Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Torbay

Inspection report for children’s home: SC457567 1 SC457567 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

The home is operated by a national provider and provides care and accommodation for one child. The provider states in its statement of purpose that care is provided for a child who has social, emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC457567 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/07/2022 Full Good 20/07/2021 Full Good 19/06/2019 Full Good 21/01/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC457567 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The previous child who lived at the home left in April 2023 to move to a home that was nearer to her family. She made progress. The move was planned and in line with her care plan. Following her move, leaders and managers decided that the home would be temporarily closed so that redecoration could take place.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Recently, a child from another home in the group required an emergency placement as the staff were unable to keep her safe there. A notice period of one month was given to the placing authority to find an alternative suitable home to meet her complex needs. The decision to move the child to this home was made by leaders and managers in the best interests of the child, to prevent her from moving to an unregistered home with unfamiliar staff during the notice period.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff team from the child’s previous home initially supported her at this home. However, despite constant searches from the placing authority, an alternative placement has currently not been found. Despite the efforts of the home, more than two weeks after the notice period has expired, the child remains at this home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s educational needs are met. She remains on roll at her previous school, which sends educational work to the home. An education timetable is in place. The staff are taking the child on activities that promote learning. The child is also being encouraged to learn skills in the home, such as budgeting and cooking.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is aware that she will be moving very soon and that this home is a stepping stone to her next home. The staff are open and honest with her about the situation and are preparing her well for her move. For example, they are making a memory book with her. They constantly reassure her and discuss the forthcoming move so that she fully understands the reasons why she has to move.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has trusting relationships with the staff, and these relationships are the basis from which she has settled at the home, feels safe and has gained a sense of belonging. The child refers to the staff as her family and reports very positively about how well the staff nurture and care for her.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care plans are informative and provide the staff with the information they need to care for the child. The manager regularly monitors and reviews these plans.

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

The child reports that she feels safe living at the home. She is encouraged and supported effectively to learn from her mistakes and keep herself safe. Positive behaviour is rewarded. This behaviour management strategy is effective because the staff are consistent in their approach. Inspection report for children’s home: SC457567 4 The staff demonstrate professional curiosity and vigilance if the child goes missing from home. They use a contextual safeguarding approach. For example, they have effective relationships with the local police, know the names and addresses of the child’s friends and where she tends to go when she is missing. The staff follow comprehensive missing-from-home procedures, and she is quickly returned to the home.

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

Comprehensive assessments of risk and associated control measures are in place to help promote the safety of the child. Staff report and demonstrate that they are confident to use the home’s safeguarding policies and procedures.

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

The staff are rigorously checked to ensure that they are suitable people to be working with children. The child has trusting relationships with them and reports that she can speak to all the adults if she feels worried or upset.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The previous registered manager left the home six months ago. A new manager is in place and is ready to submit his application for registration. He is very child-focused and a strong advocate for the child. There is evidence of a management footprint in documents and records and comprehensive management oversight of any incidents. The staff report that the manager has their respect and trust and is providing strong leadership to them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback received from professionals and the child is positive. They comment on how they appreciate the regular communication from the home. They recognise that the manager and staff go above and beyond for the child and are committed to achieving positive outcomes for them, even though this is a very temporary home for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff benefit from receiving regular, reflective supervision. They are trained in all topics they need, such as safeguarding and first aid. The staff report high morale in the home and that it is a positive place to work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home provides the child with a generally homely and well-decorated environment. However, the institutional appearance of the window restrictors and some areas of the home that require redecoration detracts from the otherwise homely environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has devised a plan of development for the home that is informed by a quality assurance system. The manager is aware of the strengths and areas for improvement in the home and how these will be addressed. Inspection report for children’s home: SC457567 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of the children. It should be a homely and domestic environment. The home must comply with relevant health and safety legislations, such as installing alarms and following good food hygiene. However, it should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: SC457567 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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Victoria Elworthy

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Inspector

Tina Maddison, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC457567 7 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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