Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in County Durham

Inspection report for children’s home: SC059180 1 SC059180 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 is registered to provide care for up to five children who have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

There are five children currently living in the home.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC059180 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/03/2023 Full Good 01/02/2022 Full Good 21/01/2020 Full Outstanding 15/05/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC059180 3

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outstanding

Children thrive and make exceptional progress in all areas of their lives. They are joyful and confident to engage with new people. The staff team exudes fun and laughter, which is reflected in the children. Children’s achievements are celebrated at every opportunity. Children grow in confidence, have improved health and a love of learning because of this. A professional said about one child living in the home: ‘There was a huge change in their emotional state and their ability to take genuine joy from things. Because of the home, they are now making massive academic progress.’

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outstanding

Children respond positively to the nurturing staff. Staff support the children with unwavering enthusiasm, energy and care. They treat the children consistently with respect and sensitivity and follow agreed strategies. Children’s self-esteem is developing, and children say that they feel cared for by the staff.

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outstanding

Staff understand each child’s communication needs well. Communication aids are accessible and used by staff and children. A strength of the home is the staff’s commitment to adapt communication for each child’s needs. They do this through games, quizzes, talking books and technology so that children can engage and share their views easily. When children have significant changes in their lives, the manager requests an advocate to support them. Children are listened to and have confidence to speak up.

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outstanding

Children have picked the furnishings and decor for their bedrooms and have a wealth of toys and books that reflect their own interests. Children build collections of things. For one child, there was a large pile of books kept on their bedside table, which they love having read to them. Play and activities are child-led and flexible so that children can engage as they are able to. Children have enjoyable experiences and learn.

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outstanding

Children are encouraged to see their family members and others who are important to them. Regular time with their families is planned on the children’s timetables. Staff promote positive relationships with families and help the time to be successful by planning activities. They also make sure that children get support from the people that they feel comfortable with during this time.

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outstanding

Children are supported well during transitions. The manager and staff recognise how difficult moving on is for children. After children leave, the manager plans for children to return to the home regularly, and they can take part in their favourite activities. This ongoing staff support continues so that relationships that have been built are not lost. This helps transitions to be successful for children and reduces their sense of loss. Inspection report for children’s home: SC059180 4

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outstanding

Children say that they feel safe and happy living in the home. Staff create detailed plans that show everyone how to help and support the children to achieve. These plans are kept under regular review by managers and staff. Staff are proactive and understand the importance of updating information so that staff give the most up- to-date and best possible support to children.

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outstanding

Staff have used physical interventions at times to keep children safe. When these have taken place, staff talk to children and help them to identify their feelings around the incident. The manager also talks to staff to reflect on what has happened and the staff’s response. This helps to provide staff with ways to support children to develop positive ways of managing their difficult emotions in the future.

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outstanding

Staff help children to understand their medical conditions. One child finds the effects of their condition difficult to accept. Staff are skilled at supporting the child to understand their health needs, and staff provide them with accessible information. Staff encourage children to engage with, and fundraise for, charities. This helps to make positive memories for children and builds relationships with others who may be affected by the same health condition.

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outstanding

Children are supported to make healthy choices and to lead an active lifestyle. One child is training with staff to run a half marathon. Children have made huge improvements to their diet. Staff support children to try new foods to broaden their diet or to encourage children to choose more healthy meals. One child benefits from walking and running. Staff support them to do this, and this supports the child’s emotional well-being.

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outstanding

The manager follows safe processes when recruiting staff. All staff are supported to understand safeguarding procedures during their induction. The registered manager takes decisive action if staff do not understand or follow these procedures and shares information appropriately to keep children safe. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe.

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outstanding

The registered manager has made many improvements to the medication system. When an error occurred, a full and detailed review of practice took place. Practice has changed and staff receive additional training and support. The storage of medication is in a busy area of the home. The manager recognises this and has changed practice to reduce risk until a new location can be found.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is tenacious and driven and has a clear vision to continually improve the home for children. She is child focused and has a thorough and accurate understanding of the journey of each child. She pushes the staff team to help each child to reach their potential. Staff grow in skills, knowledge and confidence to do this. Inspection report for children’s home: SC059180 5 The manager has clear oversight of the home and has made considerable changes. She has focused on the children and their experiences primarily. Staff are encouraged to adopt an open, learning culture in the home. This includes staff seeking the views of others to improve things. There is continuous review and improvement to systems that are used in day-to-day practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive strong support and challenge from the manager. Staff have developed new skills in the last six months through the supervision and training they receive. One staff member said the manager has recognised skills that they did not see in themselves.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager takes immediate action if there are concerns raised and understands her responsibilities towards the children and the staff team. She shares information actively with others who are important in the children’s lives. The manager is organised and thorough. This includes providing detailed reports about the children before meetings so that others can review them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff training has significantly improved, as the manager has encouraged staff to learn and develop. This is a mixture of e-learning and face-to-face training. Mandatory training is up to date and staff complete a variety of courses to add to their knowledge. The manager and a senior member of staff are completing a managers’ training programme, which has already improved practice in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a strong advocate for the children. She challenges other professionals and has clear expectations based around the child’s needs. She has positive and professional relationships with families and colleagues and raises concerns based on her detailed knowledge of the children. This is done respectfully and openly, and colleagues say that they appreciate and respect this. Inspection report for children’s home: SC059180 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they make suitable arrangements to manage and store medication safely. This should be safe and secure storage in line with the home’s policy. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)

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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: SC059180 7

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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

Registered manager: Lindsay Metcalfe-Shaw

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Inspectors

Carol Jagger, Social Care Inspector Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC059180 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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