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Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457501 1 SC457501

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Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who require support with their emotional and/or behavioural care needs. It is operated by a national provider of children’s homes.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children live in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2023 and is suitably qualified.

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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 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: SC457501 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 spend quality and meaningful time independently alone and with friends in the community without any unnecessary restrictions. Staff take a positive risk approach and enable children to take age-appropriate risks to enhance their independent living skills. Staff advocated for one child to safely increase the distance they can travel independently to better meet their needs.

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The care of children

Staff support children while encouraging and supporting healthy eating and promoting the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices. Homecooked nutritious meals are freshly prepared by children and staff daily, and everyone eats together at the dining room table. One child has recently been supported to join a local football club, which they really enjoyed.

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The care of children

Both children are making good progress from their starting points in education. One child independently goes to school full-time and has very good attendance. Staff have advocated for the other child, through effective liaison with the virtual school, to start to attend college. While that was being progressed, staff supported the child to take part in educational activity throughout the day. Staff are determined for both children to do well.

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The safety of children

Staff know the risks and respond effectively when children go missing from the home. Staff follow a clear plan and take immediate action to reduce the risk of harm to children. The manager is proactive and uses critical incident analysis to highlight lessons to be learned and to effect change to practice, helping staff to continually improve how they protect children.

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The safety of children

Children who display unsafe behaviour are supported by staff to manage their behaviour and feelings safely. Advice following an incident is sought from an in- house senior mental health practitioner. This results in changes to practice and additional training for staff. Staff set clear boundaries to help keep children safe and understand the triggers for behaviour. There have been no occasions where a child has needed to be restrained.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home is manged by a strong, experienced manager. The manager interacts with children and staff, showing kindness and passion. The manager has developed a culture of high expectation and desire for children to progress and achieve. Children Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457501 3 benefit from consistently being supported by staff who share the manager’s vision, know the children well and can best support their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff feel well supported by the manager, who listens to them, is visible and available to them. Supervision takes place regularly, and bespoke training is tailored to the needs of the children living in the home. Staff are supported to maintain their own well-being through access to a mental health practitioner. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457501 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/02/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 25/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/05/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457501 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s records should be clearly recorded. Documents should reflect the current needs of the child and contain up- to-date information. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457501 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Cambian Childcare Ltd, Metropolitan House, 3 Drakes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nicola McClements

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Inspector

Gary Turney, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457501 7 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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