Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC478468 1 SC478468

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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 owned by a private company. It provides care for up to five children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2019. At the time of this inspection, the registered manager was on leave, and an interim manager was in place.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Dates of last inspection: 18 and 19 July 2023

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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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: SC478468 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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Findings from the inspection

There were four children living in the home at the time of this inspection. One child has moved out of the home and one child has moved into the home since the last inspection. Children moving into the home are welcomed sensitively. Children moving out experience positive endings to their time living in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are happy living in the home and staff support children to access a range of activities. This is building children’s confidence and self-esteem. Since the last inspection, managers have taken appropriate action to review the arrangements for how children purchase toiletries and clothing. This ensures that children have the necessities they require.

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Findings from the inspection

The children now all attend an education provision. Since the last inspection, one child who had not attended school for three years is now attending school and has made an application to college. A special educational needs coordinator said that the staff team provides regular updates about the children’s needs. This supports consistency in care between home and school. Staff work closely with education staff to resolve any barriers to learning for the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand children’s identified health needs. Managers work closely with health professionals to ensure that children’s health needs are met. One child told the inspector that she feels much more confident managing her diabetes since living in the home. This has meant she has more energy to access activities. Staff nurture children’s relationships with family and connected persons. This supports children’s sense of belonging and builds on their support networks for the future.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have implemented new methods in order to understand children’s views about the care that they receive. For example, every week the manager spends individual time with each child to understand their lived experience. Children’s views are taken seriously and acted on. Children can also share their views with the manager via an online website or by using an application on their mobile phone. This can also include anything that children are proud of. For example, one child wrote ‘I have officially got a new job. I started last week on trial shifts but now it is permanent. I am very proud of myself’. This captures children’s achievements and memories of living in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff enjoy working in the home and said they feel supported by management. The manager closely monitors the care that staff provide and delivers constructive challenge to inform staff development. Staff access regular supervisions and team meetings. This enables them to contribute to decisions about changes in practice and understand children’s evolving needs. Staff training and development needs are identified and met effectively. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC478468 3 Investigations into allegations of harm are shared with relevant agencies and responded to quickly. As a result, children are protected from unsafe care. Managers take steps to address any shortfalls in staff practice. This supports staff to understand what is expected of them and provides the children with consistency in care.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers assess children’s needs before they move into the home and ensure that children’s plans are detailed. This supports the staff team to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has taken appropriate action to meet all of the requirements. No shortfalls were identified at this visit. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC478468 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/08/2022 Full Good 28/07/2021 Full Good 06/02/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC478468 5

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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

Sally Griffiths, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC478468 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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