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 full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has been in post for some time and is about to become registered. She has addressed all the requirements and recommendations made at the previous inspection. The staff are more thorough in assessing risks to the young people, particularly with regard to the use of mobile phones and internet access. This enables the staff to devise strategies to manage these risks on a day-to-day basis. As a result, the staff are more effective in safeguarding the young people, especially those who are at risk of sexual exploitation.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager’s review and monitoring of the home’s quality of care has improved. It makes good use of consultation with the young people, their social workers and their parents, and evaluates the impact of what the staff do with respect of outcomes for young people. This enables the manager to identify areas of weakness and take action to address them. For example, one young person was not happy that the home’s central heating boiler could only be accessed for maintenance via their bedroom. The manager promptly consulted with building professionals to get the work done to rectify this.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are now more knowledgeable about the role of the education staff, in particular, virtual school heads. This has enabled them to be more assertive in advocating for the young people and challenging other services when their contribution to a young person’s plan is insufficient. Consequently, the young people have access to the right quality of educational opportunities more quickly.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are making satisfactory progress. Some are benefiting from further education and vocational activities. Older young people are undertaking work which will help them to make the transition into adulthood. The staff have devised a new programme to prepare the young people for independence, and are currently piloting it with one young person.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people have health issues, including smoking and misuse of substances, and are not willing to change these habits. Nevertheless, the staff are persistent in providing advice and support, and enlisting the help of specialist services. Staff are good at safeguarding the young people. They have excellent relationships with the police and other agencies, ensuring prompt and effective sharing of information. This is important in managing incidents when the young people go missing. Usually, the young people keep in touch with the staff when they are away, giving some assurance that they are not at risk of harm. The quality of the staff’s partnership working with other professionals is exemplified by comments from social workers recorded in the home. One said: ‘I am always kept up to date by the staff and observe them to interact with and support the young person to a high standard.’ Another said: ‘There is nothing but excellent communication from

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the staff. They are also excellent at advocating for the young person.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people are placed far from their home communities. The staff are proactive and flexible in ensuring that the young people can maintain contact with people who are important to them. In one case, staff transport a young person nearly 400 miles so that they can visit family. Another young person has established relationships in the local community, and is planning to put down roots in the area when he moves on from the home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to be attractive and welcoming. However, the practice of requiring young people to sign a range of documents, such as sanction records, is unnecessary and institutional.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

The home accommodates up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private provider.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/05/2016 Full Good 29/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 25/08/2015 Full Good 25/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that the home provides a domestic and homely environment. Specifically that children are not routinely required to sign documents such as sanction records (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15 paragraph 3.9)

p.5

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’.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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 children looked after 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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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

p.7