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

Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 1 SC455991 Registered provider: Cambian Signpost Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a large national provider of children’s social care services. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for no more than four children and young people at any one time. The children may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since July 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 13 November 2019

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/11/2019 Full Good 14/02/2019 Full Good 04/06/2018 Interim Not judged 21/11/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 3

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outstanding

This is an attractive home. It is large and spacious and decorated to a high standard. It provides numerous inviting spaces for children. These include a large homely lounge, a beauty room, a large dining area, and patio doors which open out to a large well-kept garden.

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outstanding

Children take pride in their home. They have good relationships with staff and feel valued. One child commented: ‘They do really care about us here and make sure our views are shared.’

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outstanding

The registered manager and her staff team have made significant efforts to provide fun and memorable experiences for children during the pandemic. At Christmas, they organised a red-carpet event. An outside igloo was hired, a red carpet laid, and buffet and a chocolate fountain were all provided. Photograph books have been made which capture this special time for the young people. They also made a tuck shop in the annex so children could visit this during the time when the shops were closed.

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outstanding

Important time between children and their family members on a face-to-face basis has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The annex area was used to facilitate this happening safely.

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outstanding

Three children live at this home. They are all attending full-time education and being fully supported to develop healthy behaviours and important life skills. Two of these children are close to moving on. College places have been identified for them and progression planning is well under way. Another child is due to move into the home soon. Planning and support for the child to move in are excellent.

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outstanding

Two children have moved on since the last inspection. Both have moved home to their families. Staff provide a great deal of support and nurture, which promotes positive outcomes. These outcomes include the young people enjoying healthy relationships with family members, keeping themselves safe, and both continue to attend college. Staff remain in close contact with these children.

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outstanding

The registered manager ensures that staff have the skills and training needed to meet children’s needs. Research and current guidance are used effectively to inform the care provided to children. One such area of research and training has greatly informed the care provided to children who need this specific type of additional support. Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 4 There have been minimal complaints and allegations. These have been well managed and appropriate responses provided to both children and adults.

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outstanding

The response to missing-from-home incidents is robust and thorough. Return home interviews with children are completed within timescales and fully considered within the care provided to children.

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outstanding

Safeguarding practice is of a high standard. When incidents happen, they are managed robustly. Furthermore, learning from these is identified and actioned. Self- harming behaviours are carefully considered and analysed to inform the support provided to children.

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outstanding

Children’s social media use is carefully monitored in line with children’s safeguarding needs. Advice and guidance for staff about how to support children are robust. Children are developing the ability to keep themselves safe online.

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outstanding

Boundaries provided for children are consistently applied by staff. This provides important consistency. Children are treated with respect and dignity. They are being supported to develop their confidence and self-esteem.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

This home is managed effectively. There is a culture of high aspirations and expectations for children within the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has detailed knowledge of each child. She emulates the qualities of a good parent. She has high aspirations for children and enables them to enjoy being children. Reflective practice is embedded, which results in care that is child-centred and promotes positive outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is tenacious in her approach to advocating for children. She is driven to meeting their best interests. She challenges other professionals when she does not view that children’s needs are being met rigorously. This led to a significantly positive outcome for one child who had previously been failed by other agencies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

During the inspection, the inspector observed the registered manager challenging other professionals to ensure that another child was listened to. She was focused on collaborative care planning which reflects the child’s need for both clear boundaries and nurturing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Recruitment practice is thorough. Staff, feel valued. Feedback received from several staff members echoes the warm ethos within the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 5

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Signpost Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5th Floor, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Victoria Elworthy

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Inspector

Polly Soper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC455991 7 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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