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Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457501 1 SC457501

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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 children’s home is registered to provide care for up to three children who require support with their emotional and/or behavioural care needs. It is operated by a national provider of children’s homes.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home, who have continued to live in the home since the previous inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2023. The registered manager uses the term ‘home adults’ to refer to staff.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 13 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. 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: SC457501 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

Children are continuing to make progress towards their long-term goals, and they develop age-appropriate independence. The positive experiences and help they receive in the home enable them to enjoy friendships and hobbies and to progress in their work and education. Children feel secure in their home, and home adults have supported children to develop their confidence, establish routines and follow their aspirations.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have honest conversations with home adults, and they have developed some positive and trusting relationships. The manager and team listen to children. In response to hearing children’s and home adults’ views, the registered manager and the home’s therapist are helping home adults to navigate the complexities of having trusting and secure relationships with children, alongside maintaining professional boundaries. This work reinforces the importance of all home adults responding consistently to children.

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Findings from the inspection

When children have gone missing from home, home adults have taken appropriate action to search for children and stay in touch. The manager reviews actions taken to ensure that learning is taken on board.

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Findings from the inspection

Home adults have supported children to become more confident and recognise risks and dangers so that they can be safer. As a result, missing-from-home episodes for one child have significantly reduced.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are encouraged to use support from the child and adolescent mental health services in line with their needs. Home adults acknowledge the progress children make when this work has finished.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and team follow child protection procedures appropriately. However, consideration of a police check and seeking permission from a social worker for a child to enjoy an overnight stay could have been avoided if arrangements for delegated responsibilities had been in place. These arrangements would have enabled the child to not feel different to other children who are not in care.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager is an inspirational and child-focused leader who does not shy away from addressing issues, both in and out of the home, to support children to have the best experiences and make positive progress.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has taken on board the concerns raised about the impact of infrequent supervision at the previous inspection. A deputy manager has now been recruited, and arrangements have been made to ensure that all home adults receive regular Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457501 3 supervision and appraisal. The organisation provides expertise to ensure that performance processes are implemented when necessary, although, on occasion, these processes can be protracted.

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Findings from the inspection

The other requirement made, relating to the need to repair the outside areas of the home, is also met. The home has also been improved internally, and it is welcoming and homely. In the week leading up to the inspection, the outside wall in the garden collapsed due to bad weather and is now cordoned off for the children’s safety. The manager has already sought quotations so that repairs can be actioned quickly. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457501 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/02/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 25/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457501 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that decisions about children’s overnight stays with friends are delegated to the home’s home adults by the placing authority for looked after children. The level of delegated authority should be recorded in the placement plan to provide clarity and to avoid managers having to seek permission from the local authority unnecessarily. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 38, paragraph 8.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457501 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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nicola McClements

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Inspector

Sarah Canto, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC457501 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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