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

Assurance visit report: SC389649 1 SC389649

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Information about this children’s home

This private home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post has been vacant since May 2020. A new manager has been appointed who is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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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. 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: SC389649 2

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The care of children

The home has functioned with solo occupancy of young people during the reporting period and there have been periods of time with no young people living at the home. Young people have benefited from this solo living opportunity, and have built relationships with staff in a more focused environment. The young person told inspectors, ‘Staff treat me with respect. They are patient and caring’.

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The care of children

Staff are understanding of the young person’s emotional needs at a time of ongoing local restrictions. They have supported the young person to maintain relationships with family and friends in a safe manner. This has promoted the young person’s sense of belonging and eased potential feelings of social isolation.

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The care of children

The young person’s gender identity and how they want to address gender in their own day-to-day life have been well supported by staff. The young person has completed a presentation to staff about gender orientation issues and this is available for staff, visitors and other young people to read and learn from. This input from the young person has increased staff awareness of how to care for young people with differing gender identities. It has contributed to strengthening the relationship between the young person and staff.

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The care of children

The young person’s holistic needs are well met and supported by clear plans and records. Care plans and placement plans are updated regularly and all staff are familiar with these and follow the plans in practice. The home works effectively with the young person’s social worker and family to provide well-planned care.

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The safety of children

In the reporting period, young people have been safeguarded effectively in the home. There has been one safeguarding incident. This was notified to Ofsted in a timely manner. Staff have provided a positive contribution to the multi-agency response. The manager has ensured that the young person is referred to additional support services to address their emotional and physical needs. The young person told inspectors they feel supported by staff .

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The safety of children

Although the home has been single occupancy during this period, staff have continued to talk to individual young people about positive relationships and bullying behaviours. This has been addressed in key-work sessions and young people’s meetings. As a result, the expectations of young people in the home is clear. Staff are also aware of their responsibilities to promote positive relationships and challenge negative behaviours.

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The safety of children

The identification and reduction of risk are well understood by staff. Risk assessments and risk-management plans are in place and are regularly reviewed and updated. These are complemented by regular discussions with the young person about potential or actual risks they may face. These conversations with the Assurance visit report: SC389649 3 young person mean that they are actively contributing to decision making in relation to their care.

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The safety of children

Physical intervention has only been used once in the reporting period. This was a brief intervention which was proportionate to the situation. Recording of the incident is detailed and clear. The young person engaged in a lengthy discussion with a registered manager from another home following the incident. The time spent gaining the young person’s views has helped the staff team gain a better understanding of the young person and evidences a strong child-centred response.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager post has been vacant since May 2020. The interim manager has transferred to the home from another of the organisation’s services. This is her first role as manager. She has not yet applied to be registered with Ofsted.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has a good understanding of the improvements needed in the home. She has the confidence of staff and is ensuring that the home is run in line with the ethos set out in the statement of purpose.

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Leaders and managers

In response to previous requirements and compliance activity, the manager has ensured that the needs of those young people admitted to the home are in line with the home’s statement of purpose. As a result, the home is experiencing a period of stability. This has given the manager additional time to support staff, the majority of whom are new to the home.

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Leaders and managers

Regular supervision of staff promotes good practice in the home. Records of supervision demonstrate that the manager provides appropriate levels of support and challenge to staff. As a result, the staff team are well placed to provide a good quality of care to young people.

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Leaders and managers

During lockdown, staff have continued to undertake online training. This means that staff have been provided with the knowledge and skills they need to undertake their roles, as far as possible, given the ongoing restrictions currently in place.

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Leaders and managers

The home has undergone a complete internal refurbishment and is now of a high standard. The space available for the use of young people has been increased. This means that when the home is at full occupancy there is still space for young people to spend time alone should they wish to do so. Young people and staff now have a pleasant and homely environment to live and work in.

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Leaders and managers

A number of requirements were made at the last full inspection and subsequent monitoring visit. All of these requirements are now met. Assurance visit report: SC389649 4

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Recommendations

 Every home must have a person managing it. Under regulation 27, that person will either be: - the registered provider if they are an individual, and fit person to manage a children’s home; or - an individual that the registered provider appoints as manager. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards’, page 60, paragraph 12.2). Specifically, that the interim manager applies for registration with Ofsted.

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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 Limited, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspectors

Dawn Parton, Social Care Inspector Tracy Mese, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC389649 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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