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

Assurance visit report: SC457621 1 SC457621

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and cares for up to two young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We identified no serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC457621 2

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The care of children

Young people engage well with staff and enjoy spending time with them. Young people are listened to and have their say. Staff are not afraid to tackle the more serious and sensitive subjects involving health, personal safety and relationships with young people. As a result, children become more confident and grow in self- esteem.

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The care of children

Young people’s health needs have a high priority. One young person has changed their eating habits, and has become more physically active, as a result of learning about healthy eating.

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The care of children

Young people’s family contact arrangements are suitable and safe. Young people are happy with their arrangements and their views are taken into consideration.

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The care of children

One young person’s education plans are not yet clear, despite a new term starting. However, the circumstances of the placement have changed from a short-term to a medium-term placement. The manager is working to make sure that the young person’s education arrangements are only disrupted for the shortest amount of time.

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The care of children

Young people live in a pleasant home which is well maintained. Their environment is personalised and welcoming. This supports young people to feel valued and to take pride in their home.

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The safety of children

The manager provides stability and safety for young people. Placement matching is well thought out and is based on the skills of the developing staff team.

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The safety of children

The effective use of incentives and rewards exemplifies the home’s positive approach to behaviour management. Staff know how to manage any unsafe behaviour such as violence and aggression. This is because they receive training and guidance from the manager.

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The safety of children

The manager reviews each significant event. When she has picked up shortfalls in staff practice, she has engaged them in further learning. Some staff are new and inexperienced. However, they are particularly reflective and keen to learn from each incident.

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The safety of children

When young people go missing, staff know what to do. They search for young people and work with other professionals to find out where they are. This helps to ensure the young person’s safe return.

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The safety of children

Infection control measures related to COVID-19 are effective but do not prevent young people from leading a normal life in their own home wherever possible. For example, young people are able to hug the staff if they choose to. This approach has helped to reduce young people’s anxieties and ensures that they continue to feel cherished by their carers. Assurance visit report: SC457621 3 Risk assessments are generally clear and well understood. However, risks relating to online safety are not well covered in current risk assessments.

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Leaders and managers

Leaders have improved this home significantly since the last inspection. All previous recommendations and requirements are met. Management monitoring is more thorough. Better arrangements are made to keep young people safe. Other improvements to staff recruitment practice and to the building also improve young people’s safety.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager was registered by Ofsted in April 2020. She has demonstrated strong leadership and made sure that the home continues to improve.

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Leaders and managers

Some staff are relatively new. The newer staff are well supported by the more experienced staff. The manager carefully monitors staff performance. Staff are very clear about her expectations of a high standard of care at all times.

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Leaders and managers

Staff are well trained, inducted and supervised. They know how to care for young people effectively. Even the newer staff understand the importance of reflective practice and continuous professional development.

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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 in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; 08/10/2020 Assurance visit report: SC457621 4 manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This is regarding risk management of young people’s online activity. Assurance visit report: SC457621 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Caroline Brailsford, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC457621 6 to 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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