Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Halton

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC456964 1 SC456964

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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

The home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2024.

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Inspection date: 6 January 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 6 January 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456964 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has moved out, and one child has moved in since the last inspection. The move into the home was managed in a child-centred way. The needs and preferences of the child already living in the home were considered before another child moved in. The child is forming good relationships with staff and is making progress, particularly in their education.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s views, feelings and wishes are taken into account. Children know how to make a complaint, and the manager ensures that children are informed of the outcome of any complaint.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children’s health and well-being. One child is currently refusing medication for their health condition. However, the manager is working with health professionals to help the child to understand the importance of taking care of their own health.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is a welcoming environment. Children have been able to personalise their bedrooms by choosing wallpaper and furnishings. The light switch in the bathroom has now been changed so that all children are able to access it.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are supported to spend time with those who are important to them. The manager works with children and professionals to balance children’s need for independence and social interaction with effective safeguarding measures. There are comprehensive risk management plans in place that support staff to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a significant reduction of instances of children going missing from home. Staff follow established missing-from-home protocols. Staff actively search for children and ensure that they are collected when they are ready to return. The manager ensures that return home interviews are completed by a person independent of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a stable core staff team that is growing in confidence and ability. Staff are committed to achieving positive outcomes for children. However, there are still several different staff members being used from other homes to support staffing arrangements. This means that children are not always cared for by a consistent staff team.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff report feeling well supported by managers and colleagues. Team meetings and staff supervision sessions are carried out regularly. They are of good quality and are used as an opportunity for reflection and to enhance staff practice. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456964 3 The registered manager is suitably experienced. She has introduced more effective monitoring systems to maintain a comprehensive overview of the home and the progress of the children. The manager has high expectations and aspirations for the children and leads by example. The manager engages with other professionals and agencies to ensure that the children’s needs are met.

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Findings from the inspection

Most of the requirements raised at the last inspection have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456964 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/08/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/02/2024 Full Good 06/12/2022 Full Good 08/03/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456964 5

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Statutory requirement

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 registered person must ensure that the employment of any person on a temporary basis at the children’s home does not prevent children from receiving such continuity of care as is reasonable to meet their needs. (Regulation 31 (1))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that there is a consistent team of staff who are suitably skilled and experienced to care for the children in their care.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 7 March 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456964 6

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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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Inspector

Eve Ostridge, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456964 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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