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

Good

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

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The children’s home provision is good because:

 Young people said that they are happy, safe and well cared for at this home. A range of professionals supported the young people’s views. One professional said, ‘The nurturing environment offered at this home allows young people to be themselves.’ A young person said, ‘You could not ask for better care, and I would recommend this home to social workers.’  All the young people are making very good progress in education. They have received awards, passed exams and have ambitions for their futures.  Young people’s health is prioritised. Over the years and with good incentive schemes, young people have come to realise the importance of good health. As a result, they engage with health services and attend all of their appointments.  Young people are safe and are supported to take age-appropriate risks. When concerns arise, prompt and decisive action is taken. Clear records detail all the steps that the home has taken to safeguard young people.

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The children’s home provision is good because:

 Young people said that the members of staff fully support them to see friends and family members. When emotive issues arise from these visits, the staff are intuitive to the young people’s needs and respond well.  An outstanding feature of this home is that there is a stable, well-qualified and trained staff team. As a result, young people receive consistency of care from members of staff who know them well. This means that young people have close, open and warm relationships with members of staff.  The home is managed well. There is a new manager in place. She was registered with Ofsted recently. Prior to her appointment as the manager of the home, she worked alongside the previous manager for a good period of time. This enabled her to fully understand and acquaint herself with the running of the home.  The inspector identified some improvements that the home needs to make. These include ensuring that physical intervention and police involvement are

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The children’s home provision is good because:

last resorts, that young people have fire safety training, that young people have age-appropriate console games, that the manager has regular supervision and that the home’s location risk assessment is used effectively when referrals to the home are being considered.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) 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.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the positive relationship standard, the registered person must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a) that staff: (iv) help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively; (xi) de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children.

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Requirement Due date

This is specifically about only using police involvement as a last resort. 31/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

20: Restraint and deprivation of liberty

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that restraint in relation to a child is only permitted for the use of preventing injury to any person (including the child) and serious damage to property (including the child), and that restraint in relation to a child must be necessary and proportionate. (Regulation 20(1)(a)(b)(2))

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Requirement Due date

This is specifically in relation to not using holding techniques to remove children from rooms or places for compliance purposes only. 31/03/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that the location review includes the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1) This is specifically in relation to ensuring that these risks are considered when accepting referrals to the home.  Where a child’s preferences are unreasonable or cannot be met for safeguarding reasons, staff should discuss this with the child to help them understand why. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.21) This is specifically in relation to age-appropriate console games.  The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice. (‘Guide to the children’s homes

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Recommendations

regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)  Staff should support children to be aware of and manage their own safety both inside and outside the home to the extent that any good parent would. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.9) This is specifically in relation to completing fire safety awareness with young people.

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home can provide accommodation for three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

21/09/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

25/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Good

Some young people have been at this home for a considerable time and they have made measurable progress in all areas of their lives. There has been one new admission to the home. A good impact risk assessment shows that the home considered his history and behaviour as well as the needs of the existing young people at the home. This referral was discussed with the staff team in a staff meeting, prior to his admission. In this way, the home was able to make an informed decision on whether the young person’s needs could be meet. The manager briefly considered the location risk assessment of the home as part of this process but had not identified whether the home’s proximity to a local pond might pose a potential risk. This was because, at the point of admission, she did not know whether the young person could swim or whether there were any associated risks regarding the proximity to a potential water hazard. This has not currently

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Good

impacted on the young person but needs to be a consideration for future placements. All the young people said that this is a good home where they are happy and safe and have fun. One young person said, ‘It is great. I love the staff and I get to do lots of things.’ Another said, ‘I would recommend this home to social workers. Staff here are caring and want the best for you.’ Several professionals commented on the nurturing environment given at this home. One professional said, ‘They know the young person so well that they often know what their response will be to any emotive situation. Therefore, members of staff can put strategies in place to deflect or de-escalate situations.’ Another professional said, ‘He has settled in well, and I believe that this is because members of staff are listening to him and that they are giving warm and caring responses.’ Young people said that their views, wishes and feelings are taken seriously. The

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Good

home’s records show that young people are encouraged to comment on all aspects of their care. One young person said, ‘The good thing is that staff will explain why something cannot happen and will often come up with a different solution or compromise, which is great, because you are not ignored.’ Not all of the young people are comfortable to attend meetings, such as their reviews. However, staff ensure that they understand the importance of attending and advocating on behalf of the young person. This means that young people are fully involved in the plans for their care and that they can influence decisions. Young people said that when they are unhappy about anything they can tell members of staff or the manager, and things are sorted out. The young people demonstrated that they know how to access the home’s complaint procedure, but they said that they do not have to. Two young people have additional support from

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Good

independent advocates, and all the young people know that they can talk to the responsible individual or independent visitor. As a result, young people have a range of people to talk to who are independent from the home. Young people are in good health. Their attitude towards being healthy and attending health appointments has improved. Members of staff have worked hard on discussing why good health is important. For example, young people now regularly make meals from recipe books rather than eat shop-bought items and they enjoy cooking and planning meals. Young people’s emotional health is monitored well. Members of staff understand each young person’s vulnerabilities and what can affect their emotional well-being. For example, one young person’s contact has been suspended on several occasions because he was unable to deal with the pressures. The home encouraged him to write letters and have telephone

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Good

calls to build up their relationship with his family. This was successful and contact was reinstated. Initially, this did not go well. Members of staff noticed that his behaviour deteriorated prior to contact and afterwards. A plan was agreed with other professionals about the management of contact. This included assigning a member of staff to support him on his return. The young person is able to have quiet time with the staff member, and this offers reassurance and reduces his anxiety. The staff encourage him to use the sensory room and have purchased a tepee tent for his bedroom so that he can use this as a safe place that enables him to have the comfort he needs to manage his emotions. Consequently, contact is improving and the young person is less anxious. Education is prioritised at this home. Members of staff have high aspirations for all of the young people and instil the value of a good education, training and

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Good

employment. The home works closely with schools, headteachers and form teachers so that staff know and understand what levels young people are performing at and what support is required. One young person was unsettled in school and was at the point of exclusion. Several meetings took place between the school and the home to look at strategies to reduce unacceptable behaviour. The strategies included members of staff supporting teachers in school for a short period of time. The young person was moved closer to the teacher and was given jobs to do. A point system was put in place by which the young person receives ‘golden’ time. This was successful and as a result, members of staff no longer attend school with him. The young person is enjoying helping out, and as soon as he gets home he proudly tells members of staff about the points he has earned that day. The young person said, ‘I have had a few blips. I find it hard to be good

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Good

here and at school all the time. But I am doing better and often earn my points.’ He explained what the points mean and how he enjoys the free time that he is given on a Friday. The other two young people are attaining above-average results in all of their subjects. One young person has moved up sets and acknowledged that his previous poor behaviour was because he was bored with the work set in lessons. He has recently been rewarded with a football ticket to watch a premiership football team play, because of his improving behaviour. He said, ‘It was great. I took my auntie and I really enjoyed it.’ Another young person has recently received a merit in the European Computer Driving License (ECDL). She is on target for above-average grades in several exams. She said, ‘I am revising hard as I want to go to college and then to university. I want to work in the public sector, possibly as a paramedic or in the ambulance service.’ She has secured a place at college, but

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Good

needs to meet the entry requirements. All the young people have full attendance at school, and members of staff support them with homework and by attending review evenings. As a result of these good practices, young people are achieving beyond expectations, in line with their peers, and they have ambitions for their futures. Young people enjoy a range of activities. They attend concerts, the cinema, bowling, swimming and trampolining. They also enjoy relaxing at the home and playing board games or on consoles. However, one young person has been playing console games that are recommended for older young people. This means that young people may be exposed to inappropriate material. These were removed at the time of inspection. Members of staff ensure that young people can continue with their hobbies when placed here. One young person attends the cadets and is preparing for a camping weekend away with them. The home works closely with

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Good

young people’s parents or extended families. This means that one young person is looking forward to a holiday abroad with her family. Young people are encouraged to try new things, and this expands their experiences and assists with social relationships. Young people live in a homely environment that offers lots of space in which to have quiet time or to be part of the group. Young people display photographs and pictures around the home. This gives them a sense of belonging. On the day of inspection, the young people were celebrating Valentine’s day and had decorated the dining room with balloons and pictures and had made laminated place mats. The home has a large kitchen with numerous kitchen units. However, these have been repaired several times over the years. Some cupboards are now not accessible and have been permanently closed for safety, and some drawers fall through when opened. The responsible individual agreed that new kitchen units are

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Good

required and he assured the inspector that this would be done.

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Good

All the young people said that they are safe at this home. They said that members of staff are very clear with them about keeping themselves safe and always give good advice on how risks may affect them. Members of staff are able to support young people to keep themselves safe because they have regular training in this area. A safeguarding professional said that the home is very good in sharing, reporting and following local protocols for keeping young people safe. The home went through a period of unrest between September and December 2016, which led to a rise in incidents in the home. This was during a period of transition from the previous manager to the new manager. It was anticipated that the young people would find this difficult, and a sound plan was in place to support a smooth transfer of management and leadership. However, despite good insight and planning, this did not work initially. A young person said, ‘It was hard and if I

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Good

am truthful we did not give [Name of new manager] a chance. But she has stuck by us and she is great.’ As relationships have built up with the new manager, incidents are now decreasing and a rapport is developing. Any allegation about a member of staff is quickly addressed and reported to the relevant professionals. Good records are kept to show the action taken, and all procedures are strictly followed. The young people said that the best things about this home are the relationships that they have with members of staff. One young person said, ‘I am close to my key worker and can tell her anything, but I can also go to other staff.’ Another young person said, ‘I like them because they are fun.’ A professional said, ‘He likes it here because staff treat every day as a new day. Therefore, he appreciates that any unacceptable behaviour is not gone over and over.’ There was a long period of time during which young people were settled and not

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Good

going missing from the home. However, there have very recently been two episodes. A young person was initially deemed at risk of child sexual exploitation and she had completed work with a child sexual exploitation support worker, alongside completing sessions with her key worker. The home and her social worker agreed that she was mature enough to have an internet mobile phone for her birthday. However, she used this inappropriately and was missing from the home overnight, thereby raising concerns. On the day of the inspection, the young person failed to return home from school. The social worker was present at the time of the inspection, having come to conduct the return interview relating to the previous episode. Members of staff followed the local authority’s missing from home protocol and actively searched the addresses where the young person is known to go. On this occasion, she returned safely. In addition to initiating the

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Good

search, the manager contacted the child sexual exploitation coordinator from the police to request a new child sexual exploitation support worker. The manager also challenged the school, as a register had not been taken in the afternoon, as young people were on revision lessons. Further to this, the manager has made an appointment with the school, to address concerns about inappropriate social media posts thought to be made by other pupils. Thus, prompt and decisive action is taken, and underlying issues are being robustly addressed. There has been a rise in young people being held. Mostly, these interventions are appropriate and carried out to keep young people safe. However, there were two occasions, once when a young person was removed from behind a couch and a second when a young person was removed from the office, when the interventions appear to have been made for compliance rather than for safety reasons. In

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Good

addition to this, it is apparent that police have been called to the home inappropriately to manage young people’s behaviours. The manager agreed that, in one case, an incident could have been handled differently, and that this may have brought about a different conclusion. Subsequently, staff need to remain mindful that, when they choose to either call the police for assistance or to restrain a young person, the circumstances must be appropriate and warrant the action. After any incident, discussions take place with young people to find out what is happening for them at that moment. Their risk assessments are reviewed and discussed in team meetings. Thus, the staff team is able to discuss different strategies and to focus on incentive schemes to turn young people’s behaviour around. This has been successful. Young people have received extra money, trips out for meals, new clothing and activities. A young person said, ‘When I look back,

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Good

I think we all could have done things differently, and it is really good that we get the chance to talk about these things. I would do things differently now.’ Young people said that they have opportunities to apologise, reflect and make things better through purposeful key worker sessions. Thus, they are able to empathise and learn from their actions. Young people live in a safe and well-maintained home. This is because the manager and members of staff take their responsibilities seriously and ensure that all health and safety requirements are fully met. Renewals of gas and electric appliances and fire evacuations are completed regularly. However, on one occasion, a young person lit a piece of paper from the gas fire and dropped it on the carpet. This was quickly extinguished, but the manager has yet to contact the fire service to ask for support in helping the young person to understand why it is important not to play with fire and for the young person to complete training in fire

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Good

There is a new manager at this home. She was registered with Ofsted in February 2016. She has extensive experience of working with young people, vulnerable adults and families from deprived areas. She is registered on an appropriate leadership and management course. She is supported by a senior care worker and a very stable staff team. She also managers another one-bedded home and splits her time between the two homes effectively. The manager recognised that it was going to be difficult to take over this home because the past manager had been here for 11 years. She said that the young people had really good relationships with the previous manager, and staff were loyal to her. Therefore, a well-planned handover period was agreed and lots of work was done with the young people and the staff team. The manager said, ‘Although there was a rocky start, I have worked through these difficulties, and the home is settling down now.’ She has done this by spending lots of time with the

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Good

young people and ensuring that the staff team knows and understands her expectations of the team members. This has included the staff being more responsible for the recording of events in the home and having designated roles. The home’s statement of purpose reflects the service provided by the home and it is updated regularly. Professionals spoken to as part of this inspection confirmed that they had received a copy and found it informative. Young people benefit from being cared for by a stable staff team that is managed and supported effectively. Most staff have a recognised qualification in childcare, and one member of staff is currently completing this. Their knowledge is enhanced through regular training and staff meetings. Staff said that staff meetings are an open arena to discuss any changes in care plans, policies, practice and legislation. For example, the manager set questions on the home’s statement of purpose and

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Good

its rationale. This means that the staff understand that this is a legal document and that they have to care for young people in accordance with it. Members of staff said that they receive regular supervision and that they can discuss personal issues, practice and their development needs. One staff member said, ‘We do some online training. The manager always checks our knowledge and understanding of it [in] supervision. Therefore, I feel confident that I can put what I have learned into practice.’ As a result, members of staff said they are well supported by the manager. Although the manager has spent a lot informal time with the previous manager and responsible individual, she has only had one formal supervision since she has been in post. This means that her practice is not monitored and she has not had regular opportunities to reflect on her own practice and on how the home is developing. Young people are central to the care that they receive at this home. This is

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Good

because they are given opportunities, and are encouraged, to discuss and comment on all aspects of their care. As a result, young people said that they can influence the care that they receive and know that attending meetings is important because they are about them. The manager has forged strong links with professionals from partner agencies and specialist services, such as teachers, health professionals, social workers and safeguarding professionals. This means that joint working is effective and ensures that young people receive the care that they need. The home responds to all external complaints formally, quickly and to a successful conclusion. A recent complaint about young people’s behaviour in the community has been resolved. Members of staff completed sessions with young people about respect, manners and acceptable behaviour in the community. The manager wrote to all the neighbours apologising for any inconvenience or disturbance. She gave

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Good

the neighbours the company’s complaint form and her details so that they could raise further issues in the future, if necessary. There was a very good response. Five separate neighbours responded with positive comments. For example, one neighbour wrote, ‘There are no problems. The young people are pleasant, kind and respectful.’ Another wrote, ‘I am very happy for the children to play together.’ One neighbour gave a young person a box of chocolates to thank them for helping her son to learn to ride a bike. The home is in a small cul-de-sac and there have been ongoing issues about parking of staff members’ cars. The manager has taken this issue through to her development plan for the home. To lessen potential for complaint, they have widened the carport, and members of staff are aware that they should not park in the entrance to the close, thereby showing consideration to neighbours. The company has recently employed an independent service to carry out the

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Good

regulation 44 visit. The first report is of a good standard, and the manager uses this to effectively improve the home. For example, the independent person has brought to her attention records that have not been signed by the author. Through this, the manager has been able to improve her monthly monitoring. As a part of the manager’s six-monthly review, she consults with the young people, social workers, parents and partner agencies. As a result, she gets an all-round view of the care practice in the home. All parents commented on the homely environment, how settled their children are and the good communication they have with the home. A range of professionals commented on the good practice, communication and the progress that young people are making at the home. A social worker said, ‘I do not think that she could be in a better home. They know and respond to her needs instinctively.’

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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 that 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

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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