Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Bedford

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1230416 1

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care for up to four children who may have experienced trauma that has left them vulnerable. Education is offered at a linked provision on a different site. The inspector only inspected the social care provision. There were no children living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since December 2023.

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This monitoring visit

A full inspection of the home took place on 14 August 2024. At that inspection, serious and widespread concerns were identified and the home was judged inadequate. A compliance notice was served by Ofsted in relation to the leadership and management of the home.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to establish the provider’s progress in meeting the steps set out in the compliance notice. At the time of this visit, no children were living at the home. Two children moved on from the home shortly after the home’s full inspection. However, the provider has taken action to give sufficient assurance that the compliance steps have been met. In addition, a restriction of accommodation has been adhered to and has now been lifted.

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This monitoring visit

Since the full inspection, leaders and managers have provided training, development opportunities and guidance for staff to help them to be capable of meeting children’s needs. Staff are currently working in the sister homes, where they are building their experience and skills working with experienced and established staff.

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This monitoring visit

The home is in the process of recruiting more staff. At the time of this monitoring visit, four staff were due to commence employment, including a newly appointed home manager. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1230416 2 Staff receive regular, good quality supervision that enables them to reflect on their practice. Staff also attend team meetings in the homes they are currently working in. This provides further opportunities for staff to reflect on their practice.

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This monitoring visit

There have been improvements to the internal monitoring of the home. The responsible individual provides regular oversight. They have also created additional monitoring tools for leaders and managers. These, used effectively, have the potential to reduce the likelihood of shortfalls in practice being repeated.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have provided staff with a clear flow chart to guide them on how to raise safeguarding concerns. Safeguarding is discussed in supervisions.

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This monitoring visit

There have been no incidents of physical interventions, children going missing from care or consequences issued to children. However, the provider has taken action to ensure that incidents are likely to be reviewed appropriately in the future.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has met the steps set out in the compliance notice and the requirements raised at the last inspection. One new requirement has been raised at this monitoring visit in respect of the condition of the home. The home is currently undergoing renovations. This includes new furniture and painting and decorating of the interior of the home. However, at the time of this monitoring visit, work on the home was in progress and therefore not complete. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1230416 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/07/2024 Full Inadequate 23/01/2024 Full Good 11/10/2022 Full Outstanding 04/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1230416 4

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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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children.

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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

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6 (1)(a) (2)(b)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to the registered person ensuring that the home is well maintained and provides children with a safe and homely environment. 30 September 2024

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1230416 5

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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: Dennise Springett

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Inspector

Anver Rose, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1230416 6 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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