Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Norfolk

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456330 1 SC456330

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Cambian Childcare Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns and operates this children’s home. The home provides care and accommodation for up to four children aged between 11 and 18 years who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit is to monitor the compliance notices alongside a notice restricting accommodation. This was issued in relation to significant concerns raised during the interim inspection on 13 September 2017 and subsequent monitoring visits on 16 October 2017 and 27 October 2017. The primary significant shortfalls related to:

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This monitoring visit

 a failure to provide effective management of the home  a failure to monitor the quality of care and experiences for children effectively  lack of consistent care from staff who are adequately skilled and trained  inadequate responses to bullying  inaccurate and inadequate risk assessments  inaccurate and incomplete rotas that failed to show which staff and managers had worked at the home  poor maintenance of the home.

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This monitoring visit

The three compliance notices dated 23 October 2017 were found to be met. The manager and the staff have updated the children’s presenting behaviour plans. The risks and concerns are clearly evident in the plans and are understood by the staff. Additional risk assessment documents are in place, in relation to children going missing from care, child sexual exploitation and bullying. As the risk assessments are current and detailed, this means that the staff have relevant information and Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456330 2 strategies to guide them in keeping children safe.

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This monitoring visit

Through further discussions with the registered manager and the staff, it is evident that they are aware of the presenting risks and strategies to help reduce incidents and manage the children’s risk-taking behaviours. One child said, ‘I know about making the right choices and I know about bad people. The staff do follow me and keep in touch with me when I am out.’

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This monitoring visit

The staff talk about the risks and concerns in relation to the children. This is clear from the team meeting minutes and the communication book. This further safeguards the children as it ensures that the staff are monitoring and looking at any changes of behaviour. Communication has improved and is becoming more effective and consistent.

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This monitoring visit

Improvements have been made to the environment. The broken doorbell is replaced and the CCTV is repositioned to improve security in the home and in the garden area. Walls are freshly painted to cover graffiti and improved internal changes also include a new children’s bathroom and new carpet, dining table and sofas in the lounge. This improves the living environment for the children and makes it homely and welcoming.

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This monitoring visit

The new statement of purpose reflects the ethos of the home. The registered manager states that she feels supported in her role by the senior managers within the organisation. This support is accessible, as she states she is able to contact them by phone when needed as well as the responsible individual making regular visits to the home. She said, ‘This is the best the home has ever been.’

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This monitoring visit

A temporary deputy manager is part of the new management structure within the home and supports the registered manager as needed. This means that the care provided to the children is more consistent and is improving their experiences. The staff team is regular, as agency staff are only now used for waking night shifts and sickness cover. This is improving consistency of care for the children, as previously there were a number of changes of staff and this did not help the children build positive relationships.

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This monitoring visit

As there are currently only two children in the home, this has enabled the registered manager and the staff to have time to participate in training, improving their knowledge and skills. The team meetings are regular, with records showing that there are discussions in relation to bullying, current risk-taking behaviours and the progress that the children make. Bullying training has taken place and further training to support direct work with the children is planned.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager is able to access support from the clinical lead. This helps the registered manager and the staff to deliver specific care to the children to meet their complex and changing needs. There continue to be incidents and occasions when the children challenge the staff. The staff’s recording of these incidents is Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456330 3 continuing to improve and there is a clear focus on helping the children to reduce these behaviours and engage with education and improve their lives.

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This monitoring visit

There are clear systems in place to review and evaluate staff practice through regular documented supervisions and team meetings. Agency staff receive supervision. This means that the staff are accessing the support and guidance that they need to support them within their role.

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This monitoring visit

The manager reviews the use of consequences and sanctions, which is improving consistency in this area. The staff are starting to implement boundaries with the children to promote positive behaviours. This is challenging at times, as this was not evident for the children previously. The staff are becoming more consistent in their messages to the children. This provides them with security and stability.

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This monitoring visit

The staff rotas are detailed and clear, showing the staff members working at the home and when. There are senior staff on each shift. The names of agency staff are identified in emails and attached to the rota. This provides a clear record of each daily shift and evidences that planning is taking place. This makes sure that there are sufficient numbers of staff to meet the needs of the children.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/09/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 01/06/2017 Full Good 08/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/11/2016 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456330 4

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Cambian Group, 4th Floor Waterfront Building, Chancellors Road, Hammersmith Embankment, London W6 9RU

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Inspector(s)

Debbie Young, social care inspector Mark Jackson, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456330 5 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(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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