Children's Home run by Cumbria County Council in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report children’s home: 2574119 1 Registered provider: Cumbria County Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by the local authority and provides care for up to four children, irrespective of gender.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered in February 2020.

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Inspection date: 30 March 2022

Date of last inspection: 19 October 2021

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Inspection date: 30 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 30 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2574119 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Four children live at the home. They are settled and making good progress. Children continue to have access to formal education which suits their individual needs. Children are encouraged to attend and engage in their education. This helps them to achieve and maintain positive daily routines.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When children are not in school, they engage in a busy schedule of activities. This includes keeping fit, gardening, farming and fundraising activities. The opportunity to engage in a variety of activities has contributed to the children’s emotional and social well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff encourage and help children to maintain contact with their families. They understand the importance of relationships and support children to see their families. For one child, this positive contact is helping him to work towards his plan to return home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Each child’s individuality is respected and celebrated. The promotion of equality and diversity is a strength of the home. Staff are good at helping children to be respectful and caring towards each other. As a result, children feel supported and valued.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are well protected and feel safe at the home. Staff understand the behaviour management strategies well. When children do find it difficult to behave well, staff intervene promptly, using their good relationships with children to de- escalate incidents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is very well supported by his deputy managers. They are an effective management team. Since the last inspection, monitoring and quality assurance systems have improved. As a result, continual improvement takes place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff training has improved since the last inspection. Each member of staff receives a thorough induction and is provided with additional training to ensure that they understand children’s particular needs. When specialist training is required, managers commission this quickly. As a result, staff are knowledgeable and insightful. The provision of bespoke training to address each child’s emerging needs demonstrates the managers’ commitment to delivering the best possible quality of care. Inspection report children’s home: 2574119 3 The registered manager and his team have met all the requirements from the last inspection. His effective oversight of the home means that no new requirements have been raised at this inspection. Inspection report children’s home: 2574119 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 2574119 5

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: 2574119 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cumbria County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Cumbria House, 117 Botchergate, Carlisle CA1 1RD

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Inspector

Claire Deary, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2574119 7 to 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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