Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Warwickshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC476249 1 SC476249 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 support, education and care for up to five children who may have experienced neglect, abuse or trauma which has left them vulnerable. It is part of a large, nationwide social care organisation. The manager of the home was registered with Ofsted in July 2019.

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Inspection date: 28 February 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC476249 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The purpose of this inspection was to follow up on concerns that Ofsted had received about the home and to monitor progress made on requirements raised following the full inspection in July 2019.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This inspection found significant shortfalls in the safeguarding of children and in the management and recruitment of staff at the home. Serious concerns were identified about the home’s management and staff’s ability to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns and keep children safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is not managing the home with sufficient competence or skill. She failed to respond appropriately to a serious allegation made against a member of staff. The registered manager did not follow the organisation’s child protection policy, did not involve relevant professionals and did not seek advice from their managers. This inaction left children at significant risk of harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers fail to ensure that safe recruitment processes are followed. Shortfalls include gaps in employment history, an invalid form of photographic identification and incomplete references. As a result, potentially unsuitable people are recruited to work with vulnerable and traumatised children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Between October 2019 and February 2020, two different children were taken to a total of five separate medical appointments for conditions that may be associated with abuse. There is no evidence of staff being professionally curious about these medical conditions. A lack of professional curiosity does not protect children from the potential risk of harm.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager does not ensure that staff are sufficiently aware of their safeguarding responsibilities to children. This does not enable them to recognise and respond to possible signs of abuse. In addition, the registered manager and staff do not share information about children’s medical appointments with their social workers and families. It is also of serious concern that the senior management oversight of the home has not been sufficient to recognise these shortfalls and ensure the safety and well-being of children living at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children living at the home can, at times, display difficult and challenging behaviours. There are times when staff need to physically intervene to keep everyone safe. However, the recording of these interventions and other records requires attention. Failure to keep accurate, legible and detailed records jeopardises the children’s well-being. This shortfall was raised at the last inspection and has not been addressed. Inspection report children’s home: SC476249 3 The home is large and well appointed. However, there are parts of the home that are damaged, and some areas look tired and need attention. This detracts from what is otherwise a suitable home for children to live in.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two internal fire doors at the home were found not to close properly. One of these was stuck on the carpet and would not close unless moved by hand. Fire doors which do not work as they are meant to compromise the safety of children and staff. Action was taken to address this shortfall during the inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection in July 2019, the home has worked to address some of the shortfalls raised. The safe administration of medication has improved through additional training for staff. All children are registered with necessary health agencies and their health appointments are up to date. However, as previously noted, information around children’s health is not routinely shared with professionals and families.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are ongoing and developing concerns around the leadership and management of the home. A requirement relating to this shortfall has been repeated and is now also subject to a compliance notice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Due to serious matters identified throughout this inspection, Ofsted has issued four compliance notices and a restriction of accommodation notice. Inspection report children’s home: SC476249 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/07/2019 Full Good 29/01/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/05/2018 Full Good 01/11/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC476249 5

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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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff— seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans; and seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (1)(a)(d)) 31/03/2020

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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 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; 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; are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; 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; that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(v)

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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— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. 31/03/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC476249 6 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; ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(c)(f))* If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a) applies

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Requirement Due date

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)) In particular, ensure that safety checks are effective in respect of fire doors. 06/03/2020

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Requirement Due date

A person may only manage a children’s home if— the person is of integrity and good character; having regard to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs (including any needs arising from any disability) of the children— the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children; and the person is physically and mentally fit to manage the home; and full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the person in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 28 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 31/03/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. The registered person may only— employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home, if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3). The requirements are that— the individual is of integrity and good character; the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform; the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and 31/03/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC476249 7 full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 32 (1)(2)(a)(b)(3)(a)(b)(c)(d))* The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which— is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect; and sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect. The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular— provide for liaison and co-operation with any local authority which are, or may be, making a child protection enquiry in relation to a child accommodated in the home; provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about current or ongoing abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the home is located; provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about past abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the alleged

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Requirement Due date

abuse or neglect occurred; provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response; describe the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect; and describe how and to whom staff are to report, without delay, any concern about abuse or neglect of a child. (Regulation 34 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f))* 31/03/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— 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— the name of the child; details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure; the date, time and location of the use of the measure; a description of the measure and its duration; details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used; the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure; 31/03/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC476249 8 within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered

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Requirement Due date

person to do so (“the authorised person”)— has spoken to the user about the measure; and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and 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)) The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which— include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child and are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)) 31/03/2020

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendations

 Staff should provide a nurturing and supportive environment that is homely. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC476249 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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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

Ricky D’Arcy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC476249 10 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 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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