Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

Inspection report for children's home: SC457433 1 SC457433 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 provides care for one child who may have emotional and social difficulties. A large national provider operates the children’s home. At the time of this inspection, one child was living in this home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is registered with Ofsted and oversees two children’s homes.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC457433 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/03/2023 Full Good 02/02/2022 Full Good 15/05/2019 Full Good 11/07/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC457433 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child living in this home is very happy. They like the staff and have very good relationships with them. This supports mutual respect and togetherness. Staff consult with the child. Meetings and direct work with the child promote learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child did not have an education placement before moving to this home. The manager advocated and supported a planned move to a local school. A part-time timetable has helped the child to adapt to school and grow in confidence. The child now attends full time and has 100% attendance. A teacher said the staff are excellent and very supportive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making excellent overall progress. The manager advocates for the child and listens to their wishes and feelings. Staff use creative ways to support the child to express their views and wishes. This helps to build the child’s self-esteem and to develop their own identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff include the child in everyday decision-making. They use creative approaches to capture the child’s voice. The child is involved in regular staff appraisals and describes staff as ‘honest, fun, nice to be around, good heart, helpful and supportive’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to overcome social barriers and manage their fears and anxieties. Staff celebrate achievements and use praise to reinforce positive behaviour.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote family relationships, in line with the child’s care plans. This helps the child to maintain friendships and manage family relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s case records are up to date and reviewed. However, the child does not like signing documents, including agreement plans.

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

Safeguarding practice is effective. Staff and the child update safety plans and agree future goals together. This promotes mutual approaches to reduce risks.

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

One professional said, ‘I feel the staff create a loving, warm and caring environment which encourages the child to thrive. They clearly feel safe and secure.’

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

The child does not go missing from the home, which is a big achievement. This is because staff build effective working relationships with the child and the child enjoys spending time at home. Inspection report for children's home: SC457433 4 Behaviour management is effective. There have been no incidents of physical interventions or negative consequences. This is because staff are skilled and have positive relationships with the child.

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

Staff are sensitive in their response to self-injurious incidents. Specialist help supports the child’s emotional well-being. Follow-up discussions take place with the child. Records show that staff follow safeguarding procedures. Records are monitored and evaluated. This supports continued risk reduction.

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

The child no longer displays their previous high-risk behaviours. Staff have helped the child to reflect and learn. All professionals say that communication and information-sharing is excellent. This aids risk reduction.

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

Staff understand children’s behaviour and offer support and reassurance during difficult times. When the child has concerns, they are able to speak with the staff. Staff use their trusting relationships with the child to support them in decision- making.

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

Health and safety checks are up to date. This means the home is a safe environment for the child, staff and visitors.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An experienced and qualified manager leads this home. She is child-centred and wants the best for the child. She is supported by two deputy managers who share her child-centred approach.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff and manager work well with external professionals. A social worker said, ‘The staff and managers are very knowledgeable, reflective and helpful. I am always made to feel very welcome and kept updated of all significant events. Well done to the team and thank you for all the hard work you are doing with [name of child].’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy working at the home and feel supported by the management team. They work together to improve practice and care delivery.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are able to identify strengths of those in the team and use them to meet the child’s needs. This enhances the child’s experience and supports progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent person’s reports about the visits to the home are robust. The manager uses monitoring systems to improve practice. This results in staff developing and learning new skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive monthly supervision. The supervisions are well planned and structured. Supervisions provide a safe environment for staff to reflect. Team meetings include constructive discussions around training and ongoing learning. Inspection report for children's home: SC457433 5 Kitchen utensils that may pose a risk to the child are locked away. The manager acknowledges that this should be reviewed. The manager should seek to maintain a homely, rather than an institutional, environment. Inspection report for children's home: SC457433 6

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Statutory requirement

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

children can access all appropriate areas of the children’s home’s premises; and

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Requirement Due date

any limitation placed on a child’s privacy or access to any area of the home’s premises—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard each child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

is kept under review and, if necessary, revised; and

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Requirement Due date

allows children as much freedom as is possible when balanced against the need to protect them and keep them safe. (Regulation 21 (b)(c)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure the child has access to everyday kitchen utensils appropriate to their age and development. 30 March 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home seeks as far as possible to give a ‘non-institutional’ impression, particularly in relation to requiring the child to sign documents and agreements. This is something that is a negative reminder of being in care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children's home: SC457433 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: SC457433 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

Sally Hallwood, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC457433 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 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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