Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Somerset

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1240802 1 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

The home is part of a large private organisation. The home can provide care for up to five children. At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager started work in the home in August 2023. They have submitted an application to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 31 January 2024

Date of last inspection: 18 October 2023

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Inspection date: 31 January 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 31 January 2024

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. The inspector has 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: 1240802 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

The child living in the home enjoys close relationships with staff the child knows well. The child’s school attendance has improved since moving to the home, and there are plans in place for them to move to a school that will better meet their needs. The child participates in the planning process and is excited to get their new uniform. The child attends a local club twice a week, giving them the opportunity to make friends in the local area.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager attempts to work collaboratively with the local authority, to give a unified approach to the child about important decisions relating to their care. However, this process is not always smooth, resulting in the child experiencing uncertainty and feeling let down when there are delays to plans being put in place.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has returned home. This was an unplanned move. The manager and responsible individual have reflected on the child’s time when living here and have identified learning for future moves into the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff take action to search for children when they are missing from home. The manager speaks with children and staff after most incidents to understand what has happened. However, the manager’s reviews do not consider the effectiveness of staff action. The same applies to the manager’s evaluations following incidents relating to behaviour. Learning is therefore limited and does not consider what could have been done differently. There have been two further incidents of children barricading themselves in a bedroom. However, there is now a clear plan in place for staff to follow and the manager updates the plan as needed.

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Findings from the inspection

Concerns about staff practice are investigated thoroughly and consultation takes place with relevant safeguarding authorities. While formal investigation reports do take some time to complete, the manager is aware of the actions identified by the investigator and has implemented these.

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Findings from the inspection

The physical environment has suffered damage following incidents in the home in January. Immediate repairs have been made for safety, and redecoration and refurbishment of the home is under way to make it a homely environment again. The child is included in this process, choosing new decor and soft furnishings.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff enjoy working in the home. They speak about the manager strengthening team working and about the training provided, which has helped them in their role.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and responsible individual have identified areas for development in the home. Staff have received additional training to develop their knowledge and skills. This learning is still to be embedded, with further training planned over coming Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1240802 3 months. New systems are in place to understand and track children’s progress. In supervision sessions, the manager helps staff to explore the support they provide to children.

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Findings from the inspection

The inspection did not consider all previous requirements in detail, although one was partially met, and they are therefore restated. Two new recommendations have been made.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/02/2023 Full Good 29/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 26/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1240802 4

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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 within the given timescales.

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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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe and that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that risk management plans relating to the use of technology are specific, achievable and measurable.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 1 December 2023

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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;

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 1 December 2023 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1240802 5 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

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

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)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

ensure that decisions made when admitting children are based on realistic and concise risk assessments that consider how each child’s needs will be met alongside other children’s needs;

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Requirement Due date

create children’s plans that are individualised, with clear goals and timescales;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that management review of records is robust and corresponding action plans are effective.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the independent person provides sufficient scrutiny and supportive challenge through their report and subsequent recommendations. This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 1 December 2023 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1240802 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure there is clarity about delegation of care and decision-making between the home and local authority to ensure the care outlined in the statement of purpose can be delivered. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.6)  The registered person should ensure repairs and redecoration are completed, to provide a welcoming and homely environment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1240802 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

Clare Nixson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1240802 8 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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