Children's Home run by Laurel Leaf Homes Ltd in Newham

Unique reference number SC060545 Inspection date 12/10/2011 Inspector Joanna Heller Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 15/09/2010 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.3

About this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

p.3

The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service that exceeds minimum requirements Satisfactory : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

p.3

Brief description of the service

The home is privately run and is registered to take eight children with learning disabilities or emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

p.4

Overall effectiveness

The home has since the last inspection been subject to a number of monitoring visits and enforcement action. The responsible individual has subsequently employed a new registered manager and deputy. The home has since that point made significant improvements due to changes introduced by the new management team and implemented by the staff group as a whole. All requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection have been met. Staff and management have worked really hard to improve the day to day care and recording systems. The new management team have successfully introduced a proactive planned approach to child care.

p.4

Overall effectiveness

Staff and young people have worked hard to make the home more welcoming. The building provides young people with spacious accommodation which meets their needs. Young people have experienced individual development in maturity, behaviour and commitment to educational achievement. Care is now individualised and child focussed, meeting young people's individual needs.

p.4

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 person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the Statement of Purpose contains all information required in schedule 1, in particular: full details of staffing arrangements; keep the Statement of Purpose under review; and notify Ofsted of any such revision with 28 days. (Regulation 4(1) and Regulation (5)) 31/12/2011

p.4

Recommendations

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

p.5

Recommendations

 demonstrate good recruitment practice; in particular evidence the assessment process undertaken when employing a person with a previous conviction. (NMS 16.2)

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good .

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

The home is welcoming and now provides young people with a stable, secure and happy environment. Young people interviewed graded the home as good.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are healthy and staff ensure that they are provided with the support to develop good emotional resilience and increase their maturity and coping mechanisms. Young people are able to manage their own medication with staff guidance.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are able to visit and meet up with their friends. Family members are made welcome when they visit. Staff are aware of the impact of contact for each of the young people and the issues surrounding it.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people are regularly attending a college course of their choice and have all the equipment they need for the course. This is an area of significant growth for one young person, who at the time of placement was not engaging fully in education.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people state they do not really enjoy activities other than shopping. However, they have had the opportunity to experience meals out, trips to the cinema and a theme park. They have also enjoyed a holiday to a holiday park.

p.5

Outcomes for children and young people

Young people have developed independence skills to a level beyond those stated in their pathway plan.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people and staff enjoy positive relationships with each other. Key workers are viewed by young people as strong role models and important people in their lives. Staff now ensure clear, consistent boundaries are in place. Young people are willing and able to approach staff and openly discuss personal issues. Staff have helped prepare young people to broach difficult conversations with family members, leading to further discussion regarding their background.

p.5

Quality of care

Staff consult young people on all aspects of their lives and ensure that the care and support provided is child focussed. This involvement is evidenced in young people’s contribution to documents, such as, their risk assessments and care plan which they sign to show their agreement. These comprehensive personalised care plans for young people evidence considerable consultation and reflection of young people's views, hopes and wishes for the future. Plans are set in a context of recognising strengths and areas for improvement for young people. Key worker sessions are important and young people invariably attend planned sessions. A wide range of topics are covered through a personalised agenda. Discussions are summarised well with action points to take forward. These are referred back to in subsequent sessions. The focus of work towards independence is a 51 step programme that is progressively and systematically completed by the young person together with staff.

p.5

Quality of care

Young people are given the opportunity to take personal responsibility commensurate with their age, but are supported if mistakes are made. Staff ensure that young people have bank accounts, passports and national insurance numbers.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people are able to make choices regarding food and are encouraged to take part in preparation of meals. Healthy eating and choices to follow specific diets are supported. Fresh fruit and salads are made available. The home is introducing culturally themed nights to reflect food, customs and dress. The staff team reflect the diversity of the community in which the home is situated and demonstrated enthusiasm for this development. The diversity of the staff team ensures young people receive support from people who share their cultural heritage.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people are healthy and are nurtured to develop good emotional resilience and increase their maturity and coping mechanisms. Young people enjoy healthy lifestyles and are supported to access medical professionals such as doctors, dentists and opticians as appropriate. Staff encourage young people to go to the gym and have discussions with young people about key lifestyle issues, such as safe sex, alcohol and drug use as well as smoking. Staff have received training in key areas such as first aid, food handling, emotional well-being and other issues which affect young people. Management ensure safe systems are in place for the administration of medication, such as, suitable storage, staff training and clear record keeping. Young people who wish to manage their own medication are supported in doing so following an assessment of competence.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people have access to a computer room where safeguarded internet access is provided. Guidance on staying safe online is displayed. Reference books and information leaflets are available. Membership of local libraries is provided for further opportunity to research and study. Achievements of children and young people are celebrated and any certificates or documents are kept together safely. Young people are rewarded for regular attendance and commitment. Staff talk to young people about their aspirations and strengths, ensuring education is viewed as a way to improve their life chances. One young person received coaching for a college interview. Together with advocacy from the manager this resulted in a place being offered on a higher level vocational course. Attendance on this college course is currently 100% compared with historical school attendance of approximately 60%.

p.6

Quality of care

Young people have choice about whether or not they take part in organised activities. Recent activities have included trips to the gym, cinema, theme park, meals out with key worker and shopping. During the summer the home organised a stay at a holiday park. A comprehensive risk assessment was completed beforehand.

p.6

Quality of care

The building provides young people with spacious accommodation that they have been involved in making more homely. Each young person has their own personalised bedroom which has en-suite toilet and sink. Young people are able to lock these to keep them private. Staff are provided with suitable sleep in accommodation. The home is well maintained and decorated, where areas can be improved, such as the replacement of some carpets, this is part of a development plan for the home. Young people have actively been involved in choosing furnishings and fittings including the cushions and plants in the lounge. One young person decorated and furnished their bedroom independently from a budget given.

p.7

Quality of care

No complaints have been received in the past six months, however good systems are in place to respond to any complaints which should arise. Young people know how to complain and have confidence in the manager to effectively respond to any issues they raise. Bullying is not currently a problem within the home and staff are keenly aware of how important it is to respond to such issues swiftly.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

The service is good at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people feel safe, secure and well cared for. Staff ensure that young people know the behavioural expectations and rules and enforce these rules fairly. Staff have achieved success in reducing both negative behaviour and enabling young people to develop more effective self control mechanisms. Young people are helped to develop maturity and learn appropriate ways to express themselves rather than resorting to negative behaviour. New detailed behaviour management plans are highly individualised and linked to a new behaviour reward system which young people have engaged with. All staff are trained in control and restraint and de- escalation techniques. Restraint has not been used in the past four months. Appropriate recording systems are in place to ensure clear records are maintained of any restraint applied. Sanctions applied are appropriate and relevant to the negative behaviour displayed.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are provided with opportunities to discuss how they feel and any issues worrying them following any sanction, restraint or incident of going missing. Regular key work sessions are an opportunity to talk through incidents and young people's feelings.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a home where bullying is not currently an issue of concern. Staff are now keenly aware of issues relating to bullying and the impact this can have on young people. The manager recently addressed a situation outside of the home where the young person felt vulnerable appropriately, taking action to ensure that the young people involved did not come into contact. Staff are aware of what to do should an issue of a child protection nature arise having recently received training on safeguarding young people. The child protection policy has recently been reviewed by the manager and links established with the Local safeguarding board.

p.7

Safeguarding children and young people

Comprehensive risk assessments are in place for young people, which identify their vulnerability and any risks they may pose to others. Activity based risk assessments are also in place. When young people go missing staff ensure their safety and continually try to establish their whereabouts and whether they are safe. Young people who are missing are notified in line with local guidelines. The home has been highly successful for one young person in reducing the frequency of them going missing over the past year by some 80%.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

Young people are safeguarded from unsuitable people gaining employment in the home through robust vetting practices. Management ensure no member of staff is employed at the home unless checks have been undertaken to ensure their suitability to work with vulnerable young people. However the decision-making process of staff suitability is not always fully evidenced in staff recruitment files.

p.8

Safeguarding children and young people

Management ensure good systems are in place to ensure the safety and security of the building. Regular checks are undertaken to ensure the ongoing safety of the building. Hazardous chemicals and sharp knives are stored securely. Fire precautionary arrangements in the home ensure young people and staff are safeguarded from fire in line with current good practice.

p.8

Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are good .

p.8

Leadership and management

The home has since the last inspection been subject to a number of monitoring visits and enforcement action. The Responsible individual has subsequently employed a new registered manager and deputy. The home has since that point made significant improvements due to changes introduced by the new management team and implemented by the staff group as a whole. The introduction of new practises is supported by documentation that focuses attention on outcomes for young people. Management arrangements are clear and the home is suitably resourced to ensure that young people receive good levels of support. All requirements and recommendations of the previous inspections have been acted upon.

p.8

Leadership and management

The Statement of Purpose and children's guide are useful documents which are kept under review and serve to inform young people and placing authorities about the services available within the home. The Statement of Purpose has been changed in the past six months to reflect changes in management arrangements., The updated document, however, fails to give sufficiently detailed information on new staffing arrangements, such as, how many staff are available each shift. A copy of the newly updated Statement of Purpose has yet to be sent to Ofsted. The children’s guide which is bright and accessible is provided to young people on admission.

p.8

Leadership and management

The home is well staffed to meet the needs of the young people currently residing at the home. A minimum of two staff per shift for one young person ensures staff is available to respond flexibly to the young person’s needs and desires. At night one waking night and one staff sleeping in are currently provided.

p.8

Leadership and management

Management have overseen a complete change in approach towards the care of young people. Crisis management is now not an issue and staff have worked hard to move towards this approach. Regular staff meetings and supervision ensure that staff are kept on board with the changes and are aware of key personal development issues. The organisation demonstrates a sound commitment to staff training having invested in establishing a thorough staff retraining programme. Staff now benefit from a wealth of training relevant to the roles they perform. Core training such as child protection, first aid, food hygiene, restraint, behaviour management and health and safety, has been provided to staff in the past four months.

p.9

Leadership and management

The home's recording systems have greatly improved ensuring that all records are now clearly and appropriately maintained. The manager has established effective systems for monitoring the standards of care within the home. Any issues identified are swiftly addressed and the new manager is striving to continue improve standards of care. Young people and stakeholders are actively encouraged to feedback into the running of the home through questionnaires. Young people are also asked to give their feedback on their thoughts about staff as part of the staff competency reviewing systems.

p.9

Leadership and management

The new management team within the home have a clear understanding of the homes strengths and weaknesses and have focused on establishing a proactive rather than reactive approach to care. The management team have a clear vision on how they want the home to embed the recent improvements and strive for continuing improvement.

p.9

Leadership and management

Equality and diversity practice is good .

p.9