Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Somerset

Inspection report for children's home: 2643362 1 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to care for one child with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

In July 2024, the child who was living here moved along with the staff team and manager to live in another home operated by the same provider. Another child and their staff team and manager moved in to live in this home in August 2024.

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Information about this children's home

The current manager has not yet submitted their application to register with Ofsted. The previous manager was registered and formed part of this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2643362 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/07/2023 Full Good 31/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/04/2022 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home: 2643362 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive good quality care and are loved and understood by their carers and the managers. Children report that they like living in the home and benefit from being the only child that lives here.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staffing is consistent and this has supported the development of children’s progress. Children value this consistency of care from adults who know and understand them well. The relationships that children have with their carers are valued and nurtured. This supports them with their emotional development and well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm, welcoming and decorated to a high standard. It is personalised throughout, with photos of the child in every room. The child currently living in the home recently moved here with their staff team, and it is clear they have been involved in making the new home their own.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive experiences in the home that help them to progress with their education. One child previously did not attend school and now has received a certificate for 99% attendance. This is supporting their attainment, well-being and educational achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Carers support children to gather and document meaningful memories and help them to remember key events that are important to them. Care planning is individualised and focuses on children’s emotional well-being, in addition to practical support needs. There is planning in place to support children’s independence. In one child’s case, this could be undertaken in a more time-sensitive way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Recording is reflective of the children’s daily experiences. Children’s views are heard and listened to, and children are involved in decision-making within the home. When children raise complaints, they are dealt with appropriately. This supports children to feel valued and heard.

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

Children are kept safe in the home. Carers and managers have a robust response to children going missing from the home and use different tactics to ensure the child returns home safely. Carers are creative and proactive in their approach to disrupting missing episodes.

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

Concerns raised about staff practice are taken seriously and dealt with appropriately by senior managers. Investigations take place quickly and are comprehensive. There is effective partnership with multi-agencies when concerns are raised, and appropriate action is taken when necessary. Inspection report for children's home: 2643362 4 Carers and managers understand the risks and vulnerabilities for children. The carers and manager who previously worked in the home, managed particularly complex and high levels of risk in an effective manner.

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

Restraint is not used in the home. Carers support children’s behaviour using a therapeutic approach. They understand when children feel anxious or upset and provide nurturing, supportive care.

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

There is planning in place to support one child in understanding risks around online safety and mobile phone use. More robust and clear plans for this would be beneficial in supporting carers with this matter.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been two different managers, staff teams and children in this home since the last inspection. There is effective management and oversight, which means that senior leaders accurately understand the home and the children who live there.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and carers make appropriate challenge to multi-agencies when there are concerns about practice, and they successfully advocate on behalf of the children. They understand the needs of the children and take action to ensure that they meet these needs. One child stated that the manager was ‘the best they have ever had’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Concerns about staff practice and complaints are managed effectively. However, complaint records do not consistently include details of the actual complaint, documenting the outcomes only.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staffing levels are sufficient and agency staff are not used, which supports consistency of care for children. Recruitment follows safer care principles. The training and support that carers receive provides them with the skills to meet children’s needs effectively. When concerns are identified about staff performance, these are appropriately addressed and monitored. This ensures that children receive good-quality care. Inspection report for children's home: 2643362 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, 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

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that complaints made are recorded from the start of the process and not just the outcome. 1 October 2024

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Recommendations

 Staff and the registered person should support children to be aware of and manage their own safety both inside and outside the home, including in respect of the child's online world and mobile phone use. Staff should help children to understand how to protect themselves, feel protected and be protected from significant harm. In particular, planning around supporting safe mobile phone use should be specific to the potential concerns, robust and clear so staff understand potential areas of concern to look out for. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 43, paragraph 9.9)

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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: 2643362 6

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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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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Cera Pudney (proposed RI)

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Inspectors

Helen Cushnie, Social Care Inspector Paula Lahey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2643362 7 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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