Children's home run by London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham in Hammersmith and Fulham

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC443337 1 SC443337

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Registered provider: London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides full-time care or short breaks for up to seven children with physical and learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in February 2012 and the manager registered with Ofsted in January 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 25 September 2024

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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 inspections, 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: SC443337 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

Leaders and managers have satisfactorily addressed concerns raised at the last inspection. They have worked diligently in response to the requirements raised and have been working to a detailed action plan, and progress is evident.

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Findings from the inspection

Management oversight of the home has significantly improved. Leaders and managers now have effective systems in place to review the quality of care provided to children and reflect on staff practice. Leaders and managers show appropriate understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for improvement. They carry out regular audits to evaluate the quality of care and children’s outcomes. They have introduced robust external scrutiny of the home that involves senior leaders from the Local Authority to monitor the practice of the home. Leaders and managers respond appropriately to external scrutiny including the independent person’s reports and recommendations from their visits.

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Findings from the inspection

The processes for managing health and safety matters and maintenance tasks of the home have significantly improved. Leaders and managers ensure that staff take adequate precautions against fire risks and carry out regular audits to ensure that regular fire alarm tests and fire drills are completed. In addition, all actions from the home’s fire risk assessments have now been completed and the registered manager works well with the local fire brigade to ensure that the home remains compliant with the fire regulations.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is a purpose-built building that feels comfortable and homely. It is well resourced and spacious. Each child personalises their bedroom to reflect their personality. Staff value the importance of an environment that is respectful and maintained to a good standard, with children at its heart. Significant repairs have been completed since the last inspection including the sensory room. Leaders and managers have a plan to continue with the refurbishment and decoration of the general wear and tear of the old building to ensure that the home is well maintained.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff complete specific plans to identify the actions to be taken when children go missing from the home. No children have gone missing since the last inspection. However, children’s individualised plans do not sufficiently clarify the actions required when children are missing. In particular, plans for one child who is at high risk of going missing do not include the time frames that certain actions need to be completed by staff. Additionally, plans do not consider the individual work needed to help the child understand risks and reduce the risk of going missing.

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Findings from the inspection

Children said that they are happy and like living in the home. Children have good relationships with staff and are comfortable in the home. Staff are warm and sensitive in their interactions with children and show appropriate understanding of Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC443337 3 children’s life experiences and how these affect their behaviour. Children are supported to manage difficult feelings, which helps them to develop coping strategies, build their resilience and enhance their growth and development. A new child who initially struggled to settle in the home has now developed positive relationships with staff and enjoys activities, attends school, and is making good progress with their independence skills.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff spoken to show an appropriate understanding of safeguarding procedures. They know who they need to speak to should they have concerns. Allegations against staff members are managed appropriately and swiftly. Leaders and managers report safeguarding concerns to the relevant agencies and take effective action to ensure that children are safeguarded. Internal investigations are thorough, and managers take appropriate actions following internal investigations to improve staff practice, including offering more training of staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have an effective workforce development plan to ensure that the right people with the right skills are working in the home. Leaders and managers ensure that all staff working at the home have the required level 3 diploma, or an equivalent qualification. This means that staff who are caring for children have the necessary qualifications and skills and are clear about what is expected of them when carrying out their role.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff morale is positive. Staff benefit from a variety of training that is relevant to the children’s needs. Generally, training is effective and supports staff to meet the specific needs of the children in their care, including those with complex health needs. However, staff do not receive specific training about children’s communication needs and the communication tools being used by staff in the home This means that the use of alternative communication methos is not always consistent.

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Findings from the inspection

All three requirements and two recommendations have been met. One recommendation regarding repairs in the home is restated. Two recommendations have been made as a result of this assurance inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC443337 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/01/2024 Full Good 07/02/2023 Full Good 08/03/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC443337 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s missing protocols for individual children are clear when reporting children as missing from home to the police and local authority and what work is completed with children to reduce the risk of missing from care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 45, paragraph 9.28)  The registered person should ensure that they continue to repair all areas of the home’s interior. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that all staff have access to training regarding children’s different communication methods to help them improve their understanding of alternative modes of communication used by some children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 53, paragraph 10.11) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC443337 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3rd Floor, 145 King Street, London W6 9XY

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Inspector

Dorothy Thompstone, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC443337 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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