Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2649772 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

A private national provider owns this home. The home provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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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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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: 2649772 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/07/2023 Full Good 26/05/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2649772 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, there were three children living at the home. The children all took part in the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a spacious detached home in a quiet residential area close to local amenities. The ground floor is open plan and light and looks out over a well-kept garden. An ongoing development plan ensures that rooms are refurbished as needed. There is ample room for children to relax and eat together. The children appreciate the well- appointed house, that is clean and comfortable.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since moving to the home, children have benefited from increased stability and better routines. Children all attend school or college. There are some barriers to children’s attendance, however, the staff are tenacious and persistent in helping children to overcome these. Part-time timetables have helped reintroduce children to learning when they have had gaps in their education. Children are offered online learning and alternative education provision. Children who are at college are given support to follow vocational courses that support their potential career choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff have training and support that equips them to help children with low mood and mental health concerns. The staff use the clinical consultancy team for additional advice. The organisation’s registered mental health nurse gives staff guidance and support. Combined with their training in self-harm, this helps staff to manage concerns in a helpful and supportive way. The nurse knows the children’s backgrounds and supports staff to understand neurodiversity, anxiety and past trauma.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff have developed strong relationships with children, based on trust. They use playful rapport and humour that works well. Children like staff and enjoy spending time with them. They benefit from lots of one-to-one time. The staff provide planned individual sessions that support children’s physical and emotional well-being. The staff help children to contribute to and understand any decisions about their care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has a keen interest in meal planning and strength training. Children keep their bedrooms clean, prepare meals, do laundry and help with food shopping. These domestic chores are good preparation for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some children smoke and use vapes. There is no evidence of good cessation support or any clear rules about children vaping at the home. This is not good for children’s health or positive role modelling for younger children.

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

The staff understand the children’s vulnerabilities and are proactive in reducing associated risks. The staff use guidance outlined in combined risk and behaviour Inspection report for children's home: 2649772 4 management plans. These plans are up to date and include recent events. This helps to provide a current profile that supports staff to minimise risk and keep children safe.

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

The staff very rarely use physical interventions. There have been no incidents of bullying or children going missing from home.

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

The police were called recently following staff’s unsuccessful attempts to de-escalate a situation. This has not resulted in any criminal charges. This followed an unsettled period for one child.

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

The staff are trained in safeguarding. They are confident in how to manage concerns. There is clear delegated authority about the management and escalation of safeguarding concerns.

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

The home is managed well to provide a safe and well-maintained house. The manager has good knowledge of the local area, and the staff have in-depth knowledge of the town and surrounding areas. This helps staff to give children freedom and independence in line with their ages and ability to recognise danger.

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

Staff reinforce children’s positive behaviours and celebrate their efforts. They use rewards and occasional consequences. However, staff have not used enough sensible or logical consequences to help children learn from their mistakes. Despite several dangerous incidents in the car, the staff continue to drive children. While the manager has not always agreed with some consequences, this has been noted afterwards and has not influenced the consequence used. Therefore, clear guidance is needed to provide a consistent approach that will help children to learn from their mistakes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a level 5 qualification. He has a clear focus on providing children with experiences that help them to feel secure and cared for. This is based on positive relationships. This approach is understood by the staff team. The children have confidence in the manager and the staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff are a relatively new team. They are working together to improve consistency and stability. The manager does not use temporary staff. Vacancies are covered by the team so that children know the staff caring for them. This has helped children to build strong connections and feel secure.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is high. There is good emphasis on staff well-being. The staff share the manager’s vision and follow the ethos described in the statement of purpose. Staff are upbeat and energetic in their approach. They have shown resilience through some difficult periods and work well together to help children get through unsettled periods.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff benefit from regular supervision sessions. These focus on how best to meet children’s needs. The manager challenges and supports staff when practice concerns are identified. Inspection report for children's home: 2649772 5 The staff have recently had refresher training on the model of care. Staff have successfully built positive relationships with the children based on humour, children’s interests and respect. Children are valued as individuals. Their views are regularly sought and reflected throughout the home. Children contribute to meal planning, shopping and house decor and choose leisure equipment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from external professionals and parents is very positive. Despite conflicting feelings, parents fully recognise the difference living at the home has made to children’s lives. Social workers are positive about the quality of care and the communication with the staff team. However, one child has belongings that have not been collected from their home some distance away. The manager has not addressed this consistently with the local authority social worker. There have been several changes in social worker, causing the child increasing frustration and worries about seeing their family and understanding their future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is reflective and open to constructive criticism. He is aware that the quality of records could improve. Some records have been overwritten and include details that are not relevant to the child or the home The manager is aware of the shortfalls raised at the last inspection and understands these have not been fully addressed because consequences continue to lack any restorative value. Although these are seldom used, this fails to help children understand the impact of their actions. Inspection report for children's home: 2649772 6

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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

The leadership and management standard are 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

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

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)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

create guidance and risk-reduction strategies in relation to appropriate boundaries and cessation support for children who smoke and vape;

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Requirement Due date

review the approach of imposing consequences and ensure that the manager’s oversight provides assurance that these measures are justified and effective;

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Requirement Due date

review and monitor records to ensure these are accurate, written clearly and do not use institutional terms; 30 April 2025 Inspection report for children's home: 2649772 7 ensure that arrangements are made to collect items belonging to children.

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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: 2649772 8

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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

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2649772 9 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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