Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457181 1 SC457181

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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

This privately owned home provides care for one child who can no longer live at home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 20 October 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 these inspections, 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. 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: SC457181 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 leave and move in to this home in a planned way. As a result, they settle well into the home or their new home. The manager makes sure that she has all the necessary documents to care for children well. Children are now fully included in their plans. Therefore, they can make their views, wishes and feelings heard and be instrumental in directing their care. In addition, the child’s health plan and education plan now have all the necessary information required for staff to follow, such as the child’s academic and reading levels.

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The care of children

Staff have worked closely with other services to ensure that children receive additional support when needed. For example, one child has a range of anxieties. The manager has used a bespoke service to direct the staff’s care of the child, and the child is learning new strategies to help her with her emotions. A child said, ‘It is great living here. Staff listen to me and do what they can. I would not change anything.’

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The safety of children

Staff demonstrated that they understood their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding children. The new risk assessments now give staff clear guidance on the actions to take if an incident was to occur. Children’s views are a focus within these, and educating children on the possible associated risks has meant that risks have significantly reduced. For example, a child with a previous history of going missing from home has not been reported missing since their arrival at the home.

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The safety of children

There have been no concerns, complaints or safeguarding issues since the child has lived in the home. However, there was one notification to Ofsted regarding a previous child living in the home. The manager took immediate and effective action, and this had a satisfactory outcome. However, the manager did not inform the regulator of the outcome. This reduces the regulator’s oversight of the home. Therefore, the previous requirement has been repeated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home is being overseen by a qualified and experienced interim manager. The registered manager is currently on maternity leave. The interim manager is applying to register with Ofsted. This will ensure that there is good oversight of the home. There is a stable staff team. They are qualified, experienced and receive good training opportunities. Staff said that they receive regular support through supervision and appraisals. Team meetings focus on issues that relate to practice. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457181 3 For example, they discuss updates on new policies, training that staff have attended, and research in practice. Staff said that they therefore continue to reflect on, develop and improve their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has successfully challenged professionals when services have been slow or when information has not been provided, such as updated care plans. This means that staff can effectively care for children. Internal and external monitoring of the home is good. This further improves the development of the home. Most of the requirements and all the recommendations set at the last full inspection have been met.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/07/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/05/2021 Full Good 04/09/2019 Full Good 26/02/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457181 4

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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, the 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

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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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)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered manager should inform the regulator of the outcome of any notification made. 30 April 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457181 5

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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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Inspector

Pam Nuckley, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457181 6 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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