Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Bedford

Inspection report for children’s home: SC476251 1 SC476251 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 provides care for up to four children. There is a Department for Education-registered school on the same site that is run by the organisation. The inspector only inspected the children’s home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2021.

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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 good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 18 January 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC476251 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/01/2022 Full Outstanding 28/01/2020 Full Outstanding 12/06/2018 Full Good 25/07/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC476251 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home and three children have moved in. Four children were living at the home at the time of this inspection. They are making good progress in a happy and structured environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All the children attend the provider’s on-site school. Children who previously struggled to engage in education are now attending daily and making significant progress. Staff enjoy celebrating the children’s achievements and regularly award them with certificates. Alongside this, children have positive appraisal books in which staff record their successes. Staff have high aspirations for children and the children recognise that staff want them to do well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to engage in a range of activities. Regular meetings are held to gain the children’s views and interests. Children spoke of enjoying going to the gym, taking dance lessons and playing football. Activities include go-karting, swimming, and trips to theme parks. Staff capture these moments by taking photos. This means that children have a record of these special moments to keep as part of their life story.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to develop valuable life skills. They have learned how to do their own laundry and how to keep their bedrooms clean and tidy. One child has recently decided to follow a vegan diet. Staff are supporting her to learn how to cook a variety of vegan meals. Another child, with staff encouragement, is learning how to tell the time on an analogue clock.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All the children have a love of animals. Pet therapy is used very well at the home. Staff bring in their dogs. The children regularly take the dogs for walks and play with them. Children have adopted their own pet rats and hamsters. Before doing this, the manager ensured that the children researched the care that the animals require. Children understand how to be responsible pet owners.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to keep in regular contact with the people who are important to them. Good organisation and communication with children’s relatives ensure that visits are well planned and enjoyed. A parent said, ‘I’m very pleased. I have visited my child, and the staff are great. They collect me from the train station and are always so supportive and welcoming. It is a lovely home.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves in and out of the home are exceptionally well planned. The child who moved out since the last inspection was able to successfully return to her family’s care. This move was achieved through careful planning that included increasing home visits over several months. Staff supported the child and the family to ensure that the visits and the eventual move went smoothly. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476251 4

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

Children feel safe living at the home. Staff have built positive relationships with children who previously struggled to trust and communicate with adults. A child said, ‘I think that I am doing really well here. The staff have taught me how to be safe. I have learned that I can’t do everything I want to do. I make better choices now. I don’t think that anything here could be improved.’

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

There have been no physical interventions since the last inspection. Staff are skilful at de-escalating incidents. They have regular and meaningful conversations with children. The children share what works best for them when they are upset. These conversations help staff to understand how to support each child in times of distress.

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

Several of the children had a significant history of going missing from home before they moved to this home. None of the children have gone missing from the home since the last inspection. One child did attempt to leave the home. Staff immediately followed them and were successful in encouraging the child to return to the home. Staff are proactive and follow procedures well to prevent incidents from occurring.

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

Children’s individual risk assessments are comprehensive, detailed and updated promptly. Changes to a child’s behaviour and risk levels are accurately reflected to ensure that staff have the most up-to-date guidance to follow to minimise any potential danger.

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

Staff focus on rewarding children’s positive behaviour. When a consequence is given, it is fair and proportionate. However, one of the consequences has not been reviewed promptly and another was reviewed by the manager who gave the consequence. This lack of independent scrutiny potentially compromises the integrity of the review.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The dedicated manager holds a relevant level 5 qualification. The manager is highly child focused. The deputy manager supports the manager well. They are ambitious for the children and ensure that consistent care is provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel valued and supported. New staff receive a comprehensive induction to help to develop their skills. Staff receive regular and effective supervision that prioritises the children’s needs. Yearly appraisals ensure that staff are invested in and given the opportunity to discuss their professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Good-quality monthly staff meetings are held alongside monthly clinical meetings. These meetings ensure that the staff are given advice and guidance to support the children’s ever-changing needs. The children’s progress is thoroughly discussed, achievable targets set, and strategies given that further enhance staff’s skills. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476251 5 The manager has maintained excellent communication with social workers and other professionals. A social worker said, ‘I am 100% happy with the care provided. The manager has done a brilliant job. [Child’s name] has flourished there. I receive weekly reports and the level of communication is great. It is a very well-run and calm home.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The arrangements for monitoring the children’s progress and the care provided are good. The manager oversees the daily recorded events and carries out monthly audits. However, the recording on one child’s chronology was not accessible, and the record of a visitor to the home was delayed. Unclear recording has the potential to limit the capacity to improve practice. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476251 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

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—

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure;

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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")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that debriefs and evaluations of the effectiveness of consequences are carried out within timescales by people who are not directly involved in the specific incident. 24 April 2023

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, ensure that records are completed fully, with attention to detail and accuracy, and are overseen by the registered manager. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Recommendation

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 Inspection report for children’s home: SC476251 7 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: SC476251 8

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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 Drakes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Dennise Springett

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Inspector

Lynne Drage, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC476251 9 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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