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

Good

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

p.2

The children’s home provision is good because:

 The effectiveness of the leadership and management in the home has improved. Leaders and managers have taken robust action to address the serious shortfalls that senior managers identified at the home at the last inspection.  Safeguarding practice has considerably improved and is now more robust. Leaders and managers ensure that allegations or issues of concern are acted upon.  The number of times that young people have been missing has declined since the last inspection. Staff follow the agreed protocols, and show a good awareness and understanding of the action to take. Positive behaviour is promoted and the use of restraint has reduced.  The newly appointed manager ensures that there is regular external and internal scrutiny of the quality of care provided. She responds to any recommendations that are made by the independent visitor and identifies where improvements can be made, following her review of the quality of care.

p.3

The children’s home provision is good because:

 There are good relationships between young people and staff. Staff place young people at the centre of their care. Young people’s education and independence are actively promoted. Young people are happy living at the home.  Young people benefit from accessing activities that they enjoy, and contact with families and friends is encouraged and supported. Young people feel listened to and enjoy living at the home.  Staff receive effective supervision and regular supervision. They speak well of the support that they receive from the manager and the deputy manager.  Areas to improve further are in relation to record keeping and young people’s access to house meeting minutes.

p.3

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that children are consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11) In particular, ensure that the minutes to house meetings are easily accessible to them and are child friendly.  Ensure that children are in full-time education while they are of compulsory school age, unless their personal education plan states otherwise. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15) In particular, ensure that for those who do not attend school, the records demonstrate that they are accessing a minimum of 25 hours per week of good- quality registered alternative provision.

p.4

Recommendations

 Ensure that the workforce plan be updated to include any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8) In particular, ensure that the home’s training matrix records the ongoing training that staff have received.  Ensure that all staff are familiar with the home's policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) In particular, ensure that records pertaining to internal investigations demonstrate a robust audit trail.

p.4

Information about this children’s home

This service provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have a sensory impairment and emotional or behavioural difficulties. This service is run by a national provider.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 11/08/2015 Full Good 11/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/11/2014 Full Good

p.5

Good

Young people receive individualised care. There are good relationships between young people and staff. Staff have high aspirations for young people and place them at the centre of their care. To communicate, young people use British Sign Language (BSL), and all staff working in the home are trained in the use of BSL. Young people say that they like the staff. One young person gave ‘10 out of 10’ for living at the home.

p.6

Good

The manager ensures that she undertakes a detailed assessment of young people’s needs prior to them moving to the home. Young people visit and stay overnight prior to moving in. A robust placement plan is put in place, with clear targets. The early review of risk assessments and management plans ensures that a young person is not labelled with behaviours from the past and that their care is tailored to meet their needs.

p.6

Good

One young person recently left the home at short notice, as he moved to be closer to his family. Staff sensitively supported this transition and presented him with a ‘memories book’ with photographs and positive comments from his time living at the home. Staff assisted the transition by driving him home to ensure a smooth transition.

p.6

Good

Young people enjoy the activities that staff encourage and support. One young person gave ’10 out of 10’ for the activities. Contact with families and friends is fully supported and encouraged. Young people use the internet to communicate with family and friends. They have a good understanding of internet safety and staff promote the safe use of the internet.

p.6

Good

Young people’s views about the running of the home are sought and acted upon. Young people say that they feel listened to. Regular house meetings take place and minutes are taken. However, the minutes of these meetings are neither child friendly nor easily accessible, as they are kept in the staff office.

p.6

Good

Staff encourage young people to attend education. One young person is in full-time education, and a social worker said: ‘There is close liaison between the home and school, and transitions and outcomes for her have improved’. Another young person is accessing a variety of education opportunities. This includes one-to-one tuition and work experience. One young person thoroughly enjoys accessing work experience on a farm, but on occasion he is reluctant to attend education, despite imaginative incentives. The manager considers that he is accessing a minimum of 25 hours a week education. However, the records monitoring this do not confirm this.

p.6

Good

Young people’s independence is promoted effectively and they learn new skills. One young person has ambitions to learn to drive and would like to work on a farm.

p.7

Good

Since the last inspection, safeguarding practice has improved considerably and is now more robust. Leaders and managers ensure that allegations or issues of concern are acted upon. Detailed records are kept to demonstrate the action that has been taken and the subsequent outcomes. However, some records do not always demonstrate a clear audit trail. The designated officer of the local authority does not identify any issues in relation to the reporting process. Social workers consider that young people are safe, and young people say that they feel safe. All staff receive safeguarding training.

p.7

Good

The incidence of young people being missing has declined since the last inspection. Missing from home protocols are shared with the local police missing person’s coordinator. If young people go missing, staff follow the agreed protocols, and actively search and make every effort to keep in touch with them to encourage their return. Independent return home interview are undertaken. However, the manager is exploring alternatives approaches to improve on the timeliness of the interviews. The manager has completed the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board child sexual exploitation risk assessment tool.

p.7

Good

There are no concerns in relation to child sexual exploitation or young people misusing drugs or alcohol.

p.7

Good

Positive behaviour and clear and consistent boundaries are promoted. Staff are provided with guidance and support to assist young people to manage their behaviour. On occasion, the actions of one young person place him and others at risk of harm. This has resulted in police involvement. However, criminal convictions have not been imposed. Young people are encouraged to reflect on their actions and to make positive choices. The manager ensures that risk assessments and support plans are updated following serious incidents. All staff sign to confirm their awareness and understanding of the risk assessments that are in place.

p.7

Good

The use of restraint has declined since the last inspection. If restraint is used, the records clearly demonstrate the reasons leading up to the use of the intervention in order to keep the young person safe. The records meet regulation, and the manager’s evaluation of the use of restraint is succinct and clear. Monitoring devices such as door alarms are used due to the specific requests of young people, not to restrict their liberty. The use of these is detailed in their care plans, and appropriate agreements are sought.

p.7

Good

Young people live in an environment that is safe and well maintained. The manager ensures that there are regular checks of the fire system and the specialised equipment that young people require to promote their safety effectively. In addition, staff and young people undertake regular fire drills.

p.8

Good

The effectiveness of the leadership and management in the home has improved since the last inspection.

p.8

Good

At the last inspection, leaders and managers provided Ofsted with a comprehensive action plan to improve the leadership and management of the home, the safety of young people and the quality of care. This action plan has been kept under constant review and Ofsted provided with regular updates. Leaders and managers have taken robust action to address the serious shortfalls that senior managers identified at the home, and the seven requirements made at the last inspection have been met.

p.8

Good

Since the last inspection, a new manager and deputy manager have been appointed to the home. The newly appointed manager has been instrumental in the positive changes that have been made. She places young people at the centre of her care, and is committed to improving the quality of care. Staff report a change of culture at the home. A member of staff said: ‘It’s changed for the better, the manager is a lot more open, and the home is more organised.’ Another member of staff said: ‘We challenge each other, there’s good information at handover and we are open with each other.’

p.8

Good

Placing authorities speak well of the manager and staff. A social worker said: ‘The manager knows her job, and always seeks to ensure that young people’s rights are promoted, and that they are listened to.’ Another social worker said: ‘The manager is very good and updates me regularly.’

p.8

Good

The manager ensures that all appropriate agencies are informed of any significant events at the home and takes robust action to address these. There has not been a recoded complaint since

p.8

Good

The manager ensures regular external scrutiny of the quality of care provided and responds in a professional and timely manner to any recommendations that are made. She undertakes a thorough review of the quality of care and identifies where improvements can be made. Areas for further improvement recently identified include promoting young people’s engagement with the wider community, seeking views from young people, staff development, and the replacement of carpets and further refurbishment.

p.8

Good

The manager ensures that young people’s care plans and associated risk assessments are regularly reviewed to ensure that they reflect the care and support required.

p.9

Good

Staff receive regular and effective supervision. A staff member said: ‘They are monthly, and far more frequent than before. They give me a chance to express what I think and what can I do better.’ The manager closely monitors staff performance. When shortfalls have been identified, the records demonstrate the action taken and the guidance provided to staff to improve their performance. Staff say that they feel well supported by the manager and deputy manager.

p.9

Good

The manager has recently reviewed the workforce development plan. She has reflected on the training that has been provided and the qualifications of the staff. All staff receive mandatory training and specific training to meet the needs of the young people. The training matrix does not record that all staff have received training to counter child sexual exploitation and that there are planned refresher dates in attachment. Those staff who are not qualified to level 3 diploma are undertaking the qualification.

p.9

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.10

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.10

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.11

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.11

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.12

Information about this inspection

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

p.12

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.12

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.12