Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Cambridgeshire

Assurance visit report: SC456911 1 SC456911

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private organisation and offers mental health support, education and care for up to six children who may have experienced trauma that has left them vulnerable. The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 10 February 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Sustained effectiveness

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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: SC456911 2

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The care of children

Two children have been living at the home since 1 April 2020. Previous requirements and a recommendation raised at the interim inspection have been met.

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The care of children

The children said that the staff have helped them to understand the COVID-19 pandemic. The children and staff are provided with the personal protective equipment that they need to maintain their safety. The staff have provided the children with an adequate variety of activities and supported their education well during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Activities have taken place at the home and in the community when it has been safe to do so.

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The care of children

The children are supported well to spend time with people who are important to them. One external professional said that the staff go above and beyond to ensure that children get to spend time with their families.

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The care of children

The staff advocate strongly on the children’s behalf to ensure that they access the education that they are entitled to. One child felt that a new education setting that he attended was not suitable for his needs. The staff worked hard to ensure that an alternative placement was arranged that was more befitting to his needs. The staff are child focused and strong advocates for children.

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The care of children

The children said that they are well cared for and have positive relationships with the staff. The children said that they feel safe and that the staff act on their wishes when appropriate to do so. On occasion, both children struggle to get along with one another. However, the children said that the staff support them well at these times to reduce and stop further conflict.

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The care of children

External professionals, staff and the children recognise the progress that the children have made over the past few months. The children have gained confidence, managed feelings of anger in a more acceptable way and been able to articulate their feelings and wishes to ensure that their needs are met.

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The safety of children

The inspector was aware during this assurance visit that an alleged serious incident had occurred at the home since the last inspection. This was investigated by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the home in response to the incidents were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the visit. This informed the inspector’s judgement.

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The safety of children

The manager ensures that allegations against staff are referred promptly to the designated officer and notified to Ofsted at the time of the allegation. However, on one occasion, staff failed to follow the procedure set out in the home’s policy to report a safeguarding concern. Although the manager took action, failure to fully follow safeguarding processes means that there is a potential to miss important opportunities to reduce risks and share information. Assurance visit report: SC456911 3 Risk assessments are thorough, subject to regular update and reflect the changing needs of the children. The risk assessments are analytical. This analysis helps staff to understand the patterns in the children’s behaviour. The measures in place to reduce the children’s risks are effective and well considered.

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The safety of children

Restraint is reasonable and proportionate. Restraint records are monitored effectively to ensure that the well-being of the children is promoted. Discussions are held between the staff and the children after the use of restraint. These discussions explore how similar situations can be avoided in the future. Staff are skilled at finding learning opportunities in many of their exchanges with children.

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The safety of children

No episodes of children going missing have occurred in the last six months. This indicates that children feel safe at the home.

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The safety of children

On occasion, the children have not acted safely while online. In response to this, staff have increased their supervision of children’s online activity. Staff also have regular discussions with the children about the dangers of the internet. These measures minimise the risks related to children using online media.

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Leaders and managers

In response to COVID-19, senior managers undertake regular planning and review, which they share with staff. Staff clearly understand these plans and implement them effectively.

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Leaders and managers

Staff feel supported by the manager. Staff receive regular supervision that explores the practical nature of their work and provides a reflective space to consider how their personal experiences inform their practice.

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Leaders and managers

The manager holds regular staff meetings. These are a good platform to guide staff practice, recognise good practice and explore how the children’s needs are being met. The meetings also explore what more could be done to support the children. The manager demonstrates effective leadership that ensures that staff are accountable for their actions while striving to promote children’s needs in their daily activities.

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Leaders and managers

The staff and external professionals have a positive view of the manager. They report that she is supportive of the staff team and children, which helps staff and children to positively develop.

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Leaders and managers

The manager carries out internal monitoring to a high standard. This enables the manager to have a clear oversight of the children’s progress and areas in which they may require additional support. Assurance visit report: SC456911 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.

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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

act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(vii)) 04/12/2020

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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 Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Lianne Bradford, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC456911 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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