Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Lincolnshire

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two requirements and two recommendations made at the full inspection have been met. Monitoring systems have improved, with more accurate and timely recording of activity within the home. An example of this is the frequency of staff supervision and appraisal. Further improvement is seen in how direct work with young people is being recorded. Staff are developing recording processes that more readily demonstrate the work taking place with young people, rather than a tendency to record a great deal of work in daily logs. This has improved the registered manager’s capacity to review the progress young people are making, and makes the information more accessible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff send weekly updates to placing social workers, sharing information about progress and any incidents. One social worker praised the staff for their effective communication and made the following comments: ‘They send very good weekly reports. The structure of the home suits the young person very well and is meeting his needs.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are making steady progress in the home, with some success in education, employment and training. All young people have an education or work placement, although their engagement can vary. One young person has found full- time employment and he is making really good progress in his chosen career. His social worker discussed how far the young person has come, and was pleased that he is now thinking about his future. The social worker added, ‘He has friends and a job. He gets on well with staff and opens up to them now. All positive steps in the right direction.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people experience good placement stability. All the young people living in the home have been there for a considerable length of time, despite a number of challenges. Staff provide consistent care and this enables young people to develop positive, trusting relationships with them. Positive behaviour is consistently promoted and staff provide clear boundaries and expectations. Staff manage challenging behaviour very well. They utilise de-escalation strategies effectively and give young people space to reflect upon any aggressive or risky behaviours. Progress can be slow sometimes, but the consistent response from staff is working well and has been pivotal in the longevity of the placements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work in partnership with other professionals and fully contribute to plans and risk assessments. There are very good relationships with the police, placing social workers and other agencies. Staff follow comprehensive multi-agency plans when managing risks. They understand the risks posed to young people and are very responsive to issues arising in the community or within the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One recommendation made at the full inspection referred to increasing young people’s engagement in their own care plans and encouraging them to get more involved in how the home is run. There has been small but positive progress in this area. The young people choose not to have formal meetings together to discuss how the home is run, but there are lots of opportunities for young people to have their say, such as questionnaires and consultation. Staff also get young people together for a monthly meal out. The most effective way of eliciting their views has been through direct work between young people and their key workers.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a stable staff team and there is appropriate staffing in place to meet the needs of the young people. The registered manager has introduced starter packs for new staff employed at the home. These complement existing induction materials and provide information about safeguarding, regulations and legislation. The starter pack also introduces staff to practice and procedures specific to the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Agency staff are used sometimes, but managers ensure that they only use staff familiar to the young people. The registered manager keeps appropriate records of agency staff, ensuring that safe recruitment practices are maintained.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and staff continue to make improvements to the home, enhancing the experience and outcomes for young people.

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Information about this children's home

This home is managed by a large private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/09/2016 Full Good 29/10/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 23/06/2015 Full Good 05/02/2015 Interim Declined in 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 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, work- based 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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