Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456477 1 SC456477

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Cambian Childcare Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to four children and young people who may have social, emotional or mental health difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The experienced and suitably qualified manager was registered with Ofsted in February 2013.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out due to concerns about the home. Safeguarding notifications raised some queries about restraint practice and about allegations relating to members of staff. Additionally, there were some concerns raised regarding the management oversight of the home.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted last visited this children’s home in September 2019, when a full inspection was undertaken. This monitoring visit took place during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

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This monitoring visit

Children live in this home for a long time. They are settled and make good progress. Staff hold the children in high regard and this is reciprocated by the children. As a result, the atmosphere in the home is warm and relaxed. Children said that they are happy living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Children respond well to the care they receive from the staff team. They engage in education, which for some children is excellent progress from their starting points. Children attend routine health checks, despite the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that any emerging issues are identified quickly. Staff work hard to limit the emotional impact on the children of the pandemic. Children know that their carers want the best for them. This is important for their emotional well-being. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456477 2 Staff provide individualised boundaries and expectations for children. Younger children realise that those older than them have different rules. Staff talk to each child about decisions that need to be made and ask for their views. Children understand that their carers act in the children’s best interests and, as a result, they

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This monitoring visit

Staff use physical restraint only when this is necessary to keep children safe. Staff recordings of these incidents are evaluative and always include the views of the children. Children said that they are not frightened when they are held and that they understand why this is sometimes necessary. As a result, there are no current concerns relating to restraint practice in this home.

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This monitoring visit

Some children have made several allegations about members of staff. Managers follow statutory guidance in response to allegations. None of the allegations have been upheld, although one is currently under investigation. Members of the wider professional network, including children’s social workers, said that managers act appropriately in response to allegations. This means that concerns raised by children are taken seriously and investigated.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders have excellent oversight in this home. The registered manager is very experienced. She has high expectations of the staff team and leads by example. She is ably supported by a skilled and competent deputy manager. When the registered manager cannot be in the home, the deputy manager takes on the manager’s role with confidence. Newly employed members of staff said that they feel supported, and more experienced staff are encouraged to take on new responsibilities. As a result, children benefit from being cared for by a skilled and competent staff team.

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This monitoring visit

On occasion, the behaviour of some staff members falls below expected standards. Although this is not a significant or widespread issue, it does mean that some children have been shown a poor example from some of their carers. This can cause confusion and harm the children’s sense of self-worth. The registered manager accepts this and has arranged additional training for the staff team.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 23/09/2019 Full Good 04/12/2018 Full Good 19/07/2017 Full Good 02/08/2016 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456477 3

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Recommendation

 The registered manager should ensure that staff act professionally at all times, in order to safeguard and minimise risks to children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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 last Ofsted inspection.

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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: 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: Susan Fitzsimmons

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Inspector

Jane Titley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC456477 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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