Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

Inspection report for children’s home: 2542813 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 operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2022.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2542813 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/03/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/05/2021 Full Inadequate 19/02/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2542813 3

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inadequate

There are serious shortfalls in safeguarding practice and the leadership and management of the home. These weaknesses have had a significant negative effect on the child’s safety, and limited their experiences and progress.

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inadequate

Relationships between the child and staff are not always positive. Although the manager has investigated complaints and allegations made by the child, there has been no opportunity for mediation between the child and staff to repair relationships. This, together with sudden staff changes in the home, have prevented the child from building trusting and secure relationships with all the staff.

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inadequate

The child is registered with primary healthcare services and has attended routine health appointments. However, staff do not respond consistently to incidents where the child is injured in the home. Following one serious incident, the child did not receive medical attention despite sustaining visible injuries.

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inadequate

The child is not currently attending school and does not consistently engage with the home school tutor. The manager has escalated concerns in relation to the education plans for the child and a new school has been identified. Although staff support the child to access a range of informal learning opportunities, the lack of an education provision to meet the child’s needs is having a negative effect on their daily experiences and academic progress.

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inadequate

There have been incidents when the child has caused damage in the home. Evidence of such damage detracts from the homeliness of the environment. For example, there was a discarded mattress in the dining area and pictures had been removed from the walls. Action was taken to address this during the visit.

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inadequate

The child has enjoyed a range of activities with staff. Staff complete journals and memory books for the child, with photos of trips and achievements.

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

Safeguarding practice in this home is not sufficiently robust and does not promote the safety and welfare of the child.

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

Risk management plans are ineffective as they do not contain sufficient information about the child’s known risks. Staff are not provided with clear risk management strategies. Staff are not taking consistent and effective action to reduce risks to the child.

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

Staff do not follow the child’s risk management plan consistently, particularly in relation to the supervision needs of the child. Staff do not consistently provide the levels of supervision that the child requires to keep safe. During incidents of Inspection report for children’s home: 2542813 4 challenging behaviour, staff have, at times, retreated to the staff office. This action does not safeguard the child during periods of crisis when challenging and high-risk behaviours are displayed.

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

The child has received injuries in the home, including bruises from falling and a burn from using the oven. Despite the child suffering harm, leaders and the manager failed to implement a timely and effective plan to reduce risks to the child.

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

Restraint practice is not safely supporting the child during periods of crisis. On some occasions, restraint practice is not used in a timely manner to reduce risks to the child. For example, staff have not taken opportunities to safely intervene and prevent the child from climbing on the stairs. Staff report a lack of confidence in the use of holding the child, despite being trained in these techniques.

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

On one occasion, a staff member used an unapproved holding technique. This means the child was not held safely and could lead to injury. Management oversight of this incident does not effectively challenge or scrutinise staff practice. There is a lack of challenge to staff about their actions or reflection on the incident to safeguard the child from further inappropriate holds being carried out, which are not safe or approved techniques.

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

The child is not supported in line with their individual behaviour support plan. Staff practice has been inconsistent and has, at times, led to escalation of the child’s behaviour. The child has a diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental condition. However, records do not show that staff understand how this diagnosis should inform their behaviour management approaches.

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

Consequences used are not restorative and are not helping the child to reflect on or improve their behaviour. For example, when the child displayed unsafe behaviour in the car, they were not allowed to use the car for 24 hours. This action did not address the significant risk to the child, staff and the community from the behaviour that was displayed. Failing to address risks and take sufficient action to prevent incidents from reoccurring does not safeguard the child.

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

When allegations have been made, the manager has ensured that these are referred to the designated officer. However, not all staff understand the procedures that they should follow if the child raises a concern about staff practice. On one occasion, the child raised a concern, but it was not acted on by staff.

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

The child has been placed at risk and suffered harm due to hazards in the home environment. Risks to the child from using kitchen equipment have not been assessed, and there are insufficient plans in place to safeguard the child in this respect. There were risks to the child from an open banister, a damaged radiator, and a discarded mattress. These hazards have not been addressed, despite the child suffering harm from a fall when climbing on the staircase. Inspection report for children’s home: 2542813 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The manager is experienced and has been in post since November 2022. The responsible individual has not been operational in the home for a number of months and therefore had not visited the home. In the absence of the responsible individual, the support for the manager and oversight of the home has not been effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Management monitoring is ineffective. Leaders and the manager have not implemented effective monitoring systems to review the quality of care provided to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Management oversight of significant events is poor. Although the manager has reviewed the child’s records, they did not identify and address shortfalls in safeguarding and behaviour management practice. The insufficient review and evaluation of significant events place the child at risk of harm from continued poor staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff do not have the experience or knowledge to meet the needs of the child and keep them safe. Although staff have received training in relevant topics, such as the child’s neurodevelopmental condition, they have not demonstrated effective practice in meeting the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The supervision of practice is poor. Some staff, including the registered manager, have not received supervision that is in line with the home’s statement of purpose. When supervision has taken place, it is not practice-related. Staff are not being supported, during supervision or through debriefs, to reflect on training or significant events in the home. This does not support the development of good practice and, therefore, the quality of care provided to child is not improving.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

When staff have raised concerns during supervision in relation to the practice of their colleagues, the manager has not evidenced how this is addressed. This is a significant oversight in addressing and improving staff practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2542813 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

* The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff are provided with clear risk assessments that outline the risks to the child and the strategies that staff must use to reduce risks.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must also ensure that staff take effective action, in line with the risk assessments, to safeguard the child. 18 June 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 2542813 7 The registered person must ensure that staff understand the action that they must take to report any issues with staff conduct or practice.

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Requirement Due date

* The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must improve oversight of significant incidents in the home to ensure that any areas of concern with safeguarding or behaviour management practice are addressed.

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Requirement Due date

Further to this, the registered person must ensure that children are receiving appropriate supervision from staff that helps to reduce risks.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must also ensure that staff have the skills and experience to manage children’s complex needs and behaviours. 18 June 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 2542813 8 * The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b) (2) (3)(a)(v)(vii)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all restraints are recorded in line with regulation.

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Requirement Due date

Further to this, the registered person should explore the child’s feelings about the use of the measure. 18 June 2023

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. 1 September 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 2542813 9 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to ensuring that children receive medical attention when they are injured in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to 1 September 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: 2542813 10 the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children;

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iv)(v)(vii)(ix)(x)(xi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure that the registered manager receives supervision in line with the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

Further to this, the registered manager must ensure that staff receive regular supervision, in line with the statement of purpose, which supports the development of good practice. 1 September 2023

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any consequences used to address poor behaviour are restorative in nature to help children to recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home’s regulations, including the quality standards’ page 47, paragraph 9.38)

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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: 2542813 11

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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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Inspector

Emma Thornton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2542813 12 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 children after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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