Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Plymouth

Inspection report for children’s home: SC471058 1 SC471058 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 children’s home provides care for one child who may have social and emotional difficulties or learning disabilities. At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home.

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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 good

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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: 28 October 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC471058 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/10/2024 Full Good 09/01/2024 Full Good 25/04/2022 Full Good 10/01/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC471058 3

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outstanding

The child who lives at the home was present for this inspection and spoken to. The inspector spent time looking at what the child is proud of in their home, including their spring flowers, toys and home decorations. The child spent time with the inspector watering their plants, playing with their toys and enjoying lunch.

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outstanding

The child in this home is loved and nurtured by the staff. The care they receive is consistent and has enabled them to make sustained and consistent progress in their life. The child’s progress in such a short amount of time from their starting point has been exceptional, especially in the context of their complex needs.

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outstanding

In a short space of time, staff have worked consistently and in line with a clear model of care to support them to manage the trauma the child has experienced. This progress has meant the child is able to move on to achieve permanence. The proactive approach by staff has meant the child has not become reliant on staff to meet their needs and is able to progress in their lives to a new, more suitable care arrangement.

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outstanding

The child is making educational progress. The time they spend in a formal education setting has increased, and they have good attendance. The home has been aspirational for the child and their schooling. Effective liaison with the child’s school has ensured there is the right educational activity in place and that other professionals all share the home’s ambitions for the child. The home has secured additional support for the child’s education. This has led to a greater understanding of their needs for the child to promote best outcomes.

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

The manager has ensured that effective plans are in place in relation to risk management. Important guidance for staff is updated regularly and helps staff to understand how to keep the child safe.

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

The child’s experience of living in the home has enhanced their life chances. Sustained change has been seen regarding the child’s emotional well-being, their ability to manage difficult emotions and their relationships with important people in their lives, including peers. The staff have supported the child to trust them, and in turn, the child is calm and settled.

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

Investigations into practice concerns are shared with the appropriate agencies and handled quickly and safely. There are effective links with the local authority and local authority designated officer to ensure that effective management of practice Inspection report for children’s home: SC471058 4 concerns takes place. This strong communication has also led to specific training for staff and an improvement in overall practice.

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

Restrictive practices are used in the home. The risk assessments in place in relation to the child’s bedroom window restrictor and locking away sharp kitchen knives are in place. The child is aware of all the restrictions. However, the use of them was not fully discussed with the child, and there has not been regular reviews of their use in line with the child’s progress.

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

Staff know the processes and procedures for responding to issues of concern around the safety of the child. Staff know they need to follow this up quickly, report any concerns to management and record in detail what they witnessed. Not all staff were able to recall the external agencies that need to be made aware of practice concerns concerning a member of staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager of this home is inspirational to his staff team. He is confident in his approaches and ambitious for the child in his care. The manager has driven a model of care that he identified to meet the needs of the child. He has created a culture of positivity and a belief in the child’s own ability to make and sustain change. The manager’s influence on the staff and child has changed the life of the child in his care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager models care and practice to support the team to achieve the high standards he prescribes to. He has evidenced sustained improvement in the staff skills, which has then enabled the child to make significant progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager regularly reviews the quality of care provided by the staff and monitors the running of the home effectively. He has sought to learn from the child and the staff to improve the experiences of everyone in the home. His ability to be curious about what is happening in the child’s life has seen an incredible impact. He has driven the progress in the home and has motivated his staff team to commit to caring for the child, with a clear focus on plans and outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervision is regular and effective. It focuses on the child’s needs, how staff are meeting them and staff development, and it is recorded effectively. Team meetings are held to develop staff practice and share knowledge. They include an overview of the child, and the staff are given space to explore the impact of the work on their own well-being. Clinical meetings and consultations complement the work the team is doing which helps them to care effectively for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has ensured that the physical environment of the home is cosy and homely. There is very little evidence it is not an average family home. The child’s room is bright and vibrant, reflecting who the child is. The home has aspects of the child in each room, including photos, artwork, toys and stickers. Inspection report for children’s home: SC471058 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

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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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

ascertain and consider each child’s views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child’s best interests when making decisions about the child’s care and welfare;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child’s views, wishes and feelings have been taken into account and give the child reasons for decisions in relation to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how the child’s privacy will be respected and the circumstances when it may have to be limited;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to prepare for any review of the child’s relevant plans and to make the child’s views, wishes and feelings known for the purposes of that review. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the child’s views around restrictions on the physical setting of the home are gathered regularly as part of the home’s review process. 22 July 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: SC471058 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all staff are aware of the internal and external procedures in place to protect children from abuse or neglect. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 44, paragraphs 9.19, 9.21 and 9.22)

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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: SC471058 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: 5th Floor, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nicola McClements

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Inspector

Hannah Spencer-Townesend, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC471058 8 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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