Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 1 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a large private organisation. It provides care within a therapeutic environment for up to four children with a range of emotional and social needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2024.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 12 September 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/09/2023 Full Outstanding 15/11/2022 Full Outstanding 19/10/2021 Full Good 28/11/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home. Since the last inspection, five children have moved out in a planned way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children who have moved on have done so with careful and extensive planning. One child, aged 18, stayed on at the home to finish his A levels. The child gained an apprenticeship role and now lives in their own home. They continue to be in regular contact with the staff. Managers and staff continue to support and celebrate their exceptional progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One child who has moved on to live independently left behind a model car they built while living at the home. It sits proudly in the living room. They left it to be reassured that staff continue to hold them ‘in mind’. This replicates the ethos of the home. This continuation of strong relationships is an ongoing support network for the child, allowing them to feel safe and cared for.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is extremely warm and welcoming. The children have been highly creative in personalising their bedrooms. One child was overjoyed to have staff’s help to upcycle her bedroom furniture and create a fresh look.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Playfulness is at the core of the home’s therapeutic model. The staff are imaginative and innovative with play. On occasion, a court room is set up as role play. Children are encouraged to share their arguments, to listen respectfully to each other, understand the other perspective, empathise, and finally, come to an agreement. The children’s voices are heard, and decisions are made fairly. The children relish developing these essential life skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Managers and staff fully understand and actively support the children’s education. Two children have been supported to remain at their original schools, which has provided continuity and stability. A teacher said, ‘Since [child’s name] has been at this home, they have been more organised and positive and have made good academic progress.’ Two children have been away from education for a prolonged period. Managers have advocated for the children persistently, to establish appropriate education provisions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff are proactive in organising family time in line with children’s care plans. One child was supported to visit family members on the other side of the country during a three- day trip with the staff. This visit was fundamental to develop the child’s positive family relationships and initiate a move back to their local area.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children say and show through their behaviour that they feel cared for and safe with the staff. A parent shared that after living in the home for a short time, their child, who was withdrawn and unhappy was now confident, relaxed and smiling again. Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 4

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

Children know how to make a complaint. When a child raises a complaint, the manager communicates well with the child while taking appropriate actions. This reinforces the solid and trusting relationships between staff, managers and children.

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

Staff are confident in how to respond when a child goes missing from home. One child has had prolonged periods away from the home. Managers and staff have followed the extensive missing-from-home protocol. By communicating effectively with multiple agencies, they worked together to encourage their safe return. On occasions when agency support has not been forthcoming following these events, the manager has been steadfast and innovative in order to ensure the child can access the independent support needed.

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

Staff manage children’s behaviour extremely well. The manager has excellent oversight of any consequences. She reviews these reflectively and speaks to children about them. Staff use a reward and incentive system to encourage positive behaviour.

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

Alongside planned, wide-ranging key-worker discussions, staff have spontaneous reflective conversations with the children. These increase the child’s understanding of their personal safety.

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

The manager has excellent oversight regarding risks at the home. She takes a proactive approach and ensures that all plans used to manage and mitigate risk are regularly reviewed. As a result, children are supported effectively in line with their plans and are being helped to stay safe.

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

Staff fully understand the signs of criminal exploitation. One child’s risks were escalating. Managers worked proactively with other agencies to develop a plan to minimise the risks to him and his peers. This imaginative plan gave children regular access to a music studio to record their own music. The child went clothes shopping and was supported to create a music video. Having shared interests with friends gives children a new focus and an opportunity to build their confidence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is an inspirational leader. She knows and understands the children extremely well. She has high expectations for children’s progress and achievements, as well as high expectations for staff’s practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager uses innovative approaches to ensure that staff meet children’s needs. Creative resources help children to manage their emotions during challenging meetings or when talking about the issues that they face. This further strengthens the relationships that children have with staff. This encourages children to be receptive to accepting guidance and advice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 5 Staff receive regular supervision sessions. They have plenty of opportunities to discuss and reflect on their care of the children. Specific supervision with the manager is provided following any learning experiences. This gives staff purposeful and continued professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers are dedicated to keeping the children safe and meeting their individual needs. The manager sources appropriate and relevant training. This provides staff with the knowledge and skills to confidently care for and safeguard the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has established strong relationships with partner agencies. She escalates her concerns to ensure that children receive the right services when required. One social worker said, ‘I have worked with many children’s homes and this home stands out. The way they advocate for the children is brilliant. The open and honest communication they have had with me is something I would really like to highlight.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff said that they love working at the home. They feel supported, empowered and united by the manager and leaders. One staff member said, ‘The team all bounce off each other. It is a happy home, joyous and bubbly every day.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 6

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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: 2544803 7

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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

Sarah Cooper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2544803 8 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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