Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Dudley

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472465 1 SC472465

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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 home is registered to care for up to five children with complex needs who have suffered early childhood trauma. It is owned by a large organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2022 and is undertaking a level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted last visited the home to complete a full inspection on 27 and 28 June 2023. The inspector found serious and widespread failures in relation to keeping children safe in addition to the leadership and management of the home. As a result, Ofsted issued a notice of restriction of accommodation and two compliance notices under regulation 12, the protection of children standard and regulation 13, the leadership and management standard.

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This monitoring visit

On 17 August 2023, Ofsted undertook a monitoring visit. The purpose of the visit was to review the provider’s progress. The inspectors found that the provider had not taken sufficient action to address all of the steps outlined in the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

Oversight from leaders and managers is weak. The responsible individual is absent from work. A quality assurance manager is supporting the registered manager. Leaders’ and managers’ oversight of the care that children receive is inconsistent. They do not always take prompt action when there are concerns about staff practice, and they have not reviewed or evaluated, in any depth, all actions taken to safeguard children. This does not ensure that there is continuous improvement to the quality of care that children receive. As a result, managers cannot be assured that children receive good-quality safe care.

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This monitoring visit

Not all staff treat children with dignity and respect. On one occasion, a staff member spoke to a child in an inappropriate manner. This was observed by the home’s Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472465 2 quality assurance manager and another staff member, who acted and intervened. They reported the incident to the manager. However, the manager did not act on this. They did not speak with the staff member, who is a senior member of staff, or take appropriate action to speak to the child. This does not demonstrate safe care.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders, managers and staff do not demonstrate professional curiosity when there are concerns about children’s safety. As a result, they have missed opportunities to intervene to keep children safe. One child has remained in contact with an unknown male. Although managers and staff were aware of this information, there were delays in action being taken. This has left the child at risk of potential harm.

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This monitoring visit

This child also disclosed concerns that indicated they were subject to sexual exploitation. Managers and staff did not demonstrate curiosity about this information. During a discussion with the child about their concerns, staff did not respond appropriately. Their response placed this child at risk of further exploitation.

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This monitoring visit

The registered manager has reviewed children’s risk management plans. They now reflect all emerging and known risks to children. Clear strategies are in place for staff to follow to minimise risks. However, on one occasion, staff who were responsible for the care of a child with complex health needs failed to take immediate action to report the child to the police when they went missing from care. This is against the agreed risk management plan.

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This monitoring visit

During a missing-from-care incident, the child contacted the police and told them they had run away from the home. They relayed concerns to the police about inappropriate care practices towards children in the home. This was reported to the manager, who spoke to the children. Children provided further information and concerns about staff practice and inappropriate behaviours. The manager did not notify the local authority designated officer about these allegations. This hinders the role of other safeguarding professionals and causes unnecessary delays for children. However, an investigation into staff conduct is now underway.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have received training in relation to safeguarding children. However, despite this training, staff have not followed safeguarding procedures or the strategies in children’s risk assessments. In a further example, the manager received a complaint from a health professional. This complaint raised concerns about staff failing to supervise a child administering their own medication. The arrangements and expectations around supervision are clearly outlined in the child’s risk assessment. Staff failed to follow the strategy in place.

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This monitoring visit

Not all staff understand their roles and responsibilities in protecting children. During an incident, a child was subject to sexual exploitation online. Staff failed to contact the police or inform the on-call manager. Staff also did not promptly share with professionals that another child may be at risk of harm. When the manager became aware of this incident two days later, she took appropriate action. However, it remains unclear what immediate action was taken to safeguard all involved. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472465 3 Three children continue to live in this home. The home has recently undergone redecoration and refurbishment. Children have been involved in choosing the new colour schemes and furniture. However, there are plans in place for all children to move on from the home.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted will continue to monitor the home and will review the requirements and recommendations at the next full inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472465 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/06/2023 Full Inadequate 15/11/2022 Full Good 08/02/2022 Full Good 11/12/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472465 5

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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 with the given timescales.

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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;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to the registered manager and staff ensuring that children are supported to overcome barriers to their learning. 1 October 2023

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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— 1 October 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472465 6 that staff—

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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

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

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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 the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(vii)(x))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to staff supporting children to explore their emotions and build positive relationships.

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Requirement Due date

It also relates to the registered manager ensuring that staff provide clear boundaries and expectations.

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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

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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)) 1 October 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472465 7 This particularly refers to the registered manager and staff ensuring that they protect children from harm. They must understand their roles and responsibilities to protect children, take action to prevent children from harm and demonstrate professional curiosity as they do.

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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

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

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

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Requirement Due date

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)(f)(g)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to the registered manager ensuring that they provide good-quality care to children in line with their statement of purpose. They must review the current poor culture and practice and take action to address the shortfalls. 1 October 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472465 8 The registered person must ensure that the registered manager receives adequate support. They must also ensure that there is clear oversight of the manager and the home at a senior level.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, leaders and managers must ensure that they use internal monitoring systems effectively to improve practice and the quality of care provided.

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Requirement Due date

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised. (Regulation 21 (1)(b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to the registered manager ensuring that children are able to access the kitchen in their home unless there are specific reasons why this would not meet a child’s needs. 1 October 2023

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Requirement Due date

have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (7)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The responsible individual must ensure that they have the skills necessary to oversee the management of the home effectively, to identify shortfalls and ensure that action is taken to improve practice and the quality of care provided. 1 October 2023

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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. 1 October 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472465 9 (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that all new staff receive regular reflective supervision.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to the registered manager and staff ensuring that all children’s records are updated and capture the child’s journey. 1 October 2023

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject of a compliance notice.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff keep, and encourage children to keep, appropriate mementoes of their time spent living at the home and help them record significant life events. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.5)  The registered person should ensure that the home’s statement of purpose is kept under review. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, pages 14-15, paragraph 3.5)  The registered person should ensure that staff support children to move on from the home by working with the placing authority to ensure that each child’s transition is planned and help each child to prepare for leaving, both practically and emotionally. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 57, paragraph 11.9)

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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: SC472465 10

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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

Sarah Berry, Social Care Inspector Jackie Line, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC472465 11 regulates and 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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