Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Blackpool

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . The five requirements raised at the last inspection have been satisfactorily addressed. Consequently, young people’s files now include all the required documentation, all staff receive regular formal supervision and notifiable events are forwarded to Ofsted in a timely manner. The staff team continues to effectively de-escalate some extremely challenging behaviours without the use of restraint and/or resorting to police intervention. Consequently, there have been no physical interventions since 28 August 2016. There are good internal and external monitoring systems in place, and the review reports are now better informed and enriched with the views of young people, their relatives and staff. This effectively ensures the continued development of the home. Four recommendations were made at the last inspection. In response, the quality

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

of impact risk assessments prior to admission has improved. This demonstrates a more robust matching process to try to prevent disruptions. The lone-working policy has been revised to accurately reflect current practice in supporting staff to safeguard young people and themselves. Furthermore, there is now a more effective system in place to ensure timely independent return interviews, to discuss any reasons why the young people go missing. None of these reasons relate to concerns about living at this home. Moreover, the frequency and duration of missing incidents have significantly decreased for all the young people since moving to this placement. Menu records still do not demonstrate the provision of nutritious meals at regular intervals for one young person who remains considerably underweight. Consequently, a requirement has been raised to address this matter. Attendance and educational progress have markedly improved for the majority of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

young people living at this home. However, one young person, who is not in education or employment, is not involved in any structured daily activities. Furthermore, there is no evidence of his engaging in regular physical exercise. A new file has been created, which clearly demonstrates the educational support provided to him since the last inspection. It is acknowledged that the staff have successfully helped him to secure voluntary work at an animal sanctuary, a health and social care course, a military preparation programme and a work experience programme, all at his request. However, his marked lack of confidence results in his being unable to sustain these opportunities. However, since admission, he has been empowered to attend and positively contribute to his last statutory review and personal education planning meeting, including having input into his pathway plan and attending meetings with the specialist nurse for children looked after.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s immunisations are now all up to date, and individuals have developed independence skills, for example using public transport and accessing dental treatment in spite of a genuine phobia. For one young person, physical aggression demonstrated previously has not been evident at this home. He has also been involved in personalising his bedroom since the last inspection, which demonstrates his increased sense of belonging. This is all significant progress. His social worker said, ‘Although he does not appear to be achieving overly well for his age, his small achievements need to be recognised and encouraged. The care staff are taking small steps to improve his life chances, and this will make a big difference in the longer term. He continues to make steady progress at this home and acknowledges this move was good for him because he is away from negative influences and he says that the staff are good and supportive.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person said, ‘I am happy here and get on well with the staff. I like it here because the staff trust me and I am sleeping better. I am proud that I have had my booster jabs and now I want help to build my confidence around other young people. I am excited to be starting an independence programme in the home.’ This home always has a good ratio of staff on duty, which ensures good supervision, support and individualised care. All the team members also have a good understanding of young people’s unique backgrounds, needs and personal preferences and can articulate their progress since moving to this home. Noticeably, this is a particularly happy and motivated team that works well together and enjoys excellent relationships with the young people. The team members also confirm good management support. Comments include, ‘The manager encourages us to come up with ideas and when I make suggestions they are listened to so I

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

feel valued’, ‘I love my job. We have got a good team here’, and, ‘The rotas are always planned well in advance and they are fair and balanced with adequate rest days.’ The gender balance in the team has improved since the last inspection, and the home has recruited more drivers. This enables young people to engage in a wider range of activities outside of the home. However, currently only one member of the care staff has the minimum qualification required for this role. All the required health and safety certificates are in place to demonstrate a safe and well-maintained building. However, the current fire prevention arrangements in place are not sufficiently robust. In particular, young people smoke in their bedrooms, which is a fire risk. Not all staff are consistently advising visitors on arrival about the home’s fire procedures. This could delay evacuation in the event of a fire. There has been one unplanned discharge since the last inspection. This young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

person was happy and settled at this home for 10 months, and was making excellent progress from his starting point. In particular, he sustained 100% school attendance and only had one missing-from-care incident of less than two hours. In October 2016, he told the independent visitor, ‘I am happy with the way things are here and I am proud of my achievements at school.’ His half-term report was positive. His social worker wrote, ‘He is making good progress at this home and staff have been proactive in introducing him to a local youth club. They were also proactive in organising a strategy meeting, following recent concerns and offered my young person good emotional support throughout.’ However, he had extended home contact at Christmas as part of his planned rehabilitation home and, unfortunately, the previous pull of gang affiliation proved too strong for him to resist. Although this resulted in a disruption, there were still

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

positive outcomes. In particular, staff ensured that he is still able to sit his GCSEs this year. It has also created a particularly relaxed atmosphere in the home. Other young people have since admitted that they felt intimidated by him on his return from Christmas contact. The three young people currently living at the home are happy and settled and feel safe. They have also built up trusting relationships with the staff. This enables them to start opening up about their traumatic pasts. As a direct result, one young person who was underweight on admission has put on two stone in this placement and now has a healthy skin tone. Comments include, ‘I like this placement because I’m getting my health appointments sorted, which I am very proud about’, ‘My last review was good and my independent reviewing officer was shocked at how much I spoke because normally I don’t have much to say’, and, ‘This home has done

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

more for me than any other. Everything is fine here.’ One young person has recently moved to this home, which he is very happy about because it is located close to his family. This means that he can enjoy weekly contact. He feels safe, secure and relaxed at this home, enjoys particularly good relationships with the staff and has proved to be a positive influence on his peers. He said, ‘I love this house. It’s dead chilled. I would like to be a chef, so I enjoy cooking and baking for the home and I am pleased with my weight loss because my clothes are fitting better.’ Young people who move into independence are assured of continued support from this staff team. As an example, since discharge, staff have taken one young person out to celebrate his 18th birthday and one member of staff took him on holiday abroad. He has since realised his ambition to join the Royal Air Force, which is an excellent achievement from his starting point.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In this placement, one young person has also developed the ability to better regulate his own emotions and to reflect on his behaviours, achievements and aims. This is significant progress. He said, ‘I’m getting my head down at school. I get on well with other kids and meet up with friends to do activities. I like food tech and sports and I am good at English and maths. I am getting on better with the staff at the home now and can manage my anger better, so I’ve not been restrained. I want to stay here until I can return home.’ His independent reviewing officer concluded, ‘This is a positive placement. All professionals and family members are of the view that he has made real progress since the last review.’ Young people’s relatives are consistently very positive about the quality of care provided at this home. Recent comments include, ‘It’s a very nice home, clean and well kept. My grandson has a particularly good relationship with one member of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

staff who went above and beyond by coming in to work on her days off to chase up appointments he was anxious about’, and, ‘I am very happy with the care provided to my son, and the staff are polite and professional and arrive on time to collect him from contact.’

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Information about this children’s home

This is a private children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people who may have 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

29/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

The registered person must ensure that all young people are helped to lead healthy lifestyles and, in particular, they must demonstrate the provision of nutritious meals at regular intervals, regular physical exercise and support to help young people to stop smoking. (Regulation 10(1)(c)) 31/03/2017

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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)(2)) 31/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must take adequate precautions against the risk of fire and in particular ensuring that: young people do not smoke in their bedrooms; and, staff always inform visitors on arrival about the procedures to follow should there be a fire, in line with the company's own policy. (Regulation 25(1)(a)) 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 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 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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