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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC067899 1 SC067899

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Cambian Childcare Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of a number of children’s homes operated by a private company. The home is registered to provide care for up to seven children who may have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home operates under a block contract arrangement with the local authority in which it is situated. The decision has been made by the provider, in consultation with the local authority, that the home will only provide care for up to four children. This is reflected in the home’s statement of purpose.

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Information about this children’s home

The current manager was registered with Ofsted on 31 August 2017.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place to review the progress made in tackling concerns raised by Ofsted in two compliance notices issued on 7 May 2021, about the safety and protection of children and quality of management and leadership in the home. Effective action taken since that time means that the concerns identified in the compliance notices have now been resolved.

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This monitoring visit

Since the previous inspection on 27 and 28 April 2021, two children have left the home and there is currently one child living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Appropriate action has been taken by the provider to address the significant shortfalls in practice identified at the last inspection. Recording systems used in the home have been updated to improve communication-sharing and now reflect all of the children’s needs. Detailed risk- and behaviour-management plans clearly identify strategies for staff to use to safely care for children and minimise risks. Children are included in reviewing their plans and are supported to make safer choices.

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This monitoring visit

Impact risk assessments and placement-matching processes that consider children’s needs alongside the needs of other children living in the home have been much Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC067899 2 improved since Ofsted last visited in April 2021. Placement plans identify individual and group risks and are now overseen by the provider’s psychologist in consultation with the manager. This oversight provides clear rationale around decision-making and includes the identification of any potential training needs for staff.

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This monitoring visit

Allegations have been thoroughly investigated in line with the provider’s safeguarding procedures. Staff have completed refresher training and practised scenarios to further strengthen the understanding and knowledge across the staff team.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has taken steps to improve management oversight in the home. The manager has been supported to implement a number of changes, including checklists and guidance for staff, strengthening communication, improvements in the recording and monitoring systems and strengthening the supervision processes. The manager is accessing management workshops and is focused on improving practice and outcomes for children. These positive changes are progressively putting in place a framework that has the capacity to help staff improve the care they provide to children and to be more responsive to children’s developing needs. However, these changes are relatively recent and so their impact is necessarily limited at present.

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This monitoring visit

All staff have received extensive training to address shortfalls in their knowledge and practice. In addition, the team has benefited from structured workshops delivered by the provider’s psychologist. These have given the team a greater insight into understanding children’s complex behaviours.

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This monitoring visit

Work has been completed to ensure that children know how to complain, and that staff understand complaints procedures. Since Ofsted visited in April 2021, children have been supported to make complaints and appropriate action has been taken to address any concerns.

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This monitoring visit

No new requirements or recommendations were set at this visit. Those set at the last inspection, that were not covered as part of this monitoring visit, remain in place and will be reviewed at the next inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/04/2021 Full Inadequate 20/01/2020 Full Good 11/07/2018 Full Good 26/07/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC067899 3

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose; ensure that staff— treat each child with dignity and respect; provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably; ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to— meet the needs of each child; and enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(iii)(vii)(c)(i)(ii)) This specifically relates to improving the standard of decor and furnishings in the home and ensuring that children’s

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that— the health and well-being needs of children are met. In particular, the standard in paragraph 1 requires the registered person to ensure— that staff help each child to— understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available tin relation to the child’s health and 23 July 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC067899 4 well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding. (Regulation 10 (1)(a) (2)(a)(ii)) This specifically relates to developing staff’s understanding of children’s health needs and being aware of any diagnosed conditions.

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on— positive responses to other children and adults. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11 (1)(c) (2)(a)(x)) This specifically relates to ensuring that supervision takes place in line with the organisation’s policy and that any issues raised are addressed by managers. 23 July 2021

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children— receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that arrangements are in place to— plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(iii)) This specifically relates to ensuring that decision-making relating to transitions is clearly recorded and that pathway plans are up to date and reflect children’s vulnerabilities and risks. 23 July 2021

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints made by or on behalf of children. 23 July 2021 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC067899 5 The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (1) (3)) This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; a child protection enquiry involving a child— is instigated; or concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 23 July 2021

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any sanctions used are restorative in nature and that they maximise the opportunity for children to reflect and learn. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC067899 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Caroline Bertram, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC067899 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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