Children's home run by Cambian Signpost 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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager continues to ensure that allegations or issues of concern are acted upon. Comprehensive records demonstrate a robust audit trail of the action that has been taken and the subsequent outcomes. She works collaboratively with the placing authority, children’s services, the designated officer of the local authority and the local police to address such matters. Staff demonstrate a good awareness of safeguarding procedures and protocols, and have received safeguarding training.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been one incident of two young people going missing. Detailed records reflect the action that was taken by staff to safeguard the young people. Staff follow the agreed missing from home protocols. A serious incident occurred while the two young people were missing that was effectively managed by the registered manager and staff. All appropriate agencies, authorities, and parents were informed. The registered manager has recently updated the young person’s missing from home protocol. At the time of the inspection, the updated protocol had not been sent to the local police. This was immediately addressed at this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there has been a slight increase in the use of restraint. The records pertaining to the use of restraint meet regulation and are closely scrutinised by the registered manager for the appropriateness of the measures used. The young person has a good awareness and insight into why staff may use restraint. All staff have received training in the use of de-escalation and restraint.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager closely scrutinises incidents that occur and identifies if there are weaknesses in staff performance. These weaknesses are acted upon and records are maintained to demonstrate the action that has been taken.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Positive behaviour is promoted and a comprehensive behaviour support plan is in place that provides staff with detailed guidance on how to manage known behaviours. The plan is regularly updated and has been signed by the young person, her social worker, the registered manager and staff team. The registered manager actively addresses any concerns with the placing authority in the management of the young person’s behaviours and has instigated a professionals meeting to discuss recent concerns.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are no concerns in relation to the young person misusing substances or child sexual exploitation (CSE). The registered manager has completed the local authority CSE assessment tool, and this has been shared with the appropriate agencies and professionals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The current young person says that she likes living at the home. She said, ‘I like my bedroom, playing outside and chilling out.’ She feels listened to, and can identify staff whom she would speak to if she has any concerns. She said that she feels safe and likes the activities that she does. She said, ‘I like to go swimming, shopping, going on trips and days out.’ She said that she has access to the house meeting minutes, but does not ‘always understand what has been written’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The current young person’s social worker speaks highly of the care and support that are provided. He said: ‘I have no concerns at all about the quality of care. She is safe, the staff are excellent at keeping me up to speed with what’s happening, and I receive weekly updates, weekly handovers and incident forms.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager ensures that the young person’s placement plan and associated risk assessments are regularly updated to reflect the young person’s needs. The registered manager has recently updated the staff training matrix to reflect the training that has been provided. Staff speak well of the support that she provides. One member of staff said ‘she is very supportive and approachable’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to be effectively managed. Three of the four recommendations made at the last inspection have been met in full and the remainder has been partly met.

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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.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/12/2016 Full Good 08/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 11/08/2015 Full Good 11/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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. In particular, that the minutes of house meetings are presented in a format that is accessible to young people, taking into account their individual communication needs and understanding. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the home’s procedures take into account the views of appropriate local services and have regard to police and local authority protocols for missing persons incidents in the area where the home is located. In particular, that the local police are sent updated missing from home protocols. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.29)

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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 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.

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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 0300 123 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

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

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

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