Children's Home run by Radical Services Limited in Cumberland

Inspection report children’s home: SC487549 1 SC487549 Registered provider: Radical Services Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for four children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is one of several operated by a private provider.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: None

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s registered manager and deputy manager work in close partnership to ensure the smooth-running of the home. There is consistency in their approach which helps staff to feel confident and well supported in their roles. Staff report that the deputy manager maintained this support effectively when he recently led the home during the registered manager’s absence on an extended period of leave. The home’s monitoring arrangements have been reviewed and improved. Reports received by Ofsted from the new independent person demonstrate greater scrutiny of the home’s activity and care provided. The registered manager acts without delay in responding to recommendations. This successfully contributes to the continuous development of the home. Equally, the registered manager routinely maintains her own internal monitoring activity. An improvement was also achieved in the quality of her most recent six-monthly review report to Ofsted. The home’s strengths, progress and

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Inspection report children’s home: SC487549 2 areas for further development were clearly identified, providing the reader with a good understanding of how the home is moving forward. Two requirements and two recommendations were made at the last full inspection of the home in May 2017. These have all been met. Improvements include the installation of a new door alarm system on young people’s bedroom doors as a further security measure. This allows sleep-in staff to be quickly alerted should young people leave their rooms during the night. Information about this surveillance measure is detailed in the home’s statement of purpose, which has been updated and can now be found on the company’s website. Young people are well engaged with education. Staff proactively support young people’s learning by helping with homework tasks and regularly communicating with teaching staff. Consequently, staff have a good understanding of the progress that young people

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

make and how they can continue to help and encourage their learning. Young people now have access to a computer at the home to help with their studies. They feel pride in their progress and achievements and many have clear aspirations for their future. One young person said, ‘I love school. I missed a whole year and now I go every day. I get loads of homework to catch up, staff will help me.’ Another young person said, ‘I used to be disruptive in school. I do a lot more than I did. I now have 95% attendance. I want to be a chef in the army.’ Young people say that they enjoy living at this home and trust the staff who care for them. They feel that staff are genuinely interested in them, listen and take their views and wishes into account. One young person commented, ‘I think this home is more like outstanding. I feel happy and safe here and I get on well with all the staff. They worry about us when we go missing.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people rarely go missing from the home, but do an occasions leave without staff’s permission. Staff successfully anticipate such events and always follow young people, keeping them in sight to ensure their safety. Personalised planning includes clear guidance to reduce the likelihood of such events and supports good practice to be followed should young people go missing. Staff work collaboratively with the police prior to young people’s admission. Their agreement is to share information about young people’s individual risks and vulnerabilities so that, together, they can promote young people’s safety and well-being. All young people are making good progress from their starting points with positive encouragement and support from staff. Young people are healthy and take part in a variety of activities that allow them to keep fit and socialise with their peers. They are well informed and encouraged to follow a healthy diet. Young people take turns to

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

prepare and cook healthy meals, which also supports their growing independence. Staff are making good progress in discouraging young people from smoking and other activities that can affect their long-term good health. For one young person, this has meant a significant reduction in his smoking habit, from approximately 60 cigarettes per day to three per day since coming to live at this home. Inspection report children’s home: SC487549 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/05/2017 Full Good 29/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 29/06/2016 Full Requires improvement 08/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

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

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: SC487549 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Radical Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rouse House, 2 Wyther Lane, Leeds LS5 3BT

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Inspector

Gillian Walters, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC487549 5 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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Inspector

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