Children's Home run by London Borough of Hounslow in Hounslow

Unique reference number SC062128 Inspection date 19/11/2010 Inspector Muhammed Harunur Rashid Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 15/06/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children’s Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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About this inspection

This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for the service.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is registered to care for up to six young people aged between 12 and 17 for an assessment period of between three and six months. The home is owned and operated by a local authority. The home is located in a residential area near to local amenities and transport links.

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Brief description of the service

On the ground floor there is a main lounge area and smaller lounge that is mainly used for visitors. The main office is located on the ground floor along with an education room that is equipped with desks and computers. The kitchen and dining room are also on the ground floor and there is a paved, rear garden where young people can take part in outdoor activities.

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Brief description of the service

There are two staircases, one on either side of the home. Each side has three bedrooms and one bathroom for young people plus a staff bedroom. One side is usually used to accommodate females and the other side males.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of the inspection five young people were living in the home. Two young people have contributed to the inspection.

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Summary

This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Summary

This was an unannounced interim inspection which looked at the outcome areas of staying safe and organisation. It also looked at the progress the service has achieved with the previous recommendations made at the last inspection dated 15 June 2010. Being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution and economic well-being were not assessed in this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The service was asked to ensure that staff and young people sign and date risk assessment action plans, the Statement of Purpose is updated with accurate information about staff and the Registered Manager pursues National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 4 in Leadership and Management.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The service has acted upon these recommendations. These steps help to promote the welfare of the young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in a stable and safe environment. Young people are provided with single-bedroom accommodation and a sufficient number of bathrooms and toilets. Information regarding young people and staff is kept in a locked cabinet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An appropriate complaint policy and procedure is in place and the procedure is made accessible by being displayed in the home. Staff maintain a complaint log book and keep records of all complaints received and how these are investigated within timescale.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A comprehensive safeguarding policy and procedure is in place which provides guidance for staff to protect young people. Staff have attended safeguarding training and have awareness of safeguarding issues. The home has an anti-bullying policy. Staff have sound knowledge and skills to deal with bullying if it is suspected. Young people have good relationships with the staff team and other young people living in the home. The home has a policy and procedure in place for dealing with unauthorised absence from care. Staff take appropriate action when a young person is suspected of being missing from care. Staff also record the date and time in the missing from care log book. However, staff do not always record the date and time when a young person returns home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are provided with training and guidance on how to work with young people who have challenging behaviour. The home imposes sanctions for young people’s unacceptable behaviour and applies restraint as a last resort. Staff maintain records of all sanctions and restraint that take place. Staff also reward young people for their socially acceptable behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff take appropriate steps to keep young people, visitors and themselves safe from the risk of fire by carrying out regular fire alarm testing and fire drills. A risk assessment of the premises is in place. Current gas and electric test certificates are available for inspection. Staff also develop individual risk assessment action plans for each young person which are signed and dated by staff and young people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are recruited according to the policy of the local authority which ensures that young people are protected. The human resources department ensures that all necessary documents including enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure certificates are obtained prior to the appointment of staff and volunteers.

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Organisation

The Statement of Purpose has been updated. This includes all the required information, such as the aims and objectives of the service. This updated document now provides accurate information about staff and their qualifications. The young people’s guide provides information regarding the facilities available to them.

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Organisation

The home manager has been registered with Ofsted following a successful fit person interview. She has completed NVQ at level 4 in Health and Social Care and now is pursuing NVQ at level 4 in Leadership and Management. She is anticipating completion of this qualification by December 2010.

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Organisation

Staffing levels are kept under review to ensure that the appropriate levels are maintained. Young people are well looked after by staff members who are qualified, experienced and committed to their work. Young people live in a caring environment.

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Organisation

All staff receive regular supervision and annual appraisals from their line manager. Weekly staff meetings are held and staff have opportunities to contribute to the meetings. Staff attend a variety of training to promote their professional development. Staff spoken to were satisfied with the training they are receiving. More than 80% of all care staff have completed their NVQ at level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People.

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Organisation

There are system in place to monitor the performance of the home against the Statement of Purpose. Regulation 33 visits take place on a monthly basis. The Registered Manager monitors and signs the home’s records and take appropriate steps on issues requiring action. Each young person has a permanent private and secure record of their history, development and progress throughout their childhood.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure staff always record the date and time in the missing from care log book when a child returns to the home. (NMS 19)

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