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

Inspection report children’s home: SC457430 1 SC457430 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

A private company operates this home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

p.1

outstanding

Date of last inspection: 15 February 2017

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC457430 2

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home is outstanding because:

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 The children and young people make significant progress in all areas of their lives, in particular building self-esteem and feelings of self-worth.  The children and young people are doing extremely well in education, including achieving full-time attendance at school and passing GCSE examinations.  The children and young people have aspirations for their future and adult employment opportunities.  An inspirational manager leads a well-trained and supported staff team.  The introduction of the innovative ‘Handprint to my care’ plans empowers the children and young people to actively contribute to all aspects of their care.  Excellent partnership working with parents, family members and all professionals ensures that the children and young people receive consistent messages about their care.  The children and young people feel safe and protected, enabling them to build appropriate self-care skills.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 The children’s and young people’s attachment to the manager and staff team means that there have not been any episodes of going missing from this resident group.  No breaches of regulation were identified at this inspection.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 03/05/2016 Full Outstanding 22/12/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 02/06/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC457430 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children and young people enjoy living in a spacious and comfortable home. It is decorated to their tastes and there are a number of spaces that enable them to spend happy times together as well as pursuing their own interests. The home is indistinguishable from its neighbours and within easy access to a range of community provisions. The children and young people are flourishing within the homely atmosphere engendered by their surroundings and the staff team. A young person said, ‘I’ve had my friend round to visit. It was great because I wasn’t embarrassed and am really proud of my home.’ The children and young people are thriving as a result of the close, trusting relationships that they have with the manager and staff team. They feel safe and secure enough to engage with visitors and talk openly about themselves. This sense of belonging empowers the children and young people to settle and build lasting attachments that

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

sustain them now and will enhance their future adult lives. A young person said, ‘It’s definitely outstanding here because this is what a home and family should be.’ Since the last inspection, the manager has introduced an excellent new ‘Handprint to my care’ document for the children and young people. This process was developed together with a young person. It provides the children and young people with the opportunity to actively contribute to all aspects of their care. Colour coded targets empower the children and young people to recognise when they have achieved their goals and the steps to take in order to do so. The pride that they take in turning their objectives ‘green’ is evident and enthuses the children and young people to want to do more. A young person said, ‘I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else until I’m able to move into independence. I hadn’t known I could be so happy.’ Outstanding care planning incorporates all aspects of the children’s and young people’s

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

individual and needs are met holistically. The ‘Handprint to my care’ process enhances formal documentation. This ensures that the children and young people fully understand what their plans are. A social worker reported, ‘[Home’s name] continues to achieve excellent outcomes for all of the young people and they are proud of the progress made. It is clear the young people are happy in placement and are included in their care planning.’ Parents and family members report extremely positively about the care that their children are receiving and the contact that they have with the home. Regular communication and interaction ensure that parents are kept informed, allowing the children’s and young people’s progress to be celebrated. The excellent relationships that the manager and staff team build with partner agencies allows the children and young people to receive consistent support and messages from all of the professionals involved

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

in their care. A social worker reported, ‘I feel that this establishment is one of the best, if not the best, that I actually deal with in my capacity as a social worker. Staff are always pleasant and welcoming during my visits and I am furnished with all necessary information regarding the young person.’ The children and young people are making exceptional progress in all areas of their Inspection report children’s home: SC457430 4 lives. The close, trusting relationships that they enjoy with the manager and staff team enable them to engage with the care and develop emotional and psychological resilience. As a result, the children and young people like themselves and have ambitions and hopes for their futures. An independent reviewing officer said, ‘She’s doing really well and is the most settled she’s ever been in a placement. It’s absolutely fantastic. She’s come a long way, much further than I ever thought she could.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All of the children and young people are either engaged in full-time education or actively seeking employment. One young person achieved excellent GCSE results and went on to further education before leaving to seek an apprenticeship. The excellent communication between the home and schools enhances the children’s and young people’s learning experiences, encouraging them to do well. As a result, the children’s and young people’s future life and employment opportunities are improved. A teacher said, ‘He’s a completely different child since he’s been there. They are very supportive with us and will come and support us here. He was very proud when we went to see the home, smiling from ear to ear and showing us everything and telling us who everyone was. It has really made that difference for him.’ The children’s and young people’s physical and emotional health continues to improve as they benefit from the close attention paid to their needs, in line with their plans. For

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

some young people, it is developing an understanding of healthy eating patterns and for others, it can be addressing past substance and alcohol misuse. As a result of the targeted support and appropriate challenge that she received from staff, one young person recognised that she needed a rehabilitation placement. The manager’s proactivity, in partnership with the placing authority, ensured that this took place. An independent reviewing officer said, ‘I cannot commend enough the work the manager and staff put in for this young person. Despite the risks, they were able to think creatively to engage her with bespoke packages of education, socialisation and to bring on board relevant agencies. The manager attended planning meetings and worked in partnership with the local authority to ensure the young person’s plan for moving on would meet her needs.’ The children and young people are actively encouraged to share their views and opinions

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

on all aspects of their care. The young people themselves compile the excellent young people’s meetings minutes. Regular, in-depth key-work sessions empower the children and young people to explore their feelings. As a result, the children and young people significantly grow in confidence and self-esteem as they feel valued and heard. A young person said, ‘I talk to staff all the time about my friends and issues. They are easy to talk to.’ The young people are being well prepared for their transition to adulthood in line with their age and ability. Detailed plans incorporate all aspects of their practical and emotional needs. These include the manager building relationships with the young people’s partners, as a good parent would. Consequently, the young people’s growth in social and life skills enables them to have the confidence to use public transport, develop budgeting skills and arrange and attend job interviews. The manager said, ‘We are

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

implementing things to push her independence and sometimes she can get stroppy with carers. She did that last week and she went and got an apology card for that carer after reflecting on that. That sets her up for working with colleagues she doesn’t get along Inspection report children’s home: SC457430 5 with, learning those skills.’

p.4

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

The children and young people feel safe and family members and professionals report that they are safe in this home. There is an excellent locality risk assessment. This underpins the home’s generic, and each child’s or young person’s individual, risk assessments. As a result, the children and young people are helped to keep safe. An independent reviewing officer said, ‘They are just amazing with her and because she feels safe she’s able to learn to keep herself safe.’ Young people have an attachment to the home and sense of belonging and none of the children or young people currently resident have been involved in any episodes of going missing. There were three occasions when a previous resident was absent in August and October of 2017. The staff proactively searched for the young person and comprehensively recorded all aspects of the incidents, allowing for lessons to be learned to prevent recurrences. The young people are further safeguarded by the manager’s

p.5

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

involvement in a local multi-agency group that addresses any child sexual exploitation concerns. The manager and staff team are excellent role models for the children and young people. Their calm and consistent behaviours provide a template of how to behave that the children and young people can emulate. This, and the detailed behaviour management plans, means that the children and young people quickly learn acceptable ways of behaving. This not only enhances their experiences within the home but provides the children and young people with social and life skills that they can use in the community. This allows children and young people to have a more fulfilled life. A young person said, ‘After my first night here I knew I was going to be safe and that they liked me because they made me feel like family and so I was home. That’s huge for me because I want to get used to people liking me and wanting me around.’

p.5

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

The consistent implementation of positive and negative sanctions enables the children and young people to learn the consequences of their actions. They take pride in the rewards that they receive, which further enhances their self-esteem and feelings of self- worth. The manager, providing a further layer of protection and awareness, robustly monitors all such interventions. One young person wrote, ‘I like being nice to people as it makes me feel good. I am very happy with my reward, thank you.’ As the children and young people settle and respond to the warm and positive atmosphere within the home there is very little need for physical interventions. There have been just two physical interventions since the last inspection. Comprehensive recording and auditing procedures ensured that all concerned received the opportunity to reflect upon and learn from the experience. The children and young people are

p.5

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

safeguarded by this practice. A young person wrote, ‘I still think this is the best place on earth to live and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.’ The children’s and young people’s individual vulnerabilities are well planned for and addressed. On occasion, this has meant involving specialist workers from other agencies, for example for one young person who was involved in a domestic abuse situation with her boyfriend. This attention to detail and commitment to addressing all of a young Inspection report children’s home: SC457430 6 person’s needs holistically provide robust protection. An independent reviewing officer said, ‘They did absolutely everything to try and manage her behaviours and the domestic abuse issues she had.’ The proactive manager is aware that some of the children and young people could be at risk of becoming involved in radicalisation. In order to protect them from this, he has

p.5

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

arranged for all of the staff team to receive appropriate training and encouraged the children and young people to also participate in online awareness raising. In addition, links have been made with a local specialist worker to conduct specific sessions with a young person who would benefit from this intervention.

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The one requirement raised at the last inspection has been met. The manager’s report under Regulation 45 is now detailed and comprehensive and meets with legislation. It provides a clear picture of the progress that children and young people are making and the areas for development within the home. The views of all interested parties, including the staff team, are incorporated providing them with the opportunity to influence care practices. There were no breaches of regulation identified on this occasion. The inspirational manager holds relevant qualifications and has been working in residential children’s care for 12 years. He became the registered manager of this home in June 2014 and leads a well-trained and supported staff team. The manager knows each of the children and young people in his care extremely well. As a result of this knowledge, he is able to identify and celebrate achievements, as well as appropriately

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

challenging partner agencies to ensure that the children and young people receive the consistent care that they need. An independent reviewing officer said, ‘The manager even went down south with the social worker to look at placements for her. I’ve never had another manager do that.’ The manager is aspirational for all of the children and young people to be happy, safe and for them to receive outstanding care within the home. His high expectations of the staff team extend to partner agencies and he effectively challenges them when necessary. This ensures that the young people receive consistent care of an extremely high calibre allowing them to thrive. An independent reviewing officer said, ‘I have every faith in the staff and couldn’t rate them highly enough. She has such a good relationship with staff and is so safe. They come really well prepared to all of her reviews and enable her to come as well. In my opinion they are outstanding and I couldn’t ask for more.’

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Comprehensive recruitment procedures are effectively applied, ensuring that individuals with the appropriate skills and experience are appointed to care for the children and young people. Regular appraisals and the implementation of a ‘capability matrix’ ensure that all staff team members are meeting high standards in knowledge, qualifications, skills and behaviours. The manager said, ‘Completing appraisals is one of the things I really enjoy doing with staff so I can give them the positives to build on.’ The staff team members report that they are able to meet the needs of the children and young people in their care as a result of the excellent support and training that they receive. In addition, individual skills that benefit the children and young people are recognised and built upon. For example, two members of staff have recently completed an art therapy course. This will enable them to use art productively with the children and

p.6

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Inspection report children’s home: SC457430 7 young people, enhancing their key-work sessions. A staff member said, ‘You see the progress in every day, in how settled and how happy they are in everyday life. With the young people you have to take the small steps but they add up to successes.’ The manager has a thorough understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. He uses the information captured by the external visitor’s evaluative and detailed monitoring reports to inform practice. This effectively promotes the children’s and young people’s safety and well-being. The manager’s conscientious approach to listening to the children and young people and incorporating their views led to the introduction of the ‘handprint to my care’ documents. This innovative practice ensures that the children and young people are actively involved in all aspects of their care planning, significantly enhancing their opportunities for

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

success. The manager said, ‘We go the extra mile and we go to job interviews and we meet the boyfriends. We do the best to meet their needs, including mental health and physical health.’ The children and young people are involved in a range of inclusive activities within their local community. This not only broadens their horizons but ensures that the manager’s understanding of their equality and diversity needs are being incorporated into their day- to-day lives. It also demonstrates that the home is meeting its aims as laid out in the statement of purpose. A young person said, ‘I do lots of things, my favourite is helping at the farm and I want to be a zoologist.’

p.7

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.

p.7

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: SC457430 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

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

p.8

Inspector

Ann-Marie Born: social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC457430 9 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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9