Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Devon

Inspection report for children’s home: 2635655 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 registered to care for two children with emotional and social difficulties. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in this home.

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Information about this children’s home

The previous registered manager resigned in March 2023. The new manager is suitably qualified and experienced, they registered with Ofsted in June 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspector was aware during this inspection that a serious incident that occurred at the setting since the last inspection is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted do not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered, where appropriate, alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform the inspector’s judgements.

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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: 2635655 2 Inspection report for children’s home: 2635655 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/05/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2635655 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The previous manager left this home in March 2023. Since the new manager took over children have made much better progress. Their outcomes have improved significantly. The children feel that they belong here, and they trust the adults who care for them. The progress that they have made is as a direct result of the hard work and commitment that staff have shown to the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child talked positively about the changes that have taken place since the new manager arrived. She said that she feels that she is being listened to and that she is well supported by staff. One child was observed having fun, laughing and joking with members of staff. She recently enjoyed a trip abroad with staff to visit her family. One member of staff said that this child has been ‘shining’ since her holiday. She got on very well with her family member, and there was lots of laughter and fun.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the improvements, children now receive good quality care. They have positive routines and boundaries in place. This helps them both to make progress. Staff reassure the children that they are loved and cared about. They provide warmth and nurturing levels of care to children. When one child goes to school, the staff put notes in her lunchbox to let her know that they are thinking of her.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

More recently children have benefited from having a more consistent staff team. Staff have worked hard to develop more positive, trusting relationships with children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to lead a healthy lifestyle. They encourage them to be involved in preparing healthy meals and to be active. The children have access to activities in the community that are in line with their interests. One child has developed their skills so that they can be more independent, with support from staff. One child is now attending school regularly and making positive progress. They have achieved many reward points since their return to school in September.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to attend meetings that are held about them. Staff help the children to express their views, and they advocate strongly for them when this is needed. The manager has strongly advocated for both children to challenge the plans that were being made for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is clean and well maintained. It has a homely feel that enables children to feel relaxed and calm. Staff have helped children to redecorate their bedrooms, which are personalised to their tastes. There are pictures on the walls of children and staff having fun together, going for days out, and doing activities. Although window restrictors and door alarms were used in the past to manage risks, these are no longer required and have been removed. Inspection report for children’s home: 2635655 5 Since the new manager arrived staff have developed stronger working relationships with people who are important to the children. There is regular communication between the staff, professionals, and family members. This means that there is a team around each child who are all working together to support them, and that children feel safe and happy in this home.

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

When the previous manager was in post there were concerns about how well children were being helped and protected. Some safeguarding concerns were not managed well and children were going missing regularly. There were gaps in the information that was recorded and staff did not have good levels of supervision.

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

Leaders and managers identified these weaknesses and took action to improve. The safeguarding risks for both children have significantly reduced. There are very few incidents, and it has not been necessary to use physical interventions to keep children safe. The manager and staff work hard to tackle any risks that children are experiencing so that children can learn from them.

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

One child was previously at substantial risk in the community and regularly went missing. This has significantly reduced as she has learned more about the risks associated with this. When children have gone missing, staff have acted promptly to look for them. They go into the community to look for children and talk to people who the children know. Staff liaise well with other agencies to try to find the children and return them to the home.

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

Staff provide both children with a high level of support and commitment that helps to reduce any risks to them. Staff have worked hard to build positive relationships with both children. They have talked to children about any risks to their safety; this helps to develop their understanding of staying safe. Staff know the children well and understand how to keep them safe.

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

Staff and managers work in a preventative way. This helps to ensure that any risks are identified early, so that action can be taken, and managed well. When safeguarding concerns are identified, they are reported promptly. There is good communication between staff and social workers; this helps to keep children safe. Staff talk to the children openly about any worries for their safety and respond sensitively to information that children share with them. They develop plans together with the children to keep them safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The quality of leadership and management since the previous inspection has been mixed. At the time of the previous managers tenure, children did not receive consistently good care and did not always feel safe. Senior leaders identified concerns about that managers practice. These concerns were investigated thoroughly and actions taken to address the shortfalls in leadership and Inspection report for children’s home: 2635655 6 management. The previous manager resigned from their post in March 2023 and a new manager was appointed and registered in June 2023.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the new manager was appointed, the quality of care and experiences for children improved. The new manager has undertaken critical reviews of what happened and identified relevant training and learning to enable the home to move forward.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff now work more consistently with the children. One member of staff said, ‘This manager is the best that I have ever worked with. She cares about the children so much, and cares about the staff. A lot of the staff followed her from the other home. This is a sign of how much they like working with her and respect her. She has good knowledge and understanding, she listens and she really cares; she is so supportive of us all.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager knows both children very well. She has developed a strong and caring relationship with both children. She spoke positively about the children and has high aspirations for their futures. The new manager is regularly involved in the day-to-day care arrangements for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager has identified current research and good practice that is relevant to the home and has explored this with staff. The manager has also shared this knowledge with others during meetings in other homes, and with other organisations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager works in partnership with people who are important to the children. She has regular contact with social workers, professionals, and family members. There is evidence of the manager working in partnership with the local authority to develop plans for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is good management oversight within the home’s documentation. Monitoring and review systems are in place to make continuous improvements so that there are positive levels of reflection and learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are no recommendations or requirements set. Inspection report for children’s home: 2635655 7

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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: 2635655 8

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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

Sarah Sheffield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2635655 9 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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