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 outstanding 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

The young person is making measurable progress in all areas of his life. This is because there has been a very good focus on the young person’s level of cognitive development and his difficulties in forming positive attachments and being able to understand the world around him. The home has introduced a daily ‘my book’ in which staff write about what has happened that day. The young person said, ‘It is great and I can read it when I want and look back at the week. It reminds me what I have done.’ In addition to this, the home is keeping a memory book full of photographs with comments about activities and special occasions. The young person proudly showed and talked to the inspector about different things that had happened. This means that the young person is able to recall memories and has an account of his time at this home. Another new development is that the home has introduced a newsletter. This informs the young person of forthcoming events,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

important information and any staff information. It also has quizzes and puzzles in it. For example, there is a new team leader joining the team, so there is a pen picture of her. St. Patrick’s day is coming up and there is an article on this, with a word search and crossword. The manager hopes to develop this further by getting contributions from the young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person has a specific individual education package. This consists of two days at an alternative education placement where he is currently undertaking a fishing project. This incorporates designing ponds, calculating depths and writing accounts. He also attends college one day a week. He is learning about painting and decorating, joinery and brick work. These course are supported by two days at the company school. Before being placed here, the young person had missed a significant amount of schooling and, as a result, he was performing well below average, academically. The young person now has 100% attendance at all venues and is doing as well as can be expected in his core subjects. The young person said, ‘I love it. I caught 13 fish yesterday. I am not sure what I want to do as a career but definitely something with my hands.’ This unique individual package of education gives the young person the opportunity to complete formal education

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

alongside gaining skills for the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person had difficulty in forming or maintaining relationships due to his attachment difficulties. This has been the focus of work carried out at the home. Initially, staff allowed him to regress and supported his love of a cartoon character. His bedroom was decorated with this character and he has lots of items in connection with this, such as a mug, pens, films, posters and bed linen. The manager has a degree in psychology and has been able to discuss attachment theory in staff meetings. Therefore, staff have been able to look at each aspect of the young person’s behaviour and emotions and adapt their care practice accordingly. For example, when the young person is becoming agitated, they give him short, quiet requests and put on soothing music. The young person said that this helps him to calm down. Alongside this, members of staff constantly talk with him and offer him different ways or ideas of dealing with situations. For example, a

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

member of staff suggested a boxing punch bag. The young person agreed and this was purchased. As a result, incidents of aggression and anger have significantly reduced and the young person is able to self-regulate in most situations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person’s health has significantly improved. This is because of the work that members of staff have done with him in relation to relationships. He now attends all of his appointments. The young person’s diet has improved. He used to eat little, miss meals and what he did eat was mostly fast food. He now has breakfast and enjoys shopping, cooking and making meals. He has gained weight. The young person’s emotional health is well monitored. He has recently agreed to see a bereavement counsellor. Members of staff are aware that this is a very emotive subject for him and are already discussing strategies to support him. The young person said, ‘I was able to go to court and say what I wanted because staff supported me very well. I want to stay here. I like it and staff care about me. I think I am doing well.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person said that he was fully involved in his care. He said that he is given the opportunity to discuss anything and record his views and that he has an opinion about the development of the home. He said, ‘We had an education room but I go to school. So we turned it into a chill-out room. We got new furniture, and my friend comes for tea and we play console games in there.’ This shows that young people’s views are valued and it has enabled him to maintain a positive relationship with his friend.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person said that he has no complaints and that he had an advocate to speak to if he was unhappy. All external complaints are robustly actioned. Any complaints are discussed in a staff meeting. Therefore, all staff know what learning is taken from them to improve practice. For example, a parent said that she was not informed of her child’s safe return. This was upheld. A new contact sheet has be introduced and members of staff agreed that parents should be informed of positive outcomes not just negative behaviour. As a result, the parent is contacted twice a week. This shows that the home responds to all concerns raised, improves its practice and builds relationships with parents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Prior, to coming to this home, the young person was classed as a habitual absconder. Since the last inspection in September 2017, he has been reported missing from the home on one occasion. Records show that the local authorities missing from home protocol was followed. Members of staff continually searched known places and attempted to call him throughout the period he was missing. A return interview was completed to ensure that he was safe. In addition to this, several pieces of work were completed with the young person on being responsible, answering his mobile and being safe. The young person said that members of staff were very good at discussing safety issues with him and that he listens. He continued to say that members of staff go through other things, such as, road safety with him. He said that it is important to wear a safety helmet and high visibility clothing when riding a bike. He said, ‘I always wear mine now, so I

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding young people is prioritised at this home. Any allegation against members of staff are reported, investigated and concluded fully. A recent concern arose when the manager was on holiday and the responsible individual dealt with the concern. On her return to work, the manager spoke with the young person and, after liaising with the designated safeguarding officer for the local authority, the manager investigated the concern again. It was conclude that the allegation was unfounded. However, the manager addressed some internal shortfalls that she found. This has resulted in a member of staff requiring further training and conduct issues being addressed with them. This shows that the manager has excellent oversight of this home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All members of staff hold a relevant child care qualification. A new team leader has been appointed to the home. She currently works at a sister home within the company. She started her introduction to the home on the day of inspection. She said, ‘I am looking forward to working here. From what I have already read, the records kept on the young person are really informative. I am really impressed with how the home has incorporated the young person’s views.’ Members of staff said that supervision is regular and that they have the opportunity to discuss their practice and any developmental issues or ideas. One member of staff said that any training that they do, including online training, is fully discussed in supervision and that there are supporting questions or a quiz to complete. This means that members of staff’s knowledge, retention of information and how they put it into practice are fully assessed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been improvements made to the home’s staff meetings. Time has been allotted to discuss areas of research and practice, such as new legislation, articles in the media or childcare developments. The manager also takes the regulation 44 report into the meeting. Any action points from the visit are fully discussed, and identified members of staff are given the responsibility to complete them. This means that all members of staff are fully involved in the development of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Robust monitoring of the home by the independent visitor and by the manager ensures that the home continues to develop and that young people are fully safeguarded.

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home can accommodate one young person who has 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

04/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

09/02/2015 Interim Sustained 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 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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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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