Children's Home run by Break Charity in Cambridgeshire

Inspector Michael Mulvaney

Inspection date 17/01/2017 Previous inspection judgement Improved effectiveness Enforcement action since last inspection None

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last 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

The manager and the staff have taken action since the last inspection. All the staff have now completed their diploma level 3 training. Consequently, the requirement set at the last inspection has been met. There is a small, committed group of staff, which the manager continues to inspire through proactive supervision. This helps the staff to maintain their focus on meeting the children’s needs. The provider has a wide range of training available to help staff to build their knowledge base for working with the children. The staff are motivated through annual appraisals. The manager regularly reviews staff development with the staff to ensure that they have the skills required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children continue to make good progress because they live in this home. They have maintained their progress in education. Some of the children continue to manage their learning through positive joint work between the staff in the home and the schools that they attend. One child commented, ‘I have been going to my new school and have been choosing four GCSE level qualifications.’ Other children have started apprenticeships, which are building their skills in the workplace. Consequently, the children are learning new skills and developing friendship groups outside of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a calm, relaxed atmosphere in the home. This enables the children to settle quickly, especially those who have recently been placed. The staff are prepared for a new child’s arrival by discussing the care plans and impact risk assessments prepared by the manager ahead of the placement being made. An independent reviewing officer commented, ‘The staff have been very good for advocating for the children and supporting them with education. I have seen very positive relationships. One child had previously had a number of different placements, but this home has been very stable and they have settled well into the home. Staff know the children well and how to meet their needs. At looked-after reviews there is always a very informative report, including photographs of activities they have been on.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are encouraged to participate in activities such as attending cub scout groups and after school clubs. This helps the children to develop their self-esteem. The children also enjoy trips to the cinema and going shopping. There is a great deal of preparation between the staff and the children to plan for activities, day trips and holidays. This means that the children are actively involved in these decisions. As a result, the children’s views are part of the day-to-day running of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children do not go missing from this home. The staff work hard to promote the children’s welfare needs. The staff use up-to-date 24-hour behaviour management plans, individual risk assessments and care plans that promote safe care. These help the staff to understand the children’s needs and reduce behaviours which are not positive. There have been four restraints since the last inspection. A review of the written records of incidents at this inspection highlights the attempts that the staff made to de-escalate situations before intervening physically. These records indicate that the restraints were in line with the regulations. The children have provided feedback after these events to the staff. The staff have reviewed this feedback and the actions taken in response to these events with the manager to gain a better insight into the children’s behaviours. The staff have also reflected on how they may approach similar situations again.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children say that they feel safe in this home. One child commented, ‘I enjoy my time at the home. I get a lot of one-to-one time with staff, talking about my feelings. We also have lots of fun going out or staying in playing Xbox and computer games.’ There have been no complaints regarding the service. The regular independent visitor reports identify areas for the staff to consider. The manager takes prompt action to ensure that any shortfalls are quickly rectified. This, along with the manager’s robust scrutiny of staff practice, means that children’s needs are monitored well in this home. Consequently, there are no regulatory requirements or recommendations raised at this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for four children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. A registered charity owns and runs this home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 16/12/2015 Full Good 13/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/11/2014 Full Good

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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 whom 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 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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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