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

Unique reference number SC032502 Inspection date 27/10/2010 Inspector Muhammed Harunur Rashid Type of inspection Random

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Date of last inspection 08/06/2010 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

This is a children's home registered to care for up to 14 young people of either sex aged between 12 to under 18 years of age. There are 12 beds that accommodate children for a maximum of nine months and two emergency beds. The home provides care specifically for asylum seeking young people. The home is located on a residential road not far from local amenities and transport links.

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Brief description of the service

The home is purpose built and contains individual and communal space for young people. There are several offices on the ground floor along with several bedrooms including the bedrooms for emergency placements. There are three staff sleep-in rooms, one on the ground floor and two on the first floor, one on each side of the building. There are bathroom facilities situated throughout the home and two kitchens, one specifically for the use of young people. There is a games room on the ground floor and two lounge areas as well as a separate dining area. The gardens surrounding the home can be accessed by the young people.

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Brief description of the service

Four young people participated in 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 achieved with the previous recommendations made at the last inspection in June 2010. Being healthy, enjoying and achieving, positive contribution and economic well-being were not assessed at this inspection. No actions or recommendations have been raised as a result of this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The service was asked to ensure that conducted fire drills are recorded in the log book and staff do not keep any food items in the fridge designated for the use of medication. The service has acted upon this.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An appropriate complaint policy and procedure is in place. The home provides care for asylum seeking young people and has developed the complaint procedure in various community languages. Staff maintain a complaint log book. The home has not received any complaints recently. However, previous complaints were appropriately recorded and managed according to the home’s procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home has clear systems in place that safeguard young people from abuse. Staff protect young people through their knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and anti-bullying issues and by following robust procedures. All staff have attended child protection training. The management advised the inspector that all staff are due to attend a child protection conference on 4 November 2010 which will be organised by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff are well-supported and encouraged through the provision of appropriate training, such as managing challenging behaviour. The home imposes sanctions for young people's socially unacceptable behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Staff have attended health and safety training. The newly appointed staff induction programme includes health and safety issues in details. Staff take appropriate steps to keep young people, visitors and themselves safe from the risk of fire and other hazards. A risk assessment of the premises is in place. Staff carry out regular fire alarm testing and fire drills. Current gas and electric test certificates are available for inspection.

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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. Three newly recruited care staff's files were examined and included all relevant documents required by regulations.

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Organisation

Since the last inspection the home has recruited five care staff and one head of care. All newly recruited staff are going through comprehensive induction process.

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Organisation

Staffing levels at the home are kept under review to ensure that the appropriate levels are maintained. Young people are well looked after by staff members who are qualified and committed to their work. Young people live in a caring environment. The Registered Manager reviews staffing levels in accordance with the assessed needs of young people. Rotas show there is a balance of gender and cultural backgrounds of staff whenever this is possible.

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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 various in-house and external training to promote their professional development.

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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.

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Organisation

Each young person has an individual and secured care file. The home is accommodating asylum seeking young people and staff ensure that young people have access to all local community amenities.

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