Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Norfolk

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 manager has met the two requirements and two of the three recommendations that were made at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team receives regular supervision in line with the organisational policy. The staff say that they feel well supported by the manager. They are able to access advice and support from the manager to improve the day-to-day care of the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the staff have undertaken training to gain specific knowledge in managing supervised contact. Further training, specific to managing substance misuse, has been booked to take place on 11 April 2017. This training provides the staff with current information to support them to respond effectively to the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children know how to complain. They have access to the children‟s guide, which details the complaints process, prior to their arrival at the home. Information displayed in the home clearly outlines the children‟s rights. There is a clear process to support the children to make their views known, so that they feel listened to and valued.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager completes clear impact assessments prior to accepting new admissions. These assessments are comprehensive and consider the presenting needs of all of the children. This helps to identify any potential concerns and risks . This careful planning and consideration ensures that the process is child-focused and needs-led.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although there is a workforce plan in place, it does not detail the management and staffing structure or the further training that is required to enable the delivery of the home‟s statement of purpose. This is a recommendation that is not met from the last inspection and is therefore reinstated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Currently, there are three children in placement and one vacancy. One child has recently moved on due to her specific education needs, as part of a planned move. Staff provided support to enable her to visit her new placement prior to the transition, which assisted with the introduction and subsequent move. The staff team provides suitable support and preparation for children during their transitions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child is new to the home, having arrived two weeks prior to the inspection. He has clear education plans to attend a local education bridging provision, primarily in motor mechanics. He is adapting to the new environment. His mum said, „The care is good [in the home] but he needs to settle himself down. He is trying to push the boundaries and the staff are very good at “sticking to their guns”. I am happy at the moment with the way things are going.‟ There are clear boundaries and consistent routines to support him to continue to settle and become part of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are making progress. One child will be 18 years old shortly and is being supported to transition as he nears adulthood. He is developing his independence skills and is taking responsibility for tasks in the home. He has his own independence file which he is working through. His education timetable outlines that he is accessing in-house education, with core subjects and information technology. He currently refuses to attend college, due to his struggles historically with education. There is support and encouragement in place to enable him to have the confidence to find employment. The staff are helping him to prepare to manage his finances and the social challenges that he may face.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another child is progressing well in education. Her timetable is gradually increasing with the aim to move to full-time education. She said, „I used to stay in my room a lot. I have now built up my confidence and I am going to school. It‟s my birthday this weekend and I am looking forward to it.‟ Her social worker said that this is a positive achievement for her. The social worker identified some issues in the placement initially. However, they said that there have been improvements more recently. She said of her child, „She is happy here and has good relationships with staff. Day-to-day care is quite good, and I have a good relationship with her key worker.‟ The nurturing relationships between the staff and the child are helping her to develop in all aspects of her life.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When children are absent from the home without permission, the appropriate protocols are followed and the staff actively look for the children. There is liaison with relevant professionals and agencies. The staff are aware of the potential indicators of child sexual exploitation and the impact of this on the children. There are safeguards in place to monitor and address safeguarding concerns in a timely way.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is relatively new and individual staff members have varying levels of experience and qualifications. The staff are enrolled on appropriate training and there is a clear induction process. The staff are committed to the children and are keen to develop their practice. The newly registered manager is experienced and guides and supports the team effectively. This continues to be a work in progress. The response to allegations is effective. There is good communication with the appropriate authorities as required. This ensures independent oversight and a robust approach to any reported concerns or issues.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Physical interventions are used on occasion, when there is a need to safeguard the children and staff. A child said that the staff have only used this when they have needed to and that she feels safe in the home. The staff have the opportunity to debrief after each incident and the children are supported to share their views. However, some of the records do not have clear oversight from another manager when the registered manager is herself involved in a physical intervention. This means that the safeguard intended by independent oversight is missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use positive and negative consequences in response to the children‟s behavior, and they make clear records which detail the action that they have taken. However, a number of these records have not been signed by the manager. This does not demonstrate that the consequences are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager‟s monitoring report has several errors and is of a poor standard. Much of the information is unclear and this does not provide insight into how the service is progressing.

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Information about this children's home

A private company owns and operates this children‟s home. The home provides care and accommodation for up to four children aged between 11 and 18 years who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/11/2016 Full Good 02/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/10/2015 Full Good 23/03/2015 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) meets 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 within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure and, within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (2)(a)(vii)(3)(b)(ii)) 10/04/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that an updated workforce plan details the necessary management and staffing structure, the experience and qualifications of staff currently working within the staffing structure and any further training required for those staff, to enable the delivery of the home‟s statement of purpose. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 53, paragraph 10.8)  Ensure that the registered person has a system in place which allows them to monitor the matters set out in the regulation at least once every six months. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 64, paragraph 15.2.) This is with particular reference to the overall quality of the report as well as ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their

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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 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

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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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