Children's Home run by Cambridgeshire County Council in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2603668 1 Registered provider: Cambridgeshire County Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides care for up to four children with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left in December 2021 and a new manager was appointed. The new manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Inspection date: 8 February 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 8 February 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2603668 2

p.1

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has sustained effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team has responded appropriately to several of the issues identified at the last inspection. However, some issues have not been fully addressed and additional shortfalls have been identified. Consequently, further improvement is necessary.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have not ensured that safe recruitment practices are adhered to. They have not ensured that the reasons that staff left previous employment with children or vulnerable adults have been routinely checked as far as is reasonably practicable. This does not reduce the likelihood of unsuitable people gaining employment at the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In one instance, managers responded to the conduct of a member of staff through disciplinary processes. However, managers did not sufficiently consider whether a discussion should have taken place with the local authority designated officer. As a result, opportunities to share and reflect on information with a safeguarding professional were missed.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two children have moved into the home since the last inspection. The moves were well managed and the children have settled well. Managers complete impact assessments before children arrive at the home. These cover predictable areas of risk and appear proportionate. However, in one instance, the recognised need to provide training on managing diabetes has not been met for many staff, including the manager. In addition, half the staff team lacks training in autism spectrum disorders, despite both children having this diagnosis. As a result, staff may lack some guidance and knowledge necessary to support the children effectively.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staffing levels are sufficient for the number of children currently at the home, although the number of vacancies make the arrangement fragile. Managers recognise this and are recruiting staff. Managers have made explicit in impact assessments that more staff are needed before any more children can safely move into the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new manager has been appointed. This is her first management post. She has strong knowledge of the children. Feedback from one professional was very positive regarding the manager’s approach. This professional said that the manager has children at the heart of everything she does.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both children are in school and attending full time. An education professional spoke very positively about their relationship with the home and the management team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2603668 3 The child who lived at the home at the time of the last inspection has moved out. This move was being planned before the last inspection. Managers have reflected on and learned from this experience.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been very few physical interventions since the last inspection. When these have occurred, they have been brief and proportionate. Managers’ monitoring of general incidents is not consistently evaluative. As a result, opportunities to understand patterns and enhance learning from incidents may be missed.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The physical environment has improved. The home has been refurbished and is in a generally good condition. Managers have ensured that regular fire checks take place, that staff have fire safety training and that the children participate in regular fire drills.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The previous responsible individual did not visit the home. There was no contact between them and the manager. However, the manager reports good support from the new responsible individual. This is particularly important since this is the manager’s first management post.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

External monitoring reports offer challenge and scrutiny. These reports include consultation and feedback from families and external professionals. The monitoring reports have the potential to support managers to make the necessary improvements to the home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have not submitted the home’s updated statement of purpose to Ofsted. This affects Ofsted’s ability to monitor and regulate the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2603668 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2603668 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b)) 28 February 2022

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.5

Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

p.5

Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

p.5

Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.5

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that recruitment checks include obtaining a full employment history and, when necessary, verification of why an employee left a previous role supporting vulnerable children or adults.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 9 February 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2603668 6

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff receive training in understanding and managing diabetes and autism spectrum disorders. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.12)  The registered person should ensure that managers demonstrate appropriate curiosity when investigating staff conduct issues and give full consideration to whether a discussion should take place with the local authority designated officer. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 44, paragraph 9.18)  The registered person should ensure that incidents are evaluated to inform learning. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24)

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

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: 2603668 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambridgeshire County Council

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Shire Hall, Cambridge CB3 0AP

p.7

Inspector

Ashley Hinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2603668 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8