Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Durham

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1236026 1 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private provider. It provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been away from the home. An acting manager has been in post since February 2026 and they are still to make their application to register with Ofsted. The responsible individual was present throughout the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 4 children were living in the home. All children were seen and 3 were spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1236026 2

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Findings from the inspection

Ofsted did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection. However, improvements are needed.

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment and the outside areas look tired and unkempt. In some rooms there is visible damage to walls and doors. The home is safe but needs repair and refurbishment. The manager has ensured that adaptations are in place to support one child to move around the home and participate in education independently.

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Findings from the inspection

The acting manager and staff have not addressed behavioural issues effectively. This has left some children feeling frustrated and at times they do not feel safe. However, children are generally settled and have positive relationships with staff. Together, they enjoy trips to the seaside and the cinema, and staff celebrate the children’s achievements. Furthermore, children are supported to have family time with their siblings, other important people and go on family holidays.

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Findings from the inspection

Feedback from professionals is mixed. They say that communication from staff has not always been good but is now improving. However, concerns raised by social workers and children regarding behavioural issues in the home remain unresolved and this continues to affect children’s experiences and sense of safety.

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Findings from the inspection

Most children in the home engage well with education and are making progress. When children struggle with formal education, they complete their schoolwork online with support from staff.

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Findings from the inspection

The acting manager has made some improvements to monitoring and oversight and is insightful about what needs to improve. Electronic systems have been introduced that help to ensure that management tasks are completed. However, the acting manager struggles to locate important documents on the system.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers and staff produce detailed documents to support their management of risk. However, for some children this has not translated into a reduction in their risks. When staff record incidents, their account is often lacking in detail or confusing. The manager’s oversight is consistent, but this has yet to yield positive practice being embedded.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager ensures that children are kept safe online with age-appropriate restrictions, monitoring of applications and regular phone checks that are suitable for each child’s age and understanding.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers ensure that staff are recruited safely and are suitably qualified for their role. The team is almost fully staffed and any gaps are covered by staff that are familiar to the children. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1236026 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/04/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/06/2025 Full Good 31/07/2024 Full Good 01/08/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1236026 4

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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 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;

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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

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

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h)) 27 September

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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— 27 September Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1236026 5 mutual respect and trust;

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(xi))

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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

protect and promote each child’s welfare; 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 meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(ii)(c)(i)) 27 September Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1236026 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Kirstie Sutherland, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1236026 7 regulates and inspects 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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