Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

Inspection report children's home: SC456964 1 SC456964 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home can accommodate two young people who have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Outstanding

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

 Young people benefit from the consistency of extended placements at this home for several years.  Despite gaps in recent placement matching for young people, the home has a Inspection report children's home: SC456964 2 history of ensuring good placement matching. This matching is usually as a result of a clear impact risk assessment to show that an informed decision has been made in line with the young person’s vulnerabilities.  The young person has completed her exams. She will be moving soon and as part of this transition a college has been identified for her in her home town.  The home has supported, vetted and encouraged a young person’s choice of religion. She has recently been christened. However, her main records do not reflect this change.  Excellent contact arrangements ensure that young people maintain relationships with people who are important to them, although the young person’s contact

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

plan has not been updated with a recent change.  Members of staff know young people well, listen to them and spend time with them on a daily basis. As a result, there are good, honest and open relationships between them.  Despite a significant rise in young people going missing from the home the police commend the home on the excellent action they take to look for the young people and report them as missing to the police to ensure that young people are safe.  Young people are rarely held for their or others’ safety. When an incident occurs good records are maintained.  The registered manager has been promoted within the company. A new manager was quickly identified. She is currently completing her application to Ofsted.  The home is well managed. There is a stable staff team whose members are well trained and support through regular supervision.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/03/2017 Full Outstanding 24/11/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 29/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/12/2015 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC456964 3

p.2

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard requires the registered person to ensure–

p.3

Requirement Due date

that staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. (Regulation 12(1) and (2)(a)(i))

p.3

Requirement Due date

This is in relation to ensuring that an impact risk assessment is completed to show that an informed decision was made on the suitability of the referral to the home. 30/09/2017

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard requires the registered person to ensure–

p.3

Requirement Due date

that staff help each child to understand how to keep safe. (Regulation 12(1) and (a)(ii)) 30/09/2017

p.3

Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

p.3

Requirement Due date

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–

p.3

Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(vii))

p.3

Requirement Due date

This is in relation to ensuring that the record gives a clear and 30/09/2017 Inspection report children's home: SC456964 4 true reflection and that the registered person has challenged any information that may indicate that the measure was used as a form of compliance. 13: The leadership and management standard

p.3

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home,

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard requires the registered person to–

p.4

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met. (Regulation 13(1) and (2)(g)) 30/09/2017

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. In particular, the crime statistics for the area should be evaluated to address any known risks that may have an impact on young people. Further to this, the registered person must ensure that they consider the location review when completing impact risk assessments on new admissions to the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, and paragraph 15.1)  The registered person should build a strong safeguarding culture in the home. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that all visitors are taken through the emergency evacuation procedure. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, and paragraph 9.8)  All staff must have their performance and fitness to carry out their role formally

p.4

Recommendations

appraised at least once annually. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, and paragraph 13.5)  The registered person should ensure that, in line with their individual health plans and the ethos of the home, children are offered advice, support and guidance on health and well-being. This is specifically in relation to young people who smoke. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, and paragraph 7.18)  Both the arrangements for contact and any contact details must be updated regularly. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including thequality standards’, page 58, and paragraph 11.15)  All children’s case records must be kept up to date. This is specifically in relation to recording of a young person’s change in religion. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, and paragraph 1.3)

p.4

Recommendations

Inspection report children's home: SC456964 5

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The young person did not take part in this inspection because she was on holiday with a youth group. Despite the best efforts of staff, following a decline in the behaviour of one young person this placement has now ended after five years. The decision was made by the young person’s placing authority, but this was challenged by other professionals, who have made formal complaints to the local authority. A teacher wrote, ‘It is incredibly sad for us here at school and for the home to have this as our final result. However, I believe that together we worked incredibly hard to try and achieve a different outcome.’ Another young person has lived at the home for over three years and until recently enjoyed a settled life at the home. Staff worked pro-actively with the young person and professionals to address a decline in her behaviour and, as a result of the good systems and working closely with external professionals, she has become more settled in recent

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

weeks. Her mother said: To an outsider it may not look like she has made no progression. But she has in so many ways. She is calmer, can listen and has made progress in caring for herself and she did well at school. This home is amazing and the staff team are dedicated and show this in everything they do.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a new planned admission to the home, but the home has not completed an impact risk assessment to show that the home has considered all of the young person’s care needs and how the home can meet these. However, the acting manager has secured all relevant information from the local authority regarding this young person and has made a decision to accept the referral from these. The details of the new young person have been shared with the staff team and the staff are confident that they can meet her needs. Plans are currently being developed around the young person’s supervision, education, activities and contact arrangements. Members of staff have been to visit her in her current home and she has received a welcome booklet. As a result, the young person will know members of staff and understand the structure and boundaries of the home. In addition, staff will be clear about the risk assessments and care plan in

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

place for the child, which will help her to settle. Staff act as positive role models and through regular one-to-one sessions help the young person to reflect on their past and understand their personal circumstances. As a result, their feelings of self-worth increase and they feel valued and respected. They benefit from a staff team which has a very good understanding of their needs, listens to them and invests time in them. Staff ensure that young people are actively involved in making decisions about care. For example, young people have written their own care plan. This gives members of staff an insight into how they wish to be cared for. There have been some challenges with regard to the education placements for young people, but a teacher said that the home has responded to any concern extremely well. When necessary, the home will provide extra staffing to support education placements Inspection report children's home: SC456964 6

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

that are breaking down. The present young person has recently left school. She attended all of her exams and although her results were not exceptional they were what was expected. She is due to move back to her home town soon. The home has worked with her and a college in her local area to secure her a place to do drama. This means that there will not be a break in her education and that she has ambitions for her future. Staff promote the health of young people by ensuring that they attend regular health check-ups. The young person living at the home is in very good health and does not have any on-going health concerns. All members of staff receive regular training on administering medication and first aid. This means that they are able to deal with health issues effectively. However, the young person smokes. Despite staff securing appointments at the smoking cessation clinic, the young person has declined to go to the

p.6

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

appointments, but staff continue to talk to her about the effects on her health. Despite there being some key-working sessions around the impact of smoking on her health, life style, others and affordability, this good work has not been included in her healthcare plan. Therefore, it is unclear whether any other option has been explored or whether further work has been identified to reduce her intake of cigarettes. Staff arrange regular contact with the young person’s family and communicate regularly with her parent to ensure contact remains safe and appropriate. Although some members of staff are aware of this change, it has not been recorded in the young person’s contact plan. This was amended during the inspection. The home works closely with parents and significant others to ensure that young people are able to maintain relationships. The home has fully supported the young person’s choice of religion. The home has

p.6

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

ensured that they have met with the responsible adults for this religion as well as the adults that oversee the youth club. Members of staff liaise with these people frequently. As a result, there are no concerns around radicalisation. But again, the young person’s pen picture and essential information has not been updated. This is a recording issue and has not impacted on her being able to attend the youth club. The young person engages in a number of interests and hobbies. She attends three different youth clubs where she has made a lot of different friends, and is currently away on holiday with one of these groups. As a result the young person is away from the home for a number of weeks, but staff speak with the young person and the person in charge every day. This means that they can monitor, take action or respond to any concern quickly. On the whole, there are very good arrangements for young people moving in and out of

p.6

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

the home. On the day of inspection, a bedroom was being prepared for a new young person. It was freshly painted, had a new carpet, new furniture and accessories, such as pictures and cushions that made it look homely. The home is well prepared to accept a new person into the home. Mostly, young people leave this home in a planned manner. Excellent transition plans show how the home has worked closely with other professionals, parents and other placements to achieve a smooth transition. Whenever possible, young people visit their new home and are involved in decisions about their life, for example, through visiting local colleges. Even when young people are moved in an emergency, the home responds quickly. The transition plan, although not in depth, shows the good arrangements and steps the home has taken to support the young Inspection report children's home: SC456964 7 person in the move. Young people are prepared for semi-independence. Regardless of the young person’s

p.6

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

age, the home ensures that young people learn basic skills in all areas, such as cooking and cleaning up after themselves. As they become older, independence plans identify areas that they need support or help with. The current young person has not engaged in this system well. A member of staff said:

p.7

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

(Name) says she can care for herself. We have tried several incentives and rewards to encourage her but to no avail. Therefore, we have looked at things differently. So rather than telling her it is a task for semi-independence, we leave things out, such as her ironing or ingredients for making a meal. We then observe or suggest different ways of doing things. She is more open to this kind of approach.

p.7

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

(Name) often said that members of staff got paid to care for her, so why should she do things. But she is now taking responsibility for cleaning her room and she helped me do the garden last week without asking or expecting payment.

p.7

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Therefore, young people are acquiring skills that will assist them in their adult life.

p.7

improvement to be good

There has been a significant rise in young people going missing from this home. One young person has been moved because of this. Safeguarding professionals, the home, social worker and school worked closely together to identify reasons and strategies to reduce these incidents. Several independent people talked to the young person to find out why she was going missing but they were not successful. A police officer wrote:

p.7

improvement to be good

I remain of the mind that every credit is due to yourselves for the way in which you cared for ….. (Name). You run an impeccable care home and you are all a real credit to (Name) care. It is also clear that you are not just there as a job but you clearly care about the children you look after which is evident in their relationships with yourselves and the on-going work you undertake in relation to the children you care for.

p.7

improvement to be good

However, the current young person also goes missing from home regularly. Mostly, these incidents are of a late return rather than the young person being absent from the home overnight. The home tries different strategies to reduce these episodes, including reward charts, incentives and inviting her friends into the home. When one thing does not work they try a different approach, such as changing the incentive. Her mother said:

p.7

improvement to be good

I use to be a police officer and I dealt with young people who were missing from home. My daughter was constantly missing from her last placement and the home Inspection report children's home: SC456964 8 use to take away her activities as a punishment. This did not work. … although she is sometimes reported missing here, it is not at the level it use to be. Because the home have encouraged her to be part of several youth clubs etc. she will openly say that she will not go missing on these nights. I have nothing but praise for this home. They bend over backs to address and sort things out. But …. (Name) feels she knows best and does what she likes.

p.7

improvement to be good

The missing from home coordinator from the police said:

p.8

improvement to be good

I cover a large community and this home is the best that I have worked with. Members of staff follow, look and go to known locations to find the young people. The home is excellent in working with us and sharing information to ensure their safe return.

p.8

improvement to be good

An independent service completes the return home interviews for young people who return home from being missing. This means that young people can speak to someone independently from the home and raise issues about the home if necessary. Both young people were assessed by the police as low risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE). The police say that the current young person remains at low risk of CSE. This is because she is always with friends and found in known locations, such as the park and local areas. The home completes key-worker sessions with young people around being safe, such as on the effects of alcohol, drugs, being harmed and wasting police time. But members of staff have not fully discussed child sexual exploitation risks with young people. The acting manager said:

p.8

improvement to be good

The young person is on a voluntary section 20 order and her mother has parental responsibility. Quite a while ago, the mother sent an e-mail to say that she did not wish members of staff talking to her daughter about child sexual exploitation, as it upsets her, as there had been an issue in the past. This has not been recorded in the young person’s plans or been discussed with safeguarding professionals. The previous manager did not challenge the parent’s view. Therefore, work has not been completed with the young person. The home has not looked at projects or materials, such as leaflets, articles or media applications that they could get to assist them in this area. This does not ensure that young people are given good advice, information or the skills to keep themselves safe. Since the last inspection, there has been one occasion where the young person was physically held, due to challenging behaviour. Poor recording around this incident and a

p.8

improvement to be good

lack of reflection after the incident make it difficult to check whether the intervention was for compliance and could have escalated the situation. All previous records of physical intervention are very clear and appropriate action has been taken. Staff provide clear boundaries and highly effective behaviour management strategies, which have, over time, reduced the incidents of challenging behaviour. A parent said, ‘My daughter is becoming more aware of her behaviour and how this impacts on her future and others. There are still some instances but the staff manage these really well.’ The home has worked extremely hard on incentives and a reward chart to improve her behaviour. When these have not worked they have quickly recognised this and changed Inspection report children's home: SC456964 9 them. They often give spontaneous rewards in recognition of things being done without asking. For example, the young person received a new game, for her console, for

p.8

improvement to be good

helping to clean the living room. The young person receives appropriate sanctions when necessary. For example, when she has deliberately broken items the home has sought a proportional amount to replace them. Staff use key-worker sessions effectively to discuss the incident and ways of expressing herself differently. This reflection supports her to understand the impact of her behaviour and to learn to take responsibility for her actions. There have not been any new members of staff since the home’s last inspection, but records show that the home follows safer recruitment procedures. This means that young people are safeguarded, as much as possible, from unsuitable adults. All health and safety issues are addressed quickly. The home is well maintained and all certificates for appliances and utilities are refreshed when required. However, the new acting manager has not arranged a practice fire evacuation of the home and visitors to

p.9

improvement to be good

the home are not therefore routinely taken through the procedure. This does not ensure that everybody knows how to respond in an emergency, if an incident was to occur.

p.9

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has taken up another position within the company. The deputy manager has been successful in being appointed as the manager. She received a good handover from the manager and is in the process of submitting her application to be the registered manager for the home to Ofsted. She is currently completing her level 5 in leadership and management. She has previous experience of managing a child-care setting and has worked directly with young people for several years. The home’s statement of purpose is clear. The ethos of supporting young people through to adulthood is evident in the work and the length of time that young people live at the home. As a result, young people build trusting relationships and their behaviour gradually improves. A stable staff team supports young people, with no changes to the staff team since the last inspection. Therefore, young people receive consistency of care by a staff team whose members know them well. Members of staff

p.9

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

receive regular supervision that supports them to reflect on their practice. However, there was no record in the home to show that members of staff had received an appraisal. The acting manager did not know and the last manager was unavailable to contact. This does not ensure that members of staff have the opportunity to discuss their development formally. In contrast to this, members of staff receive a variety of training, so that they can care for young people well. For example, deputy managers are given the opportunity to complete a management course in preparation for development in the company. Monthly staff meetings look at the progress of young people and any changes in their routine, care plans or arrangements for the coming month. Changes to the company’s policies are discussed or refreshed to ensure that members of staff are clear on them. But they do not routinely discuss research, new legislation or social issues. This does not

p.9

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

ensure that members of staff have the most current information available to them or Inspection report children's home: SC456964 10 that they have the opportunity to discuss how this has an impact on or informs their practice. On the whole, case records are maintained well. They show a young person’s starting point and progress they have made. There are some minor omissions, such as that the young person’s religion has changed but this has not been recorded. But, in general, young people would have an understanding about their history, background and experiences from the records. Therefore, they would have a clear understanding of their journey while living at this home. The acting manager has excellent relationships with parents and external professionals, such as the police, teachers, youth services and health professionals. This means that the acting manager can get external support for young people, if necessary, and that all

p.9

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

parties are aware of any changes relevant to the young people. A parent said, ‘Effective partnerships with all concerned ensures that we are all working from the same page.’ External and internal monitoring of the home is very good. The acting manager uses the information provided by the independent visitor to improve and develop the home. For example, a new workforce plan shows the requirements for induction, probation and supervision of all members of staff. Any significant event or incident is reported quickly to parents, local authorities and Ofsted. This means that everyone is aware of the action taken and the outcome of any serious matter.

p.10

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Whenever possible, they talked to children and 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.

p.10

Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Inspection report children's home: SC456964 11

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

p.11

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Cambian, Waterfront, Hammersmith Embankment, Chancellors Road, London W6 9RU

p.11

Inspector

Pam Nuckley, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC456964 12 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.11

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.12

Inspector

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

p.12

Inspector

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

p.12