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

Assurance visit report: SC457180 1 SC457180

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is one of a number of homes operated by a large private company. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children or young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered since 2019.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

p.1

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).

p.1

Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

p.1

Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership. This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

p.1

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. Assurance visit report: SC457180 2

p.1

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.

p.2

The care of children

Young people have a sense of permanence and belonging. Throughout the COVID- 19 pandemic, young people and staff have spent quality time together. As a result, relationships have strengthened. One young person said, ‘I’m happy here and wouldn’t change anything.’

p.2

The care of children

Staff have gone above and beyond to create activities for young people during this period. Young people have enjoyed bongo bingo, retro workouts, barbecues, cake competitions and quizzes. Memories have been captured with photographs for young people to keep.

p.2

The care of children

Young people have continued to attend and achieve in education. When schools were closed, efforts were made to provide education in the home. Since they have reopened, staff have supported the transition back to school for two of the young people. One young person engages with a tutor every day in the home.

p.2

The care of children

Young people have all been able to keep in touch with family. One young person’s relationship with her family has been strengthened due to staff’s effort and support.

p.2

The care of children

One young person is moving from the home soon due to their request to live closer to family. Transitions to and from the home are well planned. During the pandemic, the use of virtual visits, regular communication and shared risk assessments have helped young people and staff to prepare well for any moves.

p.2

The care of children

Staff support young people to build peer relationships by increasing their understanding of each other. One young person attended child-friendly Asperger’s training to help her see the effects of the condition from another perspective. Young people are encouraged to reflect on how their actions can affect others in the home.

p.2

The care of children

Staff ensure that the health needs of the young people are met. Staff have been particularly aware of the need for mental health support during this time. One referral has been made to support a young person with increasing anxiety.

p.2

The safety of children

Throughout the COVID-19 period, safety measures have been used, including using hand sanitiser, wearing masks when in public and reviewing the shift patterns to reduce foot-flow in the home.

p.2

The safety of children

Young people’s risk-taking behaviours have dramatically reduced since the last inspection. Detailed and individualised risk assessments are in place and followed by staff. Assurance visit report: SC457180 3 One young person was recently reported missing from the home. Staff followed procedures and took the time to find out the reasons why he did not return home. The manager commented on the missing-from-home report, but her evaluation lacked a review of the actions of the staff in relation to the incident. This is a missed opportunity to identify areas for learning and staff development.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff provide clear and consistent boundaries, and young people respond well. Staff are able to de-escalate effectively and have not felt the need to use restraint. When there has been damage to the environment, it has been repaired quickly. Staff have allowed young people to reflect on their behaviour without police involvement.

p.3

The safety of children

The potential impact of an admission to the home is reviewed in detail. Additional training is completed if additional skills are identified as being necessary. Historical information is considered in context to ensure that appropriate plans are in place.

p.3

The safety of children

Staff work with family to ensure that young people are also safe when in their care. One staff member delivered e-safety training to a young person’s grandparent, to increase their awareness of the potential risks online.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2019. She has made notable improvements in the home since the last inspection. All of the previous requirements and recommendations have been met. All professionals spoken to by the inspector gave high praise of the manager. One social worker said, ‘She has been absolutely brilliant; I can’t fault her.’

p.3

Leaders and managers

Staff receive regular reflective supervision. New staff have been welcomed into the home and have received additional support and training. Staff are suitably trained to meet the needs of the young people living here.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The manager and the staff team have been fully committed to providing consistent care to the young people during this period of the pandemic. In the initial stages of COVID-19, staff were completing seven-day shifts. Respect among the team has developed as a result. However, rotas do not reflect the actual hours worked by the manager.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The staff team is now stable and experienced. One social worker said, ‘They are really warm and nurturing. That is home for those kids and a testament to the team there. They go above and beyond in their role and don’t give themselves enough credit.’

p.3

Leaders and managers

Overall, communication with other agencies and young people’s families is very good. On one occasion, information was not shared with the social worker about an injury sustained when a young person spent time with her sibling. Assurance visit report: SC457180 4 Feedback is requested and used to improve the home. Monthly independent visits have continued to take place. The manager has also completed a review of the quality of care. This has identified the strengths and areas planned for improvement.

p.3

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home.

p.4

Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in schedule 4;

p.4

Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date.

p.4

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 37 (1)(2)(a)(b) Schedule 4 (3))

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that copies of staff rosters reflect the actual hours worked, including the manager’s hours. 30/11/2020

p.4

Recommendations

 Evaluation of missing-from-home incidents should be undertaken to identify any gaps in training, skills or knowledge for staff or to record and retain evidence of what worked well. This evaluation should inform the review of the quality of care. (see paragraph 15.2). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.31)  The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care through observation and engagement with: each child; the home’s staff; each child’s family/carers where appropriate; and professionals involved in the care or protection of each child, including their social worker, independent reviewing officer, teachers, clinicians and other health professionals etc. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.23) Assurance visit report: SC457180 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

p.5

Children’s home details

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

p.5

Inspector

Sylvia Eboigbe, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC457180 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.

p.5

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 .

p.6

Inspector

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 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.6

Inspector

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

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6