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

Assurance visit report: SC456795 1 SC456795

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately operated children’s home which is registered for one young person who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has submitted an application to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 3 October 2019

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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 did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC456795 2

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The care of children

The young person has lived in the home for nearly a year. He has good relationships with staff and he has made progress since moving in.

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The care of children

One independent officer said, ‘Staff show a real insight into his needs, work very well in the multi-agency network and provide a high level of genuine care.’

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The care of children

Staff make effort to understand the young person’s cultural needs. One staff member who is also from the young person’s country of birth, spends time reading magazines and news articles with him. This helps the young person to stay connected to current events in the country he was born in.

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The care of children

Although the young person speaks English, additional support from a speech and language therapist has assisted in bridging any misunderstanding. He is also completing work in school to help him understand British values.

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The care of children

The manager has persisted in her efforts to find a suitable education provision for the young person. The young person has been kept involved throughout the process. As a result, he is now engaging and enjoying education for the first time in several years.

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The care of children

It has been difficult for the young person to see his family due to COVID-19 restrictions. Staff have supported him by using technology to maintain communication with his family.

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The care of children

The young person has enjoyed a range of activities including football, going to the gym, long walks, and arts and crafts. When the young person’s football club was closed, staff played football with him instead. Clear communication between staff and the football club has increased the support network and peer group around the young person.

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The safety of children

The young person is supported by a close network of professionals. A police officer in the complex team said, ‘The young person didn’t want anything to do with me, but the home [has] encouraged him. I have been really impressed with them.’ Multi- agency communication and decision-making have reduced the risk of the young person re-offending or being exploited. Historical information is considered, but not used to limit his opportunities. As a result, the young person is able to learn new skills. Staff support the young person when he makes mistakes.

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The safety of children

Staff use a variety of resources to provide the young person with information. Discussions about topics including healthy relationships and substance misuse take place. The young person has been involved in creating a piece of art about knife crime. These activities help the young person make better-informed choices. Assurance visit report: SC456795 3 Risk management plans provide clear direction for staff and are updated regularly. Staff communicate confidently about the plans in order to keep the young person safe. Staff are consistent and give the young person clear, fair and age-appropriate boundaries.

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The safety of children

The young person has become increasingly frustrated by the restrictions in place due to COVID-19. He started to go missing from the home more frequently. Staff listened to the young person’s wishes and feelings. Plans were changed, and his views were considered. As a result, the frequency of the young person going missing is reducing.

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The safety of children

Multi-agency support provided to the young person has not been affected by COVID-19. The manager has deemed it essential in order to continue to keep the young person safe. Actions taken to prevent the spread of the virus include using hand sanitiser and visits taking place in the garden.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has been in post since June 2020 and has applied to register with Ofsted. She has already made a number of improvements to the home and has further plans moving forward. All previous requirements and recommendations have been met.

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Leaders and managers

The manager is child focused and has placed meeting the young person’s needs at the centre of the home. A youth justice worker said, ‘The manager has made a huge impact on everyone working more coherently for the young person.’

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Leaders and managers

Staff feel supported and have embraced the changes being made. They receive regular reflective supervisions and attend team meetings.

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Leaders and managers

The manager focuses on reviewing the build-up to an event in order to learn from it and prevent re-occurrence. Missing from care records lack evidence of this overall evaluation and steps taken to prevent re-occurrence.

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Leaders and managers

The staff team is experienced and has received training. However, some training courses have not been completed for a number of years, including training relating to the needs of the current young person placed. The manager has encouraged learning in the home through activities, in an attempt to keep discussions current.

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Leaders and managers

Monthly independent visits take place, and reports produced are detailed and informative. Reports would benefit from increased consultation with parents and professionals working with the young person to provide a more holistic view of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. Assurance visit report: SC456795 4

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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, 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.

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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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff undertake training in sexually harmful behaviour, substance misuse, self-injurious and criminal exploitation including county lines and knife crime. 16/12/2020

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires.

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Recommendations

 Evaluation of missing 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) Assurance visit report: SC456795 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Sylvia Eboigbe, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC456795 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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Inspector

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