Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Plymouth

Inspection report for children's home: 2511289 1 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 children’s home is operated by a private national company. It is registered to care for one child with emotional and behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since March 2021. The current manager has recently moved to this home from another of the company’s homes. They have submitted their application to register with Ofsted.

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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 good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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good

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

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2511289 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/06/2021 Full Good 18/12/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 25/07/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2511289 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented and has lovely indoor and outdoor spaces for children and staff to relax in and spend time together. However, the bedroom doors look institutional and need replacing with something more homely.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s plans and risk assessments are clear and thorough. They focus on the needs of the child and ensure that staff have appropriate strategies to respond effectively to the child’s behaviours.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child currently at the home is making positive progress despite having only moved into the home very recently. They have established a more active lifestyle that has led to weight loss. Their personal hygiene has improved. They have built positive relationships with staff. They told the inspector that they liked living at the home and felt safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Outcomes for the child who previously lived at the home have not been so positive. However, the home worked well with other agencies to ensure that the transition to post-16 provision was well planned and managed in a way that met the child’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are skilled in supporting children with learning disabilities. The home makes excellent use of picture widgets for the child in every area of their life. The inspector saw good examples of the home supporting the child with their day-to-day life and helping them learn new skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand that the voice of the child is an important part of developing the care the home provides. The inspector saw good examples of children being asked their views and these views being acted on.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When children go missing, staff go to extraordinary lengths to find them and bring them home. Staff rely on their good relationships with family, friends and external agencies to gather information about where children could be staying. This helps them focus their searches. They consistently text and call the child to try to persuade them to come home. They continue searching and travel significant distances in their search until the child returns home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been no incidents of restraint in the home since the last inspection. Staff spoken to are clear about when to use restraint. This is to prevent a child from hurting themselves or others.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff have a good understanding of how to safeguard a child who may be at risk of exploitation. They have good links with the local community and liaise well with Inspection report for children's home: 2511289 4 other agencies to provide a coordinated safety net. The home confidently challenges other professionals when they are not meeting the needs of children effectively.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Positive behaviour is consistently promoted. Staff provide the current child with clear boundaries and guidance, delivered in a sensitive way in line with their specific needs. The positive impact of this is seen in the child’s behaviour.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are well trained in health and safety and first aid. During the inspection, they responded effectively to an accident at the home.

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good

There has been a significant change of leadership since the last inspection. There has been no registered manager for a significant period. The current manager is new in post but has excellent experience of managing children’s homes. They have applied to register with Ofsted. The provision has changed its statement of purpose to additionally provide care for children with learning disabilities. This reflects the skills and knowledge of the team.

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good

Leaders and managers understand the weaknesses of the home. There is a clear plan in place to implement the changes required. This has already led to significant improvements. Staff report feeling well supported and more confident in their roles. The changes are currently being embedded and further time is required to see the long-term impact.

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good

Staff complete good-quality training. Specialist training is available to ensure that the team can meet the needs of the child. There has been an additional focus on supporting children with learning disabilities.

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good

Managers ensure that staff have regular, good-quality supervision. The records of these sessions are excellent. They evidence focused discussions on how staff can continually improve the care children receive.

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good

External professionals and family are positive about the care children receive at the home. One local authority social worker said that communication was particularly good and that the transition for the child to the home was very well managed. Inspection report for children's home: 2511289 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is well presented and homely. In particular, the bedroom doors should be similar to those in a family home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2511289 6

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Victoria Elworthy

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Inspector

Penelope Kutz, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2511289 7 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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