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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC476262 1 SC476262 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 privately owned children’s home provides care for up to five children. The home specialises in providing therapeutic care for children who have specific needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The returning manager registered with Ofsted in June 2023 and has had an extended period away from the home. The covering manager registered with Ofsted in September 2025 and is suitably qualified. Both were present during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home. All three were present during the inspection and spoke to the inspector.

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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: 16 September 2024

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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: SC476262 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/09/2024 Full Good 02/05/2023 Full Good 06/04/2022 Full Inadequate 20/12/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC476262 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a welcoming, homely and well-presented environment. Photos of the children, their adventures and their families are displayed throughout the home. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and comfortably furnished. Staff provide and maintain a safe and secure environment for children. They are proud of the children and smile when they talk about them. They are responsive to the children’s needs, and as a result, children are developing their confidence and making progress in all aspects of their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, three children have moved into the home and three have moved on. Overall, children benefit from well-planned moves that are tailored to their individual needs. Where children have not moved in line with their care plans, staff have provided support to the children and remained in contact once they have moved. This reflects the staff’s strong commitment and highlights the enduring relationships they build with the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to settle well into the home through carefully planned moves that reflect their individual needs and preferences. Where possible, children visit the home and meet staff before moving in, which helps to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of familiarity. One child, who had previously lived in another home owned by the provider, was supported by staff with whom they had existing trusted relationships. Leaders recognised the importance of continuity and facilitated these connections. This proactive approach supported the child’s well-being and helped them to adjust positively during a period of change.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are actively sought and valued by staff and leaders. Children are provided with regular opportunities to express themselves through informal conversations and reflective discussions. These interactions enable children to celebrate their achievements, explore significant events and develop strategies to keep themselves safe and manage conflict. As a result, children build confidence in their communication skills and learn to listen and engage respectfully with others.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting children’s education. They provide consistent support that enables children to make good progress in their learning. Educational achievements are recognised and celebrated, contributing to children’s growing confidence and motivation. One professional commented, ‘Children are now achieving and engaging in education with support from the staff. They are focused on tasks, encouraged to set goals and are working hard to achieve them.’

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

Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of each child’s individual vulnerabilities and needs. Personal plans are comprehensive and regularly reviewed, ensuring that staff Inspection report for children’s home: SC476262 4 have current guidance to promote children’s safety and well-being. Children are encouraged to take age-appropriate risks, such as spending time in the community, with staff using trauma-informed approaches to help them build confidence and resilience.

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

Clinical input is a well-embedded strength of the home. Staff benefit from regular, detailed assessments and monthly updates from the clinical team, which provide valuable insights into children’s lived experiences and behaviours. Recently, staff have begun implementing targeted therapeutic resources identified by the clinician. These are supporting children to develop strategies for managing emotional and behavioural responses linked to past trauma. This enables staff to form meaningful relationships and respond to children’s needs.

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

Staff respond effectively when children go missing from the home. They take proactive steps to locate children, including escalating concerns to the police when risks are heightened. Relevant professionals and family members are kept informed throughout. When children return, they are welcomed warmly and supportively, reinforcing that they are cared for and valued.

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

There are effective systems in place to promote children’s online safety. Staff carry out daily checks on children’s devices and use parental monitoring applications to oversee online activity. In addition, staff engage children in regular discussions about internet safety, helping them to understand how to protect themselves online. Staff are considerate in their approach to enabling children to take age-appropriate risks.

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

Children feel confident to raise concerns and complaints. Complaints are minimal, but when they do occur, managers respond promptly and take the time to speak with children to understand their views. Where necessary, thorough investigations are carried out, and children are kept informed of the outcomes. This approach helps children feel listened to, valued and reassured that their concerns are taken seriously.

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

Staff use physical intervention as a last resort. When it is used, it is necessary and proportionate, and children’s views and feelings about being held are gathered. Leaders have good oversight of restrictive practice and support the staff to learn from each incident. However, on one occasion, professional networks had not been notified in a timely manner and a record of reflective discussion was not recorded. Later incidents reflect notifications to professional networks and consistent recording of reflective discussions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the development of the home and staff team. A comprehensive development plan is in place that reflects a commitment to continuous improvement. Staff report feeling well supported by leaders and enjoy their roles. Morale is high. Professional development is actively encouraged, and staff benefit from regular supervision, training and ongoing learning opportunities. These are well targeted to ensure staff are equipped to meet the needs of the children effectively. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476262 5 Leaders use research effectively to inform the development of the staff team. Team meetings provide a space for staff to reflect collectively on how research can enhance the quality of care provided to children. This has included accessing publications to support children through puberty, understanding the experiences of children in care and exploring the impact of trauma from the child’s perspective. Time spent focusing on

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

practice enhances the quality of care the children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to ensuring that children’s voices are heard and their needs are prioritised. For example, when a change to one child’s care plan was proposed by the local authority, the registered manager escalated concerns about the timescales and advocated for a more considered transition. This ensured the child was well prepared and experienced a positive move from the home, supporting their emotional well-being and readiness for the next stage of their life.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have effective monitoring systems in place to review the quality of care. They use these along with independent visitor reports and compliance checks to continually assess and improve the quality of care and progress of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders work well with external professionals. Feedback from professionals is positive. They say that staff provide high-quality care and work collaboratively with others. The stability offered by the home is recognised as a key factor in children’s improved engagement with education and their ability to form positive relationships. One professional said, ‘Risk management is robust, communication is excellent, and staff are proactive in their approach.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were made during this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC476262 6

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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: SC476262 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: 4th Floor, Parkview, 82 Oxford Road, Uxbridge UB8 1UX

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Jennifer Wolf Katie Pearce

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Inspector

Julia Tompson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC476262 8 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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