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

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457089 1 SC457089

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Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a large organisation. It provides care for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager holds the required qualification and registered with Ofsted in April 2022.

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Inspection date: 2 December 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 2 December 2024

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. The inspector has 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: SC457089 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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Findings from the inspection

Children’s care and their behaviour and risk management plans are personalised to each child. Plans provide clear guidance to staff to meet the needs of children and help ensure that these needs are well understood.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. The planning for this was comprehensive and child-focused, taking into consideration the needs of the child already living in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been a number of significant incidents for one child. This has included several missing-from-home episodes and the need for police support on a number of occasions to keep the child safe. Staff have followed the relevant risk assessments and protocols to try and keep this child safe. However, leaders and managers have not always communicated effectively with the police in relation to the incidents. This has led to there being a disconnect in the multi-agency working.

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Findings from the inspection

Some incidents have resulted in a child needing medical treatment. On one occasion, staff did not go to the hospital to support the child during a period of crisis. While there were external factors which affected this decision, it meant staff did not support the child effectively during this incident.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical restraint is only used as a last resort. Records contain an account of the incident, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the restraint, management oversight and the debrief with staff. However, a record is not consistently kept of the child being spoken to following the measure.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have invested time with staff and reflected on the concerns identified at the previous inspection. This has strengthened care planning and support. For example, managers and staff have discussed the importance of consistent boundaries for children and have implemented this in practice. In addition, staff have received training to increase their knowledge and skills.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has used systems effectively to monitor the care being provided to children. This comprehensive oversight makes sure that all aspects of care and the running of the home are maintained to a good standard. When any concerns are identified, the manager makes prompt changes to improve and maintain good standards of care for children.

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Findings from the inspection

When the manager and responsible individual have concerns about staff practice, they follow the correct procedures and, when necessary, take immediate action. This ensures that children are safeguarded effectively. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457089 3 Some agency workers are used to support the home’s staff, due to the children’s needs. However, they have not all received a clear induction before they started work, and the manager has not always ensured that agency workers have the necessary qualifications and skills to work in the home.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/07/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/02/2024 Full Good 17/01/2023 Full Good 14/03/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457089 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered manager must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, after incidents of restraint the manager must ensure that debriefs are completed with the child and these are recorded appropriately. 7 January 2025

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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;

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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

protect and promote each child’s welfare. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to ensuring that children are supported during times of crisis, for example, staff being with children when they are in hospital. 3 December 2024

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. 6 December 2024 Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457089 5 (Regulation 5(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the provider must make every effort to have effective relationships with the local police in working together to keep children safe.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any external agency staff meet the requirements in regulation 32(4) regarding mandatory qualifications and should consider their skills, qualifications and any induction necessary before they start work in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.15) Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457089 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Cambian Childcare Ltd

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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

Kate Savage, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC457089 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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