Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC456911 1 SC45691 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned by a national provider. The home cares for two children with emotional and/or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this home on 3 November 2020 to carry out an assurance visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 10 February 2020

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC456911 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/02/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 09/07/2019 Full Good 17/04/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC456911 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are two children living at the home. The manager has recognised that one child’s needs can no longer be met. Staff have sensitively provided intensive support to this child while suitable moving-on plans are made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children attend an education provision that is tailored to their needs. The staff provide good support which encourages the children to engage and benefit from a good education routine. During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff supported children to continue with their education. The staff created an office space for one child and the other child attended school. This provided continuity and routine for both children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the children’s healthcare needs well. One child is fearful of attending medical appointments. The staff have sourced advice from health practitioners to make certain that her medical needs are met. One child has been offered smoking cessation support. As a result, both children are healthy and meeting their development milestones.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff know the children well. They spend time with them enjoying activities that the children like. Staff encourage children’s independence. As a result, children are confident in making decisions about their own lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have ambition and plans for their futures. One child enjoys designing computer programs and the other child likes mountain biking. Staff take an interest in the children’s hobbies, which makes the children feel valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child is making progress in communicating their feelings. This has helped staff to identify and request specific mental health support. One child is supported with increasing their independence skills and managing money. Children build trust and increase the time that they spend outside the home without staff supervision. This helps them to prepare for moving on to semi-independent living.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children’s relationships with their families and friends. The staff were due to take one child to see his family in America over the Christmas period for a family reunion. Children maintain positive relationships with the people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children benefit from a large house with spacious communal areas and personalised bedrooms. However, there are several areas that require decorating. Plaster is coming away from walls, and there are scratch marks in woodwork and exposed wires. The laminate flooring in the bathrooms is stained and carpets in children’s bedrooms require cleaning. This does not make for a homely, well-cared for house. Inspection report for children’s home: SC456911 4

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improvement to be good

Staff have failed to record several incidents of bullying. Three significant bullying episodes have taken place between two children. The staff have supported the children to resolve these incidents and kept them apart. However, without a clear record, it is difficult to identify the causes and impact of these incidents.

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improvement to be good

There are loose wires in one child’s bedroom and in the television lounge. This is despite an identified ligature risk for one child. Monitoring of risks in the environment is not effective.

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improvement to be good

Children’s risk management plans are detailed and evidence risk-reduction measures. Planned interventions are appropriate and keep the children safe.

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improvement to be good

Staff rarely use sanctions to manage children’s behaviour. When these are used, they are balanced with positive reinforcement and rewards. Staff talk to children when they are in crisis and provide them with options to help them to manage their feelings. This has helped children learn to communicate more effectively.

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improvement to be good

Physical restraints are rare. The supporting records are clear and evidence that the actions taken by the staff are proportionate and fair. The manager has a good oversight of restraints, and monitors and evaluates the records promptly.

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improvement to be good

Children do not go missing from the home. The staff are aware of children’s whereabouts and who they spend time with. Staff check on children regularly and encourage their friendships outside the home. The children are supported to make social connections and learn to manage their free time.

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improvement to be good

Staff have received safeguarding training and know how to report concerns. Safeguarding is discussed in supervision and team meetings. Consequently, staff can identify if children are at risk of harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is qualified and experienced for the role. Senior managers are available and present at the home. The manager monitors children’s progress and advocates for them to receive individualised care and education.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for improvement. She has linked these to a development plan that is realistic and detailed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff feel supported by the management team. The manager provides supervision which is reflective and responsive. Staff who have concerns about children’s behaviour are listened to and supported. Debriefs are held when staff Inspection report for children’s home: SC456911 5 have been involved in serious incidents. As a result, staff remain resilient and focused on the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staffing is adequate. Three staff left in the summer and the manager recruited to the vacancies without delay. New staff have a thorough induction period, training and regular supervision to support them. Staffing is balanced, with new and experienced staff making up shifts. This helps children adjust to new members of the team and provides experienced role models for new staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Relationships with external agencies are good. A tutor said that the communication has improved over the past six months. Another professional praised staff for the commitment and work that they have undertaken with one child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager notifies the relevant authorities when significant events arise. The manager’s records of investigations evidence timescales and actions taken to keep children safe. The children’s plans and assessments are reviewed and updated promptly. Inspection report for children’s home: SC456911 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b)(d)) 24 December

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (‘the behaviour management policy’) which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that incidents of bullying are recorded and monitored. 24 December

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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 for children’s home: SC456911 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: Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspectors

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC456911 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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