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 judges that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is judged as having declined in effectiveness because not all children and young people who are admitted to the home are appropriately matched to those who already live there. This has had a negative effect on their relationships and has compromised the safety of children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

For example, for one child who was admitted at very short notice, there was no impact risk assessment or documentation to evidence the manager’s analysis of safeguarding risks. As a result, the presenting risks, which were identified by the child’s local authority upon referral, were not effectively managed by staff. Risk- taking behaviours continued and resulted in a further placement move for this child after just 10 days.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The admissions practice has strengthened where planned admissions are concerned. In these cases, risks are clearly identified and the impact upon others assessed. When one child was admitted, staff had significant information about her, which enabled them to make her favourite meal on the day of admission. This reduced the child’s anxiety and helped her to feel welcomed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people have experienced placement moves because of the risks that they were presenting. However, generally transitions are planned and communication with the staff at the new placements is strong. This helps clear plans to be implemented and ensures that children and young people are safe. Children and young people are also supported by staff to arrive and settle into their new placements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people present with varying risks and, through good staffing ratios and strategies, current risks are identified and managed. When children and young people present risk-taking behaviour, staff are responsive. When children and young people go missing, staff actively follow and search for them. For example, staff followed a child for a number of miles to ensure that they were safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff build good relationships with children and young people, which promotes the development of trust and an understanding of their needs. For example, staff actively respond to one particular young person if she is isolating herself, as this could be her indicator for self-harm. When there are concerns that children and young people may cause significant harm to themselves, others or property, staff respond; this can include the use of physical intervention. However, the manager needs to ensure that the records of all physical interventions comply with regulation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people's records are not always available, as required by regulation. In addition, it is also difficult for staff to access records on the electronic recording system.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people are making good individual progress and gaining positive experiences. Staff are providing photographic memories for children and young people: of them going to the cinema, the fairground, and completing art work. Other examples of progress include a young person being able to sit through a long meeting. Another young person is attending education after not being in school for the past two years. A third child is now sleeping through the night.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people are benefiting from improved family relationships. The staff work closely with parents, enabling them to strengthen their parenting abilities and encourage good quality contact for children and young people. As a result, one young person enjoys increased contact with their grandparents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people receive care and support from a staff team that has specialist knowledge on a number of matters of concern to children and young people. This enables children and young people to receive information and guidance around pertinent topics, such as sexual health, healthy relationships and gang culture. However, records of these sessions could be developed further if children and young people were able to add information to them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, a recommendation was made to ensure that the recordings of sanctions are signed and dated, particularly when the children and young people have been consulted about the consequence. This has been partially met, as on occasion children and young people are still not consulted in a timely manner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parts of the home have been freshly decorated, and the damage caused by children and young people is fixed. This now provides a homely and welcoming environment for children and young people. In addition, when staff knew that children and young people were being admitted to the home, and as a welcoming touch they placed personalised items into their bedrooms, such as fairy lights, football mats and nice toiletries.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. It provides placements for up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/10/2016 Full Good 03/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 14/12/2015 Full Good 26/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirements Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered provider must ensure:

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Requirements Due date

(2)(a)(iv) that staff manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other. 30/03/2017

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Requirements Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirements Due date

(3) The registered person must ensure that:

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Requirements Due date

(b) within 48 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person") – (i) has spoken to the user about the measure (ii) has signed the record to confirm it is accurate

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Requirements Due date

(c) within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. 30/03/2017

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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 children are actively encouraged to read their records and add further information to them. ('Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 14.6) This is with particular reference to young people contributing to recording on imposed sanctions and key-working sessions.  Regulations 35 to 39 detail the records that must be kept in children’s homes. All children's case records must be kept up to date and stored securely whilst they remain in the home. ('Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 14.3) This is with particular reference to children and young people's records being kept at the home for a time period post discharge to ensure that information can be evidenced within inspection. In

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Recommendations

addition, the manager should explore electronic record access for delegated staff members should this be required when they are absent from work.  The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. ('Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards', page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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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’.

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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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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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 .

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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, 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,

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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

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