Children's home run by Castle Homes Care Limited in Hammersmith and Fulham

Interim inspection report children’s home: 1205501 1 Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make positive progress in all areas of their lives. Three young people have moved out since the last inspection. One was a planned move to foster care. Two others were not planned moves, but were due to the complex needs of the young people. Staff worked well with placing authorities to ensure that transitions were well managed and met the needs of the young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people attend education and training provisions regularly. For some young people, this is a significant improvement and reflects their commitment to learning. The manager has also diligently chased education providers and the local authority for two young people, to ensure that their educational needs are met.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are provided with a wide range of social activities. They have ample opportunity to take part in fun and stimulating activities. This increases their confidence and sense of involvement in the local community. Staff ensure that young people can visit and keep in touch with family members, friends and other important people in their Interim inspection report children’s home: 1205501 2 lives. They understand the health needs of each young person and ensure that those needs are met.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Very few complaints have been made. Young people feel confident in being able to raise any concerns they may have with staff and the manager. Responses to their concerns are quick, and young people feel happy that issues are dealt with appropriately.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of physical restraint is minimal. Recording for such incidents reflects a competent team of staff who understand their roles and responsibilities. Young people always have the opportunity to discuss the use of restraint, and to reflect on their behaviours and the need for such action.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A number of shortfalls were identified at the last inspection. They have all been successfully addressed by the manager. The manager has introduced new recording systems. Records are now clear and up to date, and reflect the current needs of young people and how they will be met.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people attend regular meetings with staff to consider their views and requests. Records clearly show that their requests are acted on. An action plan has been put in place to show young people how staff have responded to their comments and requests. Records of room searches have been changed to reflect the views and comments of young people. Young people regularly read and sign relevant documents. This shows that staff consult with them and act on what they say.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has put in place a plan to ensure that all staff have their annual appraisals. He has started this process and will complete it by the end of March 2018. Staff report that they feel very well supported by the new manager. They feel valued and listened to. One member of staff stated that, since the new manager came into post last year, training and development have improved noticeably.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has contacted placing authorities to make sure that delegated authority is clearly recorded for each young person. This work continues, but there is now a much clearer understanding of what staff and the manager can give permissions for, without recourse to the placing authority.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

No shortfalls were identified as a result of this inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/04/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/11/2016 Full Requires improvement 08/09/2016 Full Inadequate Interim inspection report children’s home: 1205501 3

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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 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

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

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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Castle Homes Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 80 Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UD

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Inspector

Tracy Murty, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: 1205501 4 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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