Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Torbay

Assurance visit report: SC456863 1 SC456863

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a large private company. It provides care and accommodation for one child or young person.

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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: SC456863 2

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The care of children

The young person living at the home receives highly individualised care and support. Her needs and views are fully understood, and the manager and staff advocate well for her.

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The care of children

The young person has been supported to develop trusted and secure relationships with the adults who care for her. They provide nurturing care and unconditional positive regard. A testament to how well the young person is doing is the fact that she has lived at the home for 15 months, while in the year prior to moving in she had experienced eight different homes. The home maintains detailed records about the progress the young person is making.

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The care of children

The staff are effective in supporting the young person to keep in touch with and see her family. This has been challenging at times, due to restrictions put in place because of COVID-19 and the home’s distance from the family home, but staff have worked in partnership with her parents to ensure that they have had regular opportunities to see each other.

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The care of children

The young person has been reluctant to engage with specialist therapeutic support that has been offered, but recently, with ongoing support from the staff team, has made important, tentative steps forward.

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The care of children

The young person has had some difficulty in committing to her chosen post-16 educational pathway, partly because of an initial difficulty and partly because of the impact of COVID-19. The manager has devoted a great deal of time and effort to supporting the young person through this difficult time and hopes that this shortfall will be addressed by the start of next term.

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The safety of children

The manager and staff understand the young person’s complex needs and work effectively with the young person, her family and professionals. This has led to a reduction in serious incidents. When serious incidents have occurred, robust action has been taken to keep the young person safe and for all to learn from the experience.

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The safety of children

Detailed risk assessments are in place and staff are given clear instructions about the action they are expected to take if there is concern about the young person’s safety. A recommendation made at the most recent full inspection, in respect of monitoring internet safety, has been fully incorporated into day-to-day practice.

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The safety of children

In May, a member of staff received a special commendation from the police for her part in helping the young person and for supporting the police during a very difficult situation that was safely resolved.

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The safety of children

Allegations about staff are responded to promptly and thoroughly. The local authority designated officer told the inspector that leaders and managers respond to Assurance visit report: SC456863 3 concerns ‘with great professionalism’ and are ‘always child focused and work in partnership with children and agencies in a positive, restorative way’.

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Leaders and managers

The manager was registered in May 2020. Since then she has felt well supported by the responsible individual. The manager has a very considered, reflective and child- centred management style and leads her team by example. She strives to create a family-type home, free from institutional influences.

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Leaders and managers

Management oversight of incidents that occur is rigorous and opportunities for improving practices are consistently sought. The manager challenges other professionals when appropriate and in the interests of the young person in her care.

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Leaders and managers

Staffing ratios have recently been reduced following a careful assessment of the young person’s progress.

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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: Victoria Elworthy

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Inspector

Norma Welsby, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC456863 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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