Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 1 SC483846 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since March 2026. They are not registered with Ofsted.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At a full inspection on 27 and 28 May 2026, inspectors judged the home to be ‘inadequate’. They issued compliance notices under Regulation 12 (the protection of children standard) and Regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard).

p.1

This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out to assess the actions the provider had taken to meet the requirements set out in the compliance notices.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The provider has not consistently taken action to reduce the likelihood of safeguarding incidents. For example, after a child used glass from a broken bathroom mirror to self-harm, managers replaced it with another glass mirror. Managers failed to consider the known risks and did not take appropriate action to minimise the potential for further self-harming behaviour.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff do not always respond appropriately to safeguarding incidents. For example, when staff became aware that a child had 2 knives in their possession, they delayed sharing this information internally and with relevant external professionals. This delay placed the child and others at increased risk of harm. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 2 Staff do not consistently follow children’s safety plans, and they do not always carry out welfare checks following incidents of self-harm. In addition, staff facilitated a child’s unauthorised family time, despite known risks associated with individuals who were present. This decision potentially placed the child at risk of harm.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Risk management plans for one child do not include the identified risks associated with family time. Inspectors identified this shortfall at the previous inspection, but managers have not addressed it. Furthermore, staff have no guidance on how to supervise and support the child during family time. As a result, the child may gain access to items that could cause harm, placing their safety and wellbeing at risk.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The home environment has improved since the last inspection. Managers have consulted children about the care they receive, and children have provided positive feedback about their experiences.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff now carry out debriefs with children and staff following safeguarding incidents. They also carry out direct work to help children understand risks and develop strategies to keep themselves safe, particularly following safeguarding incidents. Staff use a range of resources, including interactive worksheets, to support this work.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The manager has introduced new systems to monitor the quality of care and staff practice. Management oversight has improved in some areas. The manager has identified weaknesses in staff practice and has taken action to address them. However, the manager did not identify that one staff member required additional support to understand a child’s plans for family time or that not all staff had completed the home’s mandatory training.

p.2

This monitoring visit

A case review took place on 23 July 2026. The review concluded that the provider had not met all the steps set out in the compliance notices. As a result, further compliance notices were issued under Regulations 12 and 13.

p.2

This monitoring visit

This visit did not consider the other requirements raised at the previous full inspection. Those requirements remain in place and will be reviewed at the next inspection. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/05/2026 Full Inadequate 18/11/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/07/2025 Full Inadequate 26/06/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 4

p.3

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 with the given timescales.

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

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.4

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

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.4

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are located so that children are effectively safeguarded; 29 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 5 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.4

Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)(c)(d)(e))

p.5

Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff take action to safeguard children at all times.

p.5

Requirement Due date

Ensure that plans are in place to safeguard children from all known risks and that these plans include clear guidance for staff to follow.

p.5

Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff have the skills, knowledge and understanding to meet children’s needs and manage risks.

p.5

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.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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; 29 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 6 demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.5

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

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)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

p.6

Requirement Due date

Ensure that there is oversight of all the care being provided in the home. This includes ensuring that care is provided to children in line with local authority care plans.

p.6

Requirement Due date

Ensure that all incidents are reviewed, that all shortfalls in staff practice are identified and action is taken to address these. This should also include carrying out debriefs with children and staff following all incidents.

p.6

Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff develop their knowledge, skills and understanding to carry out their role effectively.

p.6

Requirement Due date

Ensure that leaders and managers monitor and review staff practice, identify any development needs and take action to address these.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.6

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed; 29 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 7 that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(b)(ii)(iii)(c)(f))

p.6

Requirement Due date

Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that they obtain all local authority plans for the child, including pathway plans and those that have been reviewed. Ensure that there is not a delay in responding to any actions set out in the local authority’s plans for the child.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.7

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.7

Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible;

p.7

Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(viii)(ix))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that, when children are not attending an educational setting, staff actively encourage them to engage in a structured routine that is regularly reviewed for its effectiveness. 29 July 2026

p.7

Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met; 29 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 8 children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being.

p.7

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

p.8

Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

p.8

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)(i)(iii)(c))

p.8

Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that staff support children to attend all health appointments.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.8

Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children.

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6 (1)(a) (2)(b)(vii))

p.8

Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that all areas of the home are cleaned and maintained to a good standard, including skirting boards, radiators, doors and walls. Ensure that walls are fully painted and any broken furniture is removed. 29 July 2026

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which— 29 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 9 is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular—

p.9

Requirement Due date

provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response. (Regulation 34 (1)(a)(b) (2)(d))

p.9

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that allegations against staff members are thoroughly investigated and recorded.

p.9

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

p.9

Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

p.9

Requirement Due date

are kept up to date. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b))

p.9

Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that records of welfare checks on children include the time of the check and the contact method used.

p.9

Requirement Due date

Additionally, ensure that recordings of incidents are detailed. 29 July 2026

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.9

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)) 29 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 10 Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that all references are verified, and any safer recruitment checks are followed up.

p.9

Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

p.10

Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (c))

p.10

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that they escalate concerns when local authority documents are not received or when an allocated worker does not share important safeguarding information. 29 July 2026

p.10

Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation.

p.10

Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI, at HMCI’s request, a statement containing a summary of any complaints made during the preceding twelve months and the action that was taken in response to each complaint. (Regulation 39 (1) (3) (5))

p.10

Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that details of any complaints to the home are fully recorded and include actions taken and outcomes. 29 July 2026

p.10

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

p.10

Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

p.10

Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)(c)) 29 July 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 11 Specifically, leaders and managers must ensure that any poor practice or health and safety concerns raised by staff during supervision are acted on effectively. Additionally, ensure that all staff receive an annual appraisal.

p.10

Requirement Due date

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

p.11

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e))

p.11

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the leaders and managers ensuring that Ofsted is informed of all serious incidents that occur in the home. 29 July 2026

p.11

Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

p.11

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.11

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 12

p.11

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

p.12

Children’s home details

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

p.12

Inspector

Michelle McGrath, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC483846 13 to 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.12

Inspector

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.13

Inspector

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

p.13

Inspector

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

p.13