Children's Home, Residential special school run by Cambian Whinfell School Limited in Westmorland and Furness

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This is a home that continues to build on its history as an outstanding children’s home. It is both school and home to a group of young people who continue to prosper and make progress in all areas of their lives. They are settled in long-term placements, where their specific needs are recognised and addressed over a period of time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

For example, since the previous inspection, three young people have seen their long-term plans for transition into adult services accomplished successfully. Plans for transition that were laid and agreed some years ago have come together, allowing young people to make the move into adulthood in a smooth and dignified manner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A strength of the home is that it understands its own capabilities and what it can offer to young people who have autistic spectrum disorder. A comprehensive assessment of a young person’s needs at the referral stage is mapped against the needs of the group of young people already living in the home. This ensures the home remains capable of meeting the needs of all the young people that it accommodates.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Detailed plans, strategies and assessments of risk address young people’s individuality, identity andcare needs. They are reviewed and updated regularly, which keeps them current. The individuality of the plans is recognised and appreciated by parents; one parent recently wrote, `Staff are fantastic and are able to anticipate a lot of his anxieties and have strategies to help.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staffing levels are high in order to allow for the individual needs of young people to be met. The high levels of communication that were observed reflect the excellent relationships that exist between staff and young people. This leads to frequent opportunities for consultation with young people, through which they make decisions about various aspects of their lives. As a result, young people grow in self-belief and confidence, which gives them greater opportunities to experience local community facilities and develop their social networks. Disability is not viewed as a barrier to young people being able to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle. For example, during the summer, one young person went with his college on a field trip to Kenya. One young person spoke about his experiences of helping out in both a local café and a local bird sanctuary. Another young person speaks positively, and with some pride, about joining the army cadets.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour management in the home is well managed. Young people with complex issues are looked after by staff who understand their needs and have the ability to focus on meeting them. If young people make mistakes, they are supported in a helpful and non-punitive manner. This creates trust and gives young people a sense of reassurance, which contributes to them feeling safe and secure in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The overlap between school and being at home is seamless because residential and educational staff work collectively. The recent GCSE results based on each young person’s starting point have been welcomed by parents, one of whom recently wrote, `Our son surpassed all expectations achieving 6 GCSE at high grades.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home reflects the needs of young people who have autistic spectrum disorder. The levels of cleanliness, state of repair, fixtures, fittings, decor, furnishings and equipment are all of a high standard. Young people confirm that they like their home and were noticeably comfortable and relaxed in their surroundings

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is well organised and well managed. The staff team is stable, has experienced little change since the previous inspection and provides young people with a high standard of care. The organisation throughout the home, from the manager down, is excellent, and young people benefit from the smooth operation of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Constant review of practice keeps the home fresh and gives all staff the chance to contribute towards identifying areas for improvement. For example, the manager has introduced a new project in which staff are asked to study a selected quality standard, then analyse the home’s own performance against that standard. This is one of a number of new initiatives introduced since the previous inspection that are designed to review practice and improve outcomes for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a good record of compliance and has fully addressed the one recommendation made at the previous inspection. This has led to improved information about advocacy, which appears in the young person’s guide.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This proved to be a positive inspection and no new requirements or recommendations have been made. Young people continue to thrive in an environment that is able to meet their needs. As a result, they continue to make progress in all areas of their lives.

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home provides care, accommodation and education on site for a maximum of 14 young males who have learning disabilities, including complex needs and autistic spectrum disorders. Accommodation is split. The majority of young people live on the main site. A short distance away from the main site there are facilities for some young people to experience a semi-independent living situation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 18/05/2016 Full Outstanding 08/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 01/07/2015 Full Outstanding 30/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 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 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

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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