Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 1 SC483846 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 experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager began leading the team in June 2025 and is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspection started on 16 July 2025. The inspectors returned on 18 August 2025 to gather additional evidence in line with Ofsted inspections and visits: deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence policy.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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Inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected Inadequate

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Inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers Inadequate

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Inadequate

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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Inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 2 Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/06/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/05/2023 Full Inadequate 26/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The inspectors spoke with three children during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The home is not consistently clean, tidy or homely. Staff do not always help children keep their bedrooms clean. There are items of broken furniture in some of the children’s bedrooms and around the home. The manager has a plan to bring about improvements, but it is not yet effective. A requirement was made in this respect at the last inspection, which will be restated.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children do not all benefit from good daily routines. Some children are awake late at night and frequently sleep during the day. Children often spend a lot of time in their bedrooms, including eating meals there. This is limiting their progress in other areas of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children’s experience of education is inconsistent. While each child has a detailed plan to support their learning, some children are currently not participating in any form of education. The manager is working with external agencies to improve children’s access to learning; however, children’s educational needs are not being met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The home is adjacent to another home owned by the same provider. The homes’ proximity and the children’s relationships significantly affect each other. Despite this, there are no processes in place to reflect on the needs and vulnerabilities of children across both settings when children are moving in. Leaders and managers have not consistently considered children moving into the home over periods of difficulty and disruption.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff are building better relationships with children. They know the children well and understand their needs. All children can identify adults who they trust to talk to about their feelings and experiences. However, the team is overly dependent on temporary staff due to vacancies. Changes in the team have affected children’s attachments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff generally work well with other professionals. Social workers all agree that communication is good and say that staff advocate well on behalf of children. However, there has been a significant delay for one child in appropriately challenging the placing authority’s performance. The new manager has identified this shortfall and is addressing the concern.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Staff build strong relationships with children’s families. One parent said, ‘They (staff) try hard for him (child) and always go out of their way for him.’ Children’s family members feel satisfied with the standard of care their children receive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Leaders and managers track children’s progress through various methods. Staff understand children’s starting points and recognise their positive achievements. Inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 5

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

Staff are inconsistent in managing children’s safety. Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities but do not establish clear boundaries. There have been incidents of bullying, vandalism and disruptive behaviour that the staff have not managed well.

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

Staff have called police to the home on several occasions. On one occasion, a child called the police because they had been harmed by another child. On some occasions, staff have failed to intervene effectively, resulting in escalating situations and police support being required. On other occasions, staff have unnecessarily called the police, putting children at risk of criminalisation.

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

Staff do not always record enough detail about safeguarding incidents. Staff focus on what children were doing and do not include information about the actions taken by adults. This lack of detail limits oversight and learning from incidents.

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

Family time was used as an incentive for one child and withheld when they did not meet expectations. On one occasion, a child was financially punished for causing damage while experiencing an understandable emotional crisis. Other children have been given inappropriately high financial consequences. Managers and staff do not use restorative methods or meaningful consequences. Children are not learning how to behave positively as a result.

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

Staff know the reasons they might need to physically hold a child. When staff have used physical intervention, it has been to keep children safe. However, during one recent incident, staff were concerned about their vulnerability to allegations and did not use a physical hold as required. Staff do not have the necessary skills and confidence to manage complex risks.

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

Staff have not yet identified successful strategies for encouraging and rewarding positive behaviours in all children. Staff are now working with the in-house clinician to identify a more trauma-informed approach.

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

Children rarely go missing from the home. If they do, staff know how to respond, sharing essential information quickly with professionals and family members. Children benefit from a coordinated response to this risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home registered in 2015 and has only had two inspections where it has met the required standard of care. Inspections since 2019 have consistently highlighted shortfalls, leading to poor judgements. Leaders and managers have failed to address these shortfalls and improve the lives of children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 6 Children have recently experienced multiple changes to the leadership and management of the home. A permanent manager and deputy manager have recently been appointed. The managers have high aspirations for the children living at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Professionals and family members all said that they have noted a recent improvement in the running of the home since the new manager started. Staff also say that they have a better understanding of expectations and feel more supported. However, it is too early to ascertain the sustained impact of this on the children who live at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers do not have effective oversight of the home. The records of some safeguarding incidents lack the detail required to evaluate them effectively. The managers now swiftly review and evaluate incidents, but this does not always identify the shortfalls in practice. On one occasion, the management evaluation was strong and thorough; however, it was not delivered to staff, making it ineffective in terms of improving practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Managers have undergone recent recruitment to address staff shortages. These staff are undergoing the induction process. However, staffing has been an issue over the inspection period, and the home has been overly reliant on casual staff. The lack of stability in the staff team has led to inconsistent care and responses to children. As a result, children have lacked emotional security and clear expectations in their home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff receive regular training that is specific to the children’s needs. The manager has robust oversight of staff training and communicates effectively with staff about their learning needs. Staff are acquiring valuable skills and knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff receive regular supervision. The quality of formal oversight of staff practice is improving, with an increased focus on children’s welfare. Inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 7

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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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. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, staff must intervene early and effectively to prevent negative behaviours from escalating. Staff must only call the police when necessary to safeguard the children and others. 12 September

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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

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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

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate; 10 October 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 8 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’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)(b)(c)(e)(f)(h))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, staff must provide continuity of care to the children, including consistent boundaries and responses. Managers must identify practice shortfalls and address them promptly.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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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.

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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

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

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. 12 September Inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 9 (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(vii)(viii)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, staff must help all children keep their bedrooms clean, tidy and free of hazards. Communal areas should be well furnished and well decorated.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children; 12 September Inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 10 understand and communicate to children that bullying is unacceptable; and

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to recognise incidents or indications of bullying and how to deal with them; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(viii)(ix)(xi)(xii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all staff have the confidence and skills to positively manage children’s behaviour. Consequences should be fair and meaningful, and they should help children learn.

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Requirement Due date

Furthermore, the registered person must ensure that staff know how to identify and manage bullying.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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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; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all children have a positive daily routine, which includes regular mealtimes, social activities and good sleep hygiene. 12 September

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the assessments of children moving into the home should consider all the relevant contextual information.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers should only allow a child to move into the home when this is likely to achieve positive outcomes for the child and the other children who live there. 12 September Inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 11 This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that there are sufficient suitably trained staff (including someone in a management role) on duty to meet the assessed needs of all children in the home. The registered person should not rely on bank staff and should demonstrate every effort to achieve staff continuity so that children’s attachments are not overly disrupted. The employment of any temporary or bank staff should not prevent children from receiving the necessary continuity of care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 51, paragraph 10.1)

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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: SC483846 12

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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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Inspectors

Nicola Shaw, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Sarah Huntbatch, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC483846 13 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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