Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Warrington

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 1 SC456800

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Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a large national provider of children’s homes. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 15 September 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Children live in a nurturing and supportive home. Staff provide children with high- quality personalised care that meets their assessed needs. This standard of care and protection is making a positive difference to children’s lives.

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The care of children

Children enjoy secure and trusting relationships with the manager and staff. The quality of these relationships provides children with stability and a strong sense of belonging. They know that staff understand their needs and want what is best for them. When children face challenging situations, staff provide them with the support that they need to deal with problems constructively.

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The care of children

Children take pride in the appearance of their home. The refurbishment and decoration of the lounge, bathroom and kitchen have improved the quality of the accommodation. It is now a comfortable and pleasant place to live.

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The care of children

Staff encourage children to continue their education after they leave school. They enable children to take part in education, training and employment. Staff support them to develop the necessary skills to succeed in their chosen career. For example, they encourage children to help the maintenance team do jobs around the house and garden. This has led to a child writing to the maintenance team to request work experience in plastering.

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The care of children

As a good parent would, the manager and staff act as strong advocates on behalf of children who may be experiencing difficulties with education. They challenge children’s education or training provider if the child does not receive sufficient support to be able to meet their learning objectives.

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The care of children

Staff support children to express their views about the arrangements for their care and plans. Staff work closely with children, their family and placing authority to plan the next steps for children towards becoming as independent as possible. Children are supported to have the practical skills, understanding of their rights and entitlements, and emotional resilience to manage the demands of being an adult.

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The care of children

Children’s records provide a detailed picture of their experiences and progress. Staff encourage children to read and comment on their records and plans. They help children to record significant life events. Staff encourage children to keep photos and memorabilia of their time spent living at the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 3

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The safety of children

Children feel safe and are protected from the risks of significant harm. They see the manager and staff as trusted adults who they can turn to for help and protection. Children demonstrate a strong sense of safety and emotional well-being.

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The safety of children

Staff are well trained and supported to respond to concerns about children’s safety. They recognise the signs when children may be at risk of harm. Staff respond appropriately, including when they are concerned that children may be under the influence of alcohol or cannabis or at risk from violence outside the home.

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The safety of children

Staff help children to be aware of risks and to manage their own safety at home and in the community. They help children know how to protect themselves, feel protected and be protected from harm. This includes talking to children about healthy relationships, being safe online and the impact of substance misuse on their health and emotional well-being.

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The safety of children

Staff take suitable precautions to allow children to take reasonable risks as part of their development and preparation for independence. They encourage and support children to spend time with their friends and use public transport safely.

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The safety of children

Staff have the skills to respond successfully when children are having a difficult time or are upset. They spend time listening to children carefully, helping them to express what they want to say and working through the problem together. A child said, ‘It’s good to get things off your chest. Staff listen and help me sort things out.’

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The safety of children

On one occasion, the manager did not inform Ofsted of serious concerns about a child’s safety. This restricts Ofsted’s ability to monitor the effectiveness of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager demonstrates the skills and capacity to make the necessary changes to improve the quality of care and protection that children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has systematically addressed all the shortfalls found at the last inspection. This has resulted in improvements in the decoration and maintenance of the home, managing risks to children, staff’s knowledge and skills in safeguarding, and leadership and management. These improvements are embedded in children’s day-to-day care and have had a positive impact on children’s experiences and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Children are cared for by skilled and experienced staff who know them well. The staffing arrangements make sure that there are always enough suitable staff available to meet children’s needs. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 4 The manager uses detailed monitoring and review systems to have a clear understanding of the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on children’s progress and experiences. The manager uses the findings effectively from their review of children’s records and serious incidents, and external monitoring, to develop and improve the quality of children’s care and protection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/08/2021 Full Good 26/11/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/02/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 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)) 31 January 2023

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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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 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: 5th Floor, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspectors

Nick Veysey, Social Care Inspector Julie Elder, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 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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Inspectors

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

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