Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC483846 1 SC483846

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Cambian Childcare Limited

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This privately operated children’s home provides care for up to five children. There are currently two children living in the home.

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Information about this children's home

A permanent manager is in place, but they are not registered with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 16 and 17 May 2023. Compliance notices were served in relation to regulations 8 and 12.

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This monitoring visit

There are currently two children living in the home. One child is now an adult and has moved out. No new children have moved in to the home.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has taken steps to address the shortfalls in safeguarding under regulation 12, and in education under regulation 8.

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This monitoring visit

Detailed risk assessments are now in place. Since the last inspection, there have been incidents where children have been at risk. Staff have a clear understanding of the actions they need to take to minimise the risks and are working in partnership with the appropriate agencies to keep children safe.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are expected to sign to confirm that they have read the plans. Changes in plans and risks for the children are discussed in team meetings and daily handovers. The manager has included a quiz at the staff meeting and in supervisions to check the knowledge of staff. Staff are now communicating consistently with each other to ensure the safety of children. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC483846 2 Extensive training has now taken place with the manager and staff team. This has helped them all to understand the children’s needs and how to communicate effectively as a team and with children. This has contributed to better-informed and skilled staff and a more settled home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are now fully aware of the whistle-blowing policy and allegation management. If they have any concerns about how the children are looked after, they are clear on what they need to do to report this. This increases the children’s safety.

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This monitoring visit

New education plans are in place for both children. The company’s education coordinator has been to a team meeting to discuss with staff how they can link activities with educational targets, so that children’s learning is a continuous process.

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This monitoring visit

One child who has been out of education for some time, now has a timetable of structured activities. The company have sourced an educational programme, which will focus of reaching educational targets through outdoor activities. This supports learning and promotes independence skills.

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This monitoring visit

Following a case review, it is Ofsted’s view that the provider has successfully met the compliance notices. Requirements set at the last inspection will be considered at the next full inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/05/2023 Full Inadequate 26/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/01/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC483846 3

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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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 31 July 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children's safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children's home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3). 31 July 2023 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC483846 4 The requirements are that—

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

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Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff are properly equipped with the knowledge and skills that will support them to meet the needs of the children in the home.

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose;

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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

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and 31 July 2023 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC483846 5 feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

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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)(a)(c)(d)(e)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the home is fully staffed with skilled, experienced and trained people who can meet children's needs. In addition, ensure that staff's practice is evaluated through reflective supervision.

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child to achieve the child's education and training targets, as recorded in the child's relevant plans; understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)) 31 July 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is welcoming and nurturing and that it conveys a homely and domestic rather than institutional impression. In particular, the high locked gates that prevent the children from using part of the garden. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 14, paragraph 3.9)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC483846 6

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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

Cathy Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC483846 7 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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