Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Norfolk

Inspection report for children’s home: SC459168 1 SC459168 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 privately owned home provides care for four children. The children may have experienced neglect and/or emotional abuse or had traumatic experiences that have left them vulnerable.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2019.

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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: SC459168 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/06/2022 Full Good 20/04/2021 Full Good 16/09/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/05/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: SC459168 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, there were four children living at the home. Two children have moved on in planned moves. One child returned home to their family, and one child moved to semi-independent accommodation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves in and out of the home are planned well. One child was supported in a staged way to move back to their family. The child’s father said that the support offered was ‘superb’ and spoke highly of the child’s time and achievements at the home. Another child was supported to move to semi-independent accommodation with an extended offer of support to ensure that they settled in well. The manager meets with children before they move into the home. This helps children to build positive relationships with the staff from the onset.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a high expectation that children attend education. The home is linked to a local school that is part of the organisation. Three of the children attend this school. They have all made significant improvements in their attendance and attainment. Another child is attending a local mainstream school. Helping children to achieve in education increases their future choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are provided with a range of activities. Some of the children go ice skating three times a week and are proficient ice skaters. Children also go swimming, trampolining and to the cinema. They occasionally visit the local retirement home and drop off food. Taking part in activities and contributing to the community improves their health and well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff capture the child’s journey in letters to the child. These create a biographical account for children to take when they leave. This offers children the opportunity to understand their own story and to reflect back on it when they are older.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well furnished. It is decorated nicely and has a homely feel. There is a large garden with play equipment and a playhouse. However, the patio area is cracked, uneven and needs some attention.

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

Children have up-to-date plans that help staff to support them. A mental health practitioner works alongside staff. She provides consultations that help to consider children’s behaviour. She also contributes to children’s plans. This input helps staff understand the trauma children have experienced and how this impacts their behaviour.

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

Children rarely go missing from the home. When they do there is a clear response for staff to follow. Staff are proactive in looking for children and they make clear Inspection report for children’s home: SC459168 4 records. Children are always offered the opportunity to talk to an independent person. One child’s missing episodes have significantly decreased since moving to the home. This child said that they ‘feel safer here’.

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

There have been occasions when staff have needed to physically intervene with children. These interventions have been necessary and proportionate and the manager uses appropriate curiosity and challenge to the staff to ensure children are kept safe.

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

There is a strong safeguarding culture at the home. The staff liaise regularly with the local authority designated officers, and undertake efficient internal investigations. The records for these are well-kept and it is easy to identify the actions taken. Children are updated follwoing any concerns in a child-friendly way. Disciplinary actions are taken where necessary.

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

There has been several incidents when staff conduct has not met the requirements of the role. These relate to professional boundaries and have been addressed with staff. This has meant that at times children are not supported by staff who fully understand the requirements and expectations of their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by an experienced manager. She knows the children well and has a detailed understanding of each child. This helps her to support and guide staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a high staff turnover. The manager is open about the challenges this has caused and is actively recruiting for new staff. She is upskilling her deputy manager and is keen to support staff development. Staff gave positive feedback on the support the manager has given them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a good system in place to oversee the running of the home. This feeds into monthly managers’ meetings and quality assurance checks. The records are up to date and the manager’s review can be seen on these records.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are regular and well attended. The manager and deputy manager use a system of memos to make sure that staff have the relevant information in a timely way. The focus on children and their needs ensures that staff have up-to-date information to keep children safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has high aspirations for the children in her care. This has contributed to the progress they are making, particularly in education. She has created a home in which children are comfortable. This helps children to feel secure which will support positive outcomes for them in the future. Inspection report for children’s home: SC459168 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff understand their professional boundaries in their day-to-day care of children. 16 April 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the patio area is suitably maintained to promote a more usable and welcoming space (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: SC459168 6

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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

Mary Costello, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC459168 7 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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