Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in North Yorkshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457435 1 SC457435

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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

A private company owns and manages this children’s home. The home provides care for up to two children who may have experienced social and/or emotional difficulties. Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2021.

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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 inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers.

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Information about this inspection

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: SC457435 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

The home provides a positive environment for children. Children are spending increasing amounts of time in the home because of the good relationships that they have with staff. They benefit from being cared for by members of a staff team that are beginning to know them. Relationships are positive and children are supported by staff that they can talk to and trust.

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The care of children

Children are generally healthy. They are registered with community healthcare professionals, including doctors, dentists and opticians. Staff encourage children to choose nutritious meals and to take regular exercise. These positive, healthy choices ensure that children’s health is maintained.

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The care of children

Staff work collaboratively with other professionals. Staff work closely with children’s teachers to ensure that each child’s individual educational needs are met. However, for one child staff have not ensured that the child accesses online courses in a timely manner. This delay does not promote the child’s progress in education.

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The care of children

Children participate in a range of enjoyable and interesting activities that provide lasting memories. Staff support children to see their friends and families. This ensures that children maintain family ties and positive relationships. As a result, children do not feel isolated from the people who are important to them.

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The care of children

Staff prepare children for the future. For example, they support children to participate in developing independent living skills. This can include encouraging children to clean, shop and cook. This helps children to start to develop the confidence necessary for adult life.

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The care of children

Leaders and managers have worked hard to make the home feel comfortable and welcoming. However, the stained carpet in some areas of the home detracts from the otherwise homely feel.

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The safety of children

Children’s safety and welfare are safeguarded effectively. Staff are guided by the written risk assessments that are tailor-made for each child. The risk assessments are thorough, and they are kept under review. These documents identify the strategies that the staff must follow to mitigate the risks to protect the children’s vulnerabilities. This helps to promote the children’s well-being.

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The safety of children

Staff promote good parental routines and boundaries, which improves children’s sense of safety. Staff’s good understanding of the children’s experiences helps them to respond appropriately when children are unable to regulate their emotions. Staff Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457435 3 use a range of strategies to help children at these time, for example enabling the children to express their feelings. As a result, the children are more able to manage their own emotional and behavioural needs.

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The safety of children

Key-work sessions focus on children’s individual needs and are in line with their plans. These are relevant to the child and what is happening in their lives. This strengthens relationships and helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe.

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The safety of children

Safe recruitment processes are in place. The registered manager ensures that all relevant checks and verifications are complete before employees work with children. This helps to reduce the risk of harm to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager is dedicated to achieving successful outcomes for the children. She is supported by a deputy manager and a committed staff team. The registered manager advocates for the children and escalates her concerns to relevant local authorities. This ensures that children get the best possible care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff do not receive supervision at the frequency set out in the home’s supervision policy. This means that children are being looked after by staff who are not receiving the support they need to perform well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managers review significant events and incidents of concern. The registered manager has not consistently evaluated the incidents to ensure that there is a clear written audit trail. This lack of oversight prevents the manager from reviewing the quality of care that children receive effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff benefit from regular team meetings and training. Training reflects children’s individual needs. All staff are enrolled on the required qualification course or will be within their probation period. This means that staff increase their skills and knowledge about the children they look after.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

At the last inspection, Ofsted raised three requirements and one recommendation. Managers have taken sufficient action to address two of the requirements in full. One requirement was met in part and the recommendation has been escalated to a requirement. A further requirement and a recommendation have been made as a result of this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457435 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457435 5

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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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities and resources to support the child’s learning. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(ix)(x)(b)) 24 February 2023

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h)) 24 February 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 24 February 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457435 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home meets children’s basic day-to- day needs and physical necessities. In particular, ensure that maintenance of the flooring is undertaken in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457435 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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Susan Fitzsimmons

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Inspector

Evelyn Chafota, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457435 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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Inspector

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