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

Assurance visit report: SC457272 1 SC457272

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to three children aged between 11 and 18. The home’s aim is to provide care and support to children who may have experienced abuse, neglect and exclusion in the past.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered at the home since June 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 11 January 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Sustained effectiveness

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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 did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC457272 2

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The care of children

This children’s home reopened in June 2020 following a period of closure. Two children have recently moved into the home.

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The care of children

The staff have built trusting relationships with the children. They spend quality time with the children and are always available to them. Social workers said that the children have progressed over a short period of time because of the relationships that the staff have with them.

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The care of children

The children benefit from the clear, structured routines that the staff have incorporated into the children’s daily living. This has supported the children to feel safe.

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The care of children

The children have benefited from being able to maintain good relationships with their families and friends. The staff have worked closely with social workers to facilitate the children’s contact. The staff check, before arranging visits, that the children’s family members and friends are not presenting with COVID-19 symptoms. Ensuring that the children can see the people who are important to them has helped to reduce episodes of the children going missing from care.

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The care of children

One child has started education at the organisation’s school. A clear transition plan was put in place to support this. The transition has been successful and the child’s school attendance is good. The manager is working closely with the social worker of the other child to provide them with suitable education.

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The care of children

A child said that they like living at this home more than any previous children’s home. This child told the staff that they were frightened that someone would be able to get into the home at night. The staff responded by taking the child on a ‘security check’ each evening, to check the doors and windows, which made the child feel safer.

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The safety of children

The staff safeguard the children well. Social workers said that the staff have a good understanding of children’s risks. The staff follow the home’s clear, comprehensive risk assessments, which are regularly reviewed and updated.

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The safety of children

Behaviour management plans are clear and informative. The plans help the staff to identify the potential triggers of unwanted behaviour and understand how to manage the behaviour. The staff undertake key-work sessions with the children to help them to understand and change these behaviours. The children benefit from a restorative rather than punitive approach to behaviour management.

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The safety of children

The staff have undertaken safeguarding training. They are clear on the reporting process in relation to any safeguarding concerns. Assurance visit report: SC457272 3 There has been one episode of a child going missing from the home. The staff actively searched for the child and worked with police to ensure the child’s safe return. The child was welcomed back into the home and a debrief and key-work session were undertaken to support the child to understand the risks of going missing.

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Leaders and managers

The home reopened in June 2020. The manager spoke of the challenges in recruitment in relation to COVID-19. However, the provider has been able to recruit staff to enable the home to reopen. The provider also experienced challenges due to COVID-19 in sourcing external tradespeople to undertake redecoration of the home.

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Leaders and managers

The staff who have been newly recruited have undertaken induction training, although this was delayed by a week due to COVID-19. Comprehensive internal and external monitoring of the home is in place. The manager reviews and updates the workforce development plan regularly. These processes help the manager to continue to develop the home.

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Leaders and managers

Partnership working between the manager and external professionals is effective. Social workers said that the manager informs them of any concerns and looks at ways of improving outcomes for children.

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Leaders and managers

The staff said that they are supported by the manager. Regular, good-quality supervision and staff meetings are helping the new staff team to develop its practice.

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Leaders and managers

There has been a consistent staff team since the home reopened in June 2020. The staff have undertaken an induction and the organisation’s mandatory training. However, only one member of staff has a relevant level 3 qualification. The manager is undertaking a level 5 qualification.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has met all the requirements and recommendations that were raised at the last inspection.

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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. Assurance visit report: SC457272 4

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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 staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(c)) 14/01/2021

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Trish Palmer, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC457272 5 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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Inspector

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