Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Warwickshire

Assurance visit report: SC457488 1 SC457488

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a large private organisation and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people aged between eight and 18 who have experienced childhood trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has an experienced manager. The manager holds a level 5 diploma in leadership and management in residential childcare. He is in the process of applying to be registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assurance visit report: SC457488 2

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

Staff work collectively to create a climate where there is mutual trust and respect. As a result, children receive bespoke care from staff who have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

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The care of children

Children have at times struggled to understand the reasons for the restrictions due to COVID-19. The staff have worked hard to help children through this difficult period by setting up varied activities. This has included children and the staff participating in home quizzes. Children have been involved in making a large ‘NHS thank you’ board, and it is something they remain proud of, including when they show visitors pictures of their work.

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The care of children

During this difficult time, children have been well supported by staff to keep in touch with their families and friends. The use of technology has been invaluable in enabling children to have quality time with people who are important to them.

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The care of children

Staff have made sure that children have opportunities to learn even when children have been reluctant to engage. Staff have looked for creative ways to engage children in learning. For example, watching caterpillars turn into butterflies, then releasing them into the wild. Children have also learned about bicycle maintenance. This encouragement has helped one child who has had a long period out of school to understand the value of learning, and this child is now attending school full time.

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The care of children

Most of the time the staff ensure that children continue to receive health care. However, there has been one omission. This occurred when the staff forgot that a child had an appointment with their consultant. This creates a missed opportunity for the child’s mental health needs to be assessed.

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The safety of children

Managers do not always recognise potential risks or take decisive action. This oversight led to one child being at risk of harm when the child attempted to climb onto the roof. This risk was identified during the inspection. Consequently, managers took immediate action to reduce the risk.

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The safety of children

Staff contribute to the development and implementation of behaviour support plans and preventative strategies. Because of this work, few incidents occur, and physical intervention is rarely required. Assurance visit report: SC457488 3 Staff and managers have continued to support one child who had returned to their family. Staff have worked alongside the placing authority during this period of transition. As a result of this partnership, the child is safe and thriving.

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The safety of children

Children have access to information about how to raise a complaint. Consequently, children can exercise their rights.

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The safety of children

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, some members of staff have not been able to receive all required training. Managers have been creative in using online training during this period. This has helped staff to continue to develop their skills and knowledge.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has completed a review of the service. One area he felt needed to be improved on was in making the home homelier. Over the past few months, with the help of the children, improvements have been made. Children are now benefiting from having new furniture, new carpets and an extended decking. Despite carrying out this review, there has been a delay in sending the final report to Ofsted. This creates a missed opportunity to share with the regulator the manager’s evaluation of the home.

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Leaders and managers

The independent visitor has carried out virtual monthly visits during recent months to monitor the progress and well-being of the children. The visitor has successfully used technology to enable them to review records, speak to children and their families and to consult professionals.

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Leaders and managers

Staff have continued to benefit from supervision and appraisal opportunities. These sessions enable staff to reflect on their practice and to discuss their personal development.

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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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)) 30/09/2020 Assurance visit report: SC457488 4 The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(vi)) 30/09/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 45 (4)(a)) 06/11/2020 Assurance visit report: SC457488 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: Cambian Child Care Limited, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Debbie Bond, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC457488 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.

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Inspector

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