Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Dudley

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC472465 1 SC472465

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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 registered to care for up to five children with complex needs who have suffered early childhood trauma. It is owned by a large organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2022 and is taking a level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, no children were living in the home. The staff have been redeployed to other children’s homes in the organisation.

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This monitoring visit

On 8 October 2023, Ofsted issued a notice restricting accommodation at the home. Ofsted was of the view that if children moved into the home this would compromise their safety. Inspectors identified significant failures in safeguarding practice and in the leadership and management oversight of the home. Children were being cared for by an insufficient number of inexperienced staff. Ofsted also issued compliance notices under regulation 12 and regulation 13.

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This monitoring visit

On 29 November 2023, inspectors carried out a monitoring visit. Inspectors found enough action had been taken to meet the compliance notices. However, the notice restricting accommodation remained in place. This was because the home did not have enough staff to care for the number of children it was registered for. In addition, staff had not undertaken training relevant to children’s needs. As a result, staff still did not have the knowledge and skill to care for the children the provider intended to care for.

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This monitoring visit

On 20 December 2023, managers informed Ofsted that they had enough staff to care for two children. Staff had completed some training to equip them with Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC472465 2 necessary knowledge and skills. However, this learning was not yet embedded in practice as no children were living in the home. As a result, Ofsted allowed the restriction notice to lapse. However, the conditions of the home’s registration were varied, reducing the number of children the home could provide care for from five to two.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of this latest monitoring visit, no children were living in the home. The home’s refurbishment is complete and the environment is safe and homely. Children’s bedrooms have been redecorated. Children will be able to personalise them when they move in.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have implemented their recruitment plan. Several new staff have joined the team and are undergoing induction and training. Some experienced staff who had left have now rejoined. This includes the previous deputy manager. Staff have been redeployed to other homes to implement their knowledge and new skills. There have been no concerns about staff practice during this time.

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This monitoring visit

The home has a new responsible individual who is aware of the home’s history and areas for development. There are clear systems in place to monitor the day-to-day running of the home. This will include regular auditing of the care children receive, including their safety.

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This monitoring visit

The manager continues to support their own development, increasing their confidence. They have ensured that staff receive regular and meaningful supervision. Also, that staff have received training and upskilling to refresh their knowledge and skills. This is having a positive impact on staff practice during their redeployment.

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This monitoring visit

External agencies did not raise any concerns about the locality of the home, in particular in relation to the safeguarding of children.

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This monitoring visit

As a result of the findings of this visit, the variation to reduce the number of children the home is able to care for, will lapse. Ofsted will review the requirements at the next full inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/10/2023 Full Inadequate 26/06/2023 Full Inadequate 15/11/2022 Full Good 08/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC472465 3

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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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to senior managers and the registered manager escalating concerns about the performance of a placing authority. In addition, to maintaining clear lines of communication with professionals, particularly when there is drift and delay in children’s care planning.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 20 May 2024

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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 are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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

that staff help each child to— 20 May 2024 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC472465 4 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

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iv)

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that managers and staff understand and follow guidance provided by children’s medical and health professionals. This includes the arrangements for administering medication.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, managers and staff must identify ways in which they can help and support children to understand and develop the skills to safely meet their own health needs.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding; 20 May 2024 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC472465 5 help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(vii)(x))

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Requirement Due date

This particularly refers to staff supporting children to explore their emotions and build positive relationships.

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Requirement Due date

It also relates to the registered manager ensuring that staff provide clear boundaries and expectations.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff receive training to meet the needs of the children the home intends to care for.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 20 May 2024

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and 20 May 2024 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC472465 6 have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iii)(d))

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Requirement Due date

The registered manager must ensure that the arrangements in place for children to move on from the home are carefully planned to support a smooth move. This includes ensuring that children’s belongings are checked before the move, to be certain that they have everything they need, in particular, any medication or equipment to meet their health needs.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

A responsible individual must have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (7)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The responsible individual must ensure that they have the skills necessary to oversee the management of the home effectively to identify shortfalls and ensure that action is taken to improve practice and the quality of care provided.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 20 May 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 kept up to date; and 20 May 2024 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC472465 7 are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered manager and staff ensuring that all children’s records are updated and capture the child’s journey.

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Requirement Due date

This also relates to the recording of physical intervention.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: SC472465 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 - monitoring visit: SC472465 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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