Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Warrington

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556596 1 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 is a privately owned children’s home. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

No children were living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Dates of last inspection: 24 and 25 May 2022

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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 inspectors 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: 2556596 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

Since the last inspection, two children have come to live at the home and four children have moved on from the home. At the time of this inspection, no children were living in the home.

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The care of children

Of the four children who have moved on, three have done so in a planned way in line with their care plans. One child left the home recently as the staff were unable to keep the child safe in the community. The registered manager worked closely with the child’s social worker to maintain the child’s placement until it was no longer in the child’s best interests to do so.

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The care of children

Pre-admission assessments to inform decision-making about children coming to live at the home are mostly robust. They evidence a balancing of the needs of all children, including those already living at the home and those children who are new to the home. The registered manager is reliant on the information provided by placing authorities rather than seeking additional information from other professionals or family members who know the child. This limits information about children that could enhance decision-making.

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The care of children

Children’s care records show that children and staff have regular and meaningful one-to-one time together. This time is spent talking to children about their views and experiences. Children are supported to reflect on their progress and to make positive choices. The quality of the relationships between children and staff enhances children’s experiences of living in the home.

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The care of children

When children arrive at the home without any agreed education provision, staff move quickly to make sure suitable provision is put in place. There are a range of resources in the home to support children’s informal learning on topics such as healthy relationships. This helps children develop an understanding of wider social issues.

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The care of children

Children live in a warm and welcoming home environment. The home is furnished to a high standard. There is a large, secure garden with a range of equipment that encourages children to spend time outside.

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The safety of children

Children’s strengths and vulnerabilities are well understood. Detailed risk assessments and behaviour support plans help staff to provide children with individualised care that meets their needs. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556596 3 When children go missing from home, staff follow missing-from-home plans, which provide clear information to staff about their responsibilities. Staff provide a timely and proactive response when children go missing from home or do not respond to agreed check-ins during their free time in the community. This helps to reduce risks and bring children home safely.

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The safety of children

There have been no incidents of physically holding children since the last inspection. Staff use positive strategies to avoid confrontation and build trusting relationships with children.

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The safety of children

Recently, two children have been involved in behaviour in the community that has put themselves and others at risk. The registered manager has worked with the police and placing authorities to respond to these behaviours. Information about these incidents has been shared with Ofsted. However, on one occasion, information has been omitted that meant that the regulator was unable to fully evaluate the actions of staff and the risks to children.

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The safety of children

The registered manager has a detailed understanding of the risks to children when they are in the community. She regularly reviews and updates the home’s locality risk assessment to reflect changes in the area and considers these alongside the needs of each child living in the home. There are strong relationships between staff and local police. These arrangements support staff to keep children safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Children and staff benefit from the strong, child-focused leadership of the registered manager. Since the last inspection, the registered manager has demonstrated her ability to reflect and learn from internal and external monitoring in order to improve the quality of care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Following the recent departure from the home of two children, the registered manager has taken time to consider the experiences of these children and use it to inform decision-making about new children coming to live at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has undertaken a detailed, written refection and evaluation of the experiences of children who have left the home. During children’s time living at the home, the registered manager provided detailed oversight of children’s plans and care records. The quality of management oversight of practice means that the registered manager is well placed to address any areas of concern and build on good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff receive the training required to undertake their roles. Regular supervision and team meetings support staff to understand the needs of children and their role in providing a standard of care that gives children a positive experience and improves their lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff are consulted about new admissions to the home and feel that their opinions are listened to and valued. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556596 4 The registered manager has taken action to meet all the requirements made at the last inspection. Two recommendations are made following this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556596 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/05/2021 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556596 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that serious incident notifications to Ofsted include all information about the incident. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)  The registered person should ensure that information is gathered from all relevant sources to inform decision-making about children’s admission to the home, including emergency admissions. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.6) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556596 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: Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspectors

Dawn Parton, Social Care Inspector Colin Jones, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2556596 8 inspects 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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