Children's Home run by Cambian Autism Services Limited in North Yorkshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2692374 1 Registered provider: Cambian Autism Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private organisation. It provides care for up to 6 children with learning disabilities and who may have autism.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living at the home. The inspector spoke with all the children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2023.

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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 outstanding

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2692374 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/10/2024 Full Good 07/06/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2692374 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

There is significant evidence of change and improvement in the progress and experiences of the children living in the home. The registered manager and staff know the children well. Staff show creativity and are forward-thinking in identifying areas where children need support and guidance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s moves into and out of the home are well planned and include input from the multidisciplinary team. Children’s placement plans are detailed and include all the necessary information to enable staff to meet the children’s needs. When children move on to college, they are supported through the home’s ‘ready, steady, go’ programme, where independent life skills are encouraged and facilitated. This support package gives children and their parents a strong sense of stability and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children identify the home as their safe place. Due to their positive relationships with staff and the excellent quality of care they receive, children have made significant progress from their starting points. Staff help children cope with the effects of childhood trauma and abuse. One child said that they struggle significantly with their emotions and anger, but that the registered manager encourages positive coping strategies and activities. This child has recently become a police cadet.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support children in managing their behaviours and emotions through structured activities and positive reinforcement. On one occasion, the registered manager helped a child manage the use of their electronic gadgets by modelling creative problem-solving skills. The registered manager enabled the child to exercise autonomy by creating their own safety plan. As a result, the child’s use of electronic gadgets has reduced, which has significantly improved their sleep pattern and how alert they are in school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Education is a priority for children who come to live in the home. Leaders and managers ensure effective liaison with staff at schools, colleges and virtual schools. Children’s progress is reviewed weekly. A parent said that the registered manager and staff have gone above and beyond for their child, who has now successfully moved on to a prestigious music school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff treat children with dignity and respect. Children receive care that is responsive to their experiences, disabilities and faiths. One child said that staff support them in attending church, which aligns with their family culture.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The registered manager is an excellent advocate for children. Through rigorous challenge and escalation, and highly effective planning with the child’s independent reviewing officer, one child’s family time has resumed. The registered manager makes referrals on behalf of children or their families, and, as a result, children now have access to child and adolescent mental health services, drug services and social care interventions. A parent spoke positively about the support they received. Inspection report for children’s home: 2692374 4

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

Children say they feel safe living in the home and are settled and happy. One child said, ‘This is the safest place for me to be.’

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

There is a strong and proactive safeguarding response from staff, which reduces the risk of harm. The registered manager works in partnership with the children to create their safety plans. The clinical team then proposes strategies for staff to use to mitigate against the children’s identified risks. The registered manager has an excellent understanding of the children’s individual risks. This process enhances children’s safety.

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

Staff use effective restorative approaches to promote positive behaviour. They are highly skilled at de-escalating situations and having sensitive discussions around risky behaviours. Staff support children through calm and reflective conversations focused on problem-solving rather than the use of consequences. This helps children understand the effect of their actions and build stronger emotional skills.

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

The registered manager has strong oversight of key-work discussions staff have with children. He actively makes time to talk to children when risks increase. For one child, whose education placement was at risk of breaking down, a wraparound approach with other professionals was implemented, which increased stability. Children benefit from these creative ways of working.

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

Staff are highly skilled and respond effectively when children are missing from home. The registered manager escalates the need for the local authority to carry out return home interviews. Although these requests have not been forthcoming, the registered manager proactively carries out timely discussions with children and staff. In addition, the registered manager offers independent advocacy to ensure that the children can safely express their views.

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

When parents are responsible for children’s medication, staff keep meticulous records. The registered manager works effectively with a local pharmacy to ensure that an annual review of controlled and prescription medication records in the home is carried out. This ensures accountability and keeps children safe.

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

Two children have complained they cannot always communicate effectively with some staff who speak English as an additional language. Although children say this issue has improved, it has the potential to limit their ability to communicate their needs and feelings.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager provides consistent and effective leadership. He demonstrates inspirational leadership, showing a strong ambition for excellent outcomes for children. Through his influence, he has driven meaningful improvements not only in the lives of the children but also in staff practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2692374 5 The registered manager has effective oversight of the home. He uses monthly audits, independent person visits and feedback from parents and professionals to contribute to a comprehensive review of the home. In addition, he uses weekly multidisciplinary meetings to review and improve outcomes for children. This ensures high-quality care and that any shortfalls are addressed quickly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers review and act on known risks to the children in the community. This includes regular updates to the home’s location risk assessment. The registered manager works effectively with partner agencies and attends multi-agency meetings. This ensures that staff are updated about factors that may create risks for children in the community.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers create a culture of high aspiration and positivity for children. Staff say they feel supported and valued. They speak confidently that children are safeguarded and well cared for. They are offered training and development opportunities that strengthen skills and confidence . For example, the registered manager takes an inspirational approach of using active champions for all aspects of care to promote accountability. This ensures a high quality of oversight of medication administration, staff wellbeing and record-keeping.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive reflective monthly supervision and attend regular team meetings. Children are a focus of all meetings, and staff continuously seek ways to enhance the quality of the care they provide.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals speak highly of the registered manager and staff. They say the registered manager is a very skilled communicator who is effective and quick to manage issues. Professionals have seen the positive influence of his tenacity in the children and staff’s responses to communication. Inspection report for children’s home: 2692374 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff have the skills and confidence to communicate easily and understand the importance of listening to, involving and responding to children in their care. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.10)

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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: 2692374 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Autism Services Ltd

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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

Tenji Wesa, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2692374 8 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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