Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Somerset

Inspection report for children's home: 1240802 1 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a large private organisation. It provides care for up to five children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. It is a specialist home for children at risk of exploitation. At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2024.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 18 October 2023

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 1240802 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/02/2023 Full Good 29/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 26/10/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 1240802 3

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection there have been improvements to the physical environment of the home. The previous damage has been repaired and downstairs is more homely and welcoming for children. However, there are several empty, locked rooms and few personal possessions are on display to show that the child lives here. There are no photos of the child on show although there are empty frames waiting to be filled.

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improvement to be good

One child is living at the home and is starting to develop positive relationships with staff. Since being here, they have been missing on one occasion. This is a significant reduction from her previous missing behaviour. The child was attending school, completed a functional skills qualification and her attendance at school significantly improved for a short period. However, daily planners show limited educational activities on offer while she is on study leave. Plans are in place to support her into work, but these are in the early stages, and it is difficult to see what is being done to encourage her learning.

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improvement to be good

Children are involved in decisions such as meal planning and choosing activities. However, children’s plans do not provide good-quality and interesting activities. On occasions, necessary health appointments are recorded as the only activity for the day. Staff have identified that worrying incidents reduce when the children have been busy all day, but little is done to actively encourage exciting activities. Structure to the child’s day is lacking, and this limits their childhood experiences.

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improvement to be good

Open conversations take place with children about sexual health. A folder is available for children to access which includes information on contraception and chlamydia testing. Advice on sexual hygiene is not written in an age-appropriate way. This could be confusing for children, giving unclear messages to children who are particularly vulnerable. Messages to children about consent lack clarity, and while a programme about healthy relationships is being planned, it has not yet been delivered.

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improvement to be good

Specialist support is arranged for children, and they benefit from the in-house therapy that is provided for children or staff to access. This assists staff to better meet the needs of the children.

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improvement to be good

Planning for children moving into the home is thorough and thoughtful. Children are actively involved in how the home is furnished, in particular in how new children’s bedrooms are decorated.

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improvement to be good

Inspection report for children's home: 1240802 4 There have been significant incidents when children have been at risk of, or experienced, harm. This includes five occasions when children have barricaded themselves in rooms, which has been an ongoing concern at this home. On occasions, children have been in their rooms for long periods when staff have not been able to get them out, leaving children at serious risk. On one occasion, children were left for 10 hours before the manager arrived and was successful at getting them out. Work to try alternatives is lacking.

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improvement to be good

Plans for children identify their risks. It is not always clear to staff which policy should be prioritised and specific details are missing, for example, how a child should keep in contact with staff during their free time and how often. For one child, this was clarified with a written agreement but was not detailed in their support plan. This does not provide important clarity for children and staff.

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improvement to be good

Missing-from-home processes are clear, and incidents are generally recorded well. Staff are proactive in looking for children and build relationships with known friends or their parents to reduce risks. Conversations take place with staff and children after they have gone missing to understand these incidents and help to prevent them.

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improvement to be good

Two serious incidents have occurred in which children have experienced harm. The immediate responses of the manager were quick and creative. When there have been shortfalls in practice, there has been a lack of scrutiny about staff action in relation to the wider incident, for example, whether staff responding differently at an earlier stage could have resulted in a different outcome.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The home now benefits from a registered manager being in post. Staff say they are highly supported and feel valued. The manager knows the children well and advocates for them with other professionals. The manager is proactive about planning staff training and organised specific training to meet one child’s needs before they moved in.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

When there were concerns about a member of staff, the manager put support in place, with clear actions and timeframes for training, shadowing and mentoring. Staff also benefit from clinical support, which is offered routinely and following significant incidents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Reflection takes place in supervisions and with the team as a whole. The learning from one child’s placement was considered in depth, with each team member reflecting on this. The manager explores why incidents occur and why children might display certain behaviours. The effectiveness of plans and staff action lacks critical questioning. When one child’s placement ended, there was acknowledgement that the home could not keep the child safe. However, the wider theme of repeated placements ending was not considered.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Care is reviewed with external professionals and there is evidence of challenge to ensure children’s needs are met. Work to improve relationships with professionals is limited, for Inspection report for children's home: 1240802 5 example, discussions have not taken place with the police after they attended the home armed or in riot vans. A visit from the police had been arranged for the day of the inspection, however, these conversations did not happen in a timely way to support children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

External scrutiny is provided through monthly visits from the independent visitor. However, there is a lack of challenge from the manager about the absence in the independent visitor’s reports of conversations with children and external feedback from others involved in children’s lives, which does not drive improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Effective safer recruitment processes are in place, which reduce the risk of unsuitable people working in the home. Inspection report for children's home: 1240802 6

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff—

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Requirement Due date

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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, action must be taken to safeguard children. Staff must ensure that children are not left for long periods barricaded in their bedrooms and all attempts should be made to prevent room barricading. Safeguarding processes must be robust and followed at all times. 19 July 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 1240802 7 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

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. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, children’s plans must be clear in respect of any boundaries or restrictions so children and staff know what is expected of them. In addition, the manager must have systems in place to review how effective care has been so that improvements can be made. 30 August 2024

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that— the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and 30 August 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 1240802 8 understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well-being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, advice and support to children about sexual health must be age appropriate, recognise the age of consent and provide clear guidance.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5)

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the independent visitor’s reports must be used by the manager to review care and drive improvement. The manager should ensure that feedback from external professionals, family and the children, where appropriate, is obtained and used to strengthen and improve the home. 30 August 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 1240802 9

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff support the child to sustain or regain their confidence in education and engage them in suitable structured activities. In particular, when the child is not at school, they should be offered, and encouraged to take part in, suitable structured activities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The registered person should ensure that children are offered a wide range of activities both inside and outside the home (where appropriate) and are encouraged to participate in those activities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.5)

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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: 1240802 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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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

Nickie Doney, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1240802 11 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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