Children's Home run by Cedarways Residential Child Care Albury House Limited in Staffordshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2724258 1 Registered provider: Cedarways Residential Child Care Albury House Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to three children who have been affected by adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered on 29 June 2023. There is a registered manager in post.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: not previously inspected

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

On 6 July 2023, Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit and a compliance notice under regulation 26 was raised.

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, 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: 2724258 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 this inspection, there were no children living at the home. Three children have moved back to their family home since the monitoring visit in July.

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The care of children

While living at the home, the three children continued to develop trusting relationships with the registered manager and staff.

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The care of children

Children’s day-to-day routines were well managed and staff encouraged structure which helped the children have a sense of stability. All three children had enjoyed social activities and attended local boxing clubs and a local gym.

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The care of children

Though none of the children had formal education placements, the staff had ensured that all three children completed maths and English worksheets in the morning before going out with staff in the afternoon on an activity.

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The care of children

Children were all registered with health professionals and benefited from a well- planned, healthy diet. The manager had also provided informal support for the children’s emotional well-being by inviting the home’s therapist to meet with the three children.

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The care of children

Children’s time spent with their family had progressed to face-to-face meetings since the monitoring visit. This helped their plan to move back home to come to fruition.

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The safety of children

The manager had identified potential risks to all three children which were included in their individual risk assessments. These risks were historical, from the children’s previous home, however, while living at this home the children did not present any of these risks or behaviours.

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The safety of children

Staff used their good relationships to engage with all three children. When children became over-excited, staff used appropriate support techniques to calm them, which included giving them individual space and using distraction and humour.

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The safety of children

Children have not gone missing from this home since registration, though each child had detailed protocols in place for staff to follow in the event that such an incident occurred. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2724258 3 There have not been any restraints used during this period. Children were supported to self-regulate when upset or frustrated. This positive approach is part of the manager’s ethos of supporting children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Senior leaders have completed a management investigation into the concerns previously raised at the monitoring visit. Leaders have taken appropriate action to prevent recurrence and have reflected openly about not following their own admissions policy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The provider has identified a new responsible individual, who is currently going through their safer recruitment checks. However, at the time of this inspection, the provider had not completed the necessary form and submitted this to Ofsted. Because a new responsible individual is in the process of being appointed, steps have been taken to meet the compliance notice. The provider must formally notify Ofsted of this change, once confirmed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has developed a good relationship with the children’s placing authority since the monitoring visit. When the manager has not received relevant documents, she has ensured that these shortfalls have been escalated appropriately.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staffing arrangements in the home have remained consistent, which had a positive impact on the children’s ability to build trusting relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager was proactive during the transition period when the three children moved from the home. The children planned their leaving party and received a personalised photo album of their time at the home. The children wrote thank-you letters to the manager and staff to mark their appreciation. One child wrote, ‘We have a new family now,’ and ‘I am so grateful for where I have stayed.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A requirement raised at the previous inspection remains in place and will be considered at the next inspection. This is because no children have moved into the home and learning taken from what happened previously cannot be tested at this time. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2724258 4

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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, The 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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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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

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(c)) 3 October 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must give notice in writing to HMCI, as soon as it is reasonably practical to do so, if any of the following events take place or are expected by the registered person to take place—

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Requirement Due date

if the registered provider is an organisation— any change to the identity of the responsible individual. (Regulation 49(e)(iii) 15 September Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2724258 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cedarways Residential Child Care Albury House Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 45 Burton Road, Branston, Burton-on-Trent DE14 3DL

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Inspector

Mark Dickinson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2724258 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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