Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2607587 1 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 home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties and who may have a sensory impairment, physical disabilities and learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living at the home at the time of this inspection. The inspector spoke to both the children during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 28 February 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2607587 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/02/2023 Full Outstanding 28/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2607587 3

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outstanding

Children make considerable progress in all aspects of their lives. This is due to the consistent, child-centred and nurturing care that they receive from an established staff team. Staff and children share humour and laugh together. Staff provide a loving family environment where children thrive.

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outstanding

Children participate in day-to-day decisions about their lives, and staff value their opinions. Children’s wishes and feelings are at the centre of everything that happens in the home. Children have access to a wide range of communication tools that are bespoke to each child. As a result, children grow in self-esteem and confidence. One child, who was fearful of getting their hair cut, now visits the salon regularly for ‘princess hair’.

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outstanding

Staff support children to lead healthy and active lifestyles. Staff actively encourage children to pursue their interests and contribute to their community. The children recently participated in a charity walk. This was a significant achievement which the children talk enthusiastically about. These experiences contribute to a sense of pride and accomplishment for children.

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outstanding

Children take part in a wide range of activities. They have new experiences such as visits to theme parks, discos, trips to the seaside and going bowling. One social worker said, ‘[Name of child] is doing things they have never done before. They went on holiday for the first ever time; this is testament to the care and support from the team.’ When children move out of the home, their achievements and memories are captured in a photo album. This serves as a lasting memory and visual aid of children’s experiences.

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outstanding

Children’s health needs are understood by staff. The staff team works collaboratively with health professionals. Staff’s efforts contribute to an improved quality of life for children. As a result of the care provided, one child is no longer prescribed medication to help them sleep. For another child, they have made extraordinary progress in their mobility and no longer use a wheelchair. Furthermore, one child, who previously experienced bowel and bladder pain, has made considerable progress in eating a more balanced diet. This leads to improved self-esteem and the ability to participate in physical activity and supports children’s emotional well-being.

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outstanding

Staff use creative strategies when children show anxieties and worries about attending routine health appointments and accessing specialist services. Staff are creative and complete desensitisation strategies. The use of these strategies means that staff help children to take part in appointments, which they previously struggled with. Inspection report for children’s home: 2607587 4 Staff encourage children to develop their independence skills in line with their education, health and care plans. Children learn how to cook and wash their own clothes and dishes. One child is working on developing their fine motor skills to make their own breakfast. Children have a sense of pride in their achievements.

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outstanding

The manager and staff ensure that the children maintain relationships with people who are important to them. The manager and staff are creative in how they plan and facilitate arrangements, even for some adults that live a considerable distance away. Staff play a crucial role in repairing relationships. For one child, this involved spending time with their sibling again. One professional said:

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outstanding

‘The parents of [name of child] are over the moon. They are really impressed with how the staff involve them in the child’s day. One example is staff sharing story time with parents through video calls, which is not easy.’

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outstanding

The home reflects the personalities of the children who live there. Staff actively involve children in decorating or adding personal touches. Children’s individual interests are considered. Staff are creative in making sensory wall boards as well as building a sensory room for the children. This instils a sense of belonging and togetherness.

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outstanding

Staff take a strong and proactive approach to safeguarding. Staff have an excellent understanding of the risks that children may face. These are well documented and individualised. Children have trusted relationships with staff and know who they could talk to if they are worried or upset.

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outstanding

The manager goes to great lengths to ensure that staff understand their roles in respect of keeping children safe. Staff take part in activities designed to check and reinforce their understanding of each child’s risks. This results in a staff team that is both proactive in preventing harm and responsive to incidents where harm may occur.

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outstanding

Some children are dependent on staff’s support to help them meet their personal care needs. This is always managed in a sensitive way and promotes children’s privacy and dignity.

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outstanding

Staff show remarkable resilience and commitment in caring for children who show their distress through their behaviours. Staff work hard to connect emotionally with the children to better understand what children are communicating through their behaviour. As a result, staff only need to hold or guide children as a last resort. When this is necessary, each incident is recorded in detail and evaluated by the staff and manager.

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outstanding

The manager analyses children’s behaviour to identify patterns and trends. The findings are shared with the staff team to better inform decision-making and ensure Inspection report for children’s home: 2607587 5 that children receive the most appropriate care and treatment. One professional said:

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outstanding

‘The manager and staff just care so much; they complete lovely post-incident work with children…The manager is amazing. The evidence and analysis of theory underneath behaviour which he collates is remarkable. He is the children’s biggest voice.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is an inspirational leader and demonstrates strong ambition for children. He has excellent oversight of all aspects of their care. The manager is tenacious in ensuring that any decisions about children are well planned and in their best interests. The manager is an influential advocate for the children. He is committed to amplifying children’s voices when they feel unheard by professionals from other agencies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager models tolerance and positive regard for children. Staff hold the manager’s leadership in high regard and are just as enthusiastic about caring for children. There is a keen sense of togetherness and inclusivity in the home. The manager’s influence and approach create a nurturing and loving environment in which children make outstanding progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff report that both the manager and responsible individual are visible and approachable, and they have developed a culture of high aspirations and ambition. Staff are overwhelmingly positive about the support that they receive and are proud to work in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff retention is good and means that children experience consistent care. A strong emphasis is placed on staff well-being. This contributes towards an exceptionally well-supported staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff team are creative and work together to understand children’s changing needs. This includes the manager creating a learning culture, with staff expected to critically reflect on their care of children. The manager has expanded his own learning on positive behaviour support. He is aspirational and plans to cascade this learning across the organisation to steer improvements in practice. This contributes towards better outcomes for children on a wider scale.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff access a range of training that supports them to develop their skills in caring for the children. The manager sources additional training that is specific to individual children’s needs and when gaps in staff’s knowledge have been identified. The manager is proactive in identifying further training opportunities, including delivering ‘bite-size’ training sessions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular supervision that provides them with time and space for reflection. Records of supervision sessions show that staff are actively encouraged to develop their practice. Team meetings take place on a regular basis. They are well Inspection report for children’s home: 2607587 6 attended, and staff are engaged in the process. Ideas are shared, specifically when looking to improve the outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals from other agencies, family members, the staff and the children are all overwhelmingly positive about the difference the home makes to children’s lives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made. Inspection report for children’s home: 2607587 7

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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: 2607587 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

Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2607587 9 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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