Children's Home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Stoke-on-Trent

Inspection report for children's home: 2599480 1 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare LTD

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider and offers care for up to 2 children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2024. She is dual registered for another of the provider’s homes.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living in the home at the time of the inspection. The child briefly spoke to the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2599480 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2599480 3

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Summary of findings

Staff know children well and demonstrate a strong understanding of their individual needs, experiences and aspirations. They are committed to helping children maintain and strengthen relationships, supporting children’s identity, emotional wellbeing and sense of belonging.

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Summary of findings

Children’s risks and vulnerabilities are well understood. The manager and staff work hard to keep children safe and respond appropriately to changing risks. They proactively seek support from other professionals and specialist services when required.

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Summary of findings

The registered manager is a child-focused leader. She maintains strong oversight of the home and routinely evaluates the quality and effectiveness of care provided to children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child lives in a spacious and beautifully decorated home. There are ample areas where the child can relax, socialise and spend time with staff. Facilities such as a games room with a pool table help provide opportunities for the child to host friends, supporting them to maintain and strengthen positive relationships. This promotes a sense of belonging and encourages positive social interaction.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child moved on to semi-independent accommodation. Staff worked closely with the child and relevant professionals to ensure that the child had developed the necessary skills and confidence for the next stage of their life. The move was carefully planned and supported, and the child continues to maintain contact with staff. This reflects the positive and enduring relationships they developed while living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

For one child, the decision to end their time living at the home was made suddenly to safeguard their welfare. Staff worked proactively to promote and protect the child’s safety and wellbeing and provided compassionate support throughout. This included spending meaningful time with the child and providing thoughtful gifts to support a positive ending. This reflects a child-centred approach during a difficult and unexpected departure from the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the child living in the home. They speak warmly about their interests and the relationships that are important to the child. Staff actively encourage and support the child to participate in activities. Staff recognise the child’s love of animals and described a recent visit to an animal-themed café, which the child thoroughly enjoyed. These experiences help to promote the child’s confidence, wellbeing and enjoyment of new opportunities. Inspection report for children's home: 2599480 4 Staff consistently use praise and encouragement to promote the child’s confidence and self-esteem. They are creative in recognising and rewarding the child’s achievements, using incentives that reflect their individual interests. This encourages engagement, achievement and progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to maintain relationships with the people who are important to them. They promote opportunities for time with family and welcome friends into the home, and they adopt a flexible approach to arrangements in line with the child’s wishes and needs. This helps the child maintain important relationships, develop a positive sense of identity and sustain family connections.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is currently struggling to engage in education. Staff actively encourage attendance and have recently completed training, enhancing their understanding of the barriers affecting the child’s engagement in learning. While staff are committed to supporting the child, further efforts are needed to promote their participation in educational activities and support progress in their learning.

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

The registered manager and staff understand how children’s life experiences influence their feelings around safety, which is expressed through behaviours that are complex to manage. Staff have a good understanding of the plans that identify known risks and behaviours. These provide clear and detailed strategies on preventative measures, which staff follow.

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

Staff respond sensitively and effectively to children when concerns arise about self- harming behaviours. Leaders maintain strong oversight of these risks and take swift action to involve relevant professionals when concerns escalate. This ensures that children receive coordinated and timely support that promotes their safety, wellbeing and emotional health.

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

Allegations made by children are responded to appropriately and investigated in line with safeguarding procedures. Strong safeguarding practices ensure that children are protected, and relevant agencies are notified promptly. Children are kept informed of the outcome of allegations, helping them to feel listened to, valued and reassured that their concerns have been heard and acted on.

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

Incidents of children going missing from home are infrequent. Staff generally respond appropriately and in line with children’s individual plans, helping to promote their safety and wellbeing. Where shortfalls in practice are identified, the registered manager takes prompt action to address these through reflection and shared learning.

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

Boundaries have not always been consistently embedded in the home. During a period when the registered manager was absent, staff were not always consistent in implementing agreed expectations and boundaries. This resulted in children receiving mixed messages about expectations and acceptable behaviours. The registered manager Inspection report for children's home: 2599480 5 has recognised these shortfalls and has taken action to strengthen accountability and improve the consistency of practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is experienced and committed to improving children’s experiences and outcomes. She provides strong leadership and maintains a clear focus on ensuring that children’s needs remain at the centre of practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager maintains strong oversight of the home and routinely evaluates the quality and effectiveness of the care provided to children. Following a period of absence, she identified shortfalls in practice and took decisive action to address them. This strengthens staff accountability and promotes greater consistency in the care children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from a comprehensive programme of training. The registered manager is proactive in ensuring that staff access specialist training that reflects the individual and emerging needs of children living in the home. Learning from training is actively embedded in practice, enabling staff to provide informed, therapeutic and responsive care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular supervision provides staff with opportunities to reflect on their practice, celebrate strengths and identify areas for development. This enhances their skills, knowledge and confidence in meeting children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are regular. Monthly attendance by a clinical team gives staff the opportunity to explore the emotions that underlie children’s behaviours and how best to respond. This enhances staff’s understanding of children and how to apply the model of therapy that informs the home’s care approach.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about working in the home. They speak highly of the registered manager, describing her as knowledgeable and approachable, and readily available to provide advice and guidance. Staff also describe a strong team culture where they work collaboratively to meet children’s needs. This positive and cohesive working environment contributes to greater consistency in practice and supports positive outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and staff work proactively with professionals to promote children’s welfare. Positive feedback from a professional highlights the home’s strong communication, collaborative working and effective safeguarding practice. This helps to ensure that children’s needs are met through a coordinated approach, while also promoting their safety and wellbeing. Inspection report for children's home: 2599480 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff support children with home study by encouraging them to learn independent study skills and helping them to practise those skills. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 29, paragraph 5.18)

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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: 2599480 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare LTD

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 4th Floor Park View, 82 Oxford Rd, Uxbridge UB8 1UX

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Inspector

Julia Tompson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2599480 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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