Children's Home run by Cambridgeshire County Council in Cambridgeshire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2603668 1 Registered provider: Cambridgeshire County Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This local authority home provides care for up to four children with learning and/or physical disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

The registered manager left in October 2024. A new manager was appointed in November 2024 and has not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children's home

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: 2603668 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

At the time of the inspection, there were three children living at the home. No children had moved in or out of the home since the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been no registered manager for more than four months. A manager has been appointed. They have not yet applied to register with Ofsted. The manager has previously been the home’s manager and has the relevant experience.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has started to make progress in addressing some of the previous concerns raised. However, at the time of the inspection, some of the issues remined unaddressed. Unchecked this could lead to a further decline in the effectiveness of leadership and management.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have met two of the five requirements raised at the last inspection. However, three of these requirements have been restated. Additionally, three new requirements have been raised. These include the quality of the environment and the assessment of homes location, which continues to lack information from external agencies. The previous shortfalls regarding internal investigations and complaints could not be tested at this inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have regular supervision sessions. They said that the manager is approachable and making improvements to the home. Staff said that a team day has really helped improve team morale.

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Findings from the inspection

A social worker and parent are happy with the care provided and the progress children are making. Children were observed to be happy to see staff and relaxed in their company.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff ensure that any marks and bruising are recorded and regularly reviewed. The record is sent promptly to social workers.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has a health diagnosis that requires specialist health oversight. A need for specialist input was identified in 2022. The child has not had access to this. The provider had not booked an appointment despite appointments being available. In addition, guidance for staff to manage this need is minimal.

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Findings from the inspection

Risk assessments and behaviour plans were up to date and give good guidance for staff. However, children’s care plans do not include important information regarding their culture, education or aspirations. The plans do not help staff to understand the children’s individual needs. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2603668 3 The home continues to require decorating and cleaning. This shortfall was identified at the last three inspections and remains unaddressed. The manager has requested quotes for the work. However, redecoration has not started.

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Findings from the inspection

The providers annual review of the suitability of the premises and location of the home still does not include feedback from others. This lack of consultation limits the providers understanding of the benefits and risks of the location.

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Findings from the inspection

Two of the children enjoy a good range of activities. One child has recently been on holiday. However, one child is not taking part in enough activities in the community. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2603668 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 31/01/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/05/2022 Full Good 08/02/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2603668 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, 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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that each child is registered as a patient with a general medical practitioner and a registered dental practitioner; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(c)) 5 April 2025

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; 5 May 2025 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2603668 6 use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(h))

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Requirement Due date

ensure that risk assessments are followed and recommendations from investigations are completed.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that investigations look at the wider context to identify areas for improvement.

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Requirement Due date

provide families with formal outcomes following any complaints.

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children's needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the home is cleaned and decorated to a good standard.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 5 May 2025

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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; 5 May 2025 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2603668 7 use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular the manager must ensure care plans include all relevant information and are individualised.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children's home at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard).

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Requirement Due date

When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46 (1) (2)) 5 May 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all children have regular opportunities to engage in activities in the community. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 31, paragraph 6.5) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2603668 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambridgeshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sunley House, Summers Hill Drive, Papworth Everard, Cambridge CB23 3AB

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2603668 9 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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