Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Middlesbrough

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 . Young people continue to make progress in all areas of their lives. They live in a settled and supportive environment. A social worker said, ‘[Name of young person] has a secure and stable placement. He is happy and settled and has good relationships with staff who promote all aspects of his development.’ A robust process for assessing and matching young people results in minimal disruption when new young people move in. Their carefully planned introduction ensures that young people are positively welcomed to the home. They settle quickly with little impact on the existing residents. A young person said, ‘I am happy. Staff are fine and I am not going anywhere until I am 18.’ Young people engage in education and have good attendance. This includes studying for exams and qualifications, either through home tuition or at school and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

college. Staff give advice and guidance about college courses available. Young people take control of their lives and begin to plan and make choices about their future. One of the staff strengths is their risk management in working with young people to reach an agreement about their safeguarding plans. Staff are realistic about the need for young people to have increased independence. Safeguarding information and risk-assessed opportunities provide young people with strategies to keep themselves safe and protected in the community. There is increased cooperation as young people have similar freedom as their peers. Since the last inspection, there have been no significant incidents at the home. There has been no need for physical intervention. There are no known child sexual exploitation concerns, with no offending behaviour in the home or community. Staff are attentive and recognise young people who may be at risk of radicalisation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff remain vigilant, educate young people and work closely with other agencies. This helps to prevent vulnerable young people being drawn into terrorism. There have only been a few missing from home episodes, which are classed as absences by the police. These were due to young people staying out later with friends in the community. The development of trusting relationships with staff encourages young people to remain in contact if they are late returning home. Young people also provide staff with details of their friends for ‘safe and well’ checks to be completed. When young people are out with friends, staff are sensitive to their need for confidentiality due to their fear of possible discrimination and stigma of living in a children’s home. When the plan for young people is reunification at home with parents, staff work closely with family members, resulting in the development of good working relationships. One parent said, ‘Staff have kept me informed about things I

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

wouldn’t have known about. Communication is excellent.’ Since the last inspection, three young people have left in a planned way. Staff promote daily living skills using the home’s independence package to prepare young people for their move. They provide outreach visits to young people who have left to live independently. When staff recognise they are unable to keep young people safe, plans are made for a move to a more specialist placement. This results in a positive ending for young people and ongoing support, even after they have moved. The manager and staff are enthusiastic and committed to ensuring that young people continue to make progress while at the home. The organisation has introduced a new objective-setting programme. Staff feel supported with their professional development, set personal objectives and are encouraged to take on additional responsibilities, resulting in good career progression opportunities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met the requirement and recommendations from the full inspection. Young people have access to an advocate and demonstrate knowledge of the complaints procedure. Notifications are sent in a timely fashion and the locality risk assessment has more localised information, with a review of this due in April 2017.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and 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

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

18/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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’.

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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’. 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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What the inspection judgements mean

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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What the inspection judgements mean

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

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What the inspection judgements mean

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

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What the inspection judgements mean

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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