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

Inspection report for children's home: SC457553 1 SC457553 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

This children’s home is owned by a private national company. It is registered to provide care for up to two children with emotional, social or learning difficulties. At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 21 February 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC457553 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/02/2023 Full Good 12/01/2022 Full Good 12/02/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/06/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC457553 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Trusted relationships have been built between the child and their carers, which the team has worked hard to achieve. Carers speak about children warmly and with affection when they talk about the child and their development. The team know the child well and use playful strategies to help them to engage with everyday tasks and activities. The child says that they like ‘everything’ about living here.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This child has made good progress from their starting point. They go to school regularly, and even though they struggle to engage with learning at times, they have been supported to attend full time. Carers have developed strong relationships with the school to support this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s medical and health needs are managed and supported well. Discussions on the dangers of unhealthy behaviours, such as vaping, take place regularly. The manager has challenged decisions effectively with the placing local authority, which has enabled the child’s health needs to be met safely. Conversations with the child about sexual health take place as needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Plans to develop the child’s independence are in place and clearly identify for carers what needs to happen to support the child. These plans do not include clear timescales for completion. When actions have been completed, they are not always dated, which can be confusing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A variety of activities and experiences are available to the child and they are encouraged to take part. Activities are also used as incentives for the child to avoid less desirable behaviours, for example, planning hair appointments or weekends away for not vaping. In recent weeks, the child’s friendships have been encouraged and carers are working with the school to improve this. The child is also supported to spend time safely with their family, this also includes support from an interpreter to ensure the family’s cultural needs are met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well maintained, warm and cosy. There are framed pictures of the child, artwork on display and their possessions are around the home, which show this child lives here. The carers’ bedroom contains fire extinguishers and metal cabinets, which detract from the homely feel that the rest of the home benefits from.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child says they feel safe and that sometimes the team care too much, as they do not ‘let’ them run away. There have been fewer safeguarding incidents since the last inspection, which shows the child feels safer. The child was able to identify a trusted member of the team that they could talk to. The child regularly checks in with carers when they go out on their own, despite not having to do so. Inspection report for children's home: SC457553 4 Risk assessments and the child’s plans are clear and provide step-by-step details of what to do in specific scenarios. Plans are sometimes updated, but on occasion, there is some confusion on particular details such as time. However, the trusted relationships mean that the child is so regularly in contact with carers so that they would know quickly if there was a problem.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

On the one occasion that the child has been missing, carers followed the process effectively to return the child quickly and safely to the home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child is starting to be supported to take age-appropriate risks, however, this is at a very early stage. Carers are anxious about this and more needs to be done to support this development. Carers are aware of the risks to the child of using their phone and the internet and the child understands the rules that are in place. Spot- checks are in place to ensure safety. The child has been involved with these plans and is signed up to them.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Carers know the processes to follow when there are concerns or incidents. Newer members of the team are clear on reaching out for support if they are unsure about risks and they turn to the more experienced carers for help.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Allegations against adults have been recorded thoroughly and reported to the appropriate agencies. There has been some learning around thresholds for reporting incidents and the manager has been reflective about this. Advice from other professionals is sought quickly and appropriately to ensure the child’s safety.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Recruitment processes are thorough and agency carers have not had to be used, meaning there has been consistency in the adults caring for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

This home is run by an effective and caring manager, who knows the child incredibly well. She drives positive outcomes and is proactive about challenging other professionals in respect of the child’s needs. Carers speak of a manager who is supportive and nurturing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The use of a clinical lead for the carers to reflect with is good practice and this is valued by the team. This enables carers to provide better care for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings and supervision for staff take place regularly. However, there is a focus on practical tasks and reflection on the child’s needs and feelings is lacking. There are frustrations among some carers due to the inconsistency of the internet connection, which can impact on the team’s ability to get work done.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External professionals speak of good communication with the home and of carers who are ‘attuned’ to the child’s needs. The placing local authority talk with leaders and managers about their plans for the child’s future. Inspection report for children's home: SC457553 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure staff seek to identify and provide appropriate opportunities for children to develop themselves in accordance with their wishes and feelings and as part of the home’s plan for their care. In particular, the home should be clear on the targets for the child and there should be specific steps with timescales and details on how carers will help the child to develop independence skills. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.4)  The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children, and is a homely, domestic environment. The home should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. In particular, this applies to the carers’ bedroom, which contains fire extinguishers and metal cabinets. (‘Guide to the

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Recommendations

Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. In particular, supervision should include a balance of practical issues and reflection on the child’s particular needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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 for children's home: SC457553 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: Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nicola McClements

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Inspector

Nickie Doney, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC457553 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 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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