Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Shropshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC454647 1 SC454647

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Registered provider: Cambian Childcare 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 privately owned and provides care for up to five children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The appointed manager is in the process of withdrawing their application to register and the provider is in the process of appointing a new manager.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 12 September 2023

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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 this inspection, 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. The inspector has 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: SC454647 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

At the time of the inspection, the appointed manager was not working at the home. The deputy manager and responsible individual are overseeing the home in the manager’s absence.

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Findings from the inspection

Three children were living in the home at the time of the inspection. No children have moved into or on from the home since the last inspection. The same children remain living in the home as at the time of the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been three episodes of going missing and two incidents of self-harm in respect of one child. The staff respond quickly and appropriately and there is clear recording that evidences actions they take and support offered. Positively, the child has identified triggers for their self-harm and requested the removal of certain items to help minimise this. This shows the child’s ability to take responsibility and make effective decisions to keep themselves safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have supported the children with their education. As a result, the children have made progress with their attendance and attainment. One child who was previously struggling with their attendance is now accessing school most days. When children do not attend school, there is a clear and effective protocol in place. Furthermore, the home has purchased revision books and ensures that work is sent home from school. Progress was reflected in the feedback from one teacher, who commented on improved communication.

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Findings from the inspection

All three children have plans in respect of their further education. With the support of the staff, all the children have been taken to various open and taster days at different colleges. As a result, all three children have secured conditional placements on varying courses. One child has a clear plan for their studies to support their ambitions to join the British Army.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff support the children to take age-appropriate risks. This can be seen with the use of smartphones, social media and free time. This is positive progress since the last inspection and gives valuable opportunities for the children to manage risk and prepare them for independence and their upcoming moves into semi- independent living.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff support the children to engage in their care planning. Since the last inspection, there has been a lot of work done to improve the children’s care plans, which are now child-friendly and require the children’s input. Furthermore, there are clear targets and objectives for each child and planned direct sessions, all of which is reviewed and updated monthly. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC454647 3 The staff are better supported. Progress has been made to ensure that the staff receive monthly supervision. There is still work to be done in the use of appraisals and ensuring that all staff have completed their mandatory and specific training within given timescales.

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Findings from the inspection

The deputy manager has been working closely with the responsible individual to develop effective monitoring systems. This can be seen in the organisation and oversight of the home, the staff and the children.

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Findings from the inspection

There are noticeable improvements in the home environment. The home has benefited from fresh paint, a new kitchen and attention to detail with soft furnishings and pictures to create a warm, welcoming and homely feel. Furthermore, the children speak positively about being involved in the changes made. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC454647 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/03/2023 Full Good 06/10/2021 Full Outstanding 10/09/2019 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC454647 5

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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, 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

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that: staff help children to understand risk and take steps to keep themselves safe; that all staff have a good understanding of child sexual exploitation. 1 March 2024

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team and where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experiences, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; 1 March 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC454647 6 understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a) (2)(a)(b)(c)(f)(g)(i)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the registered manager leads by example and creates a positive culture in the home, that monitoring systems are effective in monitoring children’s progress and experiences, and that all staff are suitably trained and skilled.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that staff have regular supervision, an annual appraisal and a clear professional development plan. 1 March 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. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c)) 1 March 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC454647 7 This specifically relates to the registered manager ensuring that children’s records are up to date, reports are thorough, signed and dated, and that staff take accountability for their work. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC454647 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

Stacie Sharpe, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC454647 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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