Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Lancashire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 1 SC483846

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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 provides care for up to five children who may have social or emotional difficulties. The home is privately owned and managed.

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Information about this children’s home

There is currently no registered manager.

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Inspection date: 25 March 2024

Date of last inspection: 7 September 2023

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Inspection date: 25 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 25 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: SC483846 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

The two children who were living at the home at the time of the last inspection have moved to new homes. The staff supported their transitions effectively. There are four children currently living at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Two children spoken to said that they like living at this home. Staff give children stability, routine and structure. As a result, children are building trusted relationships with the staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff work hard to ensure that children get the necessary help and encouragement to support their education. One child with a previously poor record of attendance and engagement in education has benefited from tuition provided in the home and has very recently started to attend alternative education.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s health needs are well promoted, and staff work closely with health professionals to ensure that children’s specific health needs are met. Since the last inspection, staff have completed training in how to support a child with diabetes.

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Findings from the inspection

Improvements to the home mean that it is clean and fresh. Children’s bedrooms are suitably furnished. The manager recognises that more needs to be done to support the children to personalise their bedrooms.

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Findings from the inspection

There has only been one incident of children going missing from the home. This was when two children went missing for a short period of time. Records show that staff were proactive in following, searching for and locating the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have a good understanding of children’s risks and vulnerabilities. They encourage positive behaviour through clear and consistent boundaries. Staff use restorative approaches that help children to understand the impact of their behaviour on themselves and others. Consequently, there has been no need for staff to hold a child physically.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has taken appropriate action in relation to any concerns about staff practice, including reporting concerns to the local area designated officer. This means that children are kept safe.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has not had a registered manager in post since January 2022. There has been an acting manager in post, who has now gone on extended leave. Currently, another acting manager is in post.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff spoken to describe the manager as ‘supportive’. They said that the improvements in the home are ‘down to the leadership and management’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 3 The home is adequately staffed, and the core staff team has remained the same. This has helped to ensure that there is consistency of care for the children.

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Findings from the inspection

External monitoring of the home is good, and any recommendations are promptly addressed to help improve the service.

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Findings from the inspection

The previous requirement and recommendations made at the last full inspection have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/05/2023 Full Inadequate 26/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/01/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 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 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; and

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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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the manager who has been appointed applies for registration so that their suitability can be assessed. 6 May 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 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

Michelle Bacon, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 7 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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