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

Inspection report children's home: SC458028 1 SC458028 Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

A large national organisation runs this home. It provides care for up to three children aged between eight and 18 who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2020.

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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 good

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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: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: SC458028 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/07/2023 Full Good 24/01/2023 Full Good 19/10/2021 Full Good 28/08/2019 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC458028 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

At the time of this inspection, three children were present and two were spoken with. Since the last inspection, one child has moved out.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children live in a home that is welcoming, friendly and safe. Children thrive because of the staff’s consistent and nurturing approach. As a result of the excellent care provided, children make exceptional personal progress. One professional described a nurturing parenting approach that is consistent from all staff and the biggest factor to help one child make significant progress in their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are warmly welcomed to the home. Staff meticulously plan moves in and out. The manager carefully considers the group of children living together; children have formed good friendships. Children who have moved out stay in touch with the staff. One professional said, in respect of child moving in:

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

‘Staff made extra efforts to speak to [name of the child]. They all met him virtually. The staff showed enthusiasm and the child relaxed. He knew then that he wanted to go to that placement.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s education is an important focus for staff. The manager has undertaken extensive research into the barriers that children who are looked after face in being accepted into mainstream schools. The research and findings have been shared with two local schools. This helped one child to access a specialist advisor and the child is now making excellent educational progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children reflect on their own well-being through personalised assessments informed by research. The manager and the organisation’s clinician evaluate the information that children provide. The assessments help to identify patterns and triggers that affect children’s well-being, and inform the care plan. This dynamic approach helps children to explore their own feelings and staff to provide exceptional and tailored emotional support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have been proactive to ensure that a child’s religious practice and cultural needs have been met. A religious leader was invited to the home to teach staff about the child’s religion. This helped staff to provide the correct dietary requirements and support in times and days of worship. This innovative approach helped staff to arrange for an appropriate person to accompany the child to their place of worship. Other children are supported to understand diversity in society. One child had a one-to-one tour of a place of worship predominantly used by a minority ethnic group. This child now wants to explore his identity and beliefs further.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children experience meaningful and well-planned activities. Children have been on aeroplanes to go on holiday abroad for the first time. Children were prepared for their Inspection report children's home: SC458028 4 flight by staff who organised an anti-gravity experience prior to flying. One child is a talented singer. Staff organised a day at a recording studio to officially produce their song. Children have experienced driving lessons, prepared for independence and are encouraged with their hobbies. One child is a keen rock climber and staff ensure that they have access to appropriate climbing facilities.

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

Children have extremely positive, caring and trusting relationships with staff. Staff know the children very well and invest their time in them. Children said that they feel supported and safe. Children can identify a member of staff they could talk to if they have concerns.

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

Staff have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of children’s vulnerabilities. This is because risk assessments are detailed and informed by the preferred model of care used by staff. Staff take time to talk to children and educate them about risks. Before moving into the home, one child had limited social experiences. Staff have spent time educating the child about safety, acceptance of others and developing social skills.

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

Behaviour plans are well written and include the child’s strengths and information on their emotional well-being and self-esteem. Clear rules and boundaries are in place that reflect the children’s ages and understanding. Staff carry out focused work with children that helps them to reflect and to make positive choices. This approach has helped children to take accountability and consider their options.

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

Children do not leave the home without permission often. On one occasion, a child did leave the home overnight. Staff were proactive and made every effort to find the child. Due to the relationships that staff have with the child’s family and external professionals, the child was found and returned home safely. The child was given support and staff discussed with them the trigger for the child leaving. As a result, there have been no more incidents of going missing for this child.

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

The positive relationships between staff and children mean that there have been no physical interventions since the last inspection. Staff help children to learn if they have made a mistake using consequences. However, records do not clearly evidence the duration of the consequence. This was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager encourages high standards and she is ambitious for children and staff to achieve. Staff morale is excellent. Staff said that they feel well supported by the manager. The staff team is longstanding. Listening to children’s views and wishes is a priority for the manager and staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals involved with the children are complimentary about the efforts of the manager and staff to support the needs of children. The manager challenges professionals’ decisions when she feels that they are not in the best interest of the child. Inspection report children's home: SC458028 5 For example, the manager challenged a school professional when they asked a child not to return and to be tutored at home. One professional said, ‘I can't rate the home highly enough. The staff bring out the best in children.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular supervision that helps them to consider the children’s needs and progress. The manager has changed the format of these meetings to inspire staff to critically reflect on their practice. The manager recognises that the established team thrives through motivation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers consistently review the quality of care provided to children. The registered manager reviews all records on a regular basis and her monitoring is highly comprehensive. Through her audits, the manager identified a pattern where a child refused to attend school on a specific day. The manager used this information to explore the child’s concerns and work with external professionals. This resulted in the child’s attendance improving.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have access to the organisation’s mandatory training along with additional training that ensures that the staff are equipped to care for children safely and consistently. Staff are either qualified or working towards the relevant childcare qualifications in timescales. Inspection report children's home: SC458028 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any consequences are proportionate and in place for no longer than is necessary. This was raised at the last inspection and is restated. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 48, paragraph 9.52)

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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: SC458028 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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Inspectors

Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Nurnahar Bhuniya, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: SC458028 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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