Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Tameside

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has not had a registered manager. Three managers have been appointed but for various reasons none have stayed in post or registered with Ofsted. An experienced and competent manager was recently appointed and she is in the process of submitting her application to Ofsted to be registered.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The impact of this instability on the progress and experiences of the children has been considerable. The young people no longer have regular attendance at school and their education progress has stalled. The new manager is in the process of trying to re-establish a stable educational placement for one child.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The number of times one child goes missing from the home has increased, in both frequency and the length of time missing. To date, staff have not been able to manage this situation effectively. The young person is at risk in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new manager has identified a range of dated and punitive practices at the home, which have not supported good relationships or positive experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since her appointment, the manager has made some significant changes, including improved contact arrangements, refurbishment of the bedrooms, the office and living room and the creation of a games room. The children have responded positively to the changes and the manager anticipates that this may lead to improved relationships between staff and children. At the time of the inspection, plans were in hand for a day out and barbeque at the weekend, and the manager was hoping that the children would participate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has recognised that the independent visitor’s reports, over the last few months, did not always identify emerging concerns about the quality of the care provided. In March, she reported that in her opinion the children were safeguarded, even though one child presents with risk in the community which is being managed by the staff team

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has identified that the staff do not work as effectively as they could with a range of other agencies and professionals. She has started to address this and has already held meetings with social workers and schools. She has links with a range of agencies that can bring additional support to the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager recognises the work that is required to return this home to the standard it was previously, and to re-establish good practice, progress and positive experiences. A thorough review of practice should identify the improvements required and the inspector is confident that the manager has the capacity to deliver the changes required.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide accommodation for five children, but currently only offers accommodation for three. The home is privately owned. At the time of the inspection there was no registered manager.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/09/2016 Full Outstanding 23/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 08/12/2015 Full Outstanding 10/03/2015 Interim Improved 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 complete a review of the quality of care provided for children. After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review. (Regulation 45 (1)(3)) 30/04/2017

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 Any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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, 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

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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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