Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report children’s home: 2594366 1 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A large private provider operates this home. Care is provided for up to three children who have experienced childhood instability, resulting in trauma and/or associated complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is undertaking a leadership and management qualification at level 5.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 12 August 2021 to carry out a monitoring visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Ofsted visited this setting on 19 and 20 May 2021 to carry out a full inspection. The home was judged to be inadequate and serious concerns were identified in respect of the safeguarding of children. Consequently, Ofsted suspended the home’s registration and issued compliance notices under regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard).

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 30 June 2021, Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit. The visit concluded that insufficient progress had been made to meet the steps outlined in the compliance notices. As a result, compliance notices were reissued under regulations 12 and 13. The notice of suspension remained in place.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 12 August 2021, Ofsted carried out a further monitoring visit. The visit concluded that good progress had been made in addressing the shortfalls identified at the Inspection report children’s home: 2594366 2 previous inspection. As a result, the compliance notices were met. Ofsted lifted the notice of suspension. Inspection report children’s home: 2594366 3

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged to be inadequate at the last full inspection. At this inspection, the home was not judged.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the notice of suspension was lifted, no children have been admitted to the home. This means that no children were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The inspector reviewed the current staffing resource, staff development and support, and scrutinised the condition of the home environment. The inspector spoke to the registered manager and staff and examined a range of internal records.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has no plans to admit children in the short term. She is keen to ensure that recently recruited staff start in their roles prior to admitting any children. In addition, the registered manager plans to provide staff with additional training opportunities. She is keen for staff to consolidate recent learning and to embed this into practice. This increases the likelihood that children will receive care from a well-informed and increasingly confident staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There continues to be staff vacancies. Recruitment of staff is ongoing. However, a team leader and two residential care workers are due to commence in post imminently.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has recently appointed a mental health practitioner. This practitioner is working with the registered manager to inform staff development plans. While these plans are in their infancy, there are early signs that they are having a positive impact. For example, staff have increased their understanding about the factors which may contribute to children’s behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager continues to provide staff with a targeted training programme. For example, staff recently completed training in restraint practice, therapeutic parenting and the home’s behaviour management model. In addition, the registered manager has plans to provide staff with scenario-based training to test their knowledge in a practical environment. These training opportunities continue to provide staff with the skills and knowledge to ensure that children are well cared for.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff told the inspector that they feel increasingly confident and knowledgeable. They feel supported by the leadership team. A member of staff told the inspector, ‘I feel there has been a big shift since the mental health practitioner arrived. He has given us lots of advice. This has been really beneficial. As a team we have reflected a lot on the past.’ Inspection report children’s home: 2594366 4 The home environment is well presented and safe. The registered manager has plans to improve the presentation of the garden by laying new grass and introducing a vegetable patch.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One requirement raised at the last inspection was not considered as part of this inspection and has been restated. Inspection report children’s home: 2594366 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/05/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report children’s home: 2594366 6

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 3 November 2021

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: 2594366 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Gareth Leckey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2594366 8 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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