Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Norfolk

Inspection report children‟s home: SC456330 1 SC456330 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home offers mental health support, education and care for up to four children who may have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma that has left them vulnerable. The manager was registered in March 2019.

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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.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Poor monitoring, poor record-keeping, insufficient staff supervision and staffing difficulties mean that the quality of the service has declined since the last inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager was absent from the home for one month. The provider did not notify Ofsted of this absence, as regulations require. As a result, Ofsted was unaware of the arrangement for management cover during this time. This obstructed Ofsted’s ability to monitor the service effectively.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staffing arrangements do not provide consistency or stability for children. An increase in the number of children living at the home coincided with the departure of a number of staff. This resulted in managers working very long hours and a high dependency on staff who do not know the home or children well. There are frequently shifts during which Inspection report children‟s home: SC456330 2 only one of four staff are out of probation and employed primarily to work at this home. In one month, children were supported by 30 different members of staff.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two significant medication errors since the last inspection. Managers have identified staff tiredness as a contributory factor in these errors.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Record-keeping and management monitoring are poor. Recently, there has been a significant increase in the number of physical interventions. These interventions have been short and appear proportionate to the behaviour. However, the responsible individual and manager have failed to ensure that staff and children receive a timely debriefing following incidents. The quality of records is very poor. There has been a consistent lack of management scrutiny and curiosity. As a result, opportunities to learn through reflection and to change approaches have potentially been missed.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Senior managers were alerted to these shortfalls through the monitoring of management data relating to physical interventions. Having identified these shortfalls, senior managers have taken appropriate action. Clear management instructions have been given. A review of all physical intervention records has taken place, with actions for improvement identified. Staff are receiving retrospective debriefings and additional training in physical interventions and behaviour management. These actions have the potential to address the shortfalls.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers do not ensure that staff receive the support that they need to carry out their role. New staff do not receive supervisions at the frequency stipulated in the statement of purpose. Some of the more experienced staff have not had regular supervision. This is a concerning gap in oversight and support at a time when staff have struggled with the behaviour of one child and the number of children who live at the home has increased.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have benefited from an exciting opportunity to go on holiday abroad. This was a creative and inclusive activity that demonstrated the staff and manager’s desire to give the children new experiences.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff focus on the strengths of children and advocate on their behalf. Feedback from external professionals is strong. They see the progress that children make and the difference that the service makes to their lives.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are making progress with their education. Children who have been out of education are now attending school with no unauthorised absences. A headteacher spoke positively about the staff and manager’s approach to education. The headteacher said, ‘The staff expect children to be at school. The staff attend all meetings. I cannot speak highly enough of the support that we get. The child’s phenomenal progress is testament to the work that the staff do with us. It is easy to “dumb down” expectations, but they do not do that.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. Her independent reviewing officer was positive about the transition into the service and the support provided so far. Inspection report children‟s home: SC456330 3 The management team has addressed the shortfalls identified at the last full inspection. Notifications have been sent to Ofsted and managers have informed the local authority when children have moved into the home. Managers have ensured that staff have had access to training on the topic of radicalisation and that the independent person makes efforts to consult with professionals and family members in line with regulations.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2019 Full Good 29/08/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/05/2018 Full Inadequate 13/09/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children‟s home: SC456330 4

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on–

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure–

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11(1)(a)(b)(c), (2)(a)(x)) 30/11/2019

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that–

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to–

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b), (2)(h)) 31/12/2019

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that– 31/10/2019 Inspection report children‟s home: SC456330 5 medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child. (Regulation 23(1), (2)(b)) The registered person must ensure that all employees–

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33(4)(b)) 30/11/2019

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes–

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (‘the user’), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (‘the authorised person’)–

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv)) 31/10/2019 Inspection report children‟s home: SC456330 6 If the person who is in day-to-day charge of the children’s home proposes to be absent from the home for a continuous period of 28 days or more, the registered person must give notice in writing to HMCI of the proposed absence.

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Requirement Due date

Except in the case of an emergency or unforeseen absence, a notice under paragraph (1) must–

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Requirement Due date

be given no later than one month before the proposed absence commences, or within such shorter period as may be agreed with HMCI; and

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Requirement Due date

specify with respect to the proposed absence–

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Requirement Due date

the arrangements which have been made for running the home during the absence;

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Requirement Due date

the address, name and qualifications of the person who will be responsible for the home during the absence; and

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Requirement Due date

in the case of the absence of the registered manager, the arrangements that have been, or are proposed to be, made for appointing another person to manage the home during the absence, including the proposed date by which the appointment is to be made.

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Requirement Due date

If the absence arises as a result of an emergency or is unforeseen, the registered person must give notice of the absence–

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Requirement Due date

within one week of the beginning of the absence; and

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Requirement Due date

specifying the matters in paragraph (2)(b).

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Requirement Due date

If the notice required under paragraph (2) or (3) has not been given as required, it must be given without delay.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI of the return to duty of the person in day-to-day charge of the home not later than 7 days after the date of that person’s return. (Regulation 48(1), (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v), (3)(a)(b), (4), (5)) 31/10/2019 Inspection report children‟s home: SC456330 7

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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 difference 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: SC456330 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Road, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Ashley Hinson, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC456330 9 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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