Children's home run by The Partnership of The Chartwell Group

Inspection report children’s home: SC015266 1 SC015266 Registered provider: The Chartwell Group of Companies Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides accommodation and education in a small group setting for up to six children who have emotional and/or behavioural and/or learning difficulties. The home specialises in offering long-term placements to boys. The on-site school is registered with the Department for Education.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 19 to 20 September 2017

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Sustained effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

 Children make good progress in all aspects of their physical, social and Inspection report children’s home: SC015266 2 emotional development.  The children have positive relationships with a staff team that knows and understands their individual needs.  The staff’s nurturing approach builds children’s self-esteem and confidence.  The children make good progress both academically and behaviourally.  Children engage in a range of stimulating opportunities and activities.  The children say that they feel safe and listened to.  Staff encourage the children to learn valuable independence skills.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The six-monthly review of the home does not identify actions for continuous improvement at the home.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 04/10/2016 Full Good 09/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 29/09/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC015266 3

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Recommendation

 The registered person should clearly identify any actions required for the next six months of delivery within the home and how those actions will be addressed. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for continuous improvement in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.4)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress in all aspects of their physical, social and emotional development. They benefit from a manager and staff who care, take time to understand them and who promote their individual needs. For example, a child’s needs arising from gender identification are fully supported. The child feels respected, listened to and encouraged to express their emotions. The child said, ‘My other placement didn’t get it, but here they have listened to me when I say I am a girl trapped in a boy’s body. It is a good home.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The stability provided supports children to maintain long-term placements. One child has resided at the home for three years and is content in the knowledge that he will remain for the foreseeable future. Children who have moved in more recently have received excellent support to settle. They quickly begin to take advantage of the broad range of services and support available to them. Parents report that their children are happy and making significant progress. One parent said, ‘I’m so happy with the placement. The change in him has been fantastic.’ Another parent has written, ‘My rating is a five out of five. My child has gone from strength to strength, and staff have helped him in every aspect. Thank you.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Providing education support is a particular strength of the home. Children benefit from attending the on-site school, which has achieved an inspection judgement of good in all areas. The school provides good-quality education, with the children making good progress both academically and behaviourally. A child who was recently admitted to the home was previously not attending school due to constant refusal. This child is now achieving 100% attendance. His parent is overjoyed with the progress that he is making academically. The parent said, ‘He is now learning and is proud of what he has learned.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage and support children to engage in a range of stimulating opportunities and activities, both at the home and in the community. During the summer, the children enjoyed a holiday abroad in France. One of the children talked enthusiastically about the local Scouts and Cadets clubs and Taekwondo lessons that he attends weekly. Children have enjoyed trips to the seaside to experience the fun of crabbing for the first time. Inspection report children’s home: SC015266 4 These trips and associated activities ensure that children grow in confidence and learn new skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the children to learn independence skills in line with their age and ability. The older children have pathway plans that involve budgeting and cooking skills. One child was happily baking a cake during this inspection and spoke with confidence about the foods that they can cook. The younger children are encouraged to become involved in basic house-keeping tasks, such as keeping their bedrooms tidy and helping with clearing up after meal times. This helps the children to take pride in their environment and learn valuable future life skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Regularly held children’s meetings ensure that time is spent gaining the children’s views on future activities, plans for the home and any worries that they may have. None of the children has made a complaint, and all said that they are fully included and that staff listen to them. One child said, ‘I know how to complain. I have made a complaint about my social worker but I don’t have any complaints about the home or staff.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of maintaining contact and they support the children to have safe contact with the significant people in their lives. The staff provide transport and/or facilitate supervised contact in line with the children’s care plans. If difficulties occur which may delay family contact taking place, the manager works proactively with the children, parents and social workers to find a resolution.

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

Children continue to receive high-quality support in a safe environment. One of the children said, ‘I feel safe here. I want to stay at this home. I’m very happy. I like the staff, holidays, the food, the activities; I like everything really.’ Feeling safe enables children to settle and take advantage of the services and support provided.

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

The well-organised supervision of the children ensures that staff know their whereabouts at all times. Staff are nurturing and observant of any changes in a child’s mood. They are skilled at identifying situations that could escalate and they respond quickly to prevent issues developing.

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

Children rarely go missing from this home, and there have been no incidents since the last full inspection. Staff have a good awareness of the missing-from-home policy and the procedure to follow. All of the children have an individual risk assessment, and their key workers undertake a detailed information profile record. Ensuring that all of the correct measures are in place means that staff are well equipped to deal with such an incident if it should occur.

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

During the inspection, it was evident that the children have developed good, trusting relationships with the staff. They are able to talk about their feelings and enjoy quality one-to-one sessions with their key workers. Comprehensive individual crisis and behaviour plans are prepared that include the child’s suggestions on how they wish to be supported in times of upset. For example, a child has written, ‘When I get angry, I swear and shout. I would like staff to support me by giving me time out in my room to calm or Inspection report children’s home: SC015266 5 going for a walk with me.’ Involving children in their plans results in them gaining insight into – and the skills to manage – their behaviour and feelings. A parent said:

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

I’m so happy with the home. My child is so happy there and he loves the staff. Previously, he was very violent and always running away from school. He is such a changed boy and he actually smiles now. I think it is the best home ever.

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

Children enjoy participating in the incentive scheme, which offers rewards for positive behaviour. The children receive a tick after completing small tasks and/or interacting well with others. The more ticks they receive, the bigger the extra activity available for them to choose. These activities include a trip to a laser venue or an outing to a theme park such as Alton Towers or Thorpe Park. This helps to reinforce positive behaviour further.

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

There have been no safeguarding incidents since the last inspection. Staff spoken with have a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures and the whistle-blowing policy. The designated officer said: ‘This home refers appropriately. I have no concerns. The manager has also sought extra training from us directly to ensure that all staff are fully aware of the designated officer’s role.’ This proactive work ensures that the staff recognise their duties to safeguard the children and that they have the skills to implement the correct procedures.

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

At the last inspection, a recommendation was set relating to impact risk assessments for new admissions. Staff now undertake a detailed assessment that considers the group dynamics alongside any possible individual-to-individual impact. These risk assessments are comprehensive and help staff to understand the risk that children may pose to each other and/or the opportunties created by placing certain children together.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The dedicated registered manager has been in post since June 2016. She holds a relevant level 5 diploma. The manager is well supported by the senior residential care staff and together they run a good-quality service. The staff speak highly of the manager. One staff member said: ‘The manager is very supportive and always approachable.’ Staff morale is very good, with few staff changes since the last inspection. The children receive consistent care from staff who know and understand them well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The arrangements for monitoring the children’s progress and the care provided are meticulous. The senior staff are responsible for undertaking weekly audits of all of the records, which the manager then oversees by undertaking full monthly checks. Alongside this, the home benefits from receiving good-quality monthly monitoring reports from the independent visitor. These reports identify areas requiring attention and aid continual progress. Inspection report children’s home: SC015266 6 All of the staff either hold a relevant level 3 diploma or are working towards this required professional qualification within the necessary timescales. Senior staff who have achieved their level 3 qualification are currently studying for the level 5 diploma. New staff receive a comprehensive induction, and all of the staff have access to a wide range of training opportunities. This helps them to develop their understanding of the specific

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

needs of the children, as well as other emerging issues which may affect the children. This high level of investment in development helps the staff to feel valued and enhances their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff attend monthly team meetings and receive regular good-quality supervision. Time is spent in discussing both the children’s individual needs and any new incidents. By working together as a team, the staff ensure that they remain consistent in their practice and interactions with the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has completed a six-monthly review of the home. This includes the views of the children, parents and professionals. However, the report lacks detail regarding actions identified and clarity about the development of the home over the next six months. While this has no direct impact on the children, it does not ensure that staff and stakeholders are aware of the ideas that the manager has for continuous improvement at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership working is well established. The staff complete detailed quarterly reports for professionals, along with providing immediate updates on any incidents. A social worker said: ‘Communication is very good. They [staff] have good safety plans in place and address any concerns promptly and effectively. Staff work in complete partnership.’ A parent said: ‘I trust them. They always contact me if there are any problems to let me know.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager reviews the home’s statement of purpose and updates it promptly with any changes. Staff are knowledgeable about the home’s objectives. They take pride in their work and are very proud to be helping the children to achieve their goals.

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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 differences 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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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 Inspection report children’s home: SC015266 7 children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: SC015266 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Chartwell Group of Companies Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Chartwell House, Goodens Lane, Newton, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 5HQ

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Christopher Wright

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Inspector

Lynne Drage, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC015266 9 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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