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

Assurance visit report: SC458028 1 SC458028

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a large independent provider. The home cares for up to three children who are unable to live in a family setting.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since July 2020 and is registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 28 August 2019

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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: SC458028 2

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The care of children

There has been one admission into the home since April 2020. Three children were living at the home at the time of the assurance visit.

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The care of children

The children have strong, trusting relationships with a staff team that knows and understands them well. Warm, meaningful relationships were observed during the visit between the staff and children.

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The care of children

The children benefit from the clear structured routines that staff have incorporated into the children’s daily living. This has helped the children to feel safe.

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The care of children

The children have been able to maintain their attendance in education throughout the pandemic. The staff have supported the children to attend lessons both physically and virtually. The children have continued to excel educationally.

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The care of children

The children have benefited from being able to maintain good relationships with family and friends during the COVID-19 restrictions. One family member said that once the initial restrictions were lifted, staff drove for three and a half hours so that she could meet the child and spend the day at a local beach.

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The care of children

The children said that the staff do everything that they can to help them and that living at the home has been a positive experience. The children are fully involved in making decisions about the decor and furnishings and their activities.

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The safety of children

The staff have been proactive in ensuring that the children understand the risks posed by the pandemic. This has helped the children to feel safe.

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The safety of children

The staff continue to safeguard the children well. Comprehensive risk assessments and behaviour management plans are in place. The children review these with the staff, which helps the children to understand and reduce risks.

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The safety of children

Episodes of children going missing from home and unwanted behaviours have decreased. The staff use one-to-one sessions with children after an incident to help the children to understand what has happened and think about how they might do something differently in the future.

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The safety of children

The children said that the staff listen to them if they are worried or upset, or if they want to make a complaint. The children attend regular house meetings to discuss things that they want for the house and to talk about any concerns that they may have.

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The safety of children

The staff have a good understanding of children’s mental health and well-being. They have ensured that children’s health appointments have continued so that children access the services that they need. Assurance visit report: SC458028 3

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Leaders and managers

A stable staff team has been in place during the pandemic. Partnership working between the manager and external professionals and children’s families is effective and information is shared promptly. This enables them to work together in the best interest of the children.

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Leaders and managers

Comprehensive monitoring is in place. The independent visitor’s reports are detailed, and the manager and staff use these to develop the home. Regular good-quality supervision enables the staff to work effectively with the children and helps them to develop their practice.

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Leaders and managers

The staff have undertaken the organisation’s mandatory training, and some face-to- face training for new staff has begun. The staff have a good understanding of safeguarding and who to report concerns to.

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Leaders and managers

The children’s risks have begun to reduce. Social workers and family members said that they have noticed how settled the children have been and that the manager and staff go above and beyond to support children to make progress.

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Leaders and managers

The requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been met.

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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

Trish Palmer, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC458028 4 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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