Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Shropshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC476326 1 SC476326 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager is not yet registered with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC476326 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 the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home environment requires attention. The children’s bedrooms were observed to personalised and well decorated. However, the carpets throughout the home were heavily stained, there were marks on walls and the communal spaces were bare. This does not create a welcoming and comfortable environment. During the inspection, the manager explained that there are plans for redecoration to take place.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The transition for the child moving into the home was not adequately planned. Managers failed to ensure that all information was considered within written impact assessments. For example, the manager did not evaluate whether the staff in the home could support the child when he struggles to regulate his behaviours and becomes violent and a risk to himself. In addition, the manager has failed to ensure that the child is registered with all local health services, despite the local authority indicating that the child may have undiagnosed health needs. This impacts on staff’s ability to understand the child’s needs and offer suitable care.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk management practice is inadequate. When it is agreed that a child is to be supported by a period of increased staff supervision, this is not always provided. On one occasion, when the agreed level of supervision was not provided, a significant incident occurred where the child demonstrated violence and aggression, poured water from a kettle over the supporting staff member and locked her out of the home. There was not a lone-working risk assessment in place and the unplanned reduction in staff support impacted the staff member’s ability to respond to the child’s escalating behaviour. This approach to safeguarding fails to protect children and staff.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The records of physical interventions are poor and lack sufficient scrutiny to ensure that staff responses are appropriate and proportionate. Physical restraint records do not always contain all the required information, such as the preventative steps taken by staff and the duration of the intervention. Furthermore, children are not always provided with the opportunity to discuss the intervention. This leaves children vulnerable and compromises their safety. In addition, this fails to demonstrate that the manager has a clear overview of incidents in the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recording of incidents in the home is poor. For example, during the inspection, the manager informed the inspector that a television had been broken by a child. It was then identified that there were no records of this incident to explain how this Inspection report children’s home: SC476326 3 happened. This demonstrates a lack of effective oversight and ineffective recording, which leaves children vulnerable and could compromise their safety and progress.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recruitment of staff is not safe. Managers have failed to carry out necessary checks to ensure that staff working in the home are suitable to work with children. For example, during the inspection, managers were unable to provide evidence that Disclosure and Barring Service checks were undertaken for four agency members of staff who had been working in the home. In addition, where there had been concerns about staff members’ suitability, the appropriate measures had not been followed to mitigate risk. For example, managers failed to follow a risk assessment for a member of staff who has a conviction for actual bodily harm. This does not provide assurance that staff who work with children are safe to do so.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Management oversight of staffing arrangements is inadequate. Strategic planning about who is working in the home is not sufficient. The home’s rota is not up to date to reflect who has worked with the children. Therefore, it cannot be determined if children have received sufficient and safe care.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Furthermore, the children living in the home have not received consistent care. Since the last inspection in July 2021, 16 members of staff have left the service. Leaders and managers have failed to reflect or understand the impact and reasons for staff members leaving the home. This practice impacts on the child’s ability to form meaningful relationships and demonstrates inadequate management oversight of the staffing arrangements in the home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Not all staff have completed mandatory training and there are identified gaps in training which is specific to the needs of the children living in the home. In addition, managers were not able to provide assurance that the 13 staff and covering staff have the sufficient skills. Therefore, the manager cannot demonstrate that staff are suitably trained in understanding and responding to children’s risks and needs.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The arrangements for staff supervision and induction are poor. Staff who have joined from within the organisation or agency staff have not had the opportunity of an induction which is specific to the operation of this home. In addition, staff supervision is not reflective and lacks accountability. For example, when staff raise concerns about the running of the home, limited action is taken. The lack of support and effective oversight limits the opportunity to improve practice. This inadequate leadership has an impact on the provision of care.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s case files do not contain all the information required. For example, staff do not have access to the child’s latest education, health and care plan. This impacts on their ability to provide coordinated care. This shortfall was raised at last inspection and remains.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Management oversight and monitoring of the home are inadequate. Managers have failed to address requirements made at the previous inspection. This means that little progress has been made, and repeated regulatory shortfalls remain a concern. As a result, the quality of care afforded to children is inadequate. Inspection report children’s home: SC476326 4 Following this inspection, a notice to restrict the home’s registration was issued along with two compliance notices under regulations 13 and 32. Ofsted will undertake a further unannounced visit to monitor the home’s progress. Inspection report children’s home: SC476326 5

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/01/2020 Full Good 12/03/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 09/10/2018 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC476326 6

p.5

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.6

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.6

Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(vii)(c)(i))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that the environment is improved and meets the needs of the children in the home. 1 May 2022

p.6

Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour; 1 May 2022 Inspection report children’s home: SC476326 7 encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding. (Regulation 11 (1)(b) (2)(a)(ii)(iii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that they support children to keep safe and promote their well-being.

p.7

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.7

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v))

p.7

Requirement Due date

This particularly relates to the registered manager ensuring that risk assessments are up to date and used in practice.

p.7

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 1 May 2022

p.7

Requirement Due date

*The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

promotes their welfare. 1 May 2022 Inspection report children’s home: SC476326 8 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.7

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.8

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.8

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(d)(h))

p.8

Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that there are sufficient staff and that they have received mandatory training and training which is specific to meet the needs of the children. Additionally, the manager must review and evaluate the quality of care and implement monitoring systems to bring improvement.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.8

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home;

p.8

Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(ii)(c))

p.8

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that children’s transitions into the home are planned effectively. 1 May 2022

p.8

Requirement Due date

*The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety. 1 May 2022 Inspection report children’s home: SC476326 9 The registered person may only—

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

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.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

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.9

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that all gaps in employment are checked and information about the worker is clear and consistent.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.9

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)(c))

p.9

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that staff receive appropriate supervision and appraisal. 1 May 2022

p.9

Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

p.9

Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

p.9

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

p.9

Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; 1 May 2022 Inspection report children’s home: SC476326 10 the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure;

p.9

Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

p.10

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.10

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(ii)(iv)(v)(vii)(b)(i)(ii))

p.10

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the provider ensuring that recording of interventions used is clear.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

p.10

Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

p.10

Requirement Due date

are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b))

p.10

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that a child’s up-to-date education, health and care plan and education plan is in place. 1 May 2022

p.10

Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

p.10

Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4. (Regulation 37 (1) (2)(a))

p.10

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the home having an up-to-date rota. 1 May 2022

p.10

Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice. Inspection report children’s home: SC476326 11

p.10

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.11

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: SC476326 12

p.11

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

p.12

Children’s home details

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

p.12

Inspector

Sophie Hills, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC476326 13 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.12

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.13

Inspector

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

p.13

Inspector

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

p.13