Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Cambridgeshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met the three regulatory requirements that were raised at the last inspection. She has reviewed all of the risk assessments and ensured that they contain the relevant information. Staff sign to confirm that they have read the risk assessments. These assessments have been shared with the placing local authorities. The details of contact arrangements for children have been clarified to ensure that any known hazards are understood and that there are plans in place to minimise the likelihood of harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has liaised appropriately with the designated officer for safeguarding in the local authority following concerns about staff conduct. The designated officer is satisfied that the manager has followed the processes and that the children are safeguarded. The manager notified Ofsted of these concerns.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the staff, including the manager, are now receiving regular supervision. The manager reflects on practice with the staff to ensure that the staff provide support which promotes the children’s safe-care plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has taken robust action to improve the safeguarding processes in response to the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are making good progress because they live in this home. They are developing positive relationships with staff and making progress towards the planned outcomes of their placement. Some children are on track to move nearer to their family, while others are being matched to long-term foster carers, also in their home community. This has been because of the positive work completed by the staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children say that they are happy and feel safe in this home. They speak highly of the staff. One child commented, ‘I get on really well with my key worker, she is lovely. I feel safe here because I can talk to the staff.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children participate in direct one-to-one key work sessions with staff. The staff receive support in completing this task through the input of a therapist. The therapist reviews the children’s care plans and discusses any issues with staff that are relevant to promoting a better understanding of the child’s needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All eligible staff have completed their diploma-level training. The staff complete ongoing, in-house skills-based training courses. Consequently, children benefit from being cared for by skilled staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are making good progress with their education. Children’s schools report that children are attending regularly, and that the children are achieving in line with the school’s expectations. One child has received commendations for the quality of their English work, in particular for poetry. There are good open relationships with the schools locally and staff attend open events and meetings with teachers to review progress. This reinforces the value of education to the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Placing social workers are happy with the services provided. They know that the children make progress because of the input from staff. One social worker said, ‘Staff have been dynamic in supporting positive contact with this child’s family. The staff developed a bespoke package of care during a period when this child was unsettled and they have built positive relationships to keep the child safe. The ongoing assessment showed that the risk was being well managed through the safe-care plan.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints made about the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When children go missing from the home, the staff work quickly to alert the relevant agencies, including the police, to ensure that children are located quickly and returned. Staff have completed training to raise their awareness of the risks in the community, such as the sexual exploitation of children who go missing while in care. The staff make detailed records of incidents, which reflect the contact that they have made with other agencies and the interaction with family and friends of the children. The actions that staff take help to keep the children safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been four incidents when trained staff have physically intervened to prevent children from harming themselves or others. The incident records show that de-escalation techniques are employed, before restraint is used as a last resort. Staff have the opportunity to discuss the incidents with the manager to consider what other action they could have taken.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children contribute to their care planning. They discuss their wishes with staff and make changes to their plans. One child informed her key worker that she had lost interest in horse riding and wanted to try go-karting. The key worker explored opportunities in the locality and identified a nearby centre for this activity. This helps children to feel listened to. The children enjoy other activities such as trips to the cinema, day trips to the coast, shopping, and a favourite of the children, pampering and makeover days. The manager monitors the work completed in the home through her own audit of care records, incidents and logs. This is supported by a positive professional relationship with the independent visitor. The manager uses the monthly report from the visitor to take prompt action when shortfalls or areas for improvement are identified.

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Information about this children’s home

This home, which is owned and operated by a private organisation, provides care and accommodation for up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 18/10/2016 Full Requires improvement 18/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 20/10/2015 Full Outstanding 09/02/2015 Interim Sustained 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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