Children's Home run by Winsbeach Children’s Home Limited in Waltham Forest

Unique reference number SC406638 Inspection date 30/09/2010 Inspector Seka Graovac 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 registered to accommodate up to three young people of either sex between 11 and 17 years old with emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home's stated purpose is to play an active part in the partnership of care of children. The overall aim of the home is to provide a safe, nurturing, caring and homely environment for each child where issues and concerns affecting both their past and their future can be positively addressed. The home is situated in a residential area of a large city. It is within easy access of all local amenities including public transport.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of this inspection, the home was fully occupied. The inspector interviewed in private one young person who was on the premises. The young person's views on the quality of the service contributed fully to the inspection process and the overall rating that was given.

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Summary

The overall quality rating is outstanding.

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Summary

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

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Summary

The main aim of this interim unannounced inspection was to assess the quality of the safeguarding practice. The main finding is that the home is very effective in keeping young people safe. Young people's welfare is promoted exceptionally well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection was carried out in May 2010. The quality of the service was assessed in line with all relevant key national minimum standards. The home was judged as providing outstanding outcomes for young people. No actions or recommendations were made.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The robust recruitment procedure ensures that only people who are suitable to work with children and young people work in this home. Once recruited, staff have access to clear written guidance that underpins good care practice in the various aspects of the service, such as dealing with concerns, complaints and incidents of bullying, difficult behaviour and young people being absent without authority. In addition, staff receive regular training on various topics including child protection, behaviour management and health and safety. The training and clear policies and procedures positively contribute to the effective promotion of young people's welfare in the home. Under the strong and passionately committed leadership, staff consistently implement excellent safeguarding practice in their work with young people. The young people report feeling very safe in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff know young people really well and are able to build trusting relationships with them. The good record keeping and regular team meetings support good communication within the home well. Staff protect young people's privacy effectively, while ensuring that the relevant information is appropriately shared. The home works in very close partnership with social workers to ensure that young people's needs are met and their welfare continues to be promoted. Young people's progress and the impact of the service on their behaviour is regularly monitored. For example, the information on the level of absconding and school attendance is regularly sent to the young people's social workers. The home is effective in helping young people to remain safe and to engage in more constructive behaviours.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good health and safety arrangements ensure that the building is physically safe and secure. The provision of a beautiful, warm, light, comfortable and safe environment encourages young people to spend more time in the home and to engage with the service.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The service is genuinely child centred. Young people respond well to what they are offered and achieve better outcomes for themselves. The home fully respects young people's rights, views and wishes, while at the same time, it provides them with firm boundaries and structure. By effectively working together with the partner agencies and within the context of comprehensive risk assessments and individually tailored safeguarding strategies, the home promotes young people's welfare exceptionally well.

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