Children's home run by London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham in Hammersmith and Fulham

Assurance visit report: SC443337 1 SC443337

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home provides care for up to seven young people. The home’s statement of purpose states that it provides care for young people with learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. The home provides a mix of permanent placements, shared care placements and some short-break placements.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in February 2012. The current registered manager registered with Ofsted in May 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 17 September 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. 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

Assurance visit report: SC443337 2 We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

During the ongoing pandemic, children have had the opportunity to thrive. Children benefit from a personalised service, which nurtures their strengths, independence, interests and individuality. Children have been able to keep in touch with their relatives through video calls and on-site visits in a specific part of the home.

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The care of children

A social worker stated they had placed children at (name of the children’s home) since 2012 and have always had ‘very positive experiences’. Staff focus on children’s abilities and they support children with developing their independent living skills. Children spend time cooking, baking, making their beds, assisting with their laundry and other household tasks.

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The care of children

Children are calmer; they listen more and they are sleeping better, resulting in a reduction of medication for some children. Visual aids enable children to share their views and choices, alongside increasing their level of understanding.

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The care of children

During the lockdown period, children were supported to try a wide range of activities and new experiences. Prior to returning to school, children engaged in virtual school lessons, informal learning and online drama classes. Since restrictions have eased, children have enjoyed visiting places of interest and spending time in their local community.

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The care of children

Staff support children to practice their faith. For example, they pray in Arabic. Children learn to appreciate other cultural and religious festivals. They have celebrated Eid, Black History Month and engaged in a variety of cultural evenings, including a Caribbean carnival event.

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The care of children

Children are helped to lead a healthy lifestyle. They are involved in a ‘grow what you eat’ programme, involving the planting of fruit, vegetables and herbs. Physical activities have included walks in the park, fitness sessions, yoga and meditation sessions.

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The safety of children

Children live in a safe environment and they benefit from the staff’s strong links with the director of public health. Senior leaders have commended the work to keep children safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the lockdown period, proactive action was taken to shield and support children.

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The safety of children

Staff worked extra and longer shifts to ensure the home had adequate cover. Staff have been wearing personal protective equipment as standard since March. The home has effective infection control measures and cleaning regimes to minimise risk. Assurance visit report: SC443337 3 A safeguarding professional confirmed, ‘(Name of the children’s home) have effective safeguarding processes in place to protect the children they work with.’ They praised the team for proactively seeking advice, arranging staff training and ensuring lessons are learned from incidents.

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The safety of children

Leaders and managers share good practice with schools, which provides children with good continuity of care. They share risk assessments in relation to COVID-19 and the school staff are providing training for the home’s staff on positive behaviour management.

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The safety of children

The introduction of routines, structure and communication aids has seen an improvement in children’s emotional well-being. Staff have an increased understanding of children and how they are communicating through their behaviour. The model of care is based on praise, reward and positive reinforcement.

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The safety of children

Positive behaviour support is being actively improved through training, the recruitment of specialist professionals and by reflecting after incidents. Restraints are recorded separately on children’s files. However, it would be beneficial if these were collated centrally to more easily monitor trends and patterns.

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Leaders and managers

Children benefit from strong leaders and managers who are committed to transforming the service. Staff have good relationships with children and understand their complex needs. An independent reviewing officer described the service as ‘excellent’.

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Leaders and managers

Children benefit from the creation of the home’s development board. This assists with maintaining the focus on continually improving the quality of care and standards. Accountability to a multi-agency performance board ensures the home is being effectively monitored.

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Leaders and managers

The independent visitor’s monthly reports are constructive and assist with the development of the service. There are ambitious plans for the future and a good capacity to further improve services. Leaders and managers wish to create a service that benefits local children and those living within the west London area.

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Leaders and managers

Staff are being empowered to upskill and embrace new ways of working. Staff feel valued and supported and they take pride in their professional development. Although staff receive individual supervision, this is not always consistently provided.

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Leaders and managers

The majority of the requirements and all the recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Further attention is needed to demonstrate that staff read team meeting minutes. An additional recommendation has been made, as a child’s risk assessment inaccurately referred to another children’s home. Assurance visit report: SC443337 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, 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 promotes their welfare.

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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 the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, when staff are unable to attend team meetings, a record should be kept stating that staff have read the team meeting notes. 01/03/2021

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Recommendations

 Records of restraint should enable the registered person and staff to review the use of restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) In particular, ensure that risk assessments do not refer to another home. Assurance visit report: SC443337 5  The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2) In particular, supervision must be held at regular intervals in accordance with the workforce development plan.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Town Hall, King Street, LONDON W6 9JU

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Inspector

Sharon Payne, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC443337 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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