Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2634754 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 operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to three children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since December 2023. They have submitted their application to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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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

Date of last inspection: 21 September 2022

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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: 2634754 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/09/2022 Full Good 23/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2634754 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress. There are improvements in the children’s health, self-esteem and social skills, and the children’s tolerance, resilience and confidence increase. Children take pride in their appearance and their self-care skills improve.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from living in a home that is warm and welcoming. There is a calm and family feel to this home. The staff know the children well. The children know that the staff care about them and that they are there to help them. The children said that, if they cannot live with their family, they would choose to live in this home. One child said, ‘It’s all chill and good vibes here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The language used in this home is extremely child-friendly. The staff speak to and about the children with positivity, kindness and respect. Daily logs are written directly to the children. These include details of the children having fun and doing well. They also include information about the children’s struggles and how the staff have helped them to overcome these. These are important records for the children to look back on in later life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children in the home are helped to attend education. The staff advocated on one child’s behalf to ensure that essential changes were made in school. These changes have helped the child to settle, and their experience of education is more positive. One child said, ‘School can stress me. But they [staff] help me with this. I am doing better at school now.’ One child continues to struggle with education. However, the staff work hard to promote a culture of development and learning. This child is being supported to increase their independence skills and the child was very proud to share their achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with their families and people who are important to them. One child’s parent said, ‘If it was not for [name of staff], I would not have seen my child for months. They [staff] are amazing.’ One child has been supported to reconnect with family members they have not seen for several years. This approach helps children to build and maintain their own support networks.

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

Incidents of self-injurious behaviour decrease because of improvements in the children’s emotional health and well-being. They are supported to try new things that benefit their health and well-being, such as exercise, activities and new foods. Children are encouraged to share their wishes and feelings. One child has requested therapy sessions, and these have been put in place. Inspection report for children’s home: 2634754 4 Laughter and fun can be heard around the home as the children have positive relationships with one another. They are helped to move into this home in a planned and successful way, and their needs and risks are carefully considered and well thought out. Conversations are held with the children to help them understand what happens when a new child moves in. This helps them to feel safe and settled.

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

The staff support the children to understand risks. Key-work sessions are carried out with the children to help them understand how best to keep themselves as safe as possible. Children are also supported to spend time in the community and with friends. This helps the children to increase their personal safety skills and resilience.

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

Consequences for negative behaviour are not used and positive reinforcement has successful outcomes for the children. They are regularly praised, both verbally and through the use of incentives and rewards. This approach is helping the children to recognise when they have done something right. Discussions with the children also help them to understand and learn from any mistakes that they may make. One child said, ‘I used to get angry. I would do this really quickly, but now I do not.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high aspirations for the children. She speaks about them in a nurturing way that demonstrates that she cares. She has their best interests at the heart of her practice. The manager advocates on behalf of the children. She is willing to have difficult conversations with professionals to ensure that the children’s needs are met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is open and honest. She recognises the strengths of the staff and has clear ideas for continued development. The staff speak positively about the manager and the deputy manager. They feel that they genuinely care about them. Staff said that they love coming into work. Staff feel supported with their own personal issues and said that they can speak to the managers about anything.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The managers have full oversight of what is happening in the home. They identify shortfalls quickly and these are acted on. The manager works with the staff in a way that promotes continued development. Consequently, children consistently receive good-quality care. One member of staff said of the managers, ‘I have learned so much from them. They bring out the best in people. They are always helping to upskill us.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are held regularly, with good staff attendance. Key topics are discussed, such as bereavement and loss, keeping safe and emotional well-being. The children’s progress is at the centre of these meetings, and children remain the clear focus. This is a newly established staff team that continues to grow. Inspection report for children’s home: 2634754 5 The manager recognises the staff’s potential and helps them to work together well. The staff all have the same goal, and that goal is the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There were no requirements or recommendations raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2634754 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: 2634754 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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Susan Fitzsimmons

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Inspector

Jo Birtwhistle, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2634754 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 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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