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

Unique reference number SC068789 Inspection date 22/11/2010 Inspector Tola Akinde-Hummel Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 18/05/2010 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 home is a purpose built respite provision which opened in January 2007. The unit is run by a local authority. The home provides short breaks and tea visits for children and young people of either gender who have disabilities and are aged from seven to 18 years of age.

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Brief description of the service

The home is close to local shops and has good transport links. On the day of inspection four young people were in the home having a combination of tea visits and overnight stays. Two young people were spoken to during 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 interim unannounced inspection looked at the progress the home has made since the key inspection. The home provides a good service to children and young people with disabilities. Young people feel safe in the home and are looked after by staff who are committed to making their short break interesting, stimulating and comfortable.

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Summary

The service is expanding, this has brought some changes to the home and staff recognise that further change will be taking place. Developments have not affected the quality of care offered to children and young people.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The manager was asked to make improvements at the previous inspection. The areas identified included ensuring the children's guide is accessible to young people, supplying Ofsted with Regulation 33 reports, carrying out instructions according to placement plans, improving consultation with young people and their parents and ensuring supervision is undertaken regularly. The home has been successful in most areas.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The children's guide has been completed. Whilst the information is in place and accessible, the staff recognise that there is some additional work to do on the document when the service changes. Consultation is taking place regularly with children and young people and consultation will be extensive for parents to ascertain their views about the developing resource centre. This will enable parents and carers to have a clearer picture of the service that is emerging. Supervision of care staff is now being held regularly with additional supervision and a supervisor identified for catering and domestic staff. The home has not maintained consistent monitoring of care plans to ensure that young people are supported as prescribed. This means that young people may not be provided with the highest level of support agreed. This is in particular reference to the use of the ladder of events which helps young people decide what they want to

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Improvements since the last inspection

do and managing any anxiety about forthcoming events/activities. The Regulation 33 reports have not been reliable or regular to the home or to Ofsted. This does not give a clear indication about how the home is operating and any areas for improvement.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and young people are respected by staff in all aspects of their intimate care. Staff regularly discuss the level of support offered to ensure privacy is not compromised. Children and young people's personal information is stored in lockable cabinets in the office accessible to staff only.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has not had any complaints for a significant amount of time. Records show that compliments have recently been received from parents and other professionals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home manages all aspects of safeguarding including bullying and absence well. Staff remain vigilant and use training and team discussions to enhance and refresh their knowledge in this area. One field social worker who has a number of children and young people using the service commented, 'The team have very good relationships with me they keep me informed. The way the peer groups are put together minimises any bullying, they are fabulous and I am a great advocate of the service'. Children and young people are supervised appropriately to minimise the risk of bullying.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has not had any need to initiate the absence without authority procedure. Careful planning and good supervision take into account all risks associated with this type of absence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Behaviour is managed very well in the home. Along with families and other professionals, staff identify behaviours that require particular responses. Plans are put in place to properly manage risks children and young people pose to themselves and others. On occasions low level physical intervention is used to manage this. Incidents are detailed and signed off with additional strategies or plans where necessary. Parents are encouraged to sign and comment on all physical intervention used. Comments from parents include, 'I am happy with the professionalism and the method of restraint seemed appropriate'. A small number of sanctions are recorded as the staff do not use sanctions to try and manager behaviour. All aspects of making young people feel safe and comfortable are explored before any sanction is given. Unfortunately not all physical interventions and sanctions are signed by parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff take care to ensure that health and safety checks are undertaken. Fire drills take place monthly at different times of the day and regular checks are documented of fire alarms and equipment such as hoists, Portable appliances, gas and electricity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has not employed any new staff since the previous inspection. However, staff are subject to rigorous vetting procedures through the central human resources team. All visitors must sign into the home and be given entry. Visitors are accompanied around the home by a member of staff.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children and young people have three monthly care plans. These detail how they will be supported during their time in the home. Records checked show that these care plans are signed and dated by parents, link workers and the manager. Plans offer a good insight into the needs and abilities of children and young people. In addition these offer good information for staff to work effectively with them. Some areas in the care plans are not consistently followed by staff. This means that support is not as effective as it can be. One young person said, 'They help with you everything you need even if you can't speak, I give them five stars for the service I get.'

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children and young people continue to have residents meetings. These meetings have regular agenda items such as staffing, the new building development, activities and menus. Ideas contributed by young people are evident. The wishes and feelings book complements the residents meetings where young people ask for specific items or activities that may have a cost implication. Young people have taken the initiative to help plan the forthcoming Christmas party and decorate the home.

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Organisation

The home has gone thorough a period of change as a new manager has been appointed. The manager is awaiting registration and currently being supported by the previous manager. The home is expanding and will become a resource centre which will impact on the way in which staff work with children and young people.

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Organisation

Ofsted has not received a Regulation 33 report since May 2010. These reports duplicated information and therefore did not represent an accurate account of what is taking place in the home. Records at the home show a combined Regulation 33 visit was carried out covering three months from July to September 2010. This is not acceptable and has not been forwarded to Ofsted.

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Organisation

Staff are engaging with the changes in the home and remain positive about the work that they do and the support offered to children and young people.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Std. Action Due date

34 supply a copy of the Regulation 33 report to Ofsted (Regulation 33(5) 20/12/2010

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Std. Action Due date

2 ensure that each child's placement plan is monitored by a key worker within the home who ensures that the requirements of the plan is implemented in the day-to-day care of that child. (Regulation 12) 20/12/2010

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