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

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457272 1 SC457272

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Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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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 three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457272 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

There are currently no children living at the home. Since the last inspection, one child has moved from the home in difficult circumstances. Following a brief introduction, the staff were unable to meet the child’s changing needs or ensure the child’s safety. The child has settled into his new home and has started to attend college.

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The care of children

In August 2022, one child moved into the home and settled quickly. The child had moved a considerable distance from family and friends. The manager completed an assessment of the child’s needs prior to the move to ensure that the staff had the necessary skills to meet the child’s needs. Despite many attempts, the manager was unable to secure a school placement for the child to start in September 2022. Because of this and the considerable distance, the child moved again to be closer to his home. Staff helped the child prepare for the move by arranging virtual meetings and taking him to visit his new home. Good planning helped lessen the child’s anxieties and made it a positive experience.

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The care of children

Some improvements have been made to the home. The children have been involved in decorating their bedrooms. A chalkboard and neon strip lights have been put up. One child chose canvas wall art that reflects his interests and hobbies. This helped the child to feel that he belonged. However, the garden is not well maintained, the lawn is covered in fallen fruit that has rotted and there are unused goal posts and a punch bag that need to be removed.

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The care of children

Staff provide high levels of support to children to help them maintain long-distance relationships with their friends. For one child, this involved staff arranging overnight stays in a hotel after a long journey. The child was actively encouraged to think about his safety during these visits. The staff encouraged positive behaviour by providing clear boundaries about what was safe and acceptable. This respectful approach worked well for the child and, as a result, the visits were a success.

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The care of children

Staff offer children a wide range of community-based activities. Children’s hobbies are encouraged. One child’s interest in learning to play music has been supported by the purchase of an electric guitar.

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The safety of children

Staff respond effectively when children go missing from the home. Records show that staff provide clear boundaries and use consequences to help children understand the repercussions of unwise decisions. Children understand that time Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457272 3 spent with friends could be restricted if they do not return at the agreed time or if they fail to answer calls from staff. As a result of this approach, children’s missing- from-home incidents have been reduced.

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The safety of children

Children’s plans are clearly written. Risk assessments for children are detailed and include appropriate strategies to support staff in managing risks. These are regularly reviewed and updated following any incidents. This helps the staff to feel confident and respond consistently to the children.

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The safety of children

Records show that staff take appropriate action to keep children safe. Staff work with external agencies to provide additional help for children in relation to specific behaviours and risks. Staff take time to discuss unsafe situations and behaviours. This has helped children to learn about substance misuse, internet safety and potentially dangerous situations. As a result of these conversations, children’s understanding of how to keep themselves safe has improved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager is well known to the children and regularly spends time with them. The manager has a good understanding of the children’s needs and is committed to their care. She is persistent in her actions to involve the right professionals to help improve the children’s safety. She actively challenges other services when responses are not effective.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager’s monitoring systems provide effective oversight of the service and the children’s progress. The manager has a clear understanding of the risks for children. This helps inform planning and provides the right levels of support for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Records demonstrate that staff are up to date with the home’s mandatory training. The manager has ensured that the staff have received specific training such as LGBTQ+ and autism spectrum disorder awareness. Specific training ensures that staff are well equipped to meet the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Despite the manager’s repeated requests to children’s social workers, there have been delays in getting documentation. One child’s records have not all been made available. Delays in receiving a child’s birth certificate hindered the child’s registration with the local doctor.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Four of the six requirements raised at the full inspection have been met and two have been restated. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457272 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/05/2021 Full Good 11/01/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 25/04/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457272 5

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; and

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the garden is well maintained.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 12 December

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the child’s relevant education plans, formal review minutes and an up-to-date local authority care plan are kept in the child’s records. 12 December Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457272 6 This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457272 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

Rachel Watkinson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457272 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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