Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Bedford

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The judgement reflects that, although there have been shortfalls in the leadership and management, the organisation has identified and taken action to address the issues. There were no young people placed at the time of this inspection. The home is undergoing a major refurbishment. This was planned to coincide with one young person moving on to another provision and one young person being reunified with family. These were both planned moves, to support young people’s individual needs. The home has undergone a highly problematic period, resulting in the appointment of another new manager and a new team of staff. During the registered manager’s leave in October 2015, temporary management uncovered a number of concerning issues. These were intensified when the manager accepted a third placement, which radically changed the stable dynamics in the home. A subsequent investigation concluded there were serious failures in the leadership and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

management of the home. A culture had developed whereby staff failed to recognise and report incidents. This was identified by the organisation, who conducted a robust investigation overseen by the local authority designated officer (LADO). The organisation made immediate changes, including the appointment of a new manager and new team of staff. A robust action plan has been implemented and a number of learning points taken forward. This is likely to lead to implementing better systems to identify and prevent poor practice. At the full inspection in September 2015 three recommendations were raised. These have been met, although testing of these is based on two archived files.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendations were in relation to record keeping and young people’s involvement in their own case files. Managers have supported staff to develop their recording and ensure that the language in reports is non-stigmatising. This has been included in staff performance and development plans as a target. The manager monitors records through sampling and discusses record keeping as part of staff supervision. Records are now signed and dated as they are completed by staff. Staff encourage young people to record their views. The manager has introduced a system to ensure that unsigned or unfinished paperwork is identified on the staff handover sheet. Expectations and guidance regarding record keeping are reiterated in team meetings. The care plans sampled during inspection are up to date and signed by young people and staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Changes to the culture and care in the home have influenced physical interventions. The record of physical interventions peaked as staff reinforced boundaries and routines. The new manager requested a review of all incidents to identify patterns. This was investigated by the registered individual and independent visitor, who concluded that reinforcing routines exacerbated behaviours. Incidents subsequently reduced, with none reported in the last month of young people’s care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were nine short duration incidents of young people going missing. The manager escalated one young person to the missing from home panel and the incidents reduced. Incidents peaked in December 2015 and reduced again the following month, prior to the temporary closure of the home. There are no child exploitation concerns presently. There has been one complaint, which the manager has responded to and closed in line with the complaints procedure. Despite the events in the home, young people made consistent progress. Relationships between staff and young people were good. Good support of family contact resulted in a family reunification and there was a reduction in risk taking behaviours. One young person achieved 100% attendance in education and established good relationships with staff. Overall, the shortfalls have been quickly identified and investigated by the organisation, which has resulted in radical changes. The home will reopen shortly

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

with a revised statement of purpose and new staff team. The manager and staff team are working on an intense induction and training programme to ensure they have the required skill set for caring for young people.

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Information about this children's home

The home is privately owned by an organisation that owns several other children’s homes. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. There is a school provision on site, which all children may attend.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

18/06/2014 Full Adequate What the inspection judgements mean At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Information about this inspection Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, 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. 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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Recent inspection history

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service 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. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Recent inspection history

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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 www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Recent inspection history

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Recent inspection history

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Recent inspection history

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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