Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 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 owned and managed by a large private organisation. It provides care within a therapeutic environment for up to four children with a range of emotional and social needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2022.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 15 November 2022

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/11/2022 Full Outstanding 19/10/2021 Full Good 28/11/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 3

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outstanding

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, two children moved in a planned way to supported accommodation. Children benefit from long-term stability with an experienced and committed staff team. This has provided security and consistency to children who have experienced trauma in their lives.

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outstanding

Children make exceptional and sustained progress. One child has continued with further education, has local part-time employment and was enabled to go on a holiday abroad with friends. Staff focus on increasing children’s independence skills and working with the placing authority to explore moving-on arrangements for one child who will shortly reach adulthood.

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outstanding

One child’s vulnerabilities have been reduced by emotionally warm, nurturing and highly secure relationships with staff. Despite the difficulties that the child faces, the staff remain highly committed to improving their outcomes and breaking the cycle of multiple moves which further increase trauma.

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outstanding

All staff, including the manager and the responsible individual, hold children ‘in mind’. Consequently, children feel very safe and cared for. Children who have moved from the home to supported accommodation continue to receive phone calls and visits from their key worker and the manager within the model of staying close. This ensures the continuation of strong relationships and a support network for the children. Relationships at the home are further enhanced using a therapeutic model. Staff are confident and consistent in using the model. The implementation of the model with one child was shared with the placing authority to further enhance the relevant professionals’ understanding.

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outstanding

Children experience a wide range of new and creative activities in line with their wishes. Staff and the manager took one child for their first holiday, and another child went on an overseas holiday with friends after this was agreed with the home and placing authority. Milestones and achievements are celebrated by the staff, however small. Handwritten notes and cards for the children increase their self- worth and confidence. The staff capture, record and celebrate these milestones and achievements in highly detailed progress records.

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outstanding

The home is warm and homely and provides children with a comfortable living space. Bedrooms are spacious and personalised.

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

Children’s vulnerabilities have continued to significantly reduce. Risk assessments and behaviour support plans are clear, concise and comprehensive. Strategies are Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 4 individualised and based on a detailed knowledge of the children’s needs.

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

Staff are knowledgeable and well trained to recognise various signs of exploitation. One child has successfully distanced themselves from extremely high-risk situations due to staff’s consistent and empathetic approach. A social worker said, ‘I cannot say enough how impressed I am with the outcomes for this young person. It is very rare to experience such a positive turnaround for young people at risk of criminal exploitation. I personally and professionally think very highly of this home with the work staff have done and continue to do for our young person.’

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

Since the last inspection, there has been one physical intervention, which was proportionate and necessary. Debriefs are undertaken within timescales. Missing- from-care incidents are responded to immediately. Staff look for children and are confident in the steps to take to ensure that children are found quickly.

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

Effective partnership working is a strength. Regular communication and information- sharing with the police are evident. A police officer described the home as one of their favourites and said, ‘Staff always report the correct way and are extremely proactive with missing-from-care incidents.’ The police and manager work together to ensure that any incidents are dealt with in a restorative way to avoid the criminalisation of children.

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

Staff use positive consequences. An imaginative consequence box enables children to choose their own consequence. Children thrive on this approach, which gives them autonomy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and responsible individual create a culture of high aspiration and positivity. They are deeply committed to making a difference to children’s lives. Staff feel valued, and morale is high.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The current manager is experienced, highly established and is due to achieve a relevant level 5 qualification. He has a clear vision and a dynamic approach. He motivates staff and is focused on providing high-quality staff support and development. This is reflected in the volume of complimentary feedback from staff and external professionals. A member of staff said, ‘The staff are great. I enjoy working with every one of them. [Name of manager] has been a wonderful manager and is always there to talk to.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A full month-long handover has enabled a smooth transition to a new manager. The new manager has a vision for the future of the home, including further internal improvements. Her presence at the home and at team meetings has helped staff to feel included and happier with the change of manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers lead by example. They have creative ideas that are underpinned by a therapeutic model to sustain the highest quality of care. The current manager prioritises warm, empathetic and reflective time with children and Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 5 spends time with them out of the home to ensure that their care remains individualised. Leaders and managers give children frequent reminders, notes and cards to show how proud they are and to reinforce the progress that children have made.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The current manager has effective internal monitoring systems. He has direct oversight of all the work undertaken at the home. He is always keen to improve practice, and he uses audits and feedback to continually drive these improvements and to evidence the significant impact that the care has on children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular good-quality supervision that gives them the opportunity to reflect on their practice and learning needs. Regular team meetings are purposeful and focus on ensuring that staff consistently meet the children’s needs. The manager advocates for the staff to continually develop their skills and knowledge. This contributes to increasing staff’s confidence and ensuring that children receive the best care possible. Staff are either qualified or are working towards a relevant residential childcare qualification within the agreed timescales. Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 6

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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: 2544803 7

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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

Emily Stevens, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 8 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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