Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Plymouth

Inspection report for children’s home: 2511289 1 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Registered provider: Cambian Childcare LTD Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned by a national private provider. It provides care for up to two children who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2024 and was present during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Staff in the home are referred to as adults. This is reflected in the report.

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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: good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2511289 2 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/01/2025 Full Good 07/11/2023 Full Good 18/08/2022 Full Good 30/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2511289 3 OFSTED USE ONLY

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improvement to be good

One child has moved into the home, and two children have moved on from the home since the previous inspection. The two children that have moved on from the home made some excellent progress. They were supported to develop their physical and emotional independence well. One child with complex medical needs was supported to be able to enjoy an adventure holiday. Another child told the inspector how ‘amazing’ their time at the home was and how much they like the staff team.

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improvement to be good

The team are committed to the child currently living in the home. and want to provide a high standard of care. The child has only lived at the home for six weeks and the team are still getting to know the child. However, adults lack the skills and experience to meet this child’s current needs. Adults have not consistently used the same Makaton signs with communicating with the child, which is confusing for them. Personal care routines lack a clear and consistent approach. The child’s needs were outlined clearly before they moved in. Insufficient training was provided to ensure that the team could meet this child’s complex needs adequately.

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improvement to be good

Adults have locked away or removed items from the home to keep the child safe. This means that the home is sparse and not homely. Repairs have not been made in a timely way. Managers recognise the need for improvements in this area. They advise that restrictions are temporary while the child settles into the home.

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improvement to be good

Adults understood the complex physical health needs of one child who has moved out. Clear guidance was provided to the team to ensure that the child’s needs were met. Adults supported another child to take responsibility for their own health needs. They encouraged the child them to make their own health appointments, for example. This has enabled the child to move on independently and continue this skill into adulthood. Referrals to health services are made quickly, enabling children to access the health care that they need.

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improvement to be good

Adults are not consistently monitoring the current child’s health needs. Adults attempt to record personal care provided but gaps in the recording mean that this does not provide a clear picture of what is happening. There is no oversight of what the information means so patterns and trends are not being fully understood by the adults. This does not help the team to provide the care or support the child needs.

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improvement to be good

Moves on from the home are carefully planned and both children were supported with the changes well. Adults had close working relationships with the children’s family members, which positively supported these moves. Moves into the home have also been carefully considered. The adults spent a two-week period with the current child before they moved in. However, specific training was not provided to the team so that they had the skills to support the child when they arrived. Inspection report for children’s home: 2511289 4 OFSTED USE ONLY

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improvement to be good

The adults have developed creative ways to ensure that children understand their day- to-day experiences. For example, daily video messages were made by the adults for one child to capture the day’s events in a meaningful way.

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improvement to be good

Significant incidents where adults have been hurt and property has been damaged have meant the home has been in a period of crisis. Adults do not know how to communicate with the current child. Some adults have used incorrect Makaton signs, which is causing confusion and frustration for the child. Adults have responded by removing or restricting access or items or locking rooms. Immediate risks are responded to but there is no clear plan on how to move this forward. Managers recognise this is not the care they want to provide.

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improvement to be good

The lack of monitoring and reviewing of practice means that opportunities to understand risks are missed. Indications in one record suggested the child had small bruises. It was not clear how these were caused and this was not followed up properly.

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improvement to be good

Incidents of physical interventions are for short periods and are proportionate. Management oversight focuses on what has happened for the child. Conversations with the child and adults have not taken place afterwards. No attempts have been made to understand the child’s perspective by observing them or talking to them. Not everyone who should be informed of these interventions, has been informed. There are no systems to review the incidents collectively. For example, reviewing whether incidents have occurred on specific days or with particular adults. This means that limited learning is taking place to help reduce the use of physical interventions.

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improvement to be good

Investigations into concerns about adults’ practice are taken seriously. Concerns are reported to the appropriate agencies. Learning is taken from these investigations and actions are put into place. Immediate actions are put into place to ensure children’s safety.

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improvement to be good

Learning from the previous inspection has meant that safer systems are in place regarding recruitment of agency workers. However, there are still some areas that lack assurance. Managers were not clear on the completion of overseas police checks and verification of references.

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

The manager of the home is suitably qualified and has high aspirations for the children. Staffing has been difficult with a recent increase in the need for agency and night-time staff. This has been in response to the child’s needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2511289 5 OFSTED USE ONLY

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

Adults did not have the skills and experience required when the current child moved in. Some of the team had previous training in Makaton but they had not used it so struggle to communicate effectively. Further training was arranged but did not take place until five weeks after the child moved in. Similarly, the team have a basic understanding of autism but bespoke training for the current child is still awaited.

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

The manager showed strong challenge in relation to agency recruitment. This led to changes which has improved the care to the children. Concerns about adults’ practice are taken seriously. Thorough investigations take place, and the manager demonstrates a high level of curiosity about the concerns raised.

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

Adults spoken to reported feeling supported by each other and by managers. Managers have responded to staffing difficulties by increasing ratios and implementing night-time staff. Supervision usually takes place regularly but has not taken place consistently over the last six weeks. Managers have recently reflected on this.

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

Plans for children generally give clear guidance to the team and are written to the children.

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

There is a current lack of lack of oversight of care and significant incidents within the home. The monitoring systems that are in place are not effective. This means that the adults do not have a complete picture of the current child’s complex needs. Reflection has taken place recently, which identifies some of the shortfalls. Managers are considering what is needed to improve but clear action plans are not yet in place. Inspection report for children’s home: 2511289 6 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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— that staff—

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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

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, staff need to monitor any unexplained injuries and report concerns to the child’s placing authority. 31 January 2026

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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 promotes their welfare. 28 February 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2511289 7 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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 work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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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)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(h)

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that the staff team have the skills experience to meet each child’s needs and provide any specific training required. In addition, leaders and managers should review the care provided and ensure that staff have a consistent approach to basic care. Any monitoring or recording systems used require oversight to ensure that they are being completed routinely and that the information captured is utilised to improve the care of the child.

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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. 28 February 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2511289 8 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children personal items that are appropriate for their age and understanding; and

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Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice.

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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

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(vii)(viii)(ix)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular this means that all areas of the home should be welcoming and accessible to the children. Any items that are locked away and any restrictions in place should be assessed as being necessary to protect the child with clear strategies as to how to reduce or remove such restrictions.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure; 28 February 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: 2511289 9 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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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")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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

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Requirement Due date

Conversations with staff involved in physical interventions must take place within 48 hours. Within 5 days, attempts must be made to understand the child’s perspective of the physical intervention.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure they maintain good employment practice. Recruitment of staff should safeguard children and minimise risks to them. The registered person should ensure that agencies complete all aspects of safer recruitment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff receive supervision. If the manager is not directly line-managing staff they should ensure that staff, particularly agency staff, are receiving effective and regular supervision. (‘Guide Inspection report for children’s home: 2511289 10 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Recommendations

to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: 2511289 11 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare LTD

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nicola McClements

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Inspector:

Nickie Doney, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2511289 12 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspector:

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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