Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Warwickshire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC476249 1 SC476249

p.1

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to five children who have experienced social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since March 2023. Managers have been appointed since then but have not registered with Ofsted. There is an interim manager in post until a permanent manager is appointed.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

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: SC476249 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Two children live in the home. One child has remained living in the home since the last inspection. One child left the home in line with their plan and their wish to be closer to their family. This child has stayed in touch with staff and maintained their friendship with a child in the home. One child has moved into the home. Following the manager’s persistence, a brief transition plan was agreed for this child. This helped the child to be more prepared for the move to the home. As a result, the child has settled well and likes living there.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There have been some improvements made to the home environment. The communal areas of the home are well presented. There are also photos of the children placed in various rooms, which contributes to a homely feel. There remains some planned work to the upstairs areas in the home. This includes redecoration, renovating the bathroom and revamping one child’s bedroom. The child has been consulted about what furniture and decor they would like in their room.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

One child continues to attend school and is making good progress. They are preparing for their exams. One child is waiting to start at a school in the local area. While they do so, the child is supported by staff to maintain routines and boundaries and to engage in educational activities in the home.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Systems for gathering children’s views have improved. Children are engaging more in consultation and regular key-work sessions. However, children’s meetings are not consistently held. This is a missed opportunity for staff to help children feel they are listened to and valued.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy incentives, rewards and activities based on their interests. Children have said that staff keep them safe. As a result, there have been no allegations made against staff and a reduction of significant incidents since the last inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There has been one occasion when staff have physically intervened to keep a child safe. This was done proportionately and recorded appropriately, with good management oversight.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There are clear risk management plans that provide staff with guidance about actions to take to reduce the risk of harm to children. These plans are updated following any significant events or when there are new concerns.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Managers have recognised the need for ongoing stability for children. There has been a turnover of staff in the home. One child has struggled with this, but they have had a few familiar staff to care for them throughout this period. This has helped to minimise some of the impact of these changes. Children do not like it Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC476249 3 when agency staff have been used at times. Managers have acknowledged this and have no plans to continue using these staff unless there is an urgent need.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The proposed registered manager left the home a few weeks before the inspection. Staff have lacked consistent guidance and support due to this. There have been ongoing efforts to secure a new manager. As part of the contingency plan, there is an interim manager in the home supported by the responsible individual. Together, they are clear about the development of the home and staff practice. They have plans in place to continue to improve this.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Managers have developed monitoring and reviewing systems. This includes monthly audits of the home, including the care of children, staff practice and development of the home. Managers generally address shortfalls identified, but this is not always in a timely manner. One child said, ‘It has got a little better in the home.’

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Staff who are recruited to work in the home are subject to the required checks. This means children are cared for by safe adults.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The approach to children’s care as set out in the home’s statement of purpose is not embedded. Most staff have completed mandatory training. Some newer staff have not completed specific training around the home’s therapeutic approach. This means children do not consistently receive attuned and therapeutic parenting.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The provider has met three out of the six requirements raised at the last inspection, along with one recommendation. Three requirements and one recommendation have not been met and are repeated. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC476249 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/10/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/01/2022 Full Good 28/02/2020 Interim Declined in effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC476249 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

p.5

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that the home environment is clean, welcoming and homely for children.

p.5

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the previous inspection and is restated. 19 February 2024

p.5

Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.5

Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

p.5

Requirement Due date

engage with them; and 19 February 2024 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC476249 6 take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

ascertain and consider each child’s views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child’s best interests when making decisions about the child’s care and welfare; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

is given appropriate advocacy support. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(b)(iii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the previous inspection and is restated.

p.6

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—

p.6

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 19 February 2024 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC476249 7 (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(d)(e)(h))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person ensuring that the home uses the therapeutic approach to care as described in its statement of purpose.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person should ensure that staff have the necessary skills and experience to safely meet children’s needs and that there are enough consistent staff to care for children.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person should also ensure that they use their monitoring systems to improve and address shortfalls in the care of children promptly and effectively.

p.7

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the previous inspection and is restated.

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

p.7

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Deborah Robertson-Kesterton

p.7

Inspector

Nurul Kabir, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC476249 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8