Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in North Yorkshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1159397 1 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

The home registered in March 2016 and is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to four children aged between 11 and 18 years who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides a therapeutic programme for children who have experienced, or are at risk of, sexual exploitation. At the time of the inspection, no children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

There is currently no registered manager in post. An interim manager is responsible for the day-to-day running of the home.

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Inspection date: 19 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 19 March 2024

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: 1159397 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns about the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

A detailed and effective quality improvement plan is in place and progress is noted against all the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection. There have been changes to the management team in the home. A new manager and deputy manager are in post, both of whom are skilled and experienced in similar settings. The manager is not yet registered with Ofsted; however, this is in progress.

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Findings from the inspection

The managers have reviewed and strengthened policies and procedures in the home. This has ensured that the foundations for good practice and safe care of children are in place. The improvements are untested at the time of this inspection as no children are currently living in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, two further children have lived in the home. However, their placements have ended after several safeguarding incidents and when the provider felt unable to manage the children’s risks and behaviour. Since then, the home has remained empty of children to ensure that improvements can be made to the quality of care.

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Findings from the inspection

Team debriefs, supervision sessions and meetings have taken place. These meetings have provided time for all staff at the home to reflect and consider how to strengthen teamwork, communication and boundaries. Staff supervision is taking place regularly and there is an ongoing training plan in place. This is helping staff to learn and improve their future practice and care of children.

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Findings from the inspection

Workforce recruitment of highly skilled staff remains a challenge for this provider. There has been an intensive recruitment campaign. As a result, a small number of new residential support workers have been appointed; however, they have limited experience. A detailed package of induction training has started. Managers are mitigating the lack of experienced residential support workers with carefully planned staff rotas to ensure that there is always a trained and more senior member of staff on duty. It is also planned to use bank staff when needed.

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Findings from the inspection

There is limited reserve in the staffing resource. At the time of this inspection, there was enough staff to cover the care for one child; however, this would be stretched if any further children were to be admitted to the home. Managers acknowledge this and continue to try and recruit new permanent staff to the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The provider’s location risk assessment has been reviewed and improved. It contains relevant information about the local area. The location risk assessment was carried out by the previous manager and has not been shared with staff. This is particularly important to ensure that all staff are aware of the property’s unique geography, such as the proximity to country roads, which may increase risks to children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1159397 3 The statement of purpose has been updated and provides a clear description of the quality and purpose of care in the home. Managers have given an undertaking only to admit children whose needs and risks are in line with the statement of purpose. They have carefully considered several children’s referrals. When they do not feel they can meet these children’s needs, or that the children will not be easily matched with others, the provider sensitively turns down these referrals. This shows a robust

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Findings from the inspection

consideration of children’s risks to ensure that the provider can meet the needs of any children admitted.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of this inspection, the provider was in the initial planning stages for one child to be admitted. This child’s risks and unique needs are being considered and well planned for. The manager is arranging for all staff to have training around the child’s individual medical needs. The child has been introduced to the home by a virtual meeting due to the current distance from their home authority. Appropriate planning is taking place, including consideration of the child’s dietary requirements, educational needs and hobbies. This helps the child to feel included in their plans and welcomed into the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has undergone refurbishment and redecoration. Managers have considered the layout of the home and changed the purpose and location of some rooms to make the spaces physically safer and roomier. Most of the home is comfortable, clean and welcoming for children. The outside space has been cleared of hazards and there are no risks to children who may use it. The patio area requires further improvements to make it more functional and convivial for children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1159397 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Full Requires improvement to be good Requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1159397 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any incidents of physical intervention are documented accurately and are overseen by the manager/senior staff member at the time of the incident. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate. Staff should have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. The home should have sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)  The registered person should ensure that all staff have the appropriate qualifications required of them. The provider must ensure that staff are enrolled on the qualification in a timely way and that they have completed the qualification in the necessary time frame. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations,

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Recommendations

including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.12) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1159397 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

Louise Hollick, His Majesty’s Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1159397 7 Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) 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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