Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Durham

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 home continues to provide stability for the young people and a commitment to their future. Only one young person has moved out since the last inspection over eight months ago, returning to the care of their parents, in accordance with their plan. All of the young people are doing well. They are in school or further education and achieving their potential. The young people who needed additional support in education are now able to manage without it, indicating increased maturity. They are engaged in work to promote their self-reliance and prepare them for independent living. Some have taken the initiative in taking part in charity events. This demonstrates an increasing awareness of the needs of others less fortunate than themselves. One young person is a regular attender at his local authority’s Children in Care Council. On the day of the inspection, he had travelled to London to represent the region at a conference.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The success that the young people have achieved is a direct result of the systematic, skilled care provided by the staff. Care plans are detailed and updated regularly, so that they take account of any changes in circumstances. The young people are fully involved in their plans, meaning that they are able to shape the strategies which the staff put in place to promote their welfare and keep them safe. For one younger person, the staff have designed a child-friendly version of the plan which enables them to understand and engage with it more effectively. This is an excellent initiative which demonstrates the ambition of the registered manager and the staff group to seek continuous improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This culture of improvement is reflected in the registered manager’s introduction to the staff team of more research-based learning. For example, he is investigating the use of a psychological model to use with young people, which aims to equip them with the self-awareness and skills they will need to flourish in life. This will complement the already reflective and child-centred ethos in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is successful at keeping young people safe. One young person went through a period when they went missing on several occasions. The staff were diligent in following them and working in partnership with the police and other agencies to maintain oversight and return them quickly. They then considered how to prevent further incidents by supporting the young person more intensively. A plan was developed for the staff to spend more individual time with the young person. They did this by sharing simple activities, such as colouring in, and promoting leisure opportunities outside the home. The young person has engaged well with this approach, even overcoming their lack of confidence by joining a local football team, and going climbing. As a result, there have been no further incidents of going missing for over four months.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are open in discussing with the young people their concerns for their safety, and negotiating strategies to protect them from harm. For example, some young people have placed themselves at risk by using social media inappropriately. The staff agree rules for the use of mobile phones, and supervised access to the internet, which allows the young people a degree of freedom while safeguarding them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The success of the staff in forging meaningful relationships with the young people is indicated by the low incidents of physical restraint. When it does occur, staff take time to explain to the young person why it happened and explore different ways in which the young person could have expressed their distress or anger. Such incidents, and the resulting debriefing for young people, are recorded in detail. Their quality is reflected in most other records in the home. However, when young people have gone missing, there is no record of the interviews carried out by an independent person when they return. This means that the home misses the opportunity to gain as much information as possible in relation to incidents and use it to update plans or risk assessments.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has fully addressed the requirements made at the last inspection. Of particular note is the improvement in the standard of young people’s bedrooms. The staff have worked intensively with the young people to involve them in choosing new furniture. One young person said that they wanted to design their own wardrobe, so they sat down with the joiner and did just that. As a result, the previous pattern of this young person repeatedly destroying their bedroom furniture has completely disappeared. The investment that all young people have in the home is clear. They are particularly proud of the dining room, where wall displays show off their achievements. These include certificates for charity work, a framed football shirt and photos of them on activities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides accommodation for up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 31/05/2016 Full Good 23/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 21/07/2015 Full Good 17/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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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 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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