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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been an increase in incidents involving young people and altercations between young people in the home. These are, both isolated incidents and on other occasions the direct targeting of individual young people. Staff exercise vigilance and have employed direct strategies to keep young people safe. This has successfully prevented some of the immediate incidents but not all. Consequently, this has been a turbulent period for young people.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has appropriately initiated safeguarding procedures in response to concerns and notified relevant agencies. However, the regulator was not notified of two incidents, which were significant in the context of the events. This was an oversight, but it means that the regulator, did not have full overview of all significant events impacting on young people.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff members speak to young people about keeping safe and making positive choices. However, the suggested strategies for young people are not always realistic for young people to follow while living in a group environment. Therefore, they have not been effective in preventing incidents. Although staff members listen sensitively to young people’s concerns, they have not identified when a young person is clearly expressing a formal complaint. On another occasion, a young person was inappropriately advised to complain to the police when the matters should have been formally responded to within the home’s complaint procedures. This means that the concerns of young people are not always formally identified, considered and responded to. On these occasions, the young person did not feel listened to.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been a number of occasions when physical interventions have been necessary to keep young people safe. There is effective oversight of practice and interventions. The number of missing episodes has recently reduced. Staff members are vigilant to signs and take all action possible to prevent young people from going missing. At this time, no young people are considered directly at risk of sexual exploitation. A safeguarding incident in the home, involving a young person not living in the home, was robustly responded to. This was followed through with a clear key-work session addressing risks, responsibilities and consent with a young person.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people have moved from the home after a period of escalating difficulties and risks which impacted on all young people. The home appropriately served notice to end one young person’s placement due to safeguarding concerns. This was a difficult decision, and followed stringent attempts to increase support and divert the young person away from negative influences and relationships in the community.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person’s move was unplanned. The placement ended following the young person going missing and not wishing to return, despite the attempts of the home. Positively, this young person has contacted the home since and reflected on events with staff members. The manager has made all attempts to support the young people. This includes requesting a disruption meeting, to support young people’s positive forward planning.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has been admitted and discharged from the home in this period. The initial planning for this young person was brought forward due to the presenting risks for the young person at the time. After a challenging short period, which impacted on all young people, an alternative placement was identified to individually support the young person.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are currently three young people living in the home. Two young people have moved to the home in this period and remain living in the home. For both young people, the needs of the current young people were considered and further discussions were held with the placing authorities to inform decisions and risk assessments. However, chronologies are not requested to understand young people’s histories. Both young people have made some progress in important aspects. For example, one young person, after not attending education for five months, said proudly, ‘I now go to school full time.’ He is also starting to engage with his plan and key professionals, and these show some positive steps forward. Another young person has reduced the number of missing episodes since living in this home. One young person continues to make progress, attends full-time education and is responding well to incentives and individual activities.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is proactive in challenging planning decisions for young people when there is evidence of drift. In addition, the manager challenges placing authorities to initiate timely responses for young people when there are risks. The manager takes action to address the recommendations from independent monitoring visits. The monitoring arrangements have not considered how robust the home’s complaints procedure is, given the number of altercations and young people’s recent experiences. The manager has sought to improve the quality of the monitoring of the home by including the views of young people, families and professionals in the current draft report.

p.3

Information about this children's home

A private company has registered this children’s home for up to five young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties, on a short term, medium or long term basis. One of these placements is a semi-independence flat at the top of the home. The provider also runs a school in a nearby town that young people can access if it meets their needs.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/09/2016 Full Good 02/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/11/2015 Full Good 16/12/2014 Full Good

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

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure that staff: (2) (a)(iv) manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other. 01/05/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 01/05/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if – there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 01/05/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (5)) 01/05/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure that the home receives sufficient information from the placing authority to effectively assess whether the home can meet the child's needs before agreeing to the placement. In particular, ensure that this includes a child's chronology of significant events and an understanding of a child's relationship history. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations and quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.5)

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 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 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 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.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