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

Inspection report children’s home: SC456409 1 SC456409 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The provider states in its statement of purpose that this home provides care for one child suffering with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties that result in complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 9 December 2020 to carry out an assurance visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC456409 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/07/2019 Full Outstanding 15/05/2018 Full Good 10/07/2017 Full Good 09/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC456409 3

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outstanding

Since the assurance visit, one child has moved out of the home. Staff were consistent in their efforts to keep him safe. Staff and managers have met with a clinician to have meaningful reflection and receive support after the child moved on. The team has been able to take the learning and apply this to the care provided for the child who has since moved in.

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outstanding

The child who has lived in the home has made exceptional progress. Thorough multi-agency planning prior to him moving in meant that he felt included in the decision-making throughout the process. He was able to visit and requested to move in sooner than planned as he felt so comfortable. The child told the inspector, ‘This is the best care home I’ve lived in. Staff have really helped me to settle.’

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outstanding

Staff go the extra mile to help each child feel at home. The home is well decorated and personalised with photographs. At the time of the inspection, Christmas decorations, advent calendars and a mischievous Elf all made the environment feel like a cosy family home. Where there have been delays in any required maintenance, the manager has escalated her concerns. As a result, the kitchen and bathroom areas have been renewed and the child is very proud of his home.

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outstanding

Children are supported to visit their immediate and extended families. The child has a detailed ‘My Connections Plan’. This guides staff on how to ensure that the child is safe when seeing each family member and friends. The family has been included in activities with the child. As a result, his relationships are improving. One parent said, ‘I do not have a bad word to say, the staff have been amazing.’

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outstanding

Each child has been supported with their education. Clear plans are in place if children have not attended school. This meets a previous recommendation. The child living in the home is attending and engaging in school. This was supported by proactive and sensitive planning when he moved in.

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outstanding

Staff support children with any health needs. Staff are proactive in seeking support from specialist health services when necessary. Staff are all fully informed of the child’s mental and physical health needs and work consistently to embed research- informed practice.

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outstanding

The child living in the home feels safe. He spoke to the inspector about the efforts made by staff to help him settle at night. A screen-free hour prior to sleeping is also implemented to help the child stay calm. As a result of the care and support provided by staff, the child is now able to sleep at an age-appropriate time. Inspection report children’s home: SC456409 4 As the team understands the needs of the child, they work hard to reinforce positive choices. Staff are also consistent in the rules and boundaries that are in place. On-the-spot praise and recognition, along with structured incentive plans are used throughout the week. This has helped to boost the child’s self-esteem and helped him to learn to self-regulate more effectively. The child said, ‘I think the staff are fair, they help me learn.’

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outstanding

Detailed and individualised risk management plans are regularly updated. Plans include clear guidance for staff on what action to take to prevent and respond to particular risks and situations. The child is involved in the risk management and always aware of when additional measures are in place and why. Staff reflect regularly as a team to ensure that measures are fair and proportionate. . The context of all historical information is included. This prevents children from being categorised and restricted due to high level of risk without reason.

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outstanding

Staff are very responsive to early signs to reduce the likelihood of risks increasing. For example, staff educated one child around the risks of gang affiliation and exploitation after noticing some of his language changed. Staff are also aware of the links between absence during the school day and exploitation. By capturing details of when the child has left school and the local hotspots, staff are more able to intervene if the child does become at an increased risk of exploitation.

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outstanding

Physical intervention is only used as a last resort. Managers take time after each restraint to debrief each staff member and the child. Strategies are reviewed and changed, when needed, after discussion with the child. As a result, the child has not required any physical intervention for several months.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager works hard to create an aspirational and reflective environment where both children and staff flourish. One social worker said, ‘The team is always looking to learn lessons to get the best out of [Name of child]’. The manager is exceptionally child focused. The manager is experienced and is currently completing the relevant leadership and management qualification. She manages two solo children’s homes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff all speak highly about the support that they receive from managers and each other. Targets set for individual progression are also reviewed regularly in supervisions. Recognition schemes, such as ‘Employee of the month’, also help staff to feel valued. As a result, a number of staff have worked in the home for several years.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff meet regularly in team meetings. Consistent, child-focused planning and review of actions set in the meetings means that the team is always striving for improvement. Staff get together to review assessments completed by specialists in order to provide the child with the individualised care that he needs. The team is also proactive in recognising times that may be particularly difficult for the child and putting plans in place to support him through. Inspection report children’s home: SC456409 5 The manager regularly reviews the quality of care provided. She seeks feedback as part of the review, which then informs the action plan going forward. The home is also visited monthly by an independent person. Positive reports that meet regulation identify recommendations that are taken on board by the manager. This growth mindset means that the care provided is always improving.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager works closely with the deputy. This helps to ensure that there is always management oversight of events in the child’s life. The deputy manager was able to confidently share information for the purpose of the inspection as the manager was on annual leave. This means that children do not need to wait for decisions to be made in the absence of the manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have received the training required to meet the needs of the child living in the home. Complaints are received well and fully investigated. Appropriate, holistic steps are taken in response to any complaints and allegations. The manager keeps all relevant people informed throughout the process. This meets a previous requirement. One social worker said, ‘Staff are great at promoting [Name of child’s] rights. They always have his best interests at heart, and this comes across.’ Inspection report children’s home: SC456409 6

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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: SC456409 7

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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

Sylvia Eboigbe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC456409 8 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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