Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2623004 1 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 is one of several children’s homes operated by a private company. The home can provide care for one child who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 26 October 2021

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2623004 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/10/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2623004 3

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outstanding

The child has been living in this home since it opened in 2021 and has made exceptional and sustained progress. The child arrived with deprivation of liberty safeguards in place. Staff have worked hard to support the child to reduce and manage risk-taking behaviour, which resulted in the order being revoked. Staff adapted well to changes in plans and the ending of the order. Staff have the confidence and skills to support the child with independence and have implemented appropriate plans.

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outstanding

The home is warm and welcoming and there is no indication that it is anything other than a family home, both outside and in. The child has personalised their room, and there are photos of them at various stages of life, including as a baby and with other family members; these are in the bedroom and other rooms in the home. The home is clean, well furnished and comfortable. It is a space that reflects the personality and style of the child who lives here and is open and inviting to all who enter. This adds to the home’s relaxed family feel.

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outstanding

Interactions between staff and the child demonstrate genuine care and affection. Due to staffing consistency, the child is able to trust the staff, and there is clearly mutual respect. The child is able to openly communicate and is understood. Staff are responsive and attentive to the child’s needs and provide them with highly supportive emotional and physical care. The child is able to talk to the staff about any subject and said, ‘I’ve never been able to talk to anyone, apart from family, like I do the staff here.’ The child feels cared for, and staff have really got to know the child well. They are aware of the child’s next steps and are preparing accordingly.

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outstanding

The child is supported to manage their own feelings but receives good support when feeling upset or anxious. Staff are not afraid to raise issues, but this is managed sensitively and has resulted in open discussions about some difficult subjects. This has strengthened relationships and built trust between the child and staff.

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outstanding

The manager has identified that the use of poetry has a therapeutic effect on the child and has encouraged them to use this as a way of expressing feelings that are difficult to talk about. This has started conversations with staff, which have helped to reduce upsetting emotions and address some complex feelings at the child’s own pace.

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outstanding

The staff identified that animals also have a calming effect on the child and, after discussions, the child was bought a pet rabbit. The child has agreed the rabbit’s care with staff and has done research on how to care for it. This has given the child focus and a sense of responsibility, which have had a profoundly positive impact on their emotional well-being. The child has been pleased to see how the rabbit bonds with Inspection report for children’s home: 2623004 4 them and has taken great care of it so far. This has supported an improvement in the child’s mood.

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outstanding

Staff have a realistic approach in ensuring that the child continues to progress in education. Despite it being a matter of weeks away from the start of GCSE exams, the manager has challenged other professionals to secure additional tuition to support the child through their exams. In addition, the manager has been able to arrange for the child to sitt exams in the home. This is exceptional progress for the child and demonstrates the steps the manager and staff will take to enhance the child’s chances to succeed.

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outstanding

Staff have positive relationships with the child’s family and support the child to see them. The manager ensures that time with family is positive and has challenged, and continues to challenge, at times when arrangements have needed to be changed. These decisions have been made in agreement with what the child wants. This means that the child feels listened to. There is a strong sense that staff care for the child, and staff have clearly taken the time to get to know the child, their family and interests. Staff have then used this knowledge to tailor their care and interactions with the child. Staff demonstrate empathy, kindness and patience towards the child, creating a nurturing and positive environment where the child has been able to grow and flourish.

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outstanding

High-quality and consistent practice has ensured a reduction of risky behaviours. The staff have been successful in securing attachments with the child and are committed to keeping the child safe. The child said she feels safe and cared for here.

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outstanding

Risks are understood and fully explored by thorough risk assessments that are regularly reviewed and updated. Assessments ensure that staff are aware of how to manage incidents, even when it is an issue they have not encountered in a significant amount of time. Staff talk to the child about why they are worried, and the child contributes to her own plans. As a result, unsafe behaviour has greatly reduced and remained low.

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outstanding

The child is the focus of all of the planning; their voice is recognised and emotions validated. When the manager was concerned that the child was not being listened to in a wider professional context, she secured an advocate to strengthen the volume of the child’s voice. This has brought about a change in future planning for the child, and outcomes that were previously unthinkable are now being put into action. This secures a future that the child wants and can achieve.

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outstanding

Positive behaviour is commented on and recorded on a regular basis. Staff recognise the progress that the child has made and celebrate together when things go well. Despite progress not always being linear, staff are incredibly proud of the child and frequently tell them this. This builds the child’s confidence. Inspection report for children’s home: 2623004 5 The manager and staff have a good knowledge of safeguarding and are appropriately trained. The staff have had training specific to the child’s needs and the manager regularly tests their understanding in team meetings. They are knowledgeable about a variety of subjects and keep the child at the centre of their planning. This ensures that the child’s safeguarding needs are fully explored and understood.

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outstanding

Staff are recruited safely and are appropriate people to work with children. The staff team has been nurtured and developed by the manager to provide a consistent approach to caring for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has been in post since November 2022. She is not yet registered, and there was a delay in submitting her application due to awaiting a qualification assessment. This has now been received. In the interim, another manager has been supporting the running of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since starting in post, the manager has worked hard to drive up standards in the home. There is a clear improvement in the standards of recording, and the staff speak positively about having more responsibility. The manager wants the staff to shine, which is evident in the standard of expectation and aspiration she sets for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Communication between the manager and staff is effective, and a monthly email ensures that staff are appraised of changes and developments in the home. This practice solidifies the manager’s oversight and ensures consistent practice. The staff learn from each other, and open and honest conversation is welcomed. This means that morale is high.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff work well with other professionals. The manager consistently challenges and escalates to other agencies when there are shortfalls in communication or essential information. The manager clearly understands the plan for the child and professionally disputes plans that do not consider the child’s wishes. This means that the child is able to appropriately contribute to planning their future, and all options are being fully considered.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child and manager completed a piece of work which was presented to the staff team. This was a powerful representation of the child’s life, given in their own words, and was a reminder to the staff of the focus of their work. This has deepened the staff’s understanding of the child’s journey and has made the child feel like their experiences were validated and listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All decisions in this home are made with the child at the centre. Recording is child- focused and dynamic, and the risks for the child are carefully considered. Staff understand the plans for the child because they are so clearly recorded and Inspection report for children’s home: 2623004 6 regularly reviewed. This means that the child receives clear and consistent messages from the staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are fully trained to do their job, and they regularly update their knowledge. The manager regularly refreshes learning in team meetings and is able to evaluate when further training is required. Staff report that training is good quality and regularly offered. Some learning is specific to the child they care for, which has allowed staff to tailor practice and care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have regular supervision sessions which are well planned, reflective and individualised. Staff said they felt supported by the manager and that she is an inspirational leader. The manager knows the staff and child well and has driven an open culture. This means the staff are appropriately developed, and their skills are fully utilised to provide the best care for the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2623004 7

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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: 2623004 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: Caretech Estates Limited, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2623004 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 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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