Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Torbay

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager and her staff team are providing a very nurturing environment for young people. This is underpinned by an unconditional acceptance of difference and a desire to do all they can to provide much needed stability for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Keeping in touch with young people who have moved on into semi-independence is also a consistent theme. This demonstrates a recognition of how important such ongoing contact is for young people who have often suffered repeated loss and rejection in their early lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two recommendations that were made at the last inspection have been met. There is a new admission process for new staff members, and the registered manager ensures that she scrutinises all of the relevant paperwork before approving new starters.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no episodes of young people going missing from home since the last inspection. The registered manager has ensured that the person responsible for conducting return home interviews is identified when young people move into the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Creative ways to address emotional distress and challenging behaviour have been developed; these approaches are informed by a therapeutic approach. For example, a sensory box is used to support a young person who suffers with anxiety. This box contains a number of items to help the young person self- soothe, such as a heated wheat bag, stress balls and sour sweets, which help the young person return their thoughts to the present moment. Different essential oils are also used to support the young person to feel calm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are aware that leaving family members after visits to the family home can also be stressful for the young person. Therefore, a blanket and other self-soothing tools are provided for the car journey. Other approaches to behaviour management are based upon support, learning and praise. Outcomes and goals are also clearly agreed with young people in order to reinforce positive progress. The young person who is living at the home lived in many other places prior to moving into this home. The young person commented, ‘It is different in this home as we trust each other and I respect them; this has never happened before.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person previously refused to attend school for many months. They are now attending on a full-time basis and are on track to achieve GCSEs. This young person also volunteers twice a week at a local charity shop; they are also supported to access other activities which they enjoy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person has made remarkable process in the short time that they have been living in the home, although a staffing ratio of 2:1 is currently in place due to some challenging and abusive behaviour from the young person. There is a clear plan to reduce this ratio.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recent safeguarding matter required an internal investigation. This investigation is in the process of being carried out. However, as it has been over five weeks since the incident occurred, any identified safeguarding actions will not be implemented on an effective timescale.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a national provider of children’s services. The home is registered for one young person who has emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/11/2016 Full Good 10/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/12/2015 Full Good 15/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

The home’s policies and procedures around the protection of children should reflect any requirement of other relevant legislation (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 44, paragraph 9.22). For example, employers and voluntary organisations should ensure that they have clear policies in place setting out the process, including timescales for investigation (‘Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter-agency working to promote the welfare of children’, page 54, paragraph 52). In particular, internal investigations must be completed in a timely manner to ensure that a robust approach to safeguarding is provided for young people, and the appropriate support and advice is also provided for staff members.

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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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