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

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Children and young people make outstanding progress in developing emotional resilience.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Children and young people attend full-time education in mainstream schools where they are making significant progress.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 The inspirational manager is aspirational for all of the children and young people to be safe, happy and to achieve to the best of their abilities.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Children and young people are thriving as a result of the consistent, high- quality care that they receive from the dedicated and skilled staff team.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Children and young people feel safe and valued, substantially promoting their sense of security and belonging. As a result, there have not been any missing episodes or need for physical intervention with these residents.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Excellent collaborative working with partner agencies ensures consistent, long-term outcomes.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Research and keeping abreast of current issues ensures that staff are fully informed, providing children and young people with further protection. For example, they have undergone training in the risks of radicalisation.

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Information about this children's home

A private company owns and operates this home. It provides care and accommodation for up to three children and young people who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

22 December 2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

30 March 2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Outstanding

Children and young people report how settled they feel in their home. They enjoy living in a spacious detached house, which is located in a road of private properties and close to a large park. The home is very much part of the community and hosts an annual garden party in the summer. Children and young people grow in self- confidence and self-esteem as a result of the sense of belonging that this provides. A young person said, ‘I love the house and my bedroom and the garden and I’m really happy here.’

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Outstanding

Photographs of the children and young people adorn the walls of the comfortable and homely property. Consistent gathering of their wishes and feelings ensures that children and young people are actively involved in choosing all aspects of the home. This includes food choices, decoration of the rooms and redesigning the layout of the conservatory. As a result, children and young people take pride in their home, enhancing their well-being and feelings of security. A parent said, ‘I think it is a fantastic, safe environment for troubled kids.’ Exceptional care planning ensures that children’s and young people’s diverse needs are identified and fully met. The meticulous review of plans ensures that care is adapted to meet changing needs, thereby continuously promoting successful outcomes. A staff member said, ‘They are making real progress. (Name), when she came, was really stroppy and said she hated the place, but she has settled down.

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Outstanding

She’s had a lot of health issues and every day there is something, but now she is allowed time out in the community and she is going back to school.’

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Outstanding

Children and young people work with their key workers to develop their own child- friendly care plan. This encapsulates their wishes and feelings in a way that enhances the formal document. One child took such pride in participating in writing her plan that she wrote, ‘I will be able to choose things for myself and my room’, and ‘I can see things that have been written about me.’ The dedicated manager and staff team show genuine care for all of the children and young people. The resultant trusting relationships empower children and young people to accept the care and boundaries. This keeps them safe and allows them to grow. Children and young people use the security that these bonds provide to explore their feelings and the world around them. For example, one child used time on a car journey to ask a worker about ‘stranger danger’, and another chose a ‘safe word’ to use when out in the community, to tell staff that

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Outstanding

she wanted to come home. A parent said, ‘Before she went there, she was a really troubled little girl. She was so unhappy and she was hurting herself. Now she is happy, she is safe and she is doing things she likes.’ Children and young people are flourishing as a result of the consistent care that they receive. They all attend mainstream schools where they are making impressive progress. For one young person, this was after a prolonged period of absence due to ill health. As a result of this consistent engagement with learning, their life chances and future employment opportunities are enriched. A young person said, ‘School is good. I think I’m doing better at school now than when I first moved to (Home’s name).’

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Outstanding

Close partnership working with generic and specialist health professionals, including the child and adolescent mental health services, provides children and young people with consistent care. Consequently, their emotional and psychological health and well-being are much improved, allowing them to make the most of their life opportunities. One young person recovered from a serious injury following a road accident because of the care of the home. She is now able to attend school full time and to participate in cherished leisure activities. A social worker said, ‘(Home’s name) has been such a calming place, and they have been absolutely fantastic, going to visit her in the hospital and building that relationship before she moved in. I think they have done absolutely marvellous.’ Children and young people enjoy participating in a range of inclusive activities. They are members of after-school groups and are able to spend time with friends

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Outstanding

both in the home and out in the community. Their growth in social and life skills gives them the confidence to forge positive relationships with their peers, providing them with fun and laughter in their lives. A teacher said, ‘Since she’s been there, she’s settled right down. She’s making progress in school and more significantly her behaviour is much improved.’ The excellent relationships that the home forges with family members allow children and young people to maintain, and often restore, important familial bonds. When necessary, the sensitive supervision of contact arrangements allows all concerned to enjoy their time together. These also empower children and young people to preserve their cultural links and associations. A social worker said, ‘The relationship with mam has been repaired with the help of the home’, and a parent commented, ‘I think that they are brilliant. They have been nothing but helpful.

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Outstanding

They keep me informed. They help me to help her.’ Three children and young people have moved on to new placements since the last full inspection. Careful planning ensured that these moves met the needs of the individual, demonstrating the home’s commitment to acting always in the best interests of the child. The most recent young person to leave has moved in to another residential placement with other young people his own age, where he has settled very well. One young person moved in to semi-independent accommodation once she reached the age of 18. She is attending a childcare course in college and maintains regular contact with the home. The third child was placed with foster carers after careful preparation. A staff member said, ‘When he first came, he lived off stuffing in a packet. He didn’t eat with a knife and fork, didn’t wash, and didn’t sleep on a bed. It took months, but when he went in to

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Outstanding

foster care he was using manners, being polite and eating proper food at the table.’

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Outstanding

An excellent locality assessment ensures that the manager is fully aware of any potential risks to children and young people in the community. The manager’s proactive partnership working with local police and safeguarding agencies, including the local safeguarding children board (LSCB), ensures that information remains current. This local knowledge protects children and young people as steps are taken to prevent them from accessing known areas of risk. The LSCB business manager said, ‘I was really impressed with (Manager’s name) and think he is safeguarding the children he looks after.’

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Outstanding

Children’s and young people’s comprehensive range of individual risk assessments safeguard them while allowing them to engage in fun, inclusive pastimes. Children and young people feel protected and safe, which bolsters their confidence in participating in community activities. As a result, they gain the self-belief and confidence to embark upon positive new interests, for example, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. A parent said, ‘She’s not getting into trouble like she was, and life is better for her.’ The home is equipped with a sensor system, which alerts the staff when people exit the building. Children and young people each have their own risk assessment and plan for free time in the community. This can include a curfew time and telephoning the home at pre-arranged times. As they abide by these conditions, they can build up to later times, in line with their age and as they would in a family

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Outstanding

home. Children and young people value the care that these plans display and the sense of security that the boundaries provide. There have not been any missing episodes from this group of residents, which for one young person is a significant improvement on past placements. A social worker said, ‘She welcomes going on free time and she has taken on board that there will be consequences if she breaks her boundaries. She was not like that in her old placement.’ The consistent use of excellent restorative practices empowers children and young people to develop more appropriate ways of managing their behaviours. A parent said, ‘She has a better understanding of what her actions are for her and what the consequences would be.’ In addition, they thoroughly enjoy the positive rewards that they receive for good behaviours. These teach them the benefits of treating each other with warmth and respect. A young person said that she would, ‘behave

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Outstanding

more often because I want to do the pamper nights again’. The enthusiastic and resilient staff team are excellent role models. Their consistent, caring and measured approach demonstrates respect for all. Children and young people learn from this and make exceptional progress in tempering their previous impulsive and aggressive behaviours. As a result, although individual risk assessments ensure the safe application of physical intervention, there has not been the need for any restraints. A young person said, ‘That is one of the things the staff are really good at, especially (Name). Helping me not to lose my temper and calming myself down. ‘

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Outstanding

Complaints information is readily available in the home and detailed in the literature available to all. Children and young people are introduced to independent advocates if they wish. In addition, one young person sits on the Children in Care Council. Although children and young people can sometimes express frustration at each other’s behaviour, there have not been any complaints.

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Outstanding

The inspirational manager is aspirational for all of the children and young people in his care to safely achieve the best that they can in life. He has 10 years’ experience in residential childcare including a period in a secure children’s home. He has been the manager here since June 2014. He holds the requisite level 5 management qualification. An independent reviewing officer (IRO) reported, ‘The way the home is managed makes the children and young people have a place they can call home, and see as their home.’ Both the requirement and recommendation raised at the last inspection have been fully met. This demonstrates the home’s capacity to improve, while further promoting children’s and young people‘s safety and ensuring that external monitoring procedures comply with legislation. There were no breaches of regulation identified at this inspection. Systematic and thorough recruitment procedures ensure that well-qualified and

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Outstanding

experienced staff members work in the home. They receive full support to obtain further qualifications and skills that benefit children and young people, for example, medical and practical care skills to care for a young person newly admitted to the home from hospital after a major accident. An IRO reported, ‘Staff try to support young people through their difficulties. They do not give up.’ A comprehensive induction programme and regular, good-quality supervision ensure that staff maintain and build upon their skills and enthusiasm. The manager is ambitious for all of the staff team to continue learning, and they are encouraged to strive for formal qualifications. The manager uses research and keeps abreast of current issues to ensure that the staff team is fully informed. Training in the risks of radicalisation and cyber bullying, for example, provides further protection for children and young people.

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Outstanding

The manager and his senior staff team use monthly behaviour graphs and progress records to monitor the achievements that children and young people are making. This consistent, proactive approach allows the effective review of day-to-day care planning and tailored support to meet children’s and young people’s changing needs. A teacher said, ‘In terms of progress, she has really come on, and we are all pleased to see that. She is happy.’ The forward-thinking manager and staff team have built excellent professional relationships with partner agencies. These ensure that children and young people receive consistent, targeted care allowing them to make significant progress in all aspects of their development. In addition, the manager appropriately and effectively challenges partner agencies if necessary. This ensures that children and young people receive prolonged, consistent care, allowing them to build and

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Outstanding

maintain trusting relationships with the professionals in their lives, for example, if there is a change in social worker. Much improved external monitoring visits are now carried out by an independent company and comply with legislation. They contribute towards children’s and young people’s safety and the promotion of their well-being. The manager’s purposeful and systematic audit processes are detailed and evaluative. They incorporate the views of all concerned to ensure that the quality of care and outcomes continue to improve, for example, to embed the practice of calling the staff team ‘the adults’, and to streamline recorded documents in order to prevent the institutionalising of the children and young people and to promote their investment in their home. The home’s statement of purpose states, ‘We believe in inclusion. It is essential that we as a team promote the integration of looked after young people into the

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Outstanding

local community and challenge the isolation and exclusion often associated with looked after children.’ Children and young people’s significant personal growth and sense of belonging and acceptance in their home and community demonstrate that the home is meeting this aim. A parent said, ‘That is the best place for (Name) at the moment. They are doing a tremendous job and I am very grateful.’

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against ‘Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection’.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm, or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 that 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after. 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

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Information about this inspection

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

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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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