Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC483856 1 SC483856 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and provides care for up to five children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

An experienced manager is providing cover in the registered manager’s absence. He has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

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

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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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.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: A monitoring visit was carried out on 9 September 2025 to monitor two compliance notices issued under regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and regulation 13 (the leadership and management Inspection report for children’s home: SC483856 2 standard). Following this visit, Ofsted concluded that the actions outlined in the notices had been met. Inspection report for children’s home: SC483856 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/07/2025 Full Inadequate 25/06/2024 Full Good 03/10/2023 Full Good 02/03/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC483856 4

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improvement to be good

As part of the inspection, the inspector spoke with both children.

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improvement to be good

The home environment is welcoming. Children are consulted about decisions made about their home. This provides them with a sense of belonging. However, cleaning routines and general maintenance are not sufficient in the bathrooms of the property. This means that the environment is not maintained to an acceptable standard.

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improvement to be good

Children have developed positive relationships with staff. Children say they like the staff and would talk to them if they had any issues. A social worker said, ‘Relationships with staff are a lot better; [name of child] feels comfortable at home.’

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improvement to be good

Children have education plans in place. The manager seeks a multi-agency response when children face barriers to attending school. A teacher said, ‘Staff clearly have a lot of respect for [name of child] and appear to have their best interests at heart.’

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improvement to be good

Staff can identify signs when children feel upset, such as by noting changes in music choices for one child. Staff explore coping strategies, such as self-soothe boxes and scrapbooking. However, medical advice or external support for children’s emotional well- being are not consistently sought. As a result, children do not always have access to the specialist support they need.

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improvement to be good

Staff ensure that children see their family in line with their plans. A social worker said, ‘Staff go out of their way to support [name of child] with seeing family.’ Additionally, children are supported in making and maintaining positive friendships. When staff have concerns about friendships, they are explored with professionals and risk-reduction measures are agreed.

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improvement to be good

Staff do not consistently follow the plans and protocols implemented to ensure children’s safety. For example, on one occasion, staff did not search a child’s bedroom to remove any hazardous items following an incident of self-harm. The manager identified this shortfall the following day and addressed it appropriately.

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improvement to be good

Staff are aware of what action to take when a child is missing from home. There has been one occasion when a child’s whereabouts were unknown. However, staff responded promptly and proactively. Staff remained on shift to support the efforts to locate the child as quickly as possible. Inspection report for children’s home: SC483856 5 The use of consequences is minimal. However, when used, they are not always restorative in nature. On one occasion, a consequence was implemented following a child being upset and displaying this through their behaviour. This demonstrates that staff do not fully understand that behaviour is a form of communication and should be addressed with empathy and support rather than punitive measures.

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improvement to be good

When concerns about online safety arise, risk reduction measures are implemented. Staff and the manager speak to children about these risks. Children say they understand the reasons for restrictions or measures. These safeguarding measures are reviewed regularly with children’s social work teams.

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improvement to be good

Although safer recruitment procedures are in place, concerns about staff suitability are not always fully explored. This failure compromises the manager’s ability to ensure that individuals are suitable to work with children, placing children at potential risk of harm. Additionally, staff personnel files should always be accessible to maintain transparency and accountability.

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

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced. He is supported by a deputy manager. Together, they are committed to improving the quality of the care children receive. Staff report feeling supported by the management team and state that the quality of care for children is improving. One professional said, ‘[Name of manager] listens and puts things in place.’

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

Upskilling staff has been prioritised since the last inspection. The manager ensures that staff attend specific training to address shortfalls in practice. This has begun to equip staff with the appropriate knowledge and skills to meet children’s needs. However, this learning is not yet fully embedded into staff practice.

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

Staff receive regular supervision in line with the home’s statement of purpose. These sessions are generally supportive. However, reflective practice is not fully embedded, limiting opportunities to critically evaluate and improve their work. Monthly team meetings are well attended and offer staff clear direction. The clinical team often attends, sharing useful resources and discussing strategies and approaches to support staff in working effectively with individual children.

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

Leaders and managers have implemented new monitoring systems alongside additional layers of oversight. This helps the manager to have better oversight of shortfalls in staff practice and allows for these to be addressed in a timely manner.

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

When significant incidents occur, the manager notifies the local authority and parents where appropriate. However, a clear system is not in place to ensure that the regulator is notified. This limits the regulator’s oversight and prevents full transparency. Inspection report for children’s home: SC483856 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

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;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; and

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff follow children’s relevant plans and take effective action following incidents of self-harm. 24 January 2026

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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.

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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 staff help each child to— 24 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC483856 7 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;

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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) (2)(a)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff outline the health risks associated with vaping to children.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children are referred to healthcare professionals when there is a recognised health need.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home;

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a) (3)(a)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that they take the necessary steps to assure themselves that staff are of integrity and good character.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that recruitment files are accessible and information can be obtained when required from human resources departments. 24 January 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; 24 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC483856 8 an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child —

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter; and

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Requirement Due date

must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e) (5)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This relates specifically to the registered manager ensuring that all serious incidents are reported to the regulator.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any consequences used to address poor behaviour are restorative in nature to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them, and the wider community. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)  The registered person should ensure that children are provided with a welcoming and homely domestic environment. This specifically relates to ensuring that bathrooms are well maintained and clean. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children’s home: SC483856 9

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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: SC483856 10

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Kitty Wiper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC483856 11 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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