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 as good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection four recommendations were set, all of which the manager has addressed. Since the last inspection, the manager has ensured that the staff are fully aware of organisational policies and procedures, such as room searches and the use of mobile phones. This means that the staff have improved awareness of best practice and have enhanced levels of safeguarding awareness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is well managed. The manager effectively communicates her high aspirations and expectations to the staff and the children. One partner professional said, There’s a ‘fantastic manager. It’s a good team, and the manager runs a good ship.’ The manager is clear on the levels of skills and resilience that staff need in order to provide high-quality care. The manager promotes staff development through effective induction, training and supervision arrangements. Senior staff have received suitable training and now provide regular good-quality supervision to junior staff. New staff benefit from fortnightly supervision in conjunction with probationary review meetings. These arrangements mean that the staff feel well supported.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New admissions are well planned. The manager is clear as to the needs of the children for whom the home can provide a service. She is conscious of the potential impact of a new admission on the dynamics of the existing group as a whole. As a result, the home provides a stable environment in which the children thrive. There has been one placement breakdown since the last inspection. This was due to escalating levels of risk that could not be safely managed in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relaxed and positive relationships permeate through the home. There is constant laughter and ‘banter’ between the staff and the children, which gives the home a warm, nurturing atmosphere. The children identify favourite staff with whom they have particularly close relationships. One child bumped shoulders and shook hands with a particular member of staff as a friendly ‘street style’ greeting upon their arrival at the home. The child said that they liked one member of staff because ‘they really understand me’ and another because, ‘well, they’re just funny’. The children said that they can talk to staff about anything. These relationships underpin the success that staff have in helping make positive changes in the children’s lives. As a result, all of the children make progress from their particular starting points in all aspects of their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are very positive about their experiences of living in the home. Their comments included:  ‘It’s calm.’  ‘I just get along with them [staff].’  ‘It’s all right. Actually, it’s really good.’  ‘I feel comfortable here.’  ‘It’s made me realise I can make positive choices.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have varying levels of engagement in learning, but they all make progress in relation to their starting points. Some have moved from being highly resistant and non-attending education to regular attendance with variable engagement. All of the children of compulsory school age are attending school or alternative educational provision, and their needs are kept under regular review. Effective relationships with schools mean that children’s learning and development is well promoted. One child’s teacher said, ‘It’s all going in the right direction and I’m surprised at the progress.’ One child who has recently moved into the home is being assisted by staff to research possible further education opportunities and seek employment. The staff have helped them develop their curriculum vitae and secure work experience.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Each child has varying interests in activities. However, they are provided with new opportunities and are encouraged to try out new things. One social worker said, ‘Where he has indicated a wish to do anything, they have facilitated this. They have always made it happen.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff work extremely well in partnership with local police, schools and social workers, and these professionals hold the staff in high esteem. They refer to a home which makes a ‘massive difference’ for the children, and their comments included:  ‘They are a really good home.’  ‘Staff are really good at talking him through things; they don’t turn their back.’  ‘They act like an extended parent.’  ‘Staff are very good at listening to her. She says she wants to be there.’  ‘They try their best to get him engaged. They’re fighting his corner and advocating for him.’  The staff are doing a great job. It’s all about her and about her needs.’  ‘I’ve been very impressed with the home and the staff. They’re doing a brilliant job.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are effective in helping the children manage conflict. One child said, in respect of a particular incident, ‘They [the staff] were very good at calming things down.’ As a result of the skilful interventions of the staff, the conflict was defused, and the children have been able to build bridges. This ability to calm, move on and get along together represents personal growth for the children. One child’s social worker said, ‘Staff have given him the tools to deal with conflict, and he’s now able to rise above things, which is something he’s never done before. He’s really matured.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour strategies are effective and are making a positive difference. Missing from home incidents are rare, and when they have occurred, this has only been for short periods. Only a few significant incidents have occurred, and they have been well managed. This ensures that the children’s safety remains paramount. There have been no complaints or incidents of physical restraint since the last inspection. The children are supported to maintain contact with those people who are important to them. Some have begun making positive friendships in the local area, which helps them develop a strong sense of belonging in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff successfully help the children to express their thoughts, wishes and feelings. This means that the children feel valued, loved and respected. One child said that the manager ‘is really is trying to do everything she can for me. She really cares.’ As a result, the children feel safe and are supported to make positive changes in their lives, such as ceasing offending, and withdrawing from gang membership.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is suitably maintained, clean and spacious. Recent decorative changes suggested by the children have enhanced the lounge, providing a bright and homely area in which to relax.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Suitable management overview ensures that all of the actions taken are appropriate and proportionate. There are effective internal and external monitoring arrangements in place that enable the manager to have a clear understanding of the strengths and areas for growth. All the recommendations from the last inspection have been met. No new requirements or recommendations have been set at this inspection. As a result, the home is judged as having improved effectiveness. A child’s social worker said, ‘It’s been a really fantastic placement. They’ve enabled him to make the changes he wanted to, and the future looks much more positive to him.’

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Information about this children's home

This home is one of a group of homes run by a large independent provider. It offers care for up to three children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/11/2016 Full Good 29/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/10/2015 Full Good 25/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 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 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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