Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Warwickshire

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 judges that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of this inspection, there are five young people living at home. Since the last inspection, one young person has been discharged from the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has not had a registered manager in post since April 2016. Since this time there have been two interim managers, one of which is a recently appointed experienced manager. The absence of a registered manager has resulted in a decline in effectiveness. This shortfall has created feelings of instability in the staff team, and staff morale has declined as a result. This has led to a decrease in confidence in some staff practice and abilities. For example, staff have experienced different management styles and responses to practice issues.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have not followed the home’s policy on recording physical restraints for a number of months. This omission has hindered the opportunity for analytical and management overview regarding the impact of these interventions for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager ensures that the home has clearly defined policies for staff supervision and a comprehensive induction programme designed to ensure that all staff have the skills and qualities necessary for effective childcare practice. However, despite a previous recommendation, staff appraisals have still not been prioritised, and this continues to be a shortfall in practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A deterioration in one young person’s behaviour has meant that some damage has occurred within the home. Staff have a commitment to ensuring that the home is well maintained. However, outstanding repairs detract from the overall homely environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers work collaboratively with key agencies when safeguarding concerns arise. Some young people do go missing. Staff respond well to all missing incidents and work effectively with other agencies. Strong relationships with the police and local authorities are used to protect young people from harm. However, young people are not consistently offered return interviews after going missing. This limits the staff team’s ability to review risk management plans. Despite these shortfalls, young people’s experiences at the home are positive. Young people participate in regular key work sessions and house ‘chat’ meetings. Young people understand how decisions are made and the degree to which they are able to influence them. Complaints are rare, and when raised are swiftly addressed with young people receiving a response. Key working sessions have a clear focus on the young person’s specific needs, covering sensitive topics such as

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s self-esteem and confidence are promoted through a wide range of varied and focused activities, both in and outside the home. Staff support young people to develop social skills and relationships, and to enjoy healthy living. Good- quality daily experiences help young people to make progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working with other agencies is helping young people to make good progress educationally. Most young people are activity engaged in full-time education. The staff work collaboratively with educational providers and placing authorities to create tailor-made educational packages that enable young people to achieve their educational potential.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s health needs are promoted and reviewed. For example, the staff ensure that young people have access to clinical support services. Managers also ensure that the staff team receives specialist training to meet each young person’s needs. This includes supporting young people who have experienced past trauma.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements made at the last full inspection regarding case files and staff qualifications have been met.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children and young people. The home is privately owned and managed. The home provides therapeutic services.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/08/2016 Full Good 04/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 07/07/2015 Full Good 03/12/2014 Full Adequate

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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 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

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children's home if there is no registered manager in respect of the home. If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of the name of the person so appointed; and the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27 1 (a) 2 (a) (b)). 27/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out— how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children's home; and the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 35 (1)(2)). 27/02/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such 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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Recommendations

 All staff must have their performance and fitness to carry out their role formally appraised at least once annually. This appraisal should take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and children in the home's care. As part of the performance management process, poor performance should be addressed by a timely plan to bring about improvement. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 61, paragraph 13.5)  For children's homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children's homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislation (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than 'institutional' impression.

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Recommendations

(‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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

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Information about this inspection

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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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