Children's home run by Crystal Care Solutions Limited in Cheshire East

Inspection report children‘s home: SC477726 1 SC477726 Registered provider: Crystal Care Solutions Limited Company Number 05952454

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to two young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is part of a privately owned organisation.

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 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: Improved effectiveness

p.1

Enforcement action since last inspection

None Inspection report children‘s home: SC477726 2

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

 Staff at the home are attentive, caring and highly committed to their roles. Young people have developed close and trusting relationships with them and each other.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Managers and staff plan for young people‘s transitions into and out of the home. Transition plans are individualised and reflect young people‘s care needs.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Young people have provided very positive feedback about their experiences at the home and report that they feel safe and well cared-for.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Staff prioritise young people‘s education. They aspire for young people to reach their full potential. Young people have made progress in attendance and attainment.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Consultation with young people is central to the service provided at the home. Young people have a voice and contribute to their plans.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Staff receive training in managing behaviours. Staff write thorough risk assessments and detailed behaviour management plans. As a result, staff help young people behave in a more socially acceptable and positive manner.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 An inspiring and competent leader leads the service. Staff report that they are well supported and happy in their roles.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Leaders demonstrate efficient monitoring and evaluative practice, which ensures that staff have clear direction to enable the positive progress of young people.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Leaders and staff successfully work in partnership with families, placing authorities and other agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes for young people.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

The children‘s home‘s areas for development:

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 The workforce development plan should reflect the training needs of all staff.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Physical intervention is infrequent and only used as a last resort. However, it is unclear from the records whether debriefs with staff and young people are taking place within required timescales. Inspection report children‘s home: SC477726 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 14/11/2016 Full Good 10/08/2015 Full Good 01/06/2015 Interim Not judged Inspection report children‘s home: SC477726 4

p.3

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.4

Requirement Due date

Behaviour management policies and records

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— 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 (―the authorised person‖)— has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 31/08/2017

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should have a workforce plan, which can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). The plan should be updated to include any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working at the home, and used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional development needs of staff – including the home‘s manager. (‗Guide to the children‘s homes regulations including the quality standards‘, page 53, paragraph 10.8) Inspection report children‘s home: SC477726 5

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one young person has left the home. This was a planned and positive move. Staff went with the young person to visit his new placement before he moved. They maintained contact until he felt secure in his new environment. Another young person has recently moved into the home and has settled in very well. A social worker said, ‗It was a very well planned move, the manager did a lot of visits beforehand. This has been the most planned move he has ever had.‘ Another professional commented, ‗I like the transition planning here, there is a clear matching process.‘

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both of the young people living at the home have developed positive bonds with the staff team. Staff ensure that young people have a good routine and enjoy nutritious meals. Young people enjoy regular film nights and play games with the staff. A social worker said, ‗It is clear to see they are fond of the young person and responsive to his needs, which can at times be complex.‘

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Healthcare planning is excellent. Staff help young people to manage their healthcare needs. This includes young people attending appointments for medicals, medication reviews and therapeutic services. Staff also seek specialist help for young people who have a history of substance abuse. Furthermore, staff help young people to understand their history through life-story work. This ensures that young people have the right support to meet their health needs.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are making good progress in their education. When young people experience difficulties, staff communicate well with the education provider. This helps young people to maintain their education placement. An independent reviewing officer said, ‗The staff had completed all tasks asked of them and have supported him into his education and training scheme, although this is a little fragile at present. Their positive and encouraging outlook is evident.‘

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage young people to look at their care plans and understand what this means for them. They spend time helping young people understand their rights. Young people all receive a copy of the children‘s guide on moving into the home. Staff talk to them about this and the complaints procedure. If young people raise any concerns or issues, staff respond in a timely way. This ensures that young people are able to express their wishes and feelings and they have a voice in the home.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage young people to try a wide range of activities. This includes youth groups, football, badminton and cadets. Young people have positive friendships in the local area and go out on their bikes. Staff also encourage them to spend time in the home playing age-appropriate games and watching DVDs. The registered manager has plans to convert the garage into a games room. This will allow the young people to have more space to invite their friends to the home. Inspection report children‘s home: SC477726 6 There are plans in place for young people to learn the skills they need for independence. Staff provide a high level of support. This reduces as young people become more confident. This will support young people in their adult life and enables them to learn new skills, such as budgeting and shopping

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of young people maintaining contact with their families. They promote this in line with the placing authority‘s care plan. Staff recently supported one young person to re-establish contact with his birth family. This was well organised and appropriately supervised. One family member described staff as ‗helpful and approachable‘.

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people said that they feel safe living at this home. There are clear risk assessments and behaviour management plans in place. These help staff to manage and respond to incidents of challenging behaviour. Staff talk to young people about their behaviour. They provide direct support that helps young people understand and manage their emotions. One young person described the staff as ‗firm but fair‘.

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff work well with partner agencies. This has included direct work with the youth offending service. This approach has supported young people to take responsibility for their actions. One youth offending worker said, ‗Staff support [name of young person] well. They try to put in place achievable and realistic reward schemes. This has encouraged him to maintain and improve his behaviour. I also receive weekly updates. This has enabled me to track and manage the risk posed from a youth justice perspective.‘

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Safeguarding is a priority of all staff working at the home and is central to their practice. Staff attend training in safeguarding and understand their roles in protecting young people. Recently, when a young person made a disclosure, staff followed the safeguarding procedure, including notifying all professionals and keeping detailed records. They provided appropriate support to the young person and kept them safe throughout. Staff also complete individual sessions with young people about keeping themselves safe. This has included internet safety. This ensures that young people have access to information about risks.

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff have established structured care routines that young people respond to well. Staff manage behaviour through good communication, which includes negotiation and compromise. Physical intervention is infrequent and only used as a last resort. However, the intervention records do not always show that a debrief has taken place within appropriate timescales for young people and staff. This is an area for improvement. The home is well maintained and there are no hazards or health and safety issues that have an impact on the quality of care that young people receive.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is a competent and enthusiastic leader. She has a wealth of Inspection report children‘s home: SC477726 7 experience of supporting young people. She has a diploma in social work and a degree in applied social studies. The manager is also working towards a level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All staff have completed mandatory training. They have either achieved or enrolled on the level 3 diploma. The workforce development plan contains the details of training that staff have completed. However, training for all new staff is not always included. This requires improvement.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report that they feel supported and happy in their roles. Supervision is regular and of a good quality. Team meetings take place monthly. The meeting provides an opportunity for staff to contribute to the care planning process. Care planning processes are effective and collaborative for staff and young people. As a result, young people make good progress across all aspects of their development.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

This service is meeting the aims and objectives outlined in the statement of purpose. Leaders have a good understanding of the strengths of the service. There is evidence of very stringent monitoring and a regular review of records. Partner agencies provided positive feedback, which included: ‗They are a robust team. They plan well and update me with everything,‘ and, ‗I am impressed with the quality and standard of care at the home.‘ Inspection report children‘s home: SC477726 8

p.7

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. Wherever 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 who it is trying to help, protect and look after.

p.8

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, 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: SC477726 9

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Crystal Care Solutions Limited Company Number 05952454

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Bank House, Market Square, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1ET

p.9

Inspector

Nicola Thomas, social care inspector Inspection report children‘s home: SC477726 10 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.9

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.10

Inspector

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

p.10

Inspector

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

p.10