Children's Home run by Cambridgeshire County Council in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2605508 1

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Cambridgeshire County Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides short breaks for up to eight children with diagnosed learning difficulties and/or complex health needs. The home can also offer one longer-term placement to a child. However, no more than eight children must reside at the home at any one time.

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Information about this children’s home

The suitably qualified and experienced manager has managed this home since its registration in September 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This home was registered in September 2020. However, it had previously operated under a separate owner and registration. The focus of this monitoring visit was to better understand staffing arrangements and the safety of the building because the information provided at the point of re-registration was limited. This monitoring visit was carried out remotely.

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This monitoring visit

The home primarily provides a short-break service to disabled children. The local authority has identified, and prioritised, the children and families at greatest need of short breaks during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the number of children able to enjoy short breaks has significantly reduced.

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This monitoring visit

The manager ensures that the children having a short break are well matched with each other and with the staff’s skills and experience. Some of these children have complex behavioural needs and take their short breaks without other children. The children receive good-quality care and support that meet their complex individual needs. One child’s social worker said, ‘Some of the staff are amazing. There are particular carers who deliver a very high quality of care.’ Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2605508 2 One child has lived at the home since March 2020 while a suitable long-term home is sought. The staff have supported this child to safely maintain contact with their family during the COVID-19 pandemic through video calls and a family support bubble. The staff have been creative in helping the local placing authority to seek appropriate long-term care for this child. The staff helped to organise a child

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This monitoring visit

awareness day. This included virtual presentations and question and answer sessions to foster care providers, which captured the essence of the child’s needs and personality.

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This monitoring visit

Despite the change in ownership of the home, the manager and staff have all continued to work at the home under employment transfer arrangements and there have been no new staff employed. This has ensured continuity of support for the children and their families.

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This monitoring visit

The experienced and suitably trained staff said that they have continued to feel well supported through the changes in the service and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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This monitoring visit

There is no information to suggest that the building is unsafe. However, the provider has not undertaken a recent thorough review of the gas and fire safety aspects of the building. The conservatory cannot be maintained at an acceptable temperature, becoming very hot in summer and cold in winter, which limits the children’s use of this area. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2605508 3

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of the children. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations. Ensure that the fire risk assessment is updated and that suitable gas safety certificates are in place. In addition, ensure that the conservatory is a comfortable area for children to enjoy throughout the year. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its registration.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambridgeshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Shire Hall, Cambridge CB3 0AP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Graham Puckering

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Inspector

Joanna Heller, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2605508 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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