Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC456846 1 SC456846 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 provides support, education and care for up to three children who may have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma which has left them vulnerable. The manager started working at the home in January 2019 and is registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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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 requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness. The manager has met both the requirements and three out of four recommendations that were raised at the last inspection. One recommendation has not been fully met and this has been raised as a requirement. The manager has registered with Ofsted since the last inspection. Since registration, the manager has driven forward improvements and recruited new staff. The home now has a united and settled staff team. Consistent leadership has led to the children developing a renewed sense of trust in and familiarity with the adults who care for them. One child has left the home and moved to foster care since the last inspection. A carefully managed and well-planned transition means that this child is making good progress. Another child is moving to semi-independent living. The manager and staff are

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

preparing this child by helping him to develop his cooking skills and encouraging healthy Inspection report children’s home: SC456846 2 routines. One child moved into the home in an emergency. Staff and social workers work together to ensure that all the children remain settled during these times of change. The good- quality care and protection provided by the staff have enabled this child to make significant progress. A child who was a victim of exploitation prior to coming to live at the home is now safe from harm. The support that he has received has helped him to stop using drugs and he no longer goes missing. He is positive about his future and talks about longer-term plans which involve getting a job, owning a house of his own and having a family. This child described the home as ‘the nicest place I have ever lived’. He said that he likes the staff because they listen to him and treat him with respect.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home works closely with children’s social workers and families. Social workers receive regular updates from the home about children’s progress. One social worker described communication with the home as ‘second to none’. A child’s relative expressed gratitude towards the staff for the help that they offer. She said that she takes comfort in the knowledge that her child is benefiting from good-quality care. Staff have a good understanding of all the children’s needs. Key-work sessions focus on the issues that are relevant to individual children and there are good-quality records to evidence the work undertaken. Relationships between the staff and the children are trusting. The staff provide a nurturing and calm environment for the children. Risk assessments clearly guide the staff on how to reduce the risks of self-harming behaviour. The staff approach room searches with dignity and sensitivity. Children are

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

clear about the reasons for these measures and receive a personalised letter from staff following a room search explaining any action taken and that their well-being is important. This helps children to know that the staff care about them. Restraint incidents are reducing. The children feel settled and have good relationships with the staff, which has reduced the number of incidents. The quality of restraint records has improved. Management oversight and analysis take place and staff receive debriefs. Staff talk to children following a restraint incident and record the children’s views. This enables learning to take place following these incidents. All three children at the home are making good progress. One child, who did not go to school prior to living at the home, now says that he enjoys education. This child said that he wants to go to a mainstream school. The staff are working with teachers to

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

make sure that this happens. Another child has very good attendance at school. The staff encourage her to pursue her hobbies of singing and dancing. This child is taking part in a school talent competition. The third child attends a specialist provision on a part-time basis. This child did not attend school prior to moving into the home. Children’s confidence and education attendance and attainment improve because the staff encourage them to value education. The staff said that they have good support from their manager and that there are strong relationships in the staff team. Staff receive regular supervision and are encouraged to contribute to regular team meetings. Staff benefit from regular training in areas that are relevant to the children living at the home. There is a sense of community Inspection report children’s home: SC456846 3 in the home. Children receive consistent care from motivated adults.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children feel safe. The interactions between staff and children are relaxed. Children know how to complain and their views are listened to. The manager has dealt quickly and effectively with safeguarding incidents when they arise. Allegations are managed in line with statutory requirements and children’s well-being and safety are at the centre of decision-making. The children are safeguarded effectively. Improvements to the home mean that the children enjoy a comfortable living environment. The fire doors are working and the gate to the property is secure. Staff encourage the children to get involved in the planning of renovation work. The children contributed to the design of the new kitchen. This has given children a sense of investment in their home. The manager has introduced homely touches to the interior including ornaments and pictures. The lounge is a warm and welcoming space in which the staff and the children socialise together.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child has a pet kitten and a stray cat also lives at the home. Owning and caring for a family pet has been a positive experience for some of the children. However, the pet risk assessment does not detail the steps that the children and staff should take to hygienically manage the cats’ feeding and toileting arrangements.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/04/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/01/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 12/06/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/03/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC456846 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 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 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)) In particular, ensure that the cat litter tray is hygienic. 06/01/2020

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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 differences 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: SC456846 5

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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

Angela Weston: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC456846 6 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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