Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Lancashire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One of the two requirements made at the last inspection has been fully addressed. Consequently, there are marked improvements in the quality of impact risk assessments prior to a new admission and in the arrangements that are in place to ensure that timely independent interviews are undertaken after young people return from going missing from home. Both of these improvements mean that the safeguarding of young people is better.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this home there are good auditing systems that explore patterns and trends. These show, for example, that for each young person currently living at this home the frequency and duration of missing-from-home incidents have markedly reduced. Consequently, they are now enjoying free time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The overall quality of independent monitoring reports has improved since the last inspection and they now consistently include young people’s and staff’s views, as is legally required. However, only one relative has been consulted since September 2016 to inform and enrich this process. Therefore, this requirement has been repeated to ensure that this regulatory shortfall is addressed. However, it does not negatively impact on the outcomes for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A key strength of the home is that young people are able to take part in a wide range of constructive activities that have demonstrably increased their self-esteem and confidence. All the young people enjoy cooking and baking with the staff, which means that they are acquiring some of the fundamental skills needed for living independently. One young person planted flowers at the front of the home during the summer months, which shows that he takes pride in his surroundings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are also members of local community groups. This has further increased their sense of belonging and has improved their social skills. Comments from young people included: ‘The summer holidays were great. We did lots of activities’; ‘I love swimming, fishing and boxing’; ‘I like swimming, trampolining and football. I got a bike for Christmas off the staff and we now have a pool table in the games room.’ As a result of staff leaving and being replaced in recent months, staff members were doing long shifts and overtime. Their continued enthusiasm, commitment and resilience were commendable, but not sustainable in the long term. Ongoing recruitment means that the home is currently fully staffed again, but with an unqualified and inexperienced team. This means, for example, that there have been some sanctions overturned by managers because they were deemed too punitive. This demonstrates robust monitoring processes. Additional training was

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

quickly provided and both practice and sanction recordings have improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people, but, as a result of the staffing difficulties, the registered manager has been resolute in not admitting more than three young people at any given time. It is acknowledged that the deputy manager has done a sterling job in managing the home for the last two months during the absence of the registered manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff confirm good support, supervision and clear direction throughout this period. Comments from staff included: ‘Management support is very good’; ‘There is always a manager on call if they are not physically in the building’; ‘Monthly team meetings give me the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas’; ‘It has been a very challenging, difficult and unsettled few months with several staff leaving and new ones coming in, but it has calmed now and we are working well together. The management are supportive and approachable and being new I get fortnightly supervision.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Complaints and allegations are taken seriously and correct procedures are followed, in full collaboration with other relevant agencies, in order to safeguard young people. This includes suspension as a neutral act with ongoing support. Young people are kept informed and supported throughout the process and the outcomes are sensitively explained to them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person recently left the home. He returned to his previous foster placement in his hometown and is thrilled with this outcome. From the outset of his placement in the home he was clear that he did not want to be so far away from his family and friends. Consequently, he did not invest in the placement. Although there were a high number of incidents of him being absent without authority, it was still a significant reduction in respect of both frequency and duration compared to his history prior to admission. Furthermore, he was not charged with any criminal activity, which was also significant progress. Staff effectively managed the majority of his challenging behaviours without resorting to police assistance. However, when incidents negatively impacted on the behaviour and safety of other young people living in the home, they arranged for the placement to end.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is now enjoying a period of stability. Comments from young people included: ‘Everything is fine at this home and I am happy in school too. My contact is going well with my dad and I am enjoying scouts’; ‘I am happy and feel safe here. It’s relaxing’; ‘Things are good here and at school.’ All three young people currently living at the home attend the company’s school, which is located on the same site. Individualised timetables that are specifically designed to meet young people’s unique emotional, behavioural and learning needs and good partnership working, are effective in ensuring that there is excellent attendance and sustained educational progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good behaviour and effort are rewarded at this home and certificates of young people’s achievements are prominently displayed. One young person said, ‘I am working really hard and doing my best, and I get good support at school, but I now want to get better at ball control in PE and with my handwriting.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

To their credit, two young people who were admitted with a history of non- attendance at school have maintained 100% attendance since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have the proven ability to work in partnership with resistant families, to quickly re-establish constructive family contact for young people and to ensure that this remains a positive experience for all concerned. This helps the young people understand their background and retain their unique identity. Young people also exercise a genuine choice about contact arrangements in line with any legal directions. One young person said, ‘I see my mum every two weeks. Staff are taking us to play golf together this weekend where they do a great big breakfast.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One parent said, ‘ I am kept well informed about my son. This home is supportive and he is happy there and looked after well. He does a lot of activities and is doing well at school. Staff always facilitate contact and I am always impressed with how professional and polite they are.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good physical health and emotional well-being is actively and sensitively promoted. This has resulted in the continual improvement of one young person’s personal hygiene following his arrival at the home, which has boosted his self-esteem and confidence. Another young person has gradually overcome his genuine fear of the dentist and recently had a tooth removed, which is a significant breakthrough. Staff ensure that home-made nutritious meals, timely annual medicals and health checks, and regular physical activities are in place, all of which promote good health. Also, all the young people have recently taken part in sessions on drug awareness and internet safety and have been involved in a healthy eating project.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person was admitted with a history of alcohol and cannabis misuse, both of which have ceased at this home. In turn, this has improved his emotional well-being and his behaviours. Staff are now actively encouraging him to stop smoking by using incentives, mindful of the impact on his long-term health.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A therapist was impressed with one young person’s ‘Growing maturity and good decision-making, and his improving ability to talk about his feelings and emotions.’ An independent reviewing officer remarked, ‘I can’t believe how well my young person looks. He has put on weight, which he needed to do, and all the young people are well presented.’ Stakeholders are consistently highly satisfied with the quality of care provided at this home. One stakeholder commented on the ‘Excellent communication and partnership working’ in the staff team and they all identified particularly good practice in respect of educational support and the provision of constructive activities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recent comments from social workers included: ‘The home is always beautifully presented and has a homely feel’; ‘The staff have taken the time to get to know my child and therefore they have a very good level of understanding and insight into his needs, and he is now progressing in his social skills and confidence’; ‘The staff have gone above and beyond in terms of their support to my young person and he now accesses a variety of activities, which was unheard of before he moved here’; ‘This home provides individualised support and the staff are committed to developing independence. My young person has an excellent relationship with the staff’; ‘My child is in safe hands and is being provided with lots of opportunities to develop and progress.’

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Information about this children’s home

This is a private children’s home registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children and young people who may be experiencing emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is located on the same site as another children’s home and a school, which are owned and managed by the same company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 12/08/2016 Full Good 23/11/2015 Full Good

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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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out their monthly visits, the registered person must help the independent person to be able to consult with parents and relatives of the young people living at the home. (Regulation 44(2)(a)) 28/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children's safety. The requirements are that each individual: is of integrity and good character; has the appropriate experience, qualifications and skills for the work they are to perform; and, is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work they are to perform. (Regulation 32(1) and (2)) 31/03/2017

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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 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

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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