Children's home run by Cambian Childcare Limited in Hammersmith and Fulham

Inspection report children’s home: SC067899 1 SC067899 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for seven young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. This home is one of a number of children’s homes operated by a private company.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Declined in effectiveness

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Enforcement action since last inspection

None Inspection report children’s home: SC067899 2

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Key findings from this inspection

 A consistent staff team cares for young people.  Young people currently living at the home are extremely positive about their experience of living there. They said that they feel they have a ‘voice’ within the home.  Relationships between young people and staff are positive.  The newly appointed registered manager ensures that all staff have the necessary supervision, appraisals and opportunities to develop and reflect on their practice.  Young people benefit from clear and consistent boundaries. They receive positive praise and encouragement to reinforce positive behaviours.  Through working in partnership with other agencies, there has been a reduction in young people going missing from the home.  Independent monthly monitoring takes place within agreed timescales and demonstrates the progress that the home is making, while ensuring that the views of the young people, their parents and professionals are sought. These

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Key findings from this inspection

reports, alongside the manager’s robust monitoring system, help to support the manager and staff to improve the service provided.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The home requires refurbishment in certain areas. In particular, the carpets in the hall and on the landing and stairs require replacing, due to some wear and tear. These are a potential trip hazard.  A number of staff are waiting to complete their level 3 qualification in residential childcare. A number of changes to the assessor have resulted in staff being unable to complete the qualification in a timely manner.  Significant incidents that are reported to Ofsted do not consistently provide sufficient information about how staff have responded to incidents or how risks are being minimised.  Independent return home interviews are not consistently taking place. Inspection report children’s home: SC067899 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/03/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 31/10/2016 Full Good 29/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 15/12/2015 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC067899 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard requires the registered person to ensure that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, replace damaged carpets on the hall, stairs and landing. 31/08/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills. An individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained the level 3 diploma for residential childcare (England) (‘the level 3 diploma’), or a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the level 3 diploma. The relevant date is in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date, which falls two years after the date on which the individual started working in a care home. (Regulation 32(3)(b)(4)(a)(b)(5)(a)) 30/09/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure a notification made under this regulation includes details of the matter, the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified and any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter. (Regulation 40(5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)) 18/08/2017 Inspection report children’s home: SC067899 5

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Recommendation

 When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30) Inspection report children’s home: SC067899 6

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide support to young people who come to live in the home. This helps young people to feel settled and relaxed in their new environment. This is the first time that some of the young people have lived in a children’s home. Although they find the transition difficult, staff are supportive. Staff work in partnership with the young people, their social workers and other relevant people to help to minimise the trauma. They provide a supportive and nurturing environment for young people to live in. One young person described his experience of moving into the home as being an anxious time for him. This, he said, was because he did not know what to expect. However, he said, ‘The staff and other young people made me feel welcome. They encouraged me to take part in things. This home has made a huge change for me. I have ambitions and I am looking forward to my future.’ Another young person said, ‘When I first came here, I was

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

missing a lot. I did not want to do anything. Staff have encouraged me to take some exams and have helped me and my family get along. The staff are good and the home is far more settled. Most of the time we [the young people] get along and if we do have arguments, the staff help us sort things out.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There has been a period of instability at the home. Young people who display extremely challenging behaviours were living together as their individual needs had not been appropriately assessed. This resulted in an increase in missing from care incidents, alongside safeguarding concerns. However, the new manager took effective action to review all placements. She worked with other agencies to identify the needs of the young people. Through this multi-agency process, young people moved to more appropriate placements. The manager now has a more robust system in place. She ensures that, prior to any new placements, the placing authority provides all relevant information. This ensures that the individual needs of each young person are assessed. The manager also considers the needs of the other young people already living in the home. This reduces the risk of placement breakdown and provides young people with

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All young people have detailed care plans that identify their individual needs. The staff team members work together to deliver the care and support identified in the plans. This consistent approach enables young people to make progress from their starting points. Young people increase in their self-confidence and have aspirations for their futures. For example, young people’s attendance at school has significantly improved and they have completed national qualifications. Staff have also supported a young person to secure an apprenticeship and access a college course to gain qualifications and work-related skills. This encourages young people to have aspirations for their futures.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support young people to meet their healthcare needs. They identify different strategies to help young people who may smoke or take drugs. This encourages young people to look at ways to reduce or stop this behaviour. The home has established good Inspection report children’s home: SC067899 7 links with external agencies, for example drug and alcohol services. Together, they provide specific support and information for young people. This helps young people to understand their health and well-being and any potential risks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ask young people about their views and opinions on a regular basis. Discussions have included furnishings or decor required in the home. Young people requested new furnishings for the dining room. The manager responded to this and the environment has improved. One young person said about the new dining room, ‘It is good because if there are only a few of us in having a meal it feels friendly. But when we are all in, then it still feels nice.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Weekly meetings enable young people to have a say in what activities they would like to try. Staff also use the meeting to plan meals with young people, to discuss living together as a group and to consider the impact of bullying. Young people said, ‘The home feels a much better place to live’, and ‘I didn’t really know what to expect living here, but it really is OK here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A range of activities enable young people to follow their own interests and develop new ones. These range from going to football, local youth centres and leisure centres and accessing community resources. Young people have been involved in re-planning the garden of the home. Together with staff, they have created a barbecue area and have planted new flowers. This has made the area a place where young people can socialise and spend time together as a group and with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage and support young people to develop new skills. These are appropriate for their age and abilities. These have included keeping their rooms clean and tidy, contributing to household tasks and cooking basic meals. In addition, the staff are researching and developing an independence book. These will remind young people about what they have achieved throughout their time at the home. They can complete the book and take it with them when they move into independence. This will enable them to have a source of reference to help them with independent living.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Placing social workers commented positively about the home. They said that it ‘has a calm and homely feel about it’ and ‘it has a positive impact on young people’. The manager and staff are proactive in their communication with other professionals. This includes social workers, health professionals and education professionals. Together, they work in partnership to meet the needs of the young people. This is a view echoed by the local police constable support officer who visits the home as part of her community duties.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff support young people to settle into the home by providing consistent boundaries and routines. This helps them to build trusting and positive relationships with staff. One young person said, ‘Since I moved here, staff have given me lots of support and encouragement and I now have a good idea of what I want for my future. I am no Inspection report children’s home: SC067899 8 longer moving about between different places. I feel safe and this is an OK place to live.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been some incidents of bullying between young people. Staff respond swiftly and provide appropriate levels of support to all young people involved. In addition, staff complete individual work sessions and have a general discussion in the young people’s meeting about the impact of bullying for all concerned. One social worker commented, ‘When the young person was subjected to bullying, the staff were proactive in ensuring this was addressed. Consequently, the young person feels safe following their actions and is confident, if a situation arises in the future, that it will be dealt with appropriately.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The positive reinforcement of good behaviours through praise, acknowledgement and reward is resulting in young people demonstrating improved behaviour. This is in the home and in the community. When there have been negative behaviours, staff work with other professionals and the young people to address these. The home has good links with the local police who visit the home on a regular basis to build relationships with the young people living there. Consequences for negative behaviours are fair and proportionate, and young people are able to record their views about these. One young person said, ‘The rules here are sound and fair. Staff always discuss with me the reason why there is going to be a consequence. Since I have been living here, I am managing my anger much better, although there are times when I do find it difficult.’ Despite some challenging behaviours, restraint is rarely used. Staff offer other strategies in accordance

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

with agreed behaviour management plans, to de-escalate behaviours. All staff have completed relevant training in behaviour management. Staff also attend refresher training to ensure that their knowledge and practice remain current.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When young people have been missing from home, staff follow agreed procedures to try to locate them and encourage them to return home. They make sure that they record all actions taken. The missing from home coordinator commented, ‘There has been a reduction over recent months of the incidents of missing.’ When there have been concerns about a young person’s number of missing incidents, the home has worked in partnership with the young person and their social worker to explore reasons for this. This has enabled the staff to put in positive strategies that support the young person, while taking into account their reasons for being missing. An example of this is reviewing contact arrangements and ensuring that the young person has permission to stay with friends in a planned and safe manner. When young people return to the home, following a period of missing, staff request an independent visit. However, these have not always

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

taken place. This is a missed opportunity for the young people to discuss the reasons for being missing with an independent person. Furthermore, the manager cannot take into account any information that would be provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect young people.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The recruitment processes for new staff are robust. All staff have the necessary references and enhanced disclosures are in place prior to commencement of employment. Staff request all visitors to sign in and they confirm each individual’s identity. These measures contribute to the safety and welfare of young people.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Health and safety checks and certificates are in place. Staff complete regular fire safety Inspection report children’s home: SC067899 9 checks, and staff and young people are aware of what to do in the event of a fire.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has recently completed her registration with Ofsted. She took up her post at the home in February 2017 and has the necessary skills, experience and qualifications to fulfil the role. An experienced deputy manager and team leaders support the manager in her role. Since her appointment, she has ensured that there is a consistent staff team in post, which means that there is no longer a reliance on agency staff to fill vacancies. The staff demonstrate a detailed knowledge of their roles and responsibilities, working together well to deliver cohesive and constant care to the young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The statement of purpose has been updated to reflect the current staff team. This document sets out the aims, objectives and ethos of the home. This document is made available to all interested parties. The children’s guide is being updated. The manager is proposing to share the updated draft document with the current young people, to enable them to contribute their views to the final document.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since being in post, the manager has undertaken a review of the paperwork. Individual care plans and risk assessments have been updated to reflect the young people’s needs. These documents reflect the individual needs of the young people and provide a good overview of the progress they have made and any further actions required. The staff team has benefited from greater involvement in completion of these plans, enabling team members to share them constructively with young people. One placing social worker commented, ‘Although the move into residential care for the young person has been traumatic, the home [has] worked closely with me to implement a plan that is reflective of his needs.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular practice-based formal supervision as well as informal supervision. This enables them to continue to develop their practice to meet the changing needs of the young people. Training and development ensure that staff complete mandatory training both through attending training courses and engaging in online training. However, some staff who have commenced the level 3 diploma in residential care have not yet completed this. The delay has been due to a change in the assessor. The manager has raised this with the training department that has confirmed that this is being resolved as soon as possible. Currently, the home has six out of 13 staff members who hold this qualification. The manager recognised this as something she plans to improve.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Internal monitoring of the home undertaken by the manager is complemented by rigorous independent monthly monitoring visits. The manager is proactive in addressing any shortfalls identified in a timely manner. Additionally, the manager completes quarterly reviews of the quality of care provided. These reports are evaluative and inform the ways in which the home is going to address any weaknesses and future improvements of the care provided. The views of young people, professionals, parents and carers and the staff team are taken into account. This ensures that the report Inspection report children’s home: SC067899 10 reflects everyone’s views.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home ensures that all relevant people are notified of significant events in a timely manner. However, some notifications to Ofsted lack detail of the events prior to the incident and the measures that the home has taken in response to the incident. This does not enable the regulator to have clear oversight of all actions taken.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has instigated a number of refurbishments to the building to make it feel more homely and welcoming for the young people. These include new furniture and flooring in the dining room. However, the carpets in the hall, on the stairs and in the landing area are heavily stained. They also show signs of wear and tear. Although there are plans to replace these, no timeframe is currently identified. Externally, the grounds have been cleared and provide an area for young people to play and relax in. Closed- circuit television is situated overlooking the front and rear of the property to provide extra security. Young people are aware of it, and agreement is in place for the external use only.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, the home has met four of the five requirements and the one recommendation made. This included the development of robust risk assessments for all young people, which staff follow to maintain the safety of the young people. The manager has undertaken a full review of the locality assessment, in consultation with other agencies.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC067899 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Cambian Group, 4th Floor Waterfront Building, Chancellors Road, Hammersmith Embankment, London W6 9RU

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Inspector

Sarah Oldham, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC067899 12 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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