Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Birmingham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2620366 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 owned and run by a private company. The home provides care for one child who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since 1 December 2023 and has not yet submitted their application to register with Ofsted. The manager is the registered manager for another home in the company.

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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: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2620366 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/09/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: 2620366 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the previous inspection, one child has left the home in line with their care plan. They experienced a well-planned move. The child made lots of progress living in the home. Staff helped the child to learn how to administer their own medication safely. This was essential for them to be able to independently meet their own health needs. They continue to live independently, and are completing an apprenticeship while working part time.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child currently lives in the home. Prior to moving in, they had not attended school for several years. They now attend school regularly and feel motivated to do so. As a result, they are learning, forming friendships, and making good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager considered well the child’s needs and risks before they moved in and the skills and experience of staff. The child received a colourful and interactive guide. This helped to familiarise them with staff and the home. As a result, the child settled in well and receives care from staff who understand their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff form trusted and secure relationships with the child. They know the child well; they spend time with them and listen to them. As a result, the child feels respected and has developed a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys a variety of activities. Staff provide them with opportunities to socialise with others. This includes activities with children who live in other homes owned by the company. As a result, the child has developed skills that enable them to interact with others. This supports the child’s emotional and social development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to maintain positive relationships with their family members. Some of these family members live at a considerable distance. Staff go over and above to ensure that the child is able to see them. For example, staff transport them to and from visits. As a result, the child maintains lifelong links. This promotes a positive sense of identity and self-worth.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to maintain healthy lifestyles. This includes working with external agencies who promote healthy living and exercise. However, on one occasion, the child did not attend an important health appointment. This was not rearranged or revisited with them. The child’s social worker was also unaware. This has the potential to impact on the child’s health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s placing authority has failed to provide the manager with necessary information. The manager has not escalated this with them. However, this has not had an impact on the quality of care that children receive. Inspection report for children’s home: 2620366 4 The home is a safe and clean environment. However, there are areas of the home that look tired and uninviting. This does not provide children with a homely and cosy feel.

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

The manager and staff are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities. While safeguarding incidents are few, staff take immediate action when they occur. Managers work well with external professionals. This promotes a coordinated approach to keeping the child safe, and helps to reassure the child and protect their welfare.

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

Staff support the child to develop healthy emotional well-being. They have meaningful conversations and complete regular key work with them. The company’s clinical team provides support through therapy. They also coach staff in respect of their approach when working with the child. As a result, the child is learning to express their emotions in safer ways. They are also more able to explore sensitive issues, such as their experiences of trauma.

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

Staff help the child to make decisions about their care. They help them to design ‘my safety plans’, which outline their emotional needs. Staff encourage the child to identify how staff should respond to them. This helps the child to understand their emotions and feel in control of their care, therefore helping the child to feel safe and secure.

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

Staff provide the child with good routines and boundaries. They promote positive behaviour at every opportunity. When the child feels angry or upset, staff are caring and nurturing in their approach. Key-work sessions and restorative approaches help the child to reflect on the behaviours. As a result, the child is able to regulate their feelings sooner, and incidents have reduced.

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

The manager completes detailed risk assessments and behaviour support plans. These enable staff to understand the child’s risks and vulnerabilities. They also provide guidance for staff to follow to keep children safe. However, risk assessments are not always updated after incidents occur. This has the potential to impact on children’s safety.

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

Fire drills are not completed in line with the provider’s fire risk assessment. This compromises the safety of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has a new manager, who is yet to submit their application to Ofsted. The manager is the registered manager for another children’s home within the company. They intend to apply to Ofsted to be dual registered. The new responsible individual was the previous registered manager of the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2620366 5 Since the previous inspection, some staff have left. There is a newly formed staff team, supported by an experienced deputy manager. The new manager is eager to develop the staff team and has a plan in place to do so. They have already set high expectations and have started to upskill the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the team’s strengths and areas for development. They respond quickly to address any shortfalls in staff practice. As a result, staff continuously improve their practice, therefore improving the quality of care that the child receives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have effective monitoring and review systems in place. They identify shortfalls in the quality of care that children receive. The manager’s oversight of safeguarding is good. There is good communication between the manager and senior managers. This provides a coordinated approach to ensuring that the child is safely cared for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. This helps them to reflect on their practice. Staff say that the manager is nurturing and supportive of staff. Staff also receive training that is pertinent to the child’s needs. As a result, staff respond effectively to meet the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff work closely with external professionals. This enhances the quality of care that the child receives. Professionals provided positive feedback about the home. One social worker said ‘we are really lucky to have them’ and that the child is ‘exactly where they need to be’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2620366 6

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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, 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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers should ensure that children attend necessary medical appointments. When this is not possible, they must seek advice and guidance from professionals, including medical professionals. 21 April 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. 21 April 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: 2620366 7 (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers should ensure that children’s risk assessments are updated promptly when reviewed and after any changes.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that managers escalate with the placing authority when there is delay in the receipt of pertinent information that contributes to children’s care planning. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 11, paragraph 2.3)  The registered person should ensure that improvements are made to provide children with a more homely and nurturing environment. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards page 15, paragraph 3.7)  The registered person should ensure that managers and staff adhere to arrangements for monthly fire drills as outlined in the home’s fire risk assessment. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2620366 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 Berry, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2620366 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 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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