Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1257796 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 owned by a private company. It provides care for up to 12 children with ongoing mental health needs and who may not be able to live in the community without continued support. There is a separately registered school on site.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspectors only inspected the social care provision.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2018.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to address specific concerns or allegations received Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of the inspection, there were 11 children living at the home, of whom four children contributed to the inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Although children are able to raise complaints, they have felt that their complaints are not listened to. This has resulted in children escalating their concerns outside the home. These concerns have been reviewed at this inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Children are clearly supported to raise their concerns. There are a number of complaints that have been investigated by the manager. Several of the children’s complaints are upheld, with a clear outcome and actions for staff. Anything that has a safeguarding element is reported to Ofsted and the local authority designated officer. Parents and social workers are kept informed and updated.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have reviewed risk management plans, which now contain accurate and detailed guidance for staff to follow. Leaders and managers have reviewed recent incidents with children to create up-to-date risk reduction strategies. These strategies are responsive to children’s level of risk and needs. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1257796 2 Staff use physical interventions proportionately and as a last resort to support children’s safety. Leaders and managers ensure that children are given ample opportunities to share their views following these incidents. Leaders and managers have recently improved their review of incidents with staff. This provides a better system for monitoring, reviewing and identifying learning from these interventions.

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This monitoring visit

There are several instances when staff have responded to risks for children safely and in accordance with their plans. However, on two occasions, there was a delay in staff seeking appropriate medical attention. for children. Leaders and managers promptly identified the delays and took the appropriate action necessary. This did not lead to increased harm for children. However, staff’s failure to follow the agreed strategies increases the potential for children to be at risk of further harm.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers respond to allegations made by children against staff, in line with safeguarding procedures. This includes making referrals to the local authority designated officer and conducting thorough and objective investigations. However, on one occasion, staff did not report an allegation made by a child for two days. This meant that there was a delay in protective measures and external oversight being put in place. This increases the risk to children and staff. Leaders and managers identified this poor practice and addressed the delays with the staff members concerned.

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This monitoring visit

There are two recommendations that have not been reviewed as part of this visit and will be reviewed at the next inspection. The requirement was made at the last inspection and has been restated.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/04/2024 Full Good 16/01/2024 Full Good 13/12/2022 Full Good 20/04/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1257796 3

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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 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 requires the registered person to ensure—

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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

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(1)(a)(iii)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

staff must be consistently aware of their safeguarding responsibilities and follow the agreed risk assessment strategies to reduce risks to children;

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Requirement Due date

staff must ensure that medical attention is sought promptly for children when this is required. Staff records must clearly demonstrate when medical attention is obtained.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 30 October 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should sustain effective working relationships with each child’s placing authority and with other relevant persons. In particular, ensure that good levels of communication with the wider network of support for children are consistently maintained. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.3) Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1257796 4  The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs. In particular, they should ensure that all staff attend training in the ‘Prevent’ duty and child criminal exploitation. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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: 1257796 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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Inspectors

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Mark Anderton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1257796 6 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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