Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Greenwich

Unique reference number SC386134 Inspection date 22/11/2011 Inspector Diane Thackrah Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 17/08/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This is a five bedded unit for young people, male and female, between 13 and 17 years of age who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home offers flexible packages of care including long-term care. One bed is for emergency admissions or respite care. The home is privately owned.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

This children’s home is maintaining and improving good standards of care. Young people continue to thrive and receive good quality care. They are doing well in education, have excellent opportunities for engaging in positive activities and have access to care that promotes health. Young people continue to feel safe and well cared for as they enjoy positive relationships with staff. Staff treat young people fairly and challenge inappropriate behaviour appropriately. A staff member said 'There have been no restraints here recently'. Young people feel valued as they are consulted with regularly about their care and about the way that the home is run. This has a positive impact on young people's lives. For example, young people take pride in the home as they are fully involved in choosing how it is furnished and decorated. Young people are also developing excellent skills for independence as they meet with their key workers regularly to talk about their preparation for

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Progress

adulthood. This has resulted in young people being confident and positive about their futures.

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Progress

There is effective leadership and management which ensures that young people benefit from high levels of care. In practice, this means that staff are well supported, there are strong systems for quality assurance and excellent arrangements for multi- disciplinary working. Restructuring of the line management arrangements have occurred and this allows further support to be offered to the manager. This ensures that the service is well managed. There has been training for senior staff members in supervision skills and this has resulted in staff receiving strong and reflective supervision that enhances their practice. There has been ongoing training for staff and this goes some way to ensuring young people's safety. For example, a staff member said 'I have recently done refresher training in health and safety and fire training'. There have been environmental improvements such as new carpeting and the redecoration of the lounge and this helps to ensure that young people benefit

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