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

Assurance visit report: SC405713 1 SC405713

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for up to three children who have social and/or emotional difficulties. It is privately owned and forms part of a large social care company.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 21 February 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Improved 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:  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: SC405713 2

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The care of children

Managers and staff understand young people’s needs. Care plans are up to date and offer clear guidance to staff. They also include the views of young people.

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The care of children

Young people told the inspectors that at times the home felt too busy and there were too many new faces at the home. Staff have, however, discussed with young people the planned changes in the staff team. One young person stated that they did not always feel listened to, however, inspectors found that managers had responded immediately and contacted the young person’s social worker to share his views on the home.

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The care of children

The young people asked to have a pet. Staff purchased both young people a kitten. This has proved to be very positive for the young people, who take good care of the kittens with support from staff. Staff report that the kittens have had a calming effect on the young people.

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The care of children

Both young people attend school and are making progress. Staff maintain regular communication with both young people’s schools. One teacher told the inspectors: ‘We have regular communication with the home. The young person has settled well and seems happy. She talks about doing a number of activities with staff that she hasn’t had the opportunity to do previously.’

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The care of children

Staff have supported young people to understand the impact of COVID-19 and the effect it has had on them. Staff have supported young people to stay in contact with their family and friends throughout the period of social restrictions.

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The safety of children

Staff consider the matching of young people who move into the home well. They consult with those who are already living in the home to gain their views, for example, if there is a gender difference. This means that young people feel their opinions are valued. This also means that the young people who are moving into the home feel at ease and settle in quickly.

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The safety of children

Risk assessments are very detailed and thorough. They identify risks of harm, any known triggers and outline ways to ensure young people’s safety. Staff understand risks well and respond immediately to ensure that young people are safe.

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The safety of children

When staff complete risk assessments they do not seek to include young people’s views. However, staff do support young people to consider unsafe scenarios during key work sessions. This helps young people to understand the ways in which they can keep themselves safe.

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The safety of children

There is a clear protocol in place for staff to follow should young people go missing. Young people form positive relationships with their key workers. This means they are able to seek support from them should they need to. As a result, young people do not go missing from home. Assurance visit report: SC405713 3 Young people understand the boundaries in their home. They receive praise when they have done well, for example, adapting well to the challenges caused by COVID- 19. Young people receive rewards in a variety of ways, such as, buying something new for their bedroom or choosing a takeaway.

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The safety of children

Staff manage young people’s behaviour well. Staff empathise with young people and seek to resolve incidents quickly. Since the last inspection, staff have not needed to use physical interventions and there has only been one incident which resulted staff calling the police.

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Leaders and managers

The home has been without a registered manager since April 2019. The last manager left the home in July 2020, prior to registering with Ofsted. An experienced registered manager from another home in the company is providing leadership and management support. There is a plan for the deputy manager to take over the manager’s role, and the provider is supporting him to complete additional management training.

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Leaders and managers

Managers ensure that staff receive supervision and support. Regular team meetings take place which give staff the opportunity to discuss the young people and reflect on practice.

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Leaders and managers

Despite changes in staffing managers have ensured that young people receive care from a consistent staff team. Managers have offered regular staff additional shifts and used staff from their sister home to fill gaps in the rota. However, managers do not accurately record the names of staff who work in the home on the rota. Managers have taken swift action to address any complaints or concerns raised by young people.

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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 registered provider 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

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered 30/11/2020 Assurance visit report: SC405713 4 person must keep in relation to a children’s home. The registered person must— maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4; ensure that the records are kept up to date; and retain the records for at least 15 years from the date of the last entry. (Regulation 37 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This is in relation to maintaining an accurate copy of the staff duty roster of persons working at the home. (Schedule 4(3))

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspectors

Debbie Holder, Social Care Inspector Sarah Berry, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC405713 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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