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

Requires improvement

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

p.2

The children’s home provision requires improvement because:

 Since the last inspection, there has been inconsistent decision making in respect of child protection concerns that have been brought to the attention of the company. This has meant that correct safeguarding procedures have not always been followed, which has exposed children and young people to the possibility of harm.  Information has not been shared in a timely way. Specifically, notifications to Ofsted have, on occasion, been made outside of the required timescale. Neither were children’s and young people’s social workers immediately informed, following a whistleblowing incident, that allegations about staff conduct had been received. These shortfalls do not protect children and young people, as they fail to share information effectively with other agencies that also have a duty of care.  The management oversight of serious incidents is not always robust enough really to reflect on practices and identify improvements that can be made to

p.3

The children’s home provision requires improvement because:

benefit children and young people in the future.  Independent visitors cover a very broad area during their visits. This inevitably reduces their concentration on what should be the main focus of their visit, as detailed in the regulations, namely that children and young people are effectively safeguarded and that the conduct of the home promotes their well-being.  While children and young people very rarely go missing from this home, formal arrangements for them to receive an independent return home interview still need to be put in place.

p.3

The children’s home strengths

In many ways, this children’s home provides a very high standard of care to the three children and young people who live there. Relationships between staff and young people are excellent. The manager and staff are highly motivated and aspirational about each of the young people and what they are working towards achieving. Children’s and young people’s care plans are very comprehensive and contain individual objectives. It is clear what progress they have made and what is the focus of attention, going forward. Children and young people really benefit from a highly personalised approach to meeting their needs. This has meant that children and young people grow in confidence, have new and enjoyable experiences and make good progress in their education. Really good attention is given to helping young people to develop into considerate and well-rounded young adults, for example by developing their awareness around issues such as healthy

p.4

The children’s home strengths

relationships, recycling and healthy lifestyles, including opportunities to have cookery lessons.

p.4

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 within the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

5: Engaging with the wider system to ensure children’s needs are met

p.5

Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff: (a) seek to involve each child’s placing authority effectively in the child’s care in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. 31/01/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person is required to ensure that staff: (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and (vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12(2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii)) 31/12/2016

p.5

Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must: (2)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(2)(h)) 31/01/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to meet this requirement: (4) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if: (c) there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; (d) a child protection enquiry is instigated or concludes. (Regulation 40(4)(c)(d)) 31/12/2016 44: Independent person: visits and reports

p.5

Requirement Due date

In order to meet this requirement: (4) The independent person must produce a report about a visit, which sets out in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether: (a) children are effectively safeguarded; and: (b) the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44(4)(a)) 31/01/2017

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that the local authority provides opportunities for children and young people to have independent return home interviews when they have been missing. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. ‘Children missing from home’ protocols agreed with local authorities should be reviewed regularly and be scrutinised by the LSCB when the above is not happening. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraphs 9.23– 9.30)

p.6

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a national private provider who has several other children’s home in the region. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children or young people who have a learning disability.

p.7

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 14/10/2015 Full Outstanding 30/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 11/11/2014 Full Outstanding

p.7

Requires improvement

In recent months, since the interim inspection in March, there has been inconsistent decision making in respect of child protection concerns that have been brought to the attention of the company. This has led to robust safeguarding procedures not being followed and an unacceptable delay in taking appropriate action. These shortfalls have exposed children and young people to the possibility of harm, which has been a significant consideration in making this judgement.

p.8

Requires improvement

In other respects, the home provides highly personalised and nurturing care. Children and young people thrive and make good progress. Placing authorities say that they are happy with how well children and young people are doing, that they feel their education is given excellent attention and that visits to their families are well supported. Communication with the home is also described as good, routinely, but disappointment was noted in respect of its late notification about a recent whistleblowing incident.

p.8

Requires improvement

Relationships with staff are excellent. Children and young people are highly respected and treated as individuals. The home’s routines are based around their needs, and decision making is child centred. There is lovely approach taken to helping young people to develop their confidence and sense of identity. Their particular interests are fully explored and supported, and staff provide opportunities for them to enjoy new experiences. For example, young people have opportunities to take part in trials for national sports teams, to learn new skills such as riding a bike and to visit places of interest abroad.

p.8

Requires improvement

The manager and staff place considerable importance on helping children and young people to access an educational provision that best meets their needs. They act as good parents in undertaking research, and ensure that young people gain an appropriate school or college placement. Good links are maintained with teachers, and children and young people receive the support that they need to do well, both in school time and in extra-curricular activities.

p.8

Requires improvement

The health needs of children and young people are well met. The staff team accesses specialist help to ensure that their needs are appropriately assessed and met. Staff are successful in encouraging children and young people to attend routine appointments. For some young people, this is significant progress. Medication is safely managed and staff are proactive in ensuring that young people do not remain on medication unnecessarily.

p.8

Requires improvement

Careful and considered planning takes place when new children and young people are being introduced to the home. This means that, while current children and young people are of different ages, the impact has been fully assessed and compatibility is good. Staffing levels also provide for each child and young person to receive individual support, which means that their routines and activities are not unduly restricted. Children and young people are supported in an age-appropriate way to develop a range of skills to support them as they become young adults. One young person showed the inspector how he has been taught to do his laundry, and spoke enthusiastically about his plans to bake a cake that evening. Excellent attention is also given to known risks, working towards mitigating these and supporting young people to enjoy success when they move out of the home. Previous young people keep in touch with the manager and staff, who are rightly

p.8

Requires improvement

proud of their contribution to helping young people to do well after leaving the children’s home. When necessary, leaders and managers escalate the need for placing authorities to be timely in providing them with a copy of pathway plans and other information that is agreed at statutory review meetings.

p.9

Requires improvement

On two occasions recently, concerns raised by separate sources about staff conduct at this home and the treatment of young people in their care were brought to the attention of the company. On each of these occasions, ineffective and inappropriate action was taken. For example, instead of these concerns being reported formally under safeguarding procedures to the local authority, senior managers within the company made decisions to investigate internally. This failure to recognise the importance of due process being followed compromised the safety of children and young people living at the home.

p.9

Requires improvement

On each occasion, safeguarding referrals were eventually made. However, in the meantime, staff continued to work with young people. This exposed them to the possibility of harm. The breakdown in effective communication was a significant factor on each occasion. For example, in respect of one incident, there was confusion about whether anyone, and who, had made a referral to the local authority. Only when the manager of the home returned from leave was the matter referred to the local authority and notified to Ofsted. On another occasion, information was communicated in a fragmented way which led to flawed decision making. One internal investigation took seven months to complete, which is an unacceptable timeframe. In addition, neither social workers nor Ofsted were notified of these concerns at the time.

p.9

Requires improvement

Since these incidents occurred, the company has taken decisive action. Lessons have been learned, and procedures, expectations and timescales have been improved. Staff training has been commissioned and will take place early in the new year. The manager and staff have been supported with additional supervision and oversight by senior managers. During this inspection, the registered manager and responsible individual acknowledged that mistakes had been made. They felt that lessons had been learned and improvements put in place. Both demonstrated an earnest commitment to good practices to protect the children and young people in their care.

p.9

Requires improvement

There has been just one incident of a young person being missing from the home in the past year. The young person was in the vicinity of the home’s rural grounds, and staff actively searched, and found him safe and well. On this occasion, the placing authority did not complete an independent return home interview, despite the manager requesting one. During this inspection, the manager was advised of the importance of ensuring that formal arrangements are in place with all placing authorities for such interviews to take place, should the need arise in the future.

p.10

Requires improvement

Behaviour is managed effectively and positively at this home. Children and young people are given fair and consistent boundaries, and are clear about expectations for them to behave in a kind and considerate way. Good behaviour is rewarded. Physical restraints are rarely used, as staff are skilled in de-escalation. There have been four restraints in the past year. The consequences of behaviour are mostly positive, but some sanctions are also imposed. The inspector asked the manager to undertake a closer examination with her staff team of one physical restraint and one negative consequence in order to reflect on the practices and identify what improvements could possibly be made to improve the quality of care further.

p.10

Requires improvement

The staff team has a good understanding of the particular vulnerabilities and risks that children and young people with a learning disability are exposed to. For example, they are knowledgeable about the risks that the internet may pose. When an issue occurred recently, effective action was taken. Staff work effectively with the placing authority in managing risks and in developing children’s and young people’s awareness of the dangers that exist and how they can keep themselves safe.

p.10

Requires improvement

Robust recruitment procedures are in place to ensure that new staff are carefully selected and vetted.

p.10

Requires improvement

Leaders and managers are aware that recent events have exposed weakness in the management of child protection procedures at many levels within the company. Senior managers outside of the home have made incorrect decisions. In addition, a whistleblowing incident revealed that there was a delay of more than two weeks before child protection concerns were raised and, subsequently, more than four months before a referral was made to the local authority and a notification sent to Ofsted. Considerable work has since been done within the company and the home to ensure that there is a more robust understanding of the procedures to be followed by whoever receives child protection concerns in the future.

p.10

Requires improvement

Independent visits to the home take place every month, and are valued by the team as an important part of their quality monitoring and review processes. The independent visitor covers a wide brief and, during this inspection, the inspector discussed with the manager, as per the regulation, the importance of the independent visitor having the opportunity to focus more attention on assessing how well children and young people are effectively safeguarded and how well the conduct of the home promotes their well-being.

p.11

Requires improvement

The ethos of the home is one that puts the children and young people at the very centre of practice. The manager and staff understand the plans for the children and young people in their care. They recognise the importance of supporting them to achieve and celebrate important milestones and maintain healthy relationships with their family. The focus is not just on their life at the home but looks ahead to the future and how they can best support them and improve their life chances.

p.11

Requires improvement

There were no requirements made at the last inspection in March. During this inspection, the registered manager strongly conveyed her determination to respond positively to the five requirements and one good practice recommendation made.

p.11

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’. 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 looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements

p.12

What the inspection judgements mean

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

p.12

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 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

p.13

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 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.13

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, work- based 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,

p.14

Information about this inspection

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

p.14

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.14

Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.14