Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Devon

Assurance visit report: SC467704 1 SC467704

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to care for two children. It is owned by a private national company.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 18 November 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Outstanding

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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. 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: SC467704 2

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The care of children

Children living in this home have continued to receive child-centred care and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. The manager and staff are effective in building trusted and secure relationships with the children that they care for and this helps children to make progress and overcome difficulties.

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The care of children

One child left the home to return to their family home at the start of lockdown. This was the successful outcome of a carefully considered and executed plan, during which the home, the placing authority, the child and her family worked effectively together.

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The care of children

Another child was admitted to the home but subsequently left in an unplanned way. Leaders, managers and staff have reflected well on what happened. A further child has been admitted to the home and is settling well. The manager worked hard to ensure that a suitable school was identified quickly. The child is attending school full time, doing well academically and making new friends.

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The care of children

One child has lived at the home for more than seven years. The staff have demonstrated their responsive and resilient approach in supporting the child through some very difficult times recently. They have placed the needs of the child at the centre of their practice and continue to support the child effectively, in the same way that a good parent would.

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The care of children

The social workers of both children currently living in the home speak positively about the home, one describing the manager and staff as being ‘really on it’.

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The care of children

The physical environment of the home is spacious, comfortable and attractive and feels like a family home. A programme of repairs, decoration and refurbishment maintains high standards.

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The safety of children

Safeguarding is managed effectively. Children’s safety and well-being are placed at the centre of decision-making. Responses to concerns that arise are timely and robust. There is good recording and reflection.

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The safety of children

Risks are quickly identified, understood and responded to appropriately. There is evidence of effective and open working practices with other professionals. Staff also have meaningful and open conversations with children about how they can keep themselves safe and what may need to happen if they do not. This helps children to make considered choices.

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The safety of children

Staff feel well supported through the leadership team, including access to support outside of the home and through regular opportunities for training, practice discussions and reflection. Assurance visit report: SC467704 3 A requirement about the correct fire procedure to follow in the event of a fire and if the fire exit was blocked was raised at the last full inspection. This has been fully addressed and staff on duty were clear about how they should act.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced. He has high expectations and aspirations for the children in his care and leads by example. Strong partnerships are in place with a range of other professionals to ensure that the needs of children are fully understood and consistently addressed.

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Leaders and managers

Suitable arrangements were put in place when the manager and the deputy were absent from the home earlier in the year. This meant that staff felt supported and they were able to minimise the impact on children.

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Leaders and managers

While there have been some changes to the staff team, the senior team has been stable for several years and provides good consistency for children.

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Leaders and managers

The manager ensures that the home maintains detailed records that are well organised and provide a clear account of incidents that have happened, what action was taken and what lessons have been learned.

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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 EN6 1AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Victoria Elworthy

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Inspector

Norma Welsby, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC467704 4 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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