Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Warrington

Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 1 SC456800 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private provider. It offers care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, no children were living in the home. Two children have moved out of the home since the last inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home has no registered manager; the previous manager left the role with immediate notice in April 2026.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

p.1

inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

p.1

inadequate

There are serious and/or widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded and the care and experiences of children and young people are poor and they are not making progress.

p.1

inadequate

Date of last inspection: 3 February 2026

p.1

inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/02/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/01/2025 Full Good 14/11/2023 Full Good 09/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 3

p.2

Summary of findings

Significant shortfalls have been identified in the safeguarding practice, experiences of children and leadership and management in the home. As a result, children have not been safeguarded effectively or received adequate care. Consequently, the home has been judged to be inadequate in all areas.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

The home experienced a period of ineffective leadership that significantly undermined the safety, stability and outcomes for children. The previous management team did not address the requirements raised at the last inspection, and there was no evidence of consistent or sustained improvement.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

At the time of this inspection, no children were living in the home. The children who moved out of the home did not experience a safe standard of care. The previous manager did not ensure that children had positive and well-planned transitions from the home. One child’s move was significantly delayed, and the other child moved out because staff were unable to keep them safe.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Leaders, managers and staff failed to provide a warm and homely environment for children. They did not maintain the home to a standard that was safe and nurturing for the children living there, resulting in one child reporting that they did not feel cared for. Although family time was promoted, staff did not demonstrate sufficient professional curiosity in assessing and responding to risks associated with an appropriate sibling relationship.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children’s education was not sufficiently prioritised. The previous manager failed to provide appropriate support for children’s educational development. Children who lived in the home made limited progress in their education, and there was no evidence of challenge to external authorities regarding this. Additionally, staff did not actively engage children in educational activities, and the home lacked consistent routines to support learning and development.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Several changes in the staff team affected staff’s ability to establish positive relationships with some children. Some children were often spoken about in a negative manner, and this did not support them to develop trusting or supportive relationships with the adults caring for them. Inconsistencies in the staff team contributed to some children feeling uncared for. Following an incident of self-harm, one child expressed feelings of distress and neglect. However, this was not appropriately responded to, resulting in the child experiencing further emotional distress. Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 4

p.3

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

Incident management in the home is weak, with poor oversight and key documentation either missing or not readily accessible. This has significantly affected staff’s ability to respond appropriately to incidents and meet the needs of children in their care. Despite staff raising these concerns with leaders and managers, they say that the issues were not acted on and that appropriate support and guidance were not provided. As a result, staff were unable to support one child effectively, and the child had to move on from the home.

p.4

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

Management oversight of incidents is poor. Records lack sufficient detail and frequently contain language that could be perceived as blaming the child, rather than reflecting a balanced and trauma-informed approach. The staff team reported an absence of consistent routines and structure, which further contributes to an unstable environment.

p.4

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

There have been instances where physical restraint has been used inappropriately, including the use of an unauthorised hold. This leaves all involved at risk. The new manager took action to review incidents and identified areas for learning for staff. Action has been taken to address this through the implementation of additional training, and this will need to be closely monitored to ensure improved practice.

p.4

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

Incidents of children going missing from the home have been frequent, particularly for one child. These incidents have not been managed consistently or in accordance with the strategies outlined in the child’s care plans. On one occasion, a child who was missing was arrested and remained in police custody overnight. Despite this significant incident, the management team and external professionals were not informed. This represents a significant safeguarding failure, as appropriate procedures were not followed, leaving the child at continued risk.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There were significant shortfalls in the leadership and management of the home under the previous management team, particularly in relation to safeguarding and the overall operation of the service. The registered manager left the home with immediate effect in April 2026 following a sustained period of poor management oversight. At the time of this inspection, the current manager had been in post for 6 weeks.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff consistently describe a clear contrast between the previous management arrangements and the structure now in place. Under the former manager, they described an environment with an absence of routine, limited guidance, insufficient training, and a lack of effective response to safeguarding and behavioural incidents. This created uncertainty, increased anxiety, and left staff unclear about expectations. Staff reported that the support and structure described during recruitment did not reflect the reality in practice. As a result, inexperienced staff were frequently left unsupported on shift.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There were also shortcomings in the oversight of safeguarding incidents, with concerns not being responded to appropriately or consistently. In addition, the overall environment Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 5 was not maintained to a high standard, further reflecting the lack of effective leadership and management oversight and monitoring of the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Following the last inspection in February 2026, the responsible individual carried out a reflective review and developed an action plan. However, this lacked clear timescales and contained factually incorrect information, including assertions that regular supervision and team meetings were now in place. This represented a missed opportunity to strengthen practice and ensure that safeguarding incidents were managed, monitored and actioned effectively.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Since the appointment of the new manager, measurable improvements have been made. The manager has re-established the fundamentals of the home, strengthened the staff team, clarified expectations, and begun to embed training and more structured ways of working. This has contributed to a more stable and increasingly child-centred environment.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The current manager has prioritised structure, training, and developing staff understanding of children’s lived experiences. Staff have since received training in response to previously raised concerns, which has increased their confidence. They have also been supported to work in the manager’s other home to gain insight into effective practice and to reinforce the importance of delivering care that is both child centred and safe.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Regular supervision is now in place for staff. Communication is reported to have improved, which has had a positive impact on staff morale and supported the team to work more cohesively. Improved guidance around incident recording, alongside increased management presence and support, is contributing to a safer environment for children moving into the home.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

However, sleeping-in arrangements require careful review, as the space is limited and staff are located on the opposite side of the home to where children sleep. This may affect staff’s ability to respond promptly to children’s needs and ensure their safety. Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 6

p.5

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.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(d)(e)) 24 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 7 Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff have the skills and knowledge to keep children safe. The registered person must ensure that staff manage incidents and allegations in line with processes outlined in risk management plans.

p.6

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.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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)(g)(ii)(h)) 24 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 8 Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff are suitably skilled to meet children’s needs. They must also ensure that reporting and recording across all records is accurate to allow sufficient oversight of all aspects of the home.

p.7

Requirement Due date

Additionally, the registered person must ensure that children are cared for by a consistent team of staff who conduct themselves with professionalism.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

p.8

Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

p.8

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training, and employment;

p.8

Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v))

p.8

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that all children are encouraged to engage in education inside and outside the home.

p.8

Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 24 June 2026

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy (“the behaviour management policy”) which sets out— 24 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 9 how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children’s home; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the behaviour management policy under review and, where appropriate, revise it.

p.9

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.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

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.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

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;

p.9

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 Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 10 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 (1)(a)(b) (2) (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

p.9

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that records of physical intervention are complete and contain all necessary information in line with regulatory requirements.

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

p.10

Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation—

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.10

Requirement Due date

must be made or confirmed in writing. 24 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 11 (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

p.10

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must inform Ofsted of any significant safeguarding incidents involving children in the home.

p.11

Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the purpose of preventing—

p.11

Requirement Due date

injury to any person (including the child);

p.11

Requirement Due date

serious damage to the property of any person (including the child); or

p.11

Requirement Due date

a child who is accommodated in a secure children’s home from absconding from the home.

p.11

Requirement Due date

Restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate.

p.11

Requirement Due date

These Regulations do not prevent a child from being deprived of liberty where that deprivation is authorised in accordance with a court order. (Regulation 20 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2) (3)) 24 June 2026

p.11

Requirement Due date

No measure of control or discipline which is excessive, unreasonable or contrary to paragraph (2) may be used in relation to any child.

p.11

Requirement Due date

The following measures may not be used to discipline any child—

p.11

Requirement Due date

imposing a financial penalty, other than a requirement for the payment of a reasonable sum (which may be by instalments) by way of reparation;

p.11

Requirement Due date

the taking of any action by, or in accordance with the instructions of, a registered medical practitioner or a registered dental practitioner which is necessary to protect the health of the child; or

p.11

Requirement Due date

taking any action that is necessary to prevent injury to any person or serious damage to property. (Regulation 19 (1) (2)(f) (3)(a)(b)) 24 June 2026

p.11

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— 24 June 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 12 ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

p.11

Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(c)(i)(ii))

p.12

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered manager must ensure that the home is decorated and maintained to provide a homely environment for children.

p.12

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: SC456800 13

p.12

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

p.13

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Caretech, Parkview, 82 Oxford Road, Uxbridge UB8 1UX

p.13

Inspectors

Rose Maddocks, Social Care Inspector Michelle Edge, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC456800 14 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.13

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.14

Inspectors

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

p.14

Inspectors

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

p.14