Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Hammersmith and Fulham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person is making good progress and she said that in general she was happy with the care she received from this home. However, She said, ‘I am on two to one staffing and the company keeps taking a member of staff to cover other homes. I am not happy about this because I have no say in it.’ She continued to say, ‘I do not get on with some of the staff, and when they are on alone they stay in the office doing paperwork.’ She said that the manager discussed this at her recent review and said this would be on the odd occasion due to pressures in the company and as part of her semi-independence. She acknowledge that she is on a semi-independence plan and would not have this level of support when she moved but she said, ‘I know but I am scared and need this support more than ever now and it is happening more frequently.’ She continued to say, ‘I often feel isolated and alone especially in the evenings and at weekends. The home’s rota for

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

February 2016 shows that for half of the month staff were moved to other homes. The manager said he was aware of the young person’s concern, that she prefers certain staff but felt he did not have much say in the staffing of the home. A recent staff meeting briefly discussed the young person’s concern and staff’s unhappiness at being moved around. But, there are no records within the home that show how staff are deployed, whether consideration has been given to the relationships between the young people and staff or whether good planning gives the support she needs at evenings and weekends. Further to this, although the young person has verbally raised this concern several times with the manager and staff it has not been formally addressed as a complaint. This does not ensure that young people's view’s, wishes and feelings are taken into account, that they have a formal response to their concerns or that good planning arrangements are in place to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, the home was asked to ensure that any restrictions to contact by unsuitable adults were clearly identified within the young person’s plans. This was specifically in relation to staff having clear guidance on actions to take if they contacted the home. This has not been completed and does not ensure that the young person is safeguarded. Therefore, this has been raised to a requirement. Further to this, the young person’s contact to a parent and siblings has significantly changed. For example, it was restricted to three times a year. She now has unsupervised and regular overnight weekend contact. These arrangements have not been updated in her contact plan or placement plan. This does not ensure that information is regularly reviewed and updated, and that all parties understand the plan and arrangements in place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person has been at this home for a significant period of time and her behaviour has greatly improved because of the good routines and structure in place. She has not been held for her safety or the safety of others and sanctions for negative behaviour are minimal. But, on one occasion the young person inappropriately spent her clothing money on other items. The consequence of this was for her money to be supervised and not to be put into her bank account. The record does not show the duration of this sanction. This means that it is unclear as to how long this is in place and how this assists her in her independence skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person’s attendance at her college placement has improved and she is completing a course in hair and beauty. In addition to this, she is retaking her maths and English to improve these areas. She said, ‘I have an English exam this morning. I am nervous but want to do well so I can do the next level in hair and beauty.’ As part of her semi-independence she is also looking for an apprenticeship in a salon to further her career. This shows that young people are investing in further education and have ambitions for their future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no safeguarding concerns to report since the homes last inspection. Staff receive regular training in safeguarding protocols, and procedures and they fully demonstrated their roles and responsibilities in this area. The young person has continued to inform staff of her whereabouts and she comes home at the agreed time. As a result, she has not been reported missing from the home and she no longer presents as being at risk of child sexual exploitation. This means that she been taken off the police safeguarding data base and the concerns that adults had for her has been lowered. She said that staff continue to support her with good advice and consultation sessions around being safe. She has made appropriate friends in the community and at college and they are welcomed into the home and she also stays overnight at her friends. This ensures that she is able to maintain friendships and will assist her when she moves into independence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager now ensures that records held within the home are signed and dated by the author. Staff have received additional training on keeping clear records within the home. Therefore, staff amend information properly and do not scribble out incorrect information or mistakes. These good improvements mean that records are clear.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection the home was asked to ensure that the independent visitor makes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home. This was specifically in relation to evaluating the records of the home. This has not been met. For example, the visitor said that the Ofsted report on the full inspection had not been received. The manager produced evidence that it was received two weeks prior to his visit. The consequence of this is that the visitor did not refer to the home’s last requirement or recommendations and ensure that they had been met, as per the company’s standards. In addition to this, the manager said, ‘They do not assist me to improve the home because they often do not say what the quality of the record is or when things have not happened such as a complaint or no missing from home, that they have checked with staff and the young person that they understand the procedure.’ As a result, several actions have been raised again

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Information about this children's home

This Privately run children’s home can accommodate one young person with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, 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.

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must: 13 (2) (d) (f) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child and understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child. 29/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

7: The children's views, wishes and feelings standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the children’s views, wishes and feelings standard the registered person must: 7 (1) (c) ensure that children receive care from staff who take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. 29/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the care planning standard the registered person must: 14 (2) (d) ensure that contact between each child and the child’s parents, relatives and friends, is promoted in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. This is specifically in relation to updating these plans. 29/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must: 29/04/2016 12 (2) (a) ensure that staff 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. This is specifically in relation to ensuring any restrictions to contact are clearly addressed within these plans.

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline, or restraint to a child in the home, a record is made which includes a description of the measure and its duration. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that any sanction given, that includes a restriction or supervision of money, is time limited unless otherwise stated. (Regulation 35 (3) (iv)) 29/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s must produce a report about a visit which sets out; in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4) (a) (b)) 29/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure where positive relationships exist between children and staff they are respected and maintained as far as possible when making any decision to alter staffing arrangements. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 39, paragraph 8.12)  Ensure that staff encourage children to share any concern about their care or other matters as soon as they arise. Children must be able to take up issues or make a complaint with support. This is specifically in relation to recording all verbal complaints formally. (The Guide to Quality Standards page 23, paragraph 4.14)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service 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. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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