Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 1280629 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 home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

An experienced and qualified manager is in post, who has applied to register with Ofsted.

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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: 14 December 2021

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1280629 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/12/2021 Full Good 16/12/2019 Full Good 15/10/2019 Full Inadequate 29/01/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1280629 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have moved on from the home since the last inspection. Although these were unplanned moves, managers worked with placing authorities to ensure that the children moved on to suitable placements. Managers and staff ensured that children received positive goodbyes. For example, staff put together a memory book and took a child on a short holiday before they moved. Managers have received training to improve care planning and decision-making in relation to the compatibility of new children moving into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three children were living at the home at the time of the inspection. One child has recently moved from another home in the organisation into this home along with staff and a manager. This is part a wider plan to merge two homes. Managers carefully considered the views of children before implementing this plan. Visits and activities took place to allow children and staff to spend time together. As a result of good care planning, the transition went smoothly, and children felt listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive relationships with staff. Children told the inspector that they like living in the home, and one child said that it feels like any ordinary family home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The environment is homely and welcoming. There is ample room for children to enjoy private and communal space. The manager and staff have created space for children to explore their hobbies and interests in the home and in the grounds. For example, one child is using a wall space to paint a mural due to their interest in art, and another child has space to practise kickboxing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend health appointments. In addition, external assessments are sought to ensure that children have the support they need. This led to one child receiving a diagnosis that has helped staff to have a better understanding of their needs and ensured that the child receives the right support in school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend school regularly. Staff work closely with teachers to address any issues that arise. Staff transport one child to and from school, despite it being a significant distance from the home. This shows their commitment to ensuring that children have continuity of education. One child is receiving equine therapy in school, which is helping them to talk about their feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff take children to see people who are important to them and they help to supervise and support family time. This helps children to maintain their family relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff carry out regular direct work with children. This is linked to the children’s care plans as well as things that arise. This has included discussions about online safety, healthy eating, sleep routines and attending school on time. In addition, children have regular meetings with staff to reflect on things they think should improve as Inspection report for children’s home: 1280629 4 well as menu and activity ideas. The manager is keen to improve children’s engagement and contribution to the home and is in the process of sharing her ideas with children about how this could be achieved.

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

Children know how to make a complaint. Two children have made complaints since the last inspection. These were investigated and children were provided with an outcome. This helps to ensure that children feel listened to.

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

There have been some allegations made by children against staff. These have been appropriately referred to local authority designated officers, and managers have carried out internal investigations. When learning has been identified, this has been shared with staff. Most of the allegations are from a child who no longer lives in the home.

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

There have been no missing-from-home incidents since the last inspection. Managers and staff have clear missing-from-care protocols, which are reviewed regularly. One child, who had a history of going missing from home, has not had any missing-from-home incidents since they moved into the home. The child spoke to the inspector about the progress they have made in this regard and is pleased with this.

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

There have been occasions when staff have had to restrain children to keep them safe. Managers appropriately review these incidents to understand why they occurred and what learning, if any, can be taken from them. Challenging incidents are managed well, and staff use de-escalation or other agreed strategies to support children when they are struggling. Staff also use praise to promote positive behaviour in the home.

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

Children’s risk assessments are relevant and up to date. They give a clear overview of children’s presenting risks and behaviours and inform staff about how they can keep children safe.

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

At times, children feel low and talk about wanting to hurt themselves. Staff seek appropriate support from agencies, including the in-house clinician. For one child, this has led to staff working with them to devise a safety plan which identifies their self-soothing strategies and triggers.

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

The fire risk assessment is up to date. Staff carry out regular fire drills with staff and children, including when new children move into the home and when new staff start employment. These safety drills take place at different intervals to help children and staff respond to different situations.

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

The location risk assessment is up to date and gives staff and children the information they need about the local area to help them keep safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 1280629 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is appropriately experienced and qualified. She has moved into the home during a challenging time. She has a good understanding of the children’s needs and knows her staff team well. The manager has a clear plan to help drive improvements to continue to offer good care and support to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders are aware of staffing challenges. Since the last inspection, two managers and several staff have left. Leaders worked creatively and swiftly to put a plan together to ensure that children received stable and consistent care during this period.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff shared positive feedback with the inspector about their experience of working in the home. They said that, despite the staffing challenges, they feel well supported and that their views were considered as part of the merger of the two homes. Staff enjoy caring for the children. There is a good balance of experienced and qualified staff working closely with those who are relatively new and are learning their role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive mandatory training and training that is specific to children’s needs. The manager is quick to understand any gaps in training and ensures that staff receive upskilling training and workshops to help them carry out their roles effectively. For example, staff have received training on supervised contact and bereavement and loss. This ensures that suitably skilled and knowledgeable staff care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers implement good safer recruitment practice. This helps to ensure that safe and suitable adults are employed to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been gaps in supervision, and staff do not receive supervision in line with the home’s supervision policy. This includes new staff who are still in their probationary period. In addition, the supervision records do not capture reflective discussions to show how staff are supported to improve their practice. As a result, staff, particularly new members of staff, have not received consistent support to help them develop. The manager has put a plan in place to address this. Inspection report for children’s home: 1280629 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff receive regular supervision in line with the home’s supervision policy. Supervision sessions should be reflective and help staff to improve and develop their practice. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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: 1280629 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: Caretech Estates Limited, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Shazana Jamal, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1280629 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 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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