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

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 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 who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2023.

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This monitoring visit

Following an assurance inspection in July 2023, Ofsted served two compliance notices. These were in relation to the protection of children and the leadership and management of the home. The purpose of this monitoring visit was to establish the provider’s progress in meeting the steps set out in the notices. The inspector found that the provider has taken action to meet some of the steps but has not met all of them. However, the provider has demonstrated the capacity to implement actions to meet the steps that are not yet met.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of this visit, there were no children living at the home.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have created a comprehensive development plan in response to previously raised shortfalls. The plan clearly sets out the actions that they need to take to improve the quality of care and responses to safeguarding concerns.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have regular supervision sessions in line with the organisation’s policy. In addition to this, the organisation’s mental health practitioner provides clinical debrief sessions to support staff’s development. Therefore, staff benefit from the oversight and guidance that they need to support them in their roles.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have arranged training for staff to increase their awareness of substance misuse, child criminal exploitation, sexual exploitation and self-harm. Specific training has equipped the staff to understand the risks posed to children. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC457272 2 The home’s fire risk assessment has been reviewed. Individual risk assessments have been updated in respect of children who smoke in their bedrooms. This review ensures that all risk mitigation is documented and shared.

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This monitoring visit

The locality risk assessment is detailed and comprehensive. It is based on a good range of local data and the interpretation of that data. This ensures that staff are continually informed about the area and potential concerns are reduced.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers are assessing the needs of any children who might move into the home, to ensure that staff are suitably experienced and trained to meet the needs of those children. This demonstrates the manager’s intention to ensure that the home can respond effectively to a child’s assessed needs before a decision is made.

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This monitoring visit

Incident records are detailed. Staff’s actions and responses to risks are clearly documented. There is management oversight of incident records. This means that the effectiveness of safeguarding arrangements and actions can be monitored.

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This monitoring visit

Risk-reduction strategies were duplicated between different records for the child who moved out most recently. The plans are detailed and lengthy. However, there were discrepancies in the wording between the three plans. This led to inconsistencies in the way that staff responded to the child, and placed the child at increased risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

Staff, on occasion, have failed to demonstrate sufficient professional curiosity in relation to a child’s involvement with unknown adults, particularly concerning the child getting into unfamiliar vehicles. This failure to explore concerns meant that opportunities to protect and safeguard a vulnerable child may have been missed.

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This monitoring visit

On two occasions, staff have not followed direct instructions or implemented the child’s safety plan. This put the child at increased risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

Due to some shortfalls remaining, statutory requirements have been raised. There is no current risk to children as no children are living at the home. The manager has a clear plan to address the remaining shortfalls.

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This monitoring visit

One requirement from the assurance inspection was not reviewed at this monitoring visit. This has been restated and will be explored at the next inspection.

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This monitoring visit

No change has been made to the judgement given at the last full inspection. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC457272 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/04/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/05/2021 Full Good 11/01/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC457272 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, 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that:

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Requirement Due date

staff understand the risks to children and take effective action to reduce these risks;

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Requirement Due date

leaders and managers check the information in children’s risk assessments thoroughly to provide clear and full guidance on responding to incidents of any child going missing from the home; and

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Requirement Due date

the actions taken to reduce risks are clearly recorded. 2 October 2023

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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 2 October 2023 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC457272 5 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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; and

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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)(a)(b) (2)(c)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that:

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Requirement Due date

leaders and managers thoroughly scrutinise and review records to ensure that issues relating to staff practice are identified and any concerns are followed up with the staff member concerned; and

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Requirement Due date

leaders and managers review risk-management plans and ensure that they are current and include clear direction and effective strategies for staff to follow.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and 2 October 2023 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC457272 6 understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful; and

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that one-to- one discussions with children are frequent and responsive to safety concerns.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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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 Ofsted served compliance notices.

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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: 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 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC457272 8 regulates and inspects 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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