Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Lincolnshire

Assurance visit report: SC456347 1 SC456347

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home cares for up to two children and young people who have challenging behaviours and/or complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered since 2019.

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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.

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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. Assurance visit report: SC456347 2

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The care of children

Children have formed secure and trusting relationships with the staff team and manager. Both children have lived in this home for some time now and present as happy and settled.

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The care of children

Children get to see their family and friends on a regular basis. Staff support them fully with this by transporting them and providing emotional support. Children have formed appropriate friendships in the local area. They spend time with their friends. This has included inviting friends to visit the home. This increases the children’s self- confidence and sense of belonging.

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The care of children

Children’s physical and emotional health needs are well known and met. This includes access to specialist mental-health services. Staff support children well to understand their personal health issues and support them to access services.

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The care of children

Children have educational provision in place. Staff advocate strongly for children in meeting their educational needs. They work closely with the virtual school. An education adviser praised the staff for their consistent attempts to engage one child, who is struggling to attend. Another child is now attending a school closer to where they will be moving when they leave. This shows positive transition planning by staff and the manager.

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The care of children

Children feel able to express their wishes, views and feelings. Regular key-work sessions take place. Staff consider any issues or concerns fully with children in these sessions. However, records do not consistently reflect what children say or feel about discussions held. Actions are set from each session, but it is not always clear if they have been followed up by the time of the next session.

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The safety of children

Staff understand the current and changing risks for children well. Clear plans and risk assessments are in place. They provide detailed information about the historic and current needs of children. Staff are clear about how they should respond, if a child were felt to be at risk of harm.

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The safety of children

There have been very few missing-from-care incidents. Staff follow guidance and procedures to ensure the safe return of children. They adapt their practices and learn from incidents. There has been a noticeable reduction in the police being called to support staff. This reflects an increased confidence and competence of staff in responding to such incidents.

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The safety of children

There has been no reported use of restraint with children since 1 April 2020. Staff present as confident in being able to de-escalate situations with children. They understand the triggers for children and respond in a caring and supportive manner.

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The safety of children

Children know and accept the rules and boundaries. They accept that staff work to protect them from harm. Children understand that there will be consequences for Assurance visit report: SC456347 3 any risky or concerning behaviours. They learn, over time, to manage their own behaviours in a safer manner.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager is very child focused. She often works long hours, to spend quality time with the children. She listens to what children say and responds to their needs and views consistently.

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Leaders and managers

Records for children reflect a detailed understanding by staff of their histories and presenting needs. The records are regularly reviewed and updated.

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Leaders and managers

Staff report feeling well supervised, trained and supported in their roles. They work well as a team to support children and each other. One staff member said: ‘I love my job. The manager has been fantastic in supporting me at all times. The staff are great and we all want the very best for the children.’

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Leaders and managers

There is robust and detailed management oversight evident in this home. The registered manager regularly monitors and reviews the progress made by each child. She is keen to empower her staff to take the lead on practice areas. Feedback from involved agencies is consistently positive. Professionals feel children are well cared for and safe in this home.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager has formed positive working relationships with key agencies. She has invited the police and designated officer to meet with the staff team. Feedback from the police and designated officer is positive. They feel that the new manager has made changes which have had a positive impact on children and staff.

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Leaders and managers

The requirements set from the last monitoring visit in October 2019 have all been met.

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Recommendations

 Children must be consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. (‘The guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11) This is in relation to recording children’s responses, and following up any actions identified, when carrying out direct work with the children. Assurance visit report: SC456347 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Cambian Childcare Ltd, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Tracy Murty, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC456347 5 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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Inspector

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