Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2770974 1 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 home is privately owned. It provides care for up to five children with mental health difficulties and who may not be able to live in the community without continued support. Three children were living at the home at time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2024, when the home opened.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a separately registered school on site. The inspector only inspected the social care provision.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded.

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inadequate

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2770974 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The three children living at the home were all present and spoken with during the inspection. While some children have made progress, there are several concerns about their safety. Serious incidents are poorly managed. Serious failures in safeguarding and leadership and management have compromised the safety and well-being of the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

There have been errors in giving children medication that have not been investigated. One medication error occurred and was repeated two days later. The manager did not explore these incidents. This could mean that staff are not competent to safely administer medication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children are not always given responses when they share their views and requests. They attend regular family meetings and share their views. There is no system for staff to feed back to children about any actions in relation to their views. This could mean that children do not feel listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

During initial assessments of children before they move into the home, actions are identified, however these are not always completed. One assessment identified specific training for staff to meet a child’s needs. The child has moved into the home and the training has not been arranged for staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff carry out room searches when they have suspicions that children have items that could harm them. The searches are generally recorded in detail and explain the reasoning for the search. However, children are not always informed before a search takes place, when this is appropriate. This could affect children’s feeling that their bedroom is a safe, private space for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Despite the shortfalls, children are making some progress and have some positive experiences. This includes improved attendance in education and reduction of some risks. One child is able to have free time away from the home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Children living at the home experience mental health difficulties and have high levels of risk. One child’s risk management plan did not include whether they can have certain items. This led to a child being given a razor which they harmed themselves with. As a result, the child required hospital treatment and six stitches.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

An unapproved restraint was used on a child. The manager explored this with the staff. However, no actions were identified following this to ensure that staff understand their Inspection report for children's home: 2770974 3 responsibilities when using physical restraint. The manager did not consider whether additional training or support would help the staff.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

During the same incident, the child swallowed inedible items. The supporting staff tickled the child to make them laugh. The manager has not explored or discussed this. This is despite the seriousness of the risk of choking that could have occurred. The staff are not challenged about inappropriate practice which places children at risk.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Records of incidents and use of restraint are not always clear. Information recorded in incident forms is repeated in restraint records. However, these records are not consistent and do not always contain the full details. Several records are handwritten and difficult to read. This lack of clear recording makes it difficult to monitor the incidents and identify patterns of behaviour.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

The fire risk assessment is out of date and requires review. The previous fire risk assessment identified a date for review. The manager failed to request the assessment until after the date had passed and failed to push for this to be undertaken. This could place children and staff at risk from ineffective fire safety measures.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: inadequate

Safer recruitment processes are used in the employment of new staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home has not been managed effectively to ensure that children are safeguarded. There is a lack of management oversight and learning from incidents. The records of actions taken by leaders and managers to explore incidents and concerns are inconsistent. The manager reports concerns to the appropriate authorities, however, there is a lack of exploration and professional curiosity.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There are concerns about how staff shifts are allocated. Some incidents have occurred when inexperienced staff have been supporting children. A concern about a new member of staff allowing a child to use a vape was reported appropriately. The manager identified learning for new staff in regard to managing the risk and requested that this was risk assessed. This has not been carried out. Since then, there have been further cases of inappropriate staffing on rotas. An inexperienced staff member who had not had behaviour management training was assigned to support a child with high levels of risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff helped a child to bleach their hair when they were aware the child had done this just days before, and highlighted the risks of bleaching it again too soon. The staff allowed this, despite the risks. The child suffered a burn to their head from the bleach. The manager did not explore this to ensure that staff understand that their actions caused the child avoidable harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

A child raised a concern that they found one staff member to be controlling. This was referred to the local authority designated officer (LADO). However, once the LADO’s involvement ended, managers only had brief conversations with the staff member. There Inspection report for children's home: 2770974 4 has not been a full exploration to see if there are concerns or training needs for this member of staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There is an induction training programme for staff. This includes training in behaviour management methods and face-to-face first-aid training. However, staff do not always complete this in a timely manner before they work with children. This means inexperienced and untrained staff are working with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Following one incident of restraint, the manager recorded that a less restrictive measure could have been used. The manager did not do anything following this review. This fails to support staff to understand the other actions that could have been taken.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

One allegation made against a staff member was not reported to Ofsted. The LADO was consulted about this allegation. This lack of reporting to Ofsted means the oversight of concerns is reduced. Other concerns have been notified to Ofsted appropriately.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The independent person’s reports are not always sent to Ofsted. These have not been shared with Ofsted. This limits Ofsted’s oversight of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

External professionals and families talk positively about the support offered to children. Professionals said that children have made progress. Staff said that they feel supported in their roles. Inspection report for children's home: 2770974 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 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

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; and

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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)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)) 16 September 2024

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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.

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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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a) (2)(h)) 27 September 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 2770974 6 In particular, ensure there is management review following incidents or safeguarding concerns and that lessons are identified and action taken.

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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—

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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

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

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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

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; and

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure children’s plans are clear about risks and what actions staff should take to manage the risks and ensure that medication errors are explored. 16 September 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure. 27 September 2024 Inspection report for children's home: 2770974 7 (Regulation 35 (1)(b) (3)(b)(i)

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff only use physical intervention techniques they have been trained in and that any learning following the use of restraint is taken forward and used to support staff development.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records ("case records") for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that all records about the same incidents are consistent and contain full details. Ensure that handwritten documents are legible. 27 September 2024

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(1) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the fire risk assessment is reviewed at the date given in the previous assessment. 16 September 2024

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s rooms are only searched if the child has been informed or asked for their permission, unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that there is a risk to the child’s or another person’s safety or well-being. If they are not informed beforehand for safety reasons, children should be informed following the search, so they are aware. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.20)  The registered person should ensure that children are consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care and are given responses after sharing their views to Inspection report for children's home: 2770974 8 show these are listened to and acted on where possible. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)  The registered person should ensure that notifications to Ofsted are made promptly if

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Recommendations

there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)  The registered person should ensure the reports by the independent person are shared with Ofsted in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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: 2770974 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Caretech Estates Ltd, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Leanne Lyon, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2770974 10 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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