Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Tameside

Inspection report for children’s home: SC430239 1 SC430239 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a large private company. The home provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home does not have a registered manager.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There were three children living at the home at the time of this inspection. All three children spoke to the inspectors.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Inspectors were aware during this inspection that serious child protection allegations were being investigated by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate allegations of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the allegations were considered (where appropriate) alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform inspectors’ judgements.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 22 October 2024

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC430239 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/10/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/11/2023 Full Good 27/07/2022 Full Good 08/12/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC430239 3

p.2

improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, no children have moved in or out of the home. This has provided children with a level of stability. However, shortfalls in staff practice and management oversight mean that the voice of the child is not always heard or acted on.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children are aware of the complaints process. Children now feel able to vocalise their feelings about the quality of care that they receive. Actions have been identified by the manager to support the children when they raise a concern. However, these agreed actions are not always shared with the children to help them understand any changes in staff practice.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children find it difficult to engage in formal learning. Staff incentivise learning to support children’s attendance. Staff explore barriers to learning with children and seek to resolve these. Children are encouraged with their future career aspirations.

p.3

improvement to be good

There are plans in place to ensure that children remain connected to those who are important to them. Children’s family time plans have progressed in line with their needs and age. Children are also encouraged to spend time with their friends, where this is assessed as safe and appropriate.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children are not supported to understand the health risks of vaping. All children have access to vapes in the home. When staff speak to children about this, the discussion is not supporting children to understand the risks. Additionally, the importance of children seeking appropriate support in respect of physical or emotional health is not discussed with children.

p.3

improvement to be good

Children participate in activities with staff. Two children attended a festival with staff, one child said, ‘We had the time of our lives.’ One child has also enjoyed a summer holiday with staff. However, children say that they would like more opportunities to spend quality time with the adults caring for them.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff are aware of children’s risks and vulnerabilities. There is a consistent core team of staff who know the children well. However, poor communication and delays in an ongoing investigation have reduced children’s sense of trust. A social worker said, ‘Despite children having a positive relationship with staff, children do not always feel that they are listened to.’

p.3

improvement to be good

When one child made allegations, the manager ensured that consultations were held with the local authority designated officer. Safeguards were implemented, but the Inspection report for children’s home: SC430239 4 effectiveness of these measures has not been thoroughly assessed. This does not ensure that the child’s safety is prioritised.

p.3

improvement to be good

Staff seek additional support from the provider’s in-house clinical team when there is an identified need for children. For one child, staff accessed this clinical support to help them to further understand the child’s emotional support needs.

p.4

improvement to be good

There have been two occasions when staff have used a guide to support a child. However, these were not recorded as physical interventions. This is a missed opportunity to reflect on staff practice and to identify effective strategies to support children when they are upset.

p.4

improvement to be good

When children are out in the community with friends, they remain in contact with staff. Staff are aware of the procedures to follow if a child is missing from home.

p.4

improvement to be good

Staff have a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and know who to report safeguarding concerns to. Additionally, recruitment checks are carried out to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager has been in post for a short period of time. The changes in the management structure have impacted on the quality of care that children receive. The manager is aware of the shortfalls within the home and is dedicated to improving the quality of care for the children. One social worker said, ‘They look after the children and want to fix the issues in the home.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Team meetings and supervision are held regularly. This provides staff with an opportunity to reflect on their practice.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff say that there is an increased management presence in the home. However, they did say that it would be helpful to have additional support throughout the ongoing safeguarding investigation. It is reported that safeguarding incidents have contributed to staff absences, which in turn have affected the consistency of care provided to children. To address this, the manager has arranged for a small group of staff from other homes within the organisation to work alongside core staff members, helping to maintain continuity of care for the children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The manager has ensured that the members of the staff team have completed additional training to meet children’s needs. However, some staff have training that has expired, and this has not been refreshed in the agreed timescales. This does not ensure that staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to support their daily care practice. Inspection report for children’s home: SC430239 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.5

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(vi)(vii)(b))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that additional safeguards and support are implemented to ensure the children’s safety following allegations. 23 October 2025

p.5

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—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 23 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: SC430239 6 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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.6

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

p.6

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h)(h))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must have oversight of the day-to-day management of the home.

p.6

Requirement Due date

Furthermore, the registered person must ensure that staff have the appropriate and necessary training required to meet children’s needs.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that they have oversight of incidents and reflect on how to improve the quality of care for children.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

p.6

Requirement Due date

engage with them; and 23 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: SC430239 7 take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child to express views, wishes and feelings;

p.7

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home’s care; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

is given appropriate advocacy support. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(iv)(b)(i))

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children feel heard. Additionally, the registered person must ensure that the methods used to capture children’s wishes and feelings are undertaken in a meaningful way.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

that staff help each child to— 23 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: SC430239 8 achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

p.7

Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

p.8

Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

p.8

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)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(c))

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children understand the health risks related to vaping.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children are supported to understand the importance of accessing support in respect of their physical and emotional health.

p.8

Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

p.8

Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

p.8

Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

p.8

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

p.8

Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

p.8

Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

p.8

Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and 23 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: SC430239 9 a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

p.8

Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

p.9

Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

p.9

Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure.

p.9

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that physical intervention is recorded appropriately.

p.9

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: SC430239 10

p.9

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

p.10

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 4th Floor, Parkview, 82 Oxford Road, Uxbridge UB8 1UX

p.10

Inspectors

Kitty Wiper, Social Care Inspector Shauna Morley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC430239 11 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.

p.10

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.11

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.11

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.11