Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Stoke-on-Trent

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2594366 1 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

A large private provider operates this home. It provides care for up to four children with social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties due to past trauma.

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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: 2594366 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

At the time of the inspection, there were no children living in the home. The inspector considered the experiences of children who have recently moved out of the home.

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The care of children

Two children have left the home since the last inspection. Managers made the difficult decision to move on one child because they felt that the home could no longer meet their needs, and due to the impact on another child. The child had also expressed a wish to move from the home. The other child moved to another home within the company. Children’s views were secured during the process, which contributed to planned moves.

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The care of children

Prior to leaving the home, both children had been making positive progress at school. Both children had very positive attendance. One child was improving their reading age and the other child was working towards positive GCSE grades.

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The care of children

The home is a large house with lots of space for children to be together or on their own. The home is well furnished and decorated, and feels like a home. The home is also undergoing some refurbishment work in preparation for the home reopening in the future.

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The safety of children

Staff have developed risk assessments and behaviour plans that help them to understand how best to support children when in crisis. However, on two occasions where incidents escalated, staff had to call the police for assistance. Managers and staff reflected on this following the incidents, and the agreed actions were proportionate due to the injuries sustained by members of staff. It was demonstrated during the inspection that police were not regularly used to support children in crisis.

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The safety of children

On occasions, staff have needed to use physical intervention when other methods of de-escalation have failed. Records are clearly recorded, with management oversight of whether intervention was appropriate and proportionate. Records clearly show that physical intervention is only used as a last resort and demonstrate the methods of restraint used.

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The safety of children

Allegations are rare and reduced significantly for one child. On one occasion, where a child did make an allegation, leaders and managers responded appropriately. The Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2594366 3 immediate safety of the child was protected, and relevant agencies notified. The child was spoken to and informed of the outcome.

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The safety of children

Medication is not always administered correctly. When medication errors have occurred, leaders and managers have taken action to ensure that children are kept safe. Advice has been sought from medical professionals and external agencies have been informed. Additional learning has also been sought for staff, and staff have been spoken to by the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has recently moved on from the home. She has taken up a position at another home in the company. One child has moved with the manager. A new manager has been appointed is currently in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There are currently no staff working in the home. Staff have transitioned with the manager to another home within the company. The new manager is in the process of recruiting new staff to the home before admitting any children. There is also a commitment from leaders and managers to introduce and embed more-therapeutic approaches to support children before the home reopens.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have taken effective action to meet the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Prior to the home closing, leaders and managers had made improvements to the internal monitoring systems. New monthly monitoring systems have been created, which focus on improving the progress and experiences for children. Additional monitoring systems around medication have also been introduced. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2594366 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/09/2021 Interim Not judged 19/05/2021 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2594366 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Caretech Estates Ltd, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Carl Wilton, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2594366 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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Inspector

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