Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Devon

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC458352 1 SC458352

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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 can provide care for three children. At the time of this inspection, two children were living in this home.

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Information about this children's home

There is a suitably qualified registered manager in post. The registered manager was on leave at the time of this visit therefore a covering manager attended the home to support the inspection process.

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspections, the inspector has 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: SC458352 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

Since the previous inspection, two children have moved on from the home. One child moved on in a planned way to semi-independent living. The second child left the home due to carers being unable to meet their needs and subsequently a notice period was given. Two siblings moved into the home in January 2024 and are currently settling in.

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Findings from the inspection

The children are developing relationships with their carers. The carers provide a nurturing approach and children were observed to enjoy their company. Children are also supported to spend time with their mother and friends who live a significant distance from the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Neither of the children is currently attending formal education, despite living at the home since January. Access to education was not arranged prior to their arrival. The children’s days currently lack sufficient structure. They are supported to enjoy activities such as cinema trips, however, they are not being supported to achieve educationally.

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Findings from the inspection

Overall, care planning documents provide clear guidance for carers. Risks regarding children are known and explored well. However, safety plans are not always followed. During this inspection, carers did not follow the safety protocol when taking children out in the community. When children go missing. Carers take proactive steps to locate them and to encourage them to return home.

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Findings from the inspection

Support to help children when they have poor sleep habits has had a positive impact. The current children are now going to sleep at an earlier time which enables them to wake earlier. Appropriate action has been taken to disrupt children’s access to alcohol. There are no clear plans regarding the reduction of vaping, however carers are supporting the chidlren to understand the harm vaping can cause.

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Findings from the inspection

Safeguards and boundaries regarding the children’s use of the internet, social media and mobile phones are lacking. This is not helping children to develop healthy behaviours and to understand how to keep themselves safe online. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC458352 3 There has been one medication error which was due to poor communication between carers. Actions to reduce the risk of a further error have been taken. This includes further training for the team and a review of their medication competency.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has devised an action plan to address the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection. Work to meet the actions has stared but need more time to complete and embed improvements into practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Several members of the care team are new to working in children’s social care. Therefore, consistently good practice is yet to be embedded. Errors such as a delay in contacting the local authority during an incident, a medication error and carers not following the safety plan are all indicative of this.

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Findings from the inspection

A great deal of work has been completed to improve the quality of the environment. The home is newly decorated and is now a welcoming space for children. Plans are underway to continue developing the outside areas and garage. Therefore, the requirement made to promote the improvement of the home is met.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirement made in respect of leadership and management of the home remains in place, as it could not be assessed in its entirety during this visit. This was due to the registered manager being on annual leave and the deputy manager being on maternity leave. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC458352 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/07/2022 Full Good 01/09/2021 Full Good 04/12/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC458352 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, 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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff—

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally,

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Requirement Due date

In particular, education should be arranged for children prior to their arrival at the home. To prevent any delay in them accessing formal education. 30 April 2024

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

Safety plans to help carers keep children safe must be followed. Plans for children regarding the use of the internet, social media and mobile phones must be robust and in line with their needs. Plans to reduce children’s use of vapes need to be implemented. 30 April 2023 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC458352 6 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 promotes their welfare.

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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

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, critically review the progress and experiences of children in the home, to make decisions about how best to intervene with children, so that they can make positive progress in the future with their health, education and activities.

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Requirement Due date

In addition, evaluate more effectively the links between behaviour and consequences to ensure that these are effective for children. 01 September Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC458352 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

Responsible individual: Nicola McClements

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Inspector

Polly Soper, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC458352 8 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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