Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC436372 1 SC436372

p.1

The Cambian Group

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children and young people aged between nine and 17. The children and young people accommodated at the home may have previously experienced abuse, neglect or exclusion. The home offers medium to long-term placements for children and young people. A new manager has been appointed but is not yet registered.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was in response to several anonymous concerns that have been brought to Ofsted’s attention in the last month. Concerns relate to young people’s safety and the home’s staffing arrangements. This monitoring visit did not review requirements that were issued at the last inspection. These have been repeated. The inspector identified serious failures that mean young people are not protected and their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded. This means that young people’s experiences are poor, and they are not making progress. The home is very chaotic and young people’s behaviour is extremely risky. Staff have been unable to support young people to change these behaviours. Confidential information about young people and staff has not been protected. Young people have particularly been upset by the information they have discovered about their own case. The management response has been poor because it has not

p.1

This monitoring visit

been established exactly what young people have seen, or if any records are still missing. Staff have not always cleared up broken glass promptly. Young people have had access to this glass, which they have then used to self-harm. Young people who are at risk due to self-harming behaviour have not been provided with good quality support. In some cases, staff have not recognised risk and have Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC436372 2 not responded appropriately to known vulnerabilities. Young people have been regularly smoking in their bedrooms and other areas of the home. Fire checks have not been completed in line with the home’s own fire risk assessment, despite the increased risk of fire. Staff report low morale and feel poorly supported. They say that they are tired. Some have left and others wish to leave. Staff turnover is very high. Staff from other homes and agency staff are also being used daily to fill gaps in the rota. Young

p.1

This monitoring visit

people are not experiencing consistent care at a time when they need high levels of support to reduce their risk-taking behaviours. All staff spoken with feel that the home should close until safe staffing arrangements can be put in place. There is a general feeling that young people are not safe. There has been a period of management change, which has further exacerbated the unsettled period. The previous registered manager left in July 2018. There has been an acting manager and there have been other new managers recruited to support the leadership of the home. However, several managers are on sick leave currently. The new acting manager has been in post for two weeks and is now on annual leave for a period of three weeks. She has not yet had time to implement the required changes. The responsible individual has a presence in the home and has drafted in managers from other homes to support. However, the management situation is too fluid, and

p.2

This monitoring visit

the current arrangements are not securing the necessary stability. Senior managers have acknowledged the shortfalls in practice. They have taken steps to temporarily close the home until the safety of children can be assured and good quality care provided.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/07/2018 Full Good 10/04/2018 Full Inadequate 25/07/2017 Full Good 16/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC436372 3

p.2

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; help each child to understand how to keep safe; have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other; understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation

p.3

Requirement Due date

12(1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)) 26/12/2018

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(b)) 26/12/2018

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. 26/12/2018 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC436372 4 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(d)) The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.3

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child; ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)) 26/12/2018

p.4

Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a) applies to the home— the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25(2)(b)) 26/12/2018

p.4

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6(2)(b)(iv)) 26/12/2018 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC436372 5 This is specifically in relation to care planning. The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the

p.4

Requirement Due date

registered person to— ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13(2)(c)) This is in particular relation to staff training. 26/12/2018

p.5

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.

p.5

Information about this inspection

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

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Cambian, Waterfront, Hammersmith Embankment, Chancellors Road, London, Middlesex W6 9RU

p.5

Inspector

Caroline Brailsford, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC436372 6 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.

p.5

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6