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

Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 1 SC455991 Registered provider: Cambian Signpost Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This service provides care and accommodation for up to four children who have a sensory impairment, emotional or behavioural difficulties and a learning disability. This service is run by a national provider.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 21 to 22 November 2017

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 29 September 2017

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 2

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Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home requires improvement to be good because:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The registered manager is currently on a planned leave of absence and since the last inspection, the acting manager has left. The responsible individual has been unsuccessful in appointing a temporary manager in the absence of the registered manager. This compromises the continuity and consistency of the leadership and management of the home.  Although there have been some improvements, the use of monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home needs further work.  Many staff have not signed several documents and policies, including the child protection policy, bullying policy and the home’s statement of purpose, to confirm their awareness and understanding of these documents.  Staff skills and the recent training they have undertaken needs embedding in their practice. Not all staff have undertaken training in relation to supporting children who self-harm, protecting children from sexual exploitation and online

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Key findings from this inspection

abuse and behaviour management.  Leaders and managers have failed to advise Ofsted of all serious incidents that have happened in the home.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Staff confidence and their skills in relation to using British sign language have improved. In addition, staff have been deployed more effectively. As a result, staff with a good mix of skills and competencies are now on duty at all times to meet the needs of the child currently living in the home.  The current child feels listened to. Her views and choices in relation to the purchasing of soft furnishings and improvements to the home’s environment are being sought and acted on.  The current child is now accessing more educational opportunities and staff are keeping detailed records of alternative learning experiences that are being provided. Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/09/2017 Full Inadequate 13/12/2016 Full Good 08/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 11/08/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality and purpose of care standard children must receive care from staff who–

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, continue with the planned programme of improvements so that the home is well maintained and provides young people with a homely and welcoming environment throughout. In addition, ensure that children have sufficient storage space for their clothes and personal items. 31/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on mutual respect and trust; an understanding about acceptable behaviour and positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff–

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s 31/03/2018 Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 5 behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to recognise incidents or indications of bullying and how to deal with them;

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Requirement Due date

that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 11(1)(a)(b)(c), (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(ix)(xi)(xiii)(b))

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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 in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to–

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff are familiar with and act in accordance with the home’s child protection policies.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure staff sign their awareness and understanding of these policies. 31/12/2017

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered 31/01/2018 Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 6 person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to–

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure–

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if:

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, appoint a manager to manage the home until the registered manager returns from planned leave. 31/01/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 33(4)(a)) 31/01/2018 Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 7 In particular, ensure that all staff receive training in understanding matters relating to child sexual exploitation, supporting young people who self-harm, bullying, and to continue to provide staff with sufficient training in British sign language in order to communicate effectively with children.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if:

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Requirement Due date

there is any other serious incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Recommendations

 Ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority provides an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) In particular, ensure that all staff sign their awareness and understanding of the home’s bullying policy and statement of purpose.

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improvement to be good

Two children moved from the home shortly after the last inspection. One child is currently being supported by the staff team on an ‘outreach’ basis, and the other child moved to a different residential provision. Children had a smooth transition to these homes.

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improvement to be good

The requirement that was made at the last inspection in relation to admissions to the home remains, as no children have moved in. The responsible individual said that there are no plans to admit any children for the foreseeable future.

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improvement to be good

The child currently living in the home is happier and more settled. She says that she Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 8 feels listened to, and that staff help her to manage her feelings and emotions. Staff treat her with dignity and respect. She enjoys a range of activities, likes to go shopping and has recently visited a youth centre. Her views and choices are considered, and she is choosing soft furnishings and items to improve the homeliness of the home.

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improvement to be good

A concern at the last inspection was the lack of education provision for the children. Since the last inspection, the current child has returned to school on a planned ‘increase of attendance’, and is doing well. When she is not at school, she is accessing alternative learning opportunities. These opportunities are now recorded, and photographs are taken for her to record her activities. In addition, one young person who has recently left began to engage in learning opportunities. These were also recorded and photographs taken to evidence her achievements.

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improvement to be good

Children have access to a wide range of healthcare professionals and specialist help and support are available if needed. They feel supported by staff in managing their healthcare needs.

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, two children have moved from the home. This was because leaders and managers considered that they could not keep the children, or others, safe. This was primarily due to the staff not having the skills to meet the children’s needs, resulting in a high number of serious incidents. The current child says that she now feels safe in the home, and this is also the view of her social worker.

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improvement to be good

The number and severity of incidents have reduced significantly. Leaders and managers monitor these incidents to look for triggers and trends, and the responsible individual has countersigned these records. Staff said that there has been a reduction in incidents, and they feel more skilled and confident in managing those that do happen. However, leaders and managers failed to inform Ofsted of a serious incident that resulted in a member of staff being assaulted.

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, leaders and managers have reviewed the format of the behaviour support plans. These plans are now combined with the risk management plans and include matters concerning children who are at risk of child sexual exploitation and the use of the internet. These documents provide staff with clear guidance about how to support the current child to manage her emotions and feelings.

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improvement to be good

Positive behaviour is promoted. The current child has a good awareness of the incentives and rewards systems that are in place to help her to manage her emotions and feelings. She is actively involved in this process and is proud of her achievements. However, the requirement made in relation to positive behaviour at the last inspection could not be assessed. This is because there have not been any children moving in to the home since the last inspection. Therefore, how staff manage relationships between children could not be evaluated at this inspection. In addition, this is a relatively new staff team and their skills and practice in managing and supporting children’s behaviours need to embed Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 9 further.

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers have discussed the child protection policies and procedures with staff during a team meeting. Staff were given clear instructions that children are to see a medical professional following any allegations. All staff have received safeguarding training, and demonstrated a better awareness of safeguarding processes and protocols than found at the last inspection. However, records do not confirm that all staff have read and understood all of the organisation’s documents that are linked to the child protection policy.

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers have responded to a recommendation made by the designated officer following an allegation. In addition, the management investigation in relation to another allegation has now been completed. The designated officer is satisfied with the outcome of the investigation. Since the last inspection, no referrals have been made to the designated officer.

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improvement to be good

Restraint is used as a last resort; it has been used on one occasion since the last inspection. The management oversight of restraint and restraint records is good. The views of the child about incidents of restraint are now sought. Sanctions imposed are fair and proportionate. Leaders and managers oversee the records pertaining to these practices and confirm that they are appropriate and effective.

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improvement to be good

Bullying is currently not a concern. Staff have attended a workshop to enhance their understanding of bullying. However, not all staff have signed the organisation’s policy in relation to this.

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, children have not gone missing. The recommendation made at the last inspection in relation to children receiving an independent return home interview remains.

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers have ensured that all staff working in the home have taken part in a fire evacuation. In addition, the responsible individual has reviewed the home’s locality risk assessment and this is currently with the local police for their comment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leadership and management remain inadequate. Although there have been some improvements made since the last inspection, a serious concern is that the home does not have a manager in day-to-day charge of the home. The registered manager remains on leave and since the last inspection, the acting manager has resigned. Despite recent interviews the responsible individual has not been able to appoint another manager to temporarily manage the home. The responsible individual has been providing leadership and management of the home, assisted by a competent deputy manager. The responsible individual submitted an action plan to Ofsted after the last inspection, and has been keeping in contact with Ofsted with updates to the action plan.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The responsible individual was present at this inspection and advised the inspector that Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 10 she has resigned from her role. The lack of a temporary manager and the resignation of the responsible individual leave the home in a tenuous position, which must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Overall, leaders’ and managers’ monitoring of day-to-day records such as incidents, restraint and accidents has improved. In addition, improvements have been made to some internal processes. However, many staff have not signed several documents and policies, including the bullying policy and the home’s statement of purpose, to confirm their awareness and understanding of these documents. The use of monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home needs further work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The action plan submitted by the responsible individual identified a wide range of training needed to ensure that all staff have the skills and competencies to undertake their roles effectively. Not all staff have undertaken this training. This includes training in supporting children who self-harm, protecting children from sexual exploitation and online abuse, and behaviour management. The responsible individual said that further training in protecting children from bullying has been identified, but a date for this training has not been confirmed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home’s environment had been subject to significant damage and required considerable improvements to provide a safe and homely environment. Leaders and managers have ensured that a programme of maintenance works has commenced. Most communal areas have been repaired and redecorated, and the home is beginning to become more welcoming and homely. However, this is work in progress and needs to continue to provide a homely environment throughout. In addition, it was noted that the storage facilities in the current child’s bedroom do not meet her needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

A serious concern at the last inspection was the ability of staff to communicate effectively with the children, and that some staff lacked the skills and competencies to meet the needs of the children. Leaders and managers have reviewed the deployment of staff to address this concern. Staff are now deployed more effectively. The skill mix of staff is better and there is always a person working in the home that has British sign language (BSL) Level 2 or above. To further enhance their skills, training in BSL continues. Staff said that their confidence has improved to communicate more effectively with deaf children. However, this is a relatively new staff team and their skills need to embed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

A social worker said that there continue to be effective working relationships with staff at the home. He speaks highly of the communication between staff, school and himself.

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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 differences 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 Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 11 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: SC455991 12

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Signpost Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 4th Floor, Waterfront Building, Chancellor’s Road, Hammersmith Embankment, London W6 9RU

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Inspector

David Kidner, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 13 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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