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

Inspection report children‟s home: SC456405 1 SC456405 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for two children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home forms part of a large social care 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: sustained effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people receive care and support from a dedicated and competent staff team. Young people make good progress as a result of the care that they receive. Inspection report children‟s home: SC456405 2  The relationships between young people and staff are warm and caring. When young people are anxious, staff use a nurturing approach to engage with them and put them at ease.  Young people are consulted daily. The staff listen and respond to the young people‟s wishes and feelings.  Young people experience a range of opportunities and activities to develop their social skills, talents and abilities.  Young people are encouraged to sustain their educational attendance, engagement and achievement. They engage fully, and have aspirations and goals for their futures.  The staff provide individualised care with a therapeutic ethos. The young people have access to regular therapy that can form an essential component of their

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Key findings from this inspection

care at the home.  Staff understand the underlying psychological reasons for young people‟s behaviour. Reflective practice is embedded, ensuring that learning from incidents and placements is effective.  Staff know the young people well, and they are committed to them. Staff understand young people‟s needs and use individual risk management strategies to meet these effectively and keep the young people safe.  New staff complement the existing staff team, providing young people with a diverse range of skills and experiences.  Staff feel supported and they are appropriately challenged by receiving supervision, appraisal and training.  The monitoring of the quality of care is effective. As a result, the manager has a good understanding of the strengths and areas for development.  The manager has a good oversight of the home and is striving for improvement.

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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 statement of purpose needs reviewing and updating.  The decoration and fixtures require improvements so that the young people have a homely environment.  Staff supervision is not clearly evidenced. There are gaps in the records in relation to the frequency of staff supervision.  Staff do not have up-to-date information on the young people‟s health. Inspection report children‟s home: SC456405 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 31/08/2016 Full Outstanding 21/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 13/10/2015 Full Good Inspection report children‟s home: SC456405 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children‟s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers matters listed in Schedule 1. In particular, the registered person must ensure that the statement of purpose includes the details of the experience and qualifications of the staff. (Regulation 16, Schedule 1(19)) 06/10/2017

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to— (i) meet the needs of each child; and (ii) enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6(2)(c)(i)(ii)) 06/10/2017

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Recommendations

 The Care Planning Regulations set out that the responsible local authority (meaning the local authority that looks after the child) must make sure that its looked-after children are provided with appropriate healthcare services. The health of looked-after children must be assessed at regular intervals and the child‟s care plan must include an individual health plan setting out the approach that the placing authority will follow, and the desired outcomes required to meet the child‟s health needs. These outcomes, recorded in the health plan, will be the basis on which the registered person will be expected to meet regulation 10(2)(a)(i) in the health and well-being standard for each looked-after child in their care. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 33, paragraph 7.4)

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Recommendations

 A record of supervision should be kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33(4)(b). („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 61, paragraph 13.3) Inspection report children‟s home: SC456405 5

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some young people are making good progress at this home. Because lties of their varied needs, progress for some young people at times is slow and there have been backward steps but, overall, considering their previous experiences, their progress is sustained and positive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff know the young people well and demonstrate an understanding of their anxieties, hopes and ambitions. As a result, managers and staff have developed a deep understanding of the young people‟s behaviours and know how to support, nurture and empower them. Young people enjoy warm and responsive relationships with staff. They talk to staff about their worries. Some difficult behaviours that were seen daily in many previous placements have significantly decreased.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that young people are consulted about everyday decisions. This includes talking to them about how the home is run and helping young people to make decisions on matters that affect them. A range of activities are on offer to support the young people to try new things and widen their social experiences. Staff encourage the young people to be active and pursue their interests and hobbies.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Activities have included going to the beach and cinema, theme parks, the gym and go- karting. Young people are kept busy and, in particular, planning over the summer holidays has reduced boredom and improved the young people‟s behaviour. In-house activities are enjoyed, such as arts and crafts, board games and card games. Young people are positive about their experiences at the home. They told the inspector „This is the best care home I have been in, we are looked after really well‟ and „We do loads of stuff here; the staff are sound.‟

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people have previously experienced disruption in education, attendance and engagement. Since moving to this home, their attendance has improved significantly, as has their engagement. With the support of staff and the good use of key-working sessions and daily discussions, young people make positive decisions about their life and their future. Young people feel valued and now have a positive view of themselves and their abilities. They have ambitions, and their self-confidence has improved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are registered with the local doctor, dentist and optician at the point of their admission to the home. The staff support the young people to attend routine health appointments, along with any other health assessments. However, some information relating to young people‟s health has not been updated by their placing authority, and the young people‟s healthcare plans lack detail. As a result, a recommendation is made. This is to ensure that staff have the details of young people‟s previous childhood illnesses and immunisations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The organisation has its own therapists. The clinician regularly attends staff meetings to Inspection report children‟s home: SC456405 6 discuss specific behaviours and strategies for working with the young people. These strategies are incorporated into the young people‟s plans to support the staff who work with the young people. Young people‟s emotional, social and psychological needs are being met, and they have access to the psychotherapist as and when needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Three young people have moved on from the home since the last inspection. Staff work hard to ensure that those who move do so in the best possible way. Two young people‟s transitions were successful. One young person moved onto supported living and another returned to their family home. One recent move posed difficulties due to the risks that the young person presented. The manager planned the move. This included working with the staff team on potential scenarios and liaising with a range of professionals to try to make the transition as safe as possible. The manager has supported staff and young people to discuss their emotions surrounding the departure of this young person. A full review of the placement has provided valuable learning for the manager and staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some young people are not from the local area. Staff respect the ties that young people have to their home area and support them to return there safely. For example, some young people travel to their home area to keep up agreed contact visits. The staff will travel to and from contact visits and supervise the contact between the young people and their families. Equally, arrangements are in place for the young people‟s families to visit the home.

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

Staff are trained in understanding the indicators of child sexual exploitation and radicalisation. Staff are alert to any changes and know how to respond if concerns emerge. Staff engage the local police to help young people to understand dangers, including staying safe online. This partnership enables young people to learn how to keep themselves safe. Staff are alert, and supervise and monitor the young people when they are together. This reduces the opportunities for bullying.

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

Allegations of harm are dealt with well. Appropriate safeguarding agencies are involved, and decisive action is taken to resolve issues. Young people are confident about complaining, when necessary, and their concerns are taken seriously. They are further protected from environmental harm by good systems to monitor their environment. Health and safety checks are routinely carried out and young people are educated to increase their understanding of dangers such as fire setting and destructive behaviour.

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

Young people‟s known risks are assessed. Risk management and behaviour plans are regularly reviewed and updated in response to incidents or further emerging risks. Risk- taking behaviour is gradually reducing. For example, young people‟s violent outbursts have decreased in frequency and intensity. Young people are not misusing substances, going missing or becoming involved in criminal behaviour.

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

There has been a significant reduction in the number of incidents of young people going missing from care. This is due to the consistent support provided by the manager and staff team. Young people have trusting relationships with staff. This helps them to reflect Inspection report children‟s home: SC456405 7 on their potentially risky behaviours. Young people learn more appropriate strategies for coping. One young person said: „I have no intention of running away or being absent anymore.‟ The manager ensures that all staff are fully briefed and aware of the missing from home protocols for each young person. The records indicate a staff team that diligently follows the „missing‟ protocols and works tirelessly to ensure the safe return of any missing young person to its care.

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

There have been instances when young people have caused damage to the home. Most damage is repaired promptly, but the home is looking worn and tired. Staff have identified the areas of the home in most need of attention and have forwarded a plan of repairs to the organisation‟s maintenance team. A requirement is made to ensure that the home is designed and furnished to acceptable standards. Where young people have been destructive, staff have encouraged the young people to be involved in the repair work. Young people have participated in this work, and they have not been criminalised as a result of their behaviour and restraints have not been used.

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

Behavioural issues are routinely managed through the positive relationships that are built between the staff and the young people. These relationships are complemented by young people receiving individualised rewards for positive behaviour. Targets are linked to an agreed incentive system, so young people have rewards for meeting them. The young people understand this system and they are encouraged to meet their targets. The young people know the consequences for inappropriate behaviour and can earn back, through good behaviour, any consequence imposed on them.

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

The manager understands the impact that young people moving into and out of the home can have on the existing young people. She routinely informs them of any potential new admissions, and the whole team, including the young people, reflects on the progress or areas for improvement when young people move on. The manager undertakes an impact risk assessment as part of the referral process to ensure that the young people are compatible with each other and will not disrupt the local community.

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

There have been instances within the local community, where young people have caused disruption and upset to the neighbours. The manager and senior leaders of the organisation meet regularly with the local residents to assure them that action is being taken as a result of their concerns. These arrangements have significantly decreased the number of issues and there have not been any recent concerns raised by local residents.

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

Recruitment checks are thorough and detailed to ensure that new staff will bring the required personal skills to the team. New staff are positive about the induction that they receive and feel that this prepares them well for working with the young people. They are clear about safeguarding practices, how and when to report concerns and to whom. All visitors to the home are asked for their identity, have to sign in and are briefed about the fire evacuation procedure and fire assembly point. These arrangements keep young people, staff and visitors safe. Inspection report children‟s home: SC456405 8

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There were management changes following the last inspection. The new manager has been in post since March 2017. She is undertaking her level 5 diploma in leadership and management. The manager has applied to Ofsted to be the registered manager of this home and another two homes within this organisation. Her ability to be in day-to-day charge of all three homes will be assessed at her fit person interview, when all necessary checks have been returned to Ofsted.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is supported by her first line manager, and the responsible individual is a regular visitor to the home. Together, they know the home‟s strengths and weaknesses and are striving for improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has recently benefited from the recruitment of new staff members. This provides young people with a good, diverse mix of positive role models. Staff say that they feel supported by each other, the manager, the first line manager and responsible individual. They receive regular and meaningful supervision and annual appraisals. However, the supervision records do not support this. As a result, a recommendation is made. This is to ensure that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are either qualified to the appropriate level 3, undertaking their level 3 qualification or new staff who will be enrolled on it once they have completed their probationary period. This will ensure that all staff are appropriately qualified within the timescale required by regulation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has addressed the one requirement and the one recommendation made at the last inspection to good effect. Transition plans are now sought and in place for young people moving on from the home. Discussions with the staff team now ensure that all serious incidents are notified to Ofsted, without delay, in line with regulation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager continually reviews and updates all of the home‟s practices and supplies Ofsted with a quality of review report. The manager‟s leadership style is one of aspiration to better the young people‟s lives through a culture of continuous improvement. Reports compiled by the independent person, who visits the home once a month, are comprehensive and provide efficient evaluation of the impact of the home on the safety and progress of the young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A detailed development plan and a location risk assessment are in place for the home. The manager ensures that feedback is sought from young people, parents and other agencies. Feedback questionnaires received by the home are all positive and acknowledge the good work that the manager and staff are undertaking with the young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The statement of purpose and young person‟s guide provide information for stakeholders, parents and young people. The documents inform them about the home and what to expect from the service. However, the statement of purpose does not include the experiences or qualifications of staff. A requirement is made. This is to Inspection report children‟s home: SC456405 9 ensure that stakeholders and parents know who will be providing the services to the young people living at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is good communication between the staff, social workers and parents. The manager and staff act as good advocates for the young people, and the staff are not afraid to challenge authority. This ensures that the young people receive the services and support from their placing authorities, and their family relationships are sustained.

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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: SC456405 10

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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

Mark Kersh, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC456405 11 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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