Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC456543 1 SC456543

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Cambian Childcare Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is one of a number of children’s homes operated by a private company. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for one young person who may need support with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2020. She also manages another home within the borough.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place due to an increase in recent notifications of self-harming behaviour. Ofsted has not visited the home since May 2019 and there has been a change in management in this time. The inspector visited the home and spoke to the young person, parent and professionals as part of this visit.

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This monitoring visit

One young person has lived in the home for over a year on a two-to-one staffing ratio. He told the inspector, ‘Staff have done a lot for me really.’ He appears comfortable in his home and has good relationships with staff.

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This monitoring visit

The young person has previously refused to return back to the home with staff after spending time with family. Staff have reported him as missing from care. Staff have encouraged him to return and have regularly travelled over three hours each way to show the young person that they care. His mother said, ‘I don’t have any negatives about the team, they really are brilliant. They came often to check on [name of young person], show him they care and helped with his shopping. There is great communication at all hours.’

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This monitoring visit

Staff have recorded the events each day that the young person refused to return to the home. However, independent interviews on return to the home have not always taken place. The manager has not adequately evaluated the record. These are Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC456543 2 missed opportunities to seek the young person’s views, reflect and identify areas for change or improvement.

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This monitoring visit

Since the young person has returned to the home, there have been several incidents of him self-harming and damaging his bedroom, including breaking his window. Staff have quickly responded to the damage, to make the area safe, and have purchased new furnishings. Communal areas of the home have not been damaged and are personalised with photographs.

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This monitoring visit

Staff follow the clear guidance in the risk management plans. Staff have supported the young person with psychological assessments at hospital and followed guidance from mental health practitioners. As a result, staff are working consistently and the young person feels supported.

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This monitoring visit

More recently, staff have needed police assistance to ensure that the young person is safe. Managers have notified all relevant agencies of the incidents. They have also attended multi-agency meetings, to discuss the risks presented and agree strategies going forward. The social worker confirmed that communication is ‘great’. The young person has not been criminalised for the damage.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are supporting the young person to engage with online tutoring sessions. Agreed incentive plans are in place to help to motivate him. There were initial delays in securing an education placement, but the manager escalated her concerns to the relevant agencies. The young person’s mother said, ‘Everything he needed years ago, this team are sorting out for him, I really can’t fault them.’

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This monitoring visit

Staff value the support from management and the clinical team. A new staff member felt welcomed into the team and able to ask any questions. Long-serving staff members are also motivated and caring. Staff are trained to meet the needs of the young person placed.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is child focused and well informed. She has gone to great lengths to build the relationship she has with the young person. One example, the manager has used a message book to aid communication with the young person during a period when he was refusing to speak to her. The inspector was able to see good communication between the young person and the manager.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 22/05/2019 Full Outstanding 11/12/2018 Full Good 06/12/2017 Full Good 09/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC456543 3

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority provides an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)  The registered person should ensure that evaluation of missing-from-care incidents should be undertaken to identify any gaps in training, skills or knowledge for staff or to record and retain evidence of what worked well. This evaluation should inform the review of the quality of care. (See paragraph 15.2). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.31)

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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 Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Sylvia Eboigbe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC456543 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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