Children's Home, Residential special school run by Cambian Autism Services Limited in West Northamptonshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611190 1 Registered provider: Cambian Autism Services 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 and operated by a large national provider. It is registered to provide care for up to 20 children with learning disabilities. The home has a school on site. Only the residential provision was inspected.

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Information about this children’s home

Four children are currently living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager position has been vacant since 4 February 2024.

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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 these inspections, 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: 2611190 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 five requirements made at the last inspection have been met.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are happy and settled. They say that they love living at this home. One child said, ‘This place has done wonders for me. I love the staff. I’ve got nothing but praise for here.’

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s care plans are detailed and clearly written. They are reviewed regularly. They focus on the specific needs and routines of each child. This guides staff to provide good care based on a child’s individual needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are making good progress with their education. Two children attend the on- site school. The other two children are supported to attend a local school and a college.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff help children to learn independence skills. One house has been set up as two independence flats. This has been most appropriate for one older child and another who is now 18 years old and preparing for university.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff deal well with behaviour that is difficult to manage. Staff know the children well. They know how each child communicates and how to help them when they are upset or angry. Incidents are followed up with effective one-to-one sessions with the child. This ensures that incidents are managed well and without the need for physical intervention.

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Findings from the inspection

House managers and the staff understand risk. Assessments of risk are clear and detailed. They address known issues for each child. They are reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that staff learn from recent incidents. Therefore, current risks are known and managed well.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has ensured that the supervision of staff has improved. One-to-one sessions are held regularly. This gives the opportunity for staff to learn from experienced managers.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has strengthened the induction process for new members of staff. This includes comprehensive training. The responsible individual has led additional safeguarding training. This focuses on the safety of children with additional needs. As a result, staff are aware of the specific vulnerabilities of children with learning disabilities. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611190 3 There are major changes planned for the home. Senior managers have ensured that the needs of the children are central to decisions made and the timings of the proposed changes. The responsible individual is keeping Ofsted updated.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/08/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/07/2023 Full Inadequate 02/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/02/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611190 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should develop effective working relationships with each child’s placing authority and with other relevant persons. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.3)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should maintain good employment practice and ensure that the recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care through observation and engagement with: each child; the home’s staff; each child’s family/carers where appropriate; and professionals involved in the care or protection of each child, including their social worker, independent reviewing officer, teachers, clinicians and other health professionals etc. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.23) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611190 5

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Autism Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Cambian Autism Services Limited, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Shaun Caplis, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2611190 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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