Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Shropshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC476252 1 SC476252 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 cares for up to three children who have experienced early life trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

There is an interim manager in post who has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspectors were aware during this inspection of a child’s allegation of restriction of liberty at the setting. This was being investigated by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate allegations of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the allegation were considered (where appropriate) alongside the other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

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

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following the last full inspection, a compliance notice was issued under regulation 13, the leadership and management standard. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476252 2 On 6 July 2022, Ofsted undertook a monitoring visit. The purpose of the visit was to review the provider’s progress. The inspector found that the compliance notice in relation to regulation 13 was not met. Concerns remained in relation to the leadership and management of the home. As a result, the compliance notice was reissued.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/05/2022 Full Inadequate 23/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/04/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC476252 3

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improvement to be good

Two children live in the home. Since the last inspection, one child has left. The new manager and staff have made improvements to the quality of care provided and this has had a positive impact on the experiences of children. However, there are some areas of staff practice that remain inconsistent, which means the quality of care is not yet good. In addition, the quality of children’s records, including risk assessments, still requires improvement.

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improvement to be good

Children’s placement plans identify children’s needs and what action is being taken to meet them. Plans are being updated much more regularly to reflect children’s changing needs. However, previous actions are not always revisited to consider their effectiveness. As a result, information is contradictory and children’s progress is not always clear.

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improvement to be good

Staff are not always curious enough about children’s behaviours. One child recognises that their developmental needs are changing. The support they have received has been poor. Staff have not helped this child enough to understand these changes. Furthermore, this child has started to run out of the home when they are unhappy. Staff respond appropriately and follow them to ensure that the child is safe. However, the interim manager has not fully explored why this may be happening.

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improvement to be good

Staff are more responsive to how children may be feeling. As a result, children are more able to talk openly about any anxieties they may have. Their anxieties are explored, to provide them with ongoing comfort and reassurance, such as when preparing to return to school to start the new term. However, staff do not always celebrate children’s achievements. One child received no recognition for their good end-of-year school report. This does not encourage children to develop positive self- esteem.

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improvement to be good

Children are more able to express their wishes and feelings. This is because staff are using better forms of communication that help the children to feel listened to and valued. However, children’s views are not incorporated effectively into their care plans.

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improvement to be good

Children are happy and settled. The new manager and the staff are much more consistent with children’s routines and boundaries. This contributes to children feeling safer and happier living in the home. In addition, this has helped children to build positive relationships with staff and the new manager. These improved relationships have greatly improved staff morale. The manager, staff and children are now proud of their home and invested in it. The environment is calm and relaxed. This promotes a positive sense of well-being for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476252 4 One child has now completed their therapeutic life-story work, albeit following a delay. This has helped them to understand past experiences and make sense of who they are. The interim manager and staff have provided them with a secure base to do so. As a result, there are now plans in place for this child to start reconnecting

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improvement to be good

The home environment has improved. There is a stark difference to the feel of the home, which is now homely and a pleasant place to be. Children’s bedrooms are more personalised. They reflect their culture and ethnicity, which helps children to develop a positive sense of their identity.

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improvement to be good

Children’s risk assessments do not include information about all their known risks. For example, the use of cable lights in children’s bedrooms has not been risk assessed. This is despite a previous incident when a child tied a cable around their neck. In addition, children’s bedroom door alarms are not risk assessed. One child’s bedroom door has an alarm, without consent from their social worker. It is unclear what the rationale is for the alarm to be in place.

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers take appropriate action when children make allegations. Managers are proactive in escalating any concerns about delay with external professionals. However, the recording of safeguarding incidents requires improvement. Managers’ and staff’s recordings are often undated and contain errors and inaccuracies. This could impact on the interim manager’s oversight of safeguarding practice.

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improvement to be good

The administration and recording of medication require improvement. Staff do not consistently follow the provider’s medication policy. They do not always witness one another administering medication to children. The records of administering medication contain errors. In addition, the manager does not have a system in place to monitor medication. As a result, there is potential for errors to occur. This could compromise children’s safety.

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improvement to be good

There has been a significant reduction in safeguarding incidents in the home. This is because staff have received training to develop and improve their skills. This has included refresher training for all staff in physical restraint. Some staff are now more sensitive and compassionate in their approach. As a result, they are able to de- escalate children’s behaviours more effectively. The use of physical restraint in the home has reduced.

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improvement to be good

Some staff carry out excellent direct work with children. This work links well to children’s needs that are outlined in their care plans. Staff help children to understand their feelings and how to respond to them safely. This has led to a reduction in the use of consequences in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476252 5

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good

During this inspection, the inspector found that sufficient action had been taken to meet the compliance notice in relation to regulation 13, the leadership and management standard.

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good

The home has a new responsible individual. However, their effectiveness is not yet fully known. The new interim manager has had a positive impact on the home. They are passionate and committed to driving forward improvement.

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good

The staff team is relatively new. Only two members of staff, including the interim manager, hold the appropriate qualification. As a result, children are not always cared for by qualified staff.

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good

The staff team has received extensive training around the home’s model of care. This is having some positive impact on the quality of care children receive. However, this is not yet embedded. The home no longer specialises in providing therapeutic services around sexualised trauma. Therefore, the home’s statement of purpose contains inaccurate information.

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good

The independent person still does not consistently consult with children. The interim manager gathers their own feedback from children to share with the independent person. Managers have escalated their concerns about the independent person’s practice with the independent person and their provider.

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good

Staff report that they enjoy working at the home and feel well supported. They have undertaken a comprehensive training programme and new staff receive a good induction. Staff receive regular practice-related supervision and ad hoc coaching sessions. As a result, they have opportunities to reflect and develop their practice.

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good

Management oversight of the home has improved. As a result, they have a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. The interim manager has completed a thorough and comprehensive quality of care report. Feedback from children, staff and professionals has been well considered. The interim manager is taking appropriate action to improve the care children receive. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476252 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that children receive care as outlined in the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 2 November 2022

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. 2 November 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: SC476252 7 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that children receive appropriate support to meet their health and development needs, taking into account each child’s age and stage of development. In addition, managers should ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills to meet children’s health needs.

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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 requires the registered person to ensure— that staff—

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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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; 2 November 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: SC476252 8 understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to the registered person ensuring that staff understand their role in keeping children safe. They must also ensure that information contained in children’s risk assessments is accurate and that staff have the skills to implement strategies to keep children safe.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that staff follow the provider’s policy in regard to the recording and safe administration of medication. In addition, that there are monitoring systems in place to ensure that children’s medication is managed safely. 2 November 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

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Requirement Due date

the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance;

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Requirement Due date

so far as reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance; and 2 November 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: SC476252 9 the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to the registered person ensuring that consent is obtained in writing from the local authority for surveillance such as bedroom door alarms. In addition, that this is appropriately risk assessed and proportionate to children’s needs and safety. Children should also be supported to understand the rationale for any form of surveillance being implemented and when and how this will be reviewed.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person should ensure that children’s records, including risk assessments and safeguarding incidents, contain accurate, up-to-date and legible information. 2 November 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s achievements, including their educational achievements such as positive end-of-year school reports, are celebrated. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.4)  The registered person should ensure that children are cared for by staff who hold the relevant qualification. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.6) Inspection report for children’s home: SC476252 10

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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: SC476252 11

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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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Inspector

Sarah Berry, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC476252 12 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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