Children's home run by Cambian Asperger Syndrome Services Limited in Hammersmith and Fulham

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC482294 1 SC482294

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Cambian Asperger Syndrome Services Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to 29 children with learning disabilities. Children are accommodated in nine houses and all the children attend a school that is located on the same site. Care is provided to children with a primary diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The home offers a flexible package and provides care on a weekly, termly or annual boarding basis, depending on the child’s needs.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since October 2020.

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This monitoring visit

On 7 June 2021, a full inspection took place. Serious failures were identified. A compliance notice was served. On 23 July 2021, a monitoring visit was conducted to ensure that the compliance notice was met. Inspectors found that although some improvements had been made, not all steps in the compliance notice had been addressed. This resulted in a further compliance notice and requirements being reissued.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to monitor the provider’s compliance with the notice and requirements from the monitoring visit of 23 July 2021. Although some further improvements have been made, not all aspects of the compliance notice have been met. This is because leaders and managers have failed to have prompt and sufficient oversight of a potentially serious incident. Monitoring and review systems are still not fully effective.

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This monitoring visit

Risk management plans are not yet fully embedded. Although staff have increased their knowledge and understanding of the children’s risk management plans, this is not always consistent when a new risk is presented. For example, a ligature risk was identified in relation to one child after a serious incident. This was a newly displayed Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC482294 2 behaviour. This potentially serious incident was poorly documented. Actions were not taken immediately to reduce risks of any further incident. Furthermore, the child’s risk assessment had not been updated and shared with key staff.

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This monitoring visit

In addition, leaders did not have sufficient oversight of the incident. No action was taken to ensure that staff working with the child had updated relevant ligature training. Other potential ligature risks had not been assessed. As a result, staff had not received updated guidance on how to manage this risk, which potentially compromised a child’s safety. During the inspection, leaders responded quickly to this shortfall and took immediate action to address the potential risks.

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This monitoring visit

However, there have also been some excellent examples of positive key-worker sessions used to manage risks. For example, a child had developed a fascination with electrical plug sockets. Records show a highly detailed account of how the situation developed and was managed effectively. The account also included details of the debriefs and follow-up with the child which took place after the incident. This included a social story which was specific to the child’s interests, and a play session involving soft toys to help the child further understand the dangers. This proactive piece of work was then disseminated as guidance for staff to use and adopt when managing the risks and challenging behaviour for this child.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have a marked improvement in their understanding of roles and responsibilities regarding keeping children safe. This is because leaders have ensured that there is a sharp focus on safeguarding training for all staff. Since the last visit, all staff have completed training about peer-on-peer sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation. This training included the recording and reporting processes staff must follow if they have a concern about a child. However, some staff are unable to demonstrate a clear understanding of online safety for children. This means that key-worker sessions, in relation to keeping children safe online, are yet to improve. Leaders are fully aware of this and have clear plans in place to address this gap.

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This monitoring visit

Staff spoke positively about the recent face-to-face safeguarding training and stated that they feel more confident in identifying indicators of harm and abuse. As a result, leaders have made arrangements for further face-to-face training for staff. This includes inviting statutory safeguarding agencies to attend the home to deliver direct training.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders have introduced a system where staff are routinely, and regularly, asked about potential safeguarding scenarios. This is facilitated by managers and house managers. To ensure that this is robust, leaders have provided additional training to managers to ensure that their knowledge is relevant and accurate. This means that conversations and discussions about safeguarding are had by all. This places safeguarding at the heart of practice and ensures that safeguarding remains high on the agenda.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have taken effective action when they have become aware of potential Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC482294 3 safeguarding issues for children. This has not only been in relation to children who currently reside in the home but also for children who have recently left the home and who have remained in contact. This resulted in prompt sharing of information with relevant agencies and ensured that one child received the help and protection they needed. This demonstrates a positive culture shift towards safeguarding all children.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders have now implemented a clear process to enable them to identify training gaps, not only in relation to safeguarding but all developmental areas for staff. Where there are gaps, these have either been filled or are in the process of being addressed.

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This monitoring visit

Staff no longer lock external doors to houses to prevent children from leaving individual homes. This is evidenced by the removal of key codes and through incident records which show occasions when children have left one of the houses and staff have then managed the situations positively and effectively.

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This monitoring visit

Staff supervision continues to be undertaken. Leaders and managers have overseen this and acted when there have been instances of poor-quality supervision. For example, the acting manager monitors and oversees supervision records and challenges supervisors if these do not meet the required standard. Measures have then been put in place to ensure that staff receive better quality supervision while leaders and managers address the shortfalls with some individual supervisors.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/06/2021 Full Inadequate 03/07/2019 Full Good 20/02/2019 Full Good 04/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC482294 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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(h)) 26 September

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Requirement Due date

*This requirement is subject to a compliance notice.

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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: SC482294 5

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Asperger Syndrome Services 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:

Kelly Marchmont, Social Care Compliance Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC482294 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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