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

Unique reference number SC068789 Inspection date 23/02/2012 Inspector Cheryl Carter Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 01/08/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is a purpose-built, short-break provision which opened in January 2007. In April 2011 the capacity increased from a four- to an eight-bedded unit. The unit is run by a local authority. The home provides short breaks, day care and tea visits for children and young people of either gender who have learning and physical disabilities.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in August 2011, the overall quality rating of the service was judged as satisfactory with four requirements and three recommendations set within the inspection report. Since that time the home has demonstrated some improvement in their quality of care and the outcomes for children.

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Progress

The home has addressed all the requirements and recommendations from the previous inspection. There is now a procedure in place for staff to follow should a child go missing from the home. Placement plans are reviewed and updated regularly by key workers and these are audited regularly by the management to ensure that the day-to-day needs of each child is met. Vacant posts in the home are now being filled by long-term agency staff during the process of recruitment of permanent staff. The manager of the home now holds on file within the home a record of recruitment and vetting checks carried out on those working in the home. All new staff members, including agency staff, undergo a formal induction and records are kept in order to monitor staff's suitability to work with children.

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Progress

Evidence showed that the staff have had training relating to the recording, safe handling and storage of medication and that the management team is now carrying out regular audits to ensure that only competent staff are administering medication. Notifications of significant events are sent to the appropriate authorities and appropriate persons without delay. These include the action taken following the incident. This ensures that there is effective sharing of information and appropriate action taken following an incident. Care plans are reviewed regularly and this is an ongoing area of development in the home, with new care plans being devised by the manager. The policies relating to bullying and whistle blowing have been updated by the local authority and staff are aware of the process to be followed if there are any incidents of bullying.

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Progress

Staff supervision records for the last six months were seen and these were consistent. This ensures that staff have the opportunity to express their feelings and to contribute to the running of the home. The only gaps identified were for the staff on long-term sick leave. Staff also have the opportunity to make suggestions in staff meetings and in informal discussions with the management team. Children also have the opportunity to pursue individual interests and hobbies.

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Progress

The home has recently merged with another home and acquired several new staff members. This has caused some staff members to feel vulnerable and insecure, which has manifested itself in some friction and irritation among the staff. The management team is aware of these issues and is working with the staff to make the team more cohesive to ensure that the outcomes for children continue to improve.

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Progress

The manager of the home demonstrated a clear commitment to improving the service to ensure that outcomes for children are good. Children and their families are consulted and receive feedback about the care provided. Staff act on the feedback they receive from children and their families.

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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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Recommendations

 continue to address any issues of concerns which are raised by staff to ensure that the team unites and becomes more cohesive to ensure positive outcomes for children. (NMS 21.9)

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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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