Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Birmingham

Assurance visit report: SC412175 1 SC412175

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to four young people who have social and emotional difficulties. The home is privately owned.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last full inspection, there has been a change to the home’s management arrangements. The previous manager left the organisation in March 2020. The current manager was previously the deputy manager for this home and has been managing the home since March 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably experienced and is working towards the level 5 diploma in leadership and management. She has submitted her application to Ofsted to register.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 29 January 2020

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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. 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: SC412175 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

Children have secure and trusted relationships with staff and the manager. The manager has worked with staff to help them adapt their behaviour management styles and to be consistent with routines and boundaries. This has led to a calmer and more relaxed atmosphere within the home, which benefits children’s welfare.

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The care of children

During lockdown, staff supported children to stay in touch with their families. As well as using video calls, the manager and staff have been creative in making remote contact fun and different. For example, children sent postcards to family members.

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The care of children

Staff helped children to continue learning remotely when schools and colleges were closed. For children that struggle with their motivation, staff offer children incentives to complete work. Since September 2020, some children have returned to school and college, and others continue to access learning at home while suitable school placements are explored.

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The care of children

As well as academic learning, staff ensure that children take part in a range of fun activities. When restrictions eased, children went to theme parks, go-karting, the cinema, on picnics and a caravan holiday. As a result, children enjoy positive activities that help to build their confidence while having fun.

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The care of children

Staff work hard to help children to prepare well for their next steps. For example, one child successfully moved on to a foster family, and another child is preparing to move on to semi-independence. When children move into the home, they are made to feel welcome and are helped by staff to settle in. When a child moved into the home, the manager ensured that the matching was thorough and robust.

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The care of children

The manager has made changes to the home environment and has been creative in using the space in the home. A snug room and beauty corner have been created, which the children really like. The changes to the home’s décor make the home feel homely and welcoming.

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The safety of children

The staff and manager understand how to manage risk and keep children safe. Children’s risk assessments are detailed and provide staff with relevant information to help them protect children from harm.

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The safety of children

When children struggle with their feelings and display challenging behaviours, staff respond to these well. Due to a more effective and consistent approach to managing Assurance visit report: SC412175 3 children’s behaviours, there have been no incidents of restraint. Furthermore, the number of incidents when children display challenging behaviours has reduced.

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The safety of children

There have been a small number of times when children have gone missing from the home, but these incidents have not been for very long. When children do go missing from home, staff search for children, try and maintain contact with them by phone and consult with the police and social workers. The manager and staff work with the children to understand why they go missing from home and to try to reduce such incidents.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is a dynamic, passionate leader who has worked hard in a very short space of time to drive child-centred practice within the home. She has helped staff feel part of a team, and together, they provide stability to children.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has developed good audit and monitoring systems. She actively uses the findings from internal and external monitoring to drive good practice and improve children’s experiences.

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Leaders and managers

Staff feel valued and well supported. They receive good reflective supervision which is child-centred and focused on promoting individual professional development.

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Leaders and managers

Staff continue to access training to help keep them upskilled. The manager monitors staff training and ensures that staff complete training within relevant timeframes. A knowledgeable staff team provides good-quality care to children.

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Leaders and managers

There is a good strategy, and clear plans, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans and risk assessments are consistently reviewed to ensure that they are in line with local and national guidelines.

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Leaders and managers

The requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection have been met, and no requirements or recommendations have been made from this visit. Assurance visit report: SC412175 4

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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 Childcare Ltd, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Shazana Jamal, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC412175 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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