Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in County Durham

Inspection report for children’s home: SC066127 1 SC066127 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 managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties, and who may have a sensory impairment, learning disabilities and a mental health condition.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2012.

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Information about this children’s home

There were four children living at the home at the time of this inspection. The inspector spoke to all four children.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC066127 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/03/2023 Full Outstanding 01/11/2021 Full Outstanding 16/01/2020 Full Outstanding 29/08/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC066127 3

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outstanding

Most of the children have lived at the home for many years. This level of stability creates a real sense of belonging. Children make exceptional progress, have enjoyable experiences and establish secure relationships with adults who care for them. Staff offer warmth and acceptance to the children. These relationships provide a solid foundation for children, and they flourish.

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outstanding

Staff demonstrate unwavering commitment to the children. The children’s experiences of living in this home have enhanced their life chances. Children grow in confidence and self-esteem. Within three months of living at the home, one child, who was assessed as being non-verbal, has made significant progress and is developing spoken communication skills. One professional said:

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outstanding

‘It is incredible. [Name of child] has been encouraged to explore the world around them. Staff have been reading stories and playing games that have encouraged [name of child] to find their voice for the first ever time.’

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outstanding

The progress made for one young person who recently moved out, after they lived at the home for 10 years, was described by family members as life-changing. One family member said:

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outstanding

‘The staff have literally saved [name of young person]’s life. They provide such a nurturing home; they really are special people. [Name of young person] absolutely loves them all and will take all that they have given him into his future.’

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outstanding

Children are supported to achieve their dreams and aspirations. Staff’s persistence, encouragement and dedication helped one child to walk for the first time. The child took part in the Junior Great North Run. This child said, ‘They never stopped believing in me. I smashed my dream. I’ve done it; they helped me. I am very proud of me.’

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outstanding

Children engage in activities that build their independence and prepare them for their adult lives. Children are encouraged to manage their own money and cook their own food. One child has made significant progress in coin recognition. In addition, the child has secured a job working in a local shop. Such opportunities increase children’s potential to succeed when the time comes to leave the home.

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outstanding

Children have positive experiences at school. Staff make sure that children are well prepared for the school day. Staff work creatively with education professionals by sharing information to identify any barriers that children may have to attending education. This leads to individualised education plans that help children to make progress. Inspection report for children’s home: SC066127 4 Children’s wishes and feelings are at the centre of everything that happens at the home. Staff empower children to make choices and decisions about their day-to-day care and future plans. The children recently planned and held an American-themed carnival, inviting family and friends.

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outstanding

Children take part in a range of activities and help to contribute to the community. This includes baking for neighbours, growing and sharing fruit and giving donations for the local animal shelter. Children raise money for local charities, and one child completed a sponsored bicycle ride. In addition, one child went on to raise significant funds for a local charity and was awarded the ‘local hero’ award from the police force. The child said, ‘I feel so proud. Everyone got involved, knowing how much this meant to me; we did this together.’

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outstanding

Staff consistently ensure that they capture children’s memories. Staff help each child to create a memory book that reflects their time at the home. The memory books are highly personalised for each child. These serve as powerful reminders for children about their positive experiences and the outstanding progress they make while living at this home.

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outstanding

Children are kept safer because of the excellent care and support that the staff provide. On the rare occasion that a safeguarding incident occurs, the manager works collaboratively with professionals to ensure that information is shared swiftly. Known concerns are quickly attended to, to keep children safer. The manager uses these experiences to improve safeguards.

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outstanding

There are comprehensive plans for each child. These are updated regularly, and changes are discussed in team meetings. This ensures that staff have up-to-date guidance on how to care for children, mitigate risk and keep children safe. Staff’s knowledge of the children is embedded in their day-to-day work, which reduces and minimises the risks for children.

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outstanding

The use of physical intervention is rare. When it is used, it is proportionate and only used as a last resort to ensure children’s safety. The manager ensures that incidents are recorded and that conversations take place with staff and children whenever staff have had to hold or guide children. This ensures that staff practice remains safe and appropriate.

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outstanding

Staff educate the children about risk exceptionally well. Staff have meaningful and personalised discussions with each child. This involves the use of social stories. Staff are innovative in how they engage children in learning about staying safe online. This practice reduces the potential risk of vulnerable children being harmed. Additionally, the children meet with local police and fire officials to enhance children’s knowledge of risk, and this allows them to take the lead in their learning. Inspection report for children’s home: SC066127 5 Medication processes are tightly managed. The staff are trained and understand the medication policy and how to administer the different medications to the children. Children’s health needs are well understood by staff, who advocate on their behalf. Staff are attuned to children’s presentation and show curiosity for any behaviours that are out of the ordinary. This makes sure that children receive specialist services

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outstanding

to support their emotional and physical well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Exceptionally strong leadership and management help to create an environment in which children and staff flourish. The manager is highly respected by professionals and the staff team. Children are extremely fond of her, and this is reciprocated. The manager’s influence and approach create a nurturing and loving environment in which children make excellent progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager speaks with passion about the children, demonstrating a genuine commitment to meeting their needs. She is inspirational, forward-thinking and innovative. Her vision is to continue providing children with the exceptional care that they already receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff say that they are valued, and they express high levels of job satisfaction. The staff speak with genuine pride about how they make a difference to the lives of children. Staff are overwhelmingly positive about the leadership in the home and the support that they receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Working relationships with partner agencies are used effectively to promote a collaborative approach. Feedback from professionals is that the manager consistently has the children’s needs at the front and centre of her decision-making. The manager and her staff are strong advocates for the children and make appropriate levels of challenge when professionals do not fulfil their duties.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children benefit from a consistent staff team that delivers highly individualised care and support. Staff have regular, reflective supervision with the manager or team leaders. They also have annual appraisals to support them to identify any learning needs or development opportunities. The manager is very proud of the home’s ability to retain a core, experienced staff team. She welcomes new team members and supports them with a clear development pathway.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager strives to promote the professional development of the staff team. Staff are provided with a wide range of training that informs their practice and meets children’s individual and diverse needs. The manager takes responsibility for her own learning and development, including keeping up to date with new initiatives and research that is specific to the children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has an in-depth understanding of the strengths and areas for improvement in the home. She uses an array of monitoring tools that assist her to review the quality of care. This helps to sustain the highest quality of care for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC066127 6 No recommendations or requirements have been made. Inspection report for children’s home: SC066127 7

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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: SC066127 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: 5 th Floor, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC066127 9 regulates and inspects 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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