Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Devon

Assurance visit report: SC457132 1 SC457132

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private provider for one child.

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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: SC457132 2

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The care of children

The young person living at this home has done so for nine months. He feels settled and enjoys trusted and secure relationships with the adults that care for him. He feels he is central to the decision-making and practices in the home. He told the inspector that this is the best children’s home he has lived in.

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The care of children

The care of the young person is highly personalised. Due to the pandemic and the restrictions that have been in place, staff and the young person have spent a considerable amount of time together and staff have got to know the young person well. Staff understand how important it is for the young person to see his family and friends regularly and have been effective in supporting arrangements.

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The care of children

The young person has a part-time job and his own business interests. He is not participating in education or training, which is required. A meeting is planned with his social worker and virtual educational worker so that imaginative and bespoke educational opportunities can be fully explored. Following this meeting, the home also hopes to acquire an up-to-date plan from the placing authority. During this visit, the inspector, the manager and the responsible individual discussed the importance of supporting the young person effectively as he works towards young adulthood and embarking on his chosen career path.

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The care of children

The environment is attractive, homely and comfortable. At the time of this assurance visit the young person was decorating the Christmas tree and enjoying making Christmas plans.

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The safety of children

The manager and her staff team take the safety of the young person in their care very seriously.

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The safety of children

When the young person went missing staff took effective and considered action. They searched for the young person and remained in the area overnight until they were reunited.

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The safety of children

Leaders and managers have responded swiftly to a recent incident involving the young person’s medication. They have worked in partnership with other professionals and are keen to learn lessons to provide greater clarity to staff about company expectations and how to improve practices in the future.

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The safety of children

During the pandemic, face-to-face training has been limited. Staff have had extensive online training opportunities. There are restrictions in place for a new member of staff who has not been able to complete the full induction. These are clearly documented in a risk assessment. For example, he is not permitted to carry out physical restraints. This is because, while he has completed the theoretical element of the training, he has not completed hands-on practical training. As there is always an experienced member of staff on duty and the young person has never been physically restrained since moving into the home, these interim arrangements Assurance visit report: SC457132 3 are manageable. Suitable plans are being made to provide such training in a safe way.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has been managing the home since December 2019 and was registered by Ofsted in March 2020. She is suitably experienced and is currently studying for a level 5 qualification in leadership and management in residential childcare. She feels well supported by the responsible individual and her staff team.

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Leaders and managers

Without exception, feedback about the manager from the young person, their family and social worker was positive. The young person said how much he likes that she does not shut herself away and is available for him to speak to.

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Leaders and managers

Staffing arrangements are good. Throughout the pandemic, any shortages have been covered from within the core team, to reduce the potential of catching or spreading the virus.

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Leaders and managers

The recommendation made at the full inspection in July 2019 in relation to the previous young person’s written care plan has been fully addressed. Important information is thorough, up to date and accessible.

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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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff—

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Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, 31 January 2021 Assurance visit report: SC457132 4 where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement;

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Requirement Due date

raise any need for further assessment or specialist provision in relation to a child with the child’s education or training provider and the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible;

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Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities and resources to support the child’s learning.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(x)(b)) Assurance visit report: SC457132 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nicola McClements

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Inspector

Norma Welsby, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC457132 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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