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 judges that it has declined in effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

For a number of reasons the registered manager has not been actively managing this home on a full-time basis for the last four months and is currently supporting another service three days a week. This has negatively impacted on the usually robust scrutiny of records and the monitoring of day-to-day practice in this home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As a result of the disruption described above, not all of the requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection have been addressed. Furthermore, some of the actions that were identified in the last manager’s six-monthly review of the quality of care provided in the home remain outstanding. These include: the installation of wi-fi in the home, the lack of which is a particular source of frustration to the young people; and attachment training for staff in order to help them to better understand and meet the needs of the young people who are placed in the home. There has also been a delay in addressing the fluctuating water temperature in the home. This particularly angers one young person, who likes a hot shower every day. Furthermore, the staff have not commenced the compilation of independence files for young people as planned. As a result, although young people’s specific future plans are for independent living, there is

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

limited evidence of focused work to adequately prepare them for this major transition.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recruitment of new and inexperienced staff means that some individuals still have a limited knowledge and understanding of, for example, the use of and recording of sanctions and missing-from-home procedures. This has resulted in inconsistent practices, which have been exacerbated by a high staff turnover. At the last inspection, only 40% of the care staff had completed the minimum qualification required of this position. There is now only one qualified residential care worker.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following a change of external visitor, independent monthly monitoring visits to the home are now, overall, more robust and the reports are more detailed. The visits now include consultations with young people and staff, however, there remains a lack of attention to detail. This means that a few inaccuracies were found, including errors in the initials of the young people and staff. Moreover, the reports are still not consistently informed and enriched by the views of young people’s relatives, so this requirement has been repeated. Of the seven reports that have been produced since the last inspection, consultations with relatives have only taken place on three occasions. Consequently, there is only one relative’s view captured in respect of one young people who is currently placed in the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The feedback that has been received from relatives is all positive. For example: ‘The staff are doing a grand job with my grandson and I have no concerns with them. They are always polite and professional with me;’ ‘All the staff are very helpful and lovely and keep me informed about how my son is doing. They always listen to what I say and helped me to have extended contact with my son. He has just been home for a week and his behaviour has been great;’ ‘I am really pleased that my son has gone back into education, which is progress for him.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation that was made at the last inspection has not been satisfactorily addressed. This recommendation was made in relation to demonstrating the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Although balanced meals are provided at the home, young people often refuse the planned menu in favour of convenience foods that have high fat and sugar content. Moreover, records show that they are regularly missing breakfasts and lunches, including a pregnant young person and a young person who is not a healthy weight and admits to sometimes feeling self-conscious about his appearance. Young people also continue to smoke tobacco and misuse drugs, which all impacts on their long-term health, especially as one young person is asthmatic.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home continues to ensure that appropriate specialist services intervene in a timely manner in order to help meet young people’s specific and more complex needs. This includes the excellent medical and emotional support that was given to a young person who was pregnant on admission. The staff have also sensitively encouraged and supported one young person to commence significant dental treatment. He is also now up to date with his required immunisations, despite his genuine fear of needles. In sharp contrast, some young people have refused to attend annual statutory medicals and routine health checks.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In response to a recommendation made at the last inspection, there is now more evidence of staff requesting independent return interviews when a young person returns after going missing from the home. However, the processes that are in place are still not effective in practice. So, for example, there were no interviews undertaken for one young person who went missing from home four times. That said, the frequency of missing-from-home incidents has continued to decrease. Moreover, particularly good partnership working with the police was effective in preventing one young person from going missing from home and thereby stopped any further sexual exploitation.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following the discharge of one young person, there have been no missing from home incidents since October 2016. The young person who is currently placed in the home, has not displayed any of his previous anti-social behaviour since moving to this home in November 2016. This is significant progress from his starting point.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home is currently relatively settled. This is helped by the fact that there are only three young people placed in the home, despite the fact that it is registered for up to six. All three young people have been admitted since the last inspection, so they are still relatively new placements. Consequently, Ofsted have been assured that there is no intention to admit any more young people until there has been a sustained period of stability for the young people and the staff team.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home continues to demonstrate particularly sensitive and gradual admission and discharge processes. This successfully helps young people to settle quickly. For example, one young person was supported to visit a number of foster placements before choosing one that she really liked. The staff were also strong and effective advocates in changing her social worker at her request, so that positive continued support was secured. They also ensured that another young person was discharged to a solo placement closer to his school and family, all of which he had specifically wanted.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Currently, the home’s main focus is on ensuring that young people feel safe and secure by providing a warm, nurturing environment; building strong, trusting relationships with the young people; and establishing good routines. Young people also benefit from frequently taking part in a wide range of age-appropriate activities. This is in marked contrast to young people’s previous gang affiliation and associated offending behaviours.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s established practice of emphasising and rewarding positive behaviours and efforts has also had the desired effect on behaviours. This means that the use of restraints is rare.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Feedback from social workers confirms that they experience ‘excellent communication’ with this staff team, including weekly updates on young people’s progress. They also highlight the speed with which previously disaffected young people settle here and positively engage. One social worker was full of praise for the way that staff had adapted the initial introductions to the home for one young person when his circumstances radically changed. Comments from social workers include: ‘It’s still early days but my young person is so positive about this placement and I can’t believe how well he has settled in and is responding to the boundaries in place. This has never happened before and I put it down to the staff at this home, who provide a nurturing environment;’ ‘The staff are enthusiastic and put themselves above and beyond to care for my young person, so he is doing really well here;’ ‘The staff here know what they are doing. They are firmer here.

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

He had more leeway at the previous home. Any issues are addressed swiftly and I get a weekly progress report. He is now having six-weekly weekend contact and since moving here he has always returned on time. His new school is going okay too. He has good attendance and is showing good commitment.’

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Initially, the plan for one young person was to move closer to home, but he is now so settled and is enjoying school so much that he has asked to stay on a long-term basis and described it as a ‘new start’. Comments from young people include: ‘I have only just moved here, but felt settled straight away because the staff treat me with respect and so now I want to stay until I can move into my own flat;’ ‘I like living here. We are offered a lot of activities. The staff are good and keep me safe. They take me to school and give me free time if I go to school;’ ‘I love it here. It’s boss. The staff are friendly and really care for me. Things are good and contact with my nan is going really well;’ ‘It’s good here and I get on with the staff. I like my bedroom and being able to listen to music. I am happy here because I am having more family contact.’

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A key strength of this home is that it ensures that young people re-establish and maintain constructive family contact in line with any legal directions and personal preferences. This strengthens young people’s sense of identity.

p.5

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Continued good practice maintains the home’s ability to effectively re-engage young people in education that best meets their emotional, behavioural and learning needs. This enables them to meet their full potential. Consequently, one young person, prior to discharge, was supported to take seven GCSEs, which will increase her future job opportunities. Another young person, who had not been receiving any education prior to admission, immediately started a gradual introduction to school. To his credit, in January 2016, he had 100% attendance and frequently achieved ‘pupil of the week’. Furthermore, the staff have already secured an interview for an apprenticeship scheme for one young person within four days of their admission to the home.

p.5

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A requirement was made at the last inspection to ensure that young people’s files included all the documentation that is needed to adequately safeguard them and meet their unique needs. In response, more robust escalation and timely post- placement meetings and reviews have successfully ensured that the current three young people’s files are satisfactorily maintained. However, this home still does not insist that all the required documentation from the relevant placing authority is in place prior to young people’s admission. This means that since the last inspection staff have been constantly chasing information, frequently with limited success.

p.5

Information about this children’s home

This is a private children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people, who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned and managed by a large national organisation and is located on the same site as one of its registered schools and another of its children’s homes.

p.6

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 21/07/2016 Full Good

p.6

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.

p.7

Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard The registered person must demonstrate that the practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on the feedback of young people and, in particular, the young people’s feedback regarding the installation of wi-fi and improvement of the water temperature; and that the use of the monitoring and review systems which are in place makes continuous improvements to the quality of care provided in the home, including, but not restricted to, the use of sanctions. (Regulation 13(2)(g)(ii) and (h)) 31/03/2017

p.7

Requirement Due date

32: Fitness of workers The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures designed to ensure children’s safety by making sure that each individual has the appropriate experience, qualifications and skills for the work that the individual is to perform. (Regulation 32(1)(3)(b)) 31/03/2017

p.7

Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person to be able to interview young people’s parents and relatives. (Regulation 44(2)(a)) 31/03/2017

p.7

Requirement Due date

10: The health and well-being standard The registered person must ensure that staff help each child to achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans, and in particular ensure that: young people attend the required statutory medicals and routine health checks; nutritious meals are provided at regular intervals; and actively encourage the cessation of smoking tobacco and drugs misuse. (Regulation 10(2)(a)(i)) 31/03/2017

p.7

Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard The registered person must keep each child safe and protect each child effectively from harm, including ensuring that timely 31/03/2017 independent return interviews are undertaken. The home should then take account of the information that is provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to try to prevent a re-occurrence. (Regulation 12(2)(b))

p.7

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:

p.8

Recommendations

Staff must help each child to live independently. This includes developing the emotional and mental resilience to cope without the home’s support and the practical skills to live independently. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.27)

p.8

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’.

p.9

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.

p.9

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 .

p.9

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,

p.10

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.10

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.10

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

p.10