself at in the past, she has not been reported missing from this home. This is a significant achievement, given her past missing-from-care episodes. However, if an incident were to occur, staff

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Outstanding

demonstrated that they knew the missing-from-care protocol and their roles and responsibilities in this area. Members of staff deal with negative behaviour exceptionally well. This is because there are detailed behaviour management plans and risk assessments in place. They give clear guidance, strategies and actions for staff to follow that have been agreed with the young person. Initially, the young person was held for her own and others’ safety, but, as she has matured and learned different ways of venting her anger, these have significantly reduced. When incidents have occurred, the home keeps a detailed account that includes debriefs for the young person and members of staff. This means that all parties can reflect on the incident and revisit strategies and actions to de-escalate incidents. Positive behaviour is encouraged through incentive and reward schemes. The young person is constantly praised for her excellent progress and has received

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Outstanding

extra clothing money and activities and is looking forward to a trip abroad. All health and safety checks are carried out robustly, and certificates maintained in the home are updated as and when required. Members of staff and the young person complete regular fire evacuations. This ensures that the home is a safe environment to live in and that everyone knows what to do if an emergency were to occur.

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Good

The manager was registered with Ofsted in April 2015. She has several relevant qualifications in different areas of childcare, she has completed a management qualification and she has worked in several childcare environments. This means that she has the experience and the knowledge to lead a staff group and manage the home. She also manages another two children’s homes. She ensures that she spends equal periods in each home. Three experienced and qualified deputy managers support her across the homes. As part of her ongoing development, she is completing a doctorate in child sexual exploitation. She has been able to use some of the research in staff meetings, to inform staff of current issues and to develop their understanding of the complexities associated with child sexual exploitation. She has also registered on the level 7 qualification in leadership and management. This shows that she is committed to her ongoing development and

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Good

that her knowledge and understanding of childcare practice and legislation are kept up to date. She receives regular supervision and support from a suitably qualified and experienced senior manager. This gives her the opportunity to reflect on her own practice. The home’s statement of purpose is updated regularly and reflects the ethos and service provided by the home. This means that commissioners, social workers, parents and young people know exactly what the home provides and what to expect. The young person is cared for by a stable core group of staff. There have been some changes to the staff team, but this has not affected the care given to the young person. This is because several bank staff work across the three homes when there are shortages due to sickness, annual leave or people leaving. Consequently, they know the young person well. There have been two new members off staff identified for this home, and they are currently completing an

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Good

induction. The manager ensures that they have completed all mandatory training and have had several shadow shifts before commencing employment at the home. Recruitment files show that robust checks are carried out prior to offering applicants employment. For example, one member of staff’s references could not be gained, as two of the companies that they previously worked for had closed down. Therefore, four additional references were requested to establish their good character and their ability to carry out a childcare role. Members of staff reported that they are well supported by the manager and by the clear policies and procedures in place at this home. They said that supervision is regular and beneficial because it gives them the opportunity to discuss and reflect on their practice. Similarly, they discussed with the inspector the opportunities that they have to look at practice issues in staff meetings. One member of staff said

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Good

that staff meetings are an open forum to discuss anything of concern, the young person, improvements or developments for the home. The manager often gives allotted time to significant issues in the media or changes in legislation, or to invite professionals to talk on related subjects, for example a safeguarding professional to discuss child sexual exploitation. This enables members of staff to be aware of any changes to practice. Members of staff’s knowledge is kept up to date through good training that is refreshed regularly. Staff also receive additional training to meet young people’s individual needs or when new topics, such as radicalisation, become prevalent. This means that they have the skills to support young people well. The manager takes the development of staff seriously. She has just sourced opportunities for staff to complete their level 5 qualification in leadership and management and to become

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Good

assessors in the company. Most staff have attained their level 3 qualification in childcare. New staff are enrolled at the start of their employment. The manager checks their progress in supervision and gives additional support when necessary. The quality of care in the home is robustly assessed by an independent visitor and the manager. Consultation with a range of professionals, parents, teachers and the young person shows that an all-round view of the home is captured. Any suggestions or findings are taken through to the home’s development plan. For example, the home shared a company car with another two homes. The young person was frustrated that it was not available sometimes for activities. Consequently, the manager presented a quote to the company with a compelling reason for why the home needs its own car. As a result, the home now has a company car that enables the young person to go out more.

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Good

A key strength of the service is the effective partnership working between staff, parents, grandparents, teachers, police and social workers. Consequently, young people benefit from being at the centre of a strong, multi-disciplinary team, in which everyone is working towards agreed plans, goals and outcomes. Young people are living in a safe home environment and their views are consistently reflected in the home’s monitoring and development.

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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’.

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What the inspection judgements mean

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 children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements 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

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or that 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 that 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 whom 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 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

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

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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