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

Unique reference number SC060545 Inspection date 17/01/2012 Inspector Joanna Heller / David Kidner Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/10/2011 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

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

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Progress

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

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Progress

This unannounced interim inspection looked at the progress made since the last key inspection in October. At the previous inspection the home was rated as good, and one requirement and one recommendation were set. The home has addressed both the requirement and recommendation. These related to ensuring that the Statement of Purpose includes accurate details of the staffing arrangements, and evidencing the risk assessment process when employing someone with a criminal conviction.

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Progress

The setting is an eight bedroom detached property on the outskirts of a large city. The home is near to shops and other amenities. The garden is mainly laid to lawn and provides an attractive space for relaxing. Young people benefit from a spacious home which meets their needs. The home has undergone some decorative improvements within the past year which has the effect of providing young people with a much improved lounge area. The building is maintained to a good standard; however, the games room ceiling has a large hole where water leaked through some time ago. This means that young people are not able to use this area. Young people are safeguarded in the home through satisfactory health and safety systems, such as good fire precautionary arrangements. However, not all windows to the upper floors have window restrictors fitted. This means there is a potential risk that a young person may injure themselves climbing in or out of a window.

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Progress

Young people now are only admitted where the manager is clear that the home is able to effectively meet the young person’s needs. Admission processes are much improved and they now have good pre-admission assessment processes. This information is drawn into a comprehensive person centred care plan which details the support needs and strengths of each of the young people.

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Progress

Systems are in place to encourage good behaviour, such as, the ability to earn extra money each week through the behaviour reward programme. Young people feel safe and well cared for and no issues of bullying are experienced. Young people who go missing are notified to the appropriate agencies in line with local guidelines and staff have regular discussions with young people about maintaining their personal safety. Keyworking sessions also regularly take place around issues, such as personal relationships and education. This has a positive impact on young people’s social and emotional development. Young people are able to maintain relationships that are important to them, such as friendships and family relationships. Visitors to the home are welcomed by friendly staff.

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Progress

All young people are enrolled in school or college and attendance is closely monitored. Young people are able to follow their chosen career path having secured college places which allow them to do so. Young people are provided with the specialist equipment they need for their course work and staff liaise with educational establishments in relation to any concerns. Young people have clear aspirations and goals which are supported by staff. Young people report that they feel more able to maintain regular school attendance than was previously possible, now that they are living in the home.

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Progress

Young people enjoy living at the home and rate the home as good. Young people score the home as eight/nine out of ten. Young people also highlight the positive changes in the home over the last year which has given them confidence in the new management team to ensure that they remain safe and secure. One spoke very positively about the impact that staff continue to have in his life and young people refer to friendly, supportive staff with whom they have developed close relationships.

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Progress

Despite some staff turnover in the past year, a core staff team is maintained. This means that young people and staff are able to establish and maintain positive relationships and ensures consistency of care. Where new staff have been employed the manager ensures that young people are safeguarded from unsuitable people gaining employment in the home through robust vetting practices. Young people are thriving within a stable placement supported by a friendly staff team. Staffing levels are good, ensuring that young people and staff have ample time to spend together.

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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 person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the home are free from hazards to children's health and safety, in particular; review the provision of window restrictors in all first floor rooms (Regulation 23). 22/02/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure all parts of the building are kept in good structural repair, in particular repair the ceiling in the games room (Regulation 31 (2)(D)) 22/02/2012

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Recommendations

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

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