Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Bexley

Unique reference number SC387684 Inspection date 10/09/2012 Inspector Caroline Wilson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 22/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is a residential home for six children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private company and can offer planned, emergency and respite placements.

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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 good progress .

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Progress

This home was judged as inadequate at its full inspection. Good progress has been made since this time. At this interim inspection, the home has evidenced improvement in the quality of care and outcomes for young people. It has addressed all the five statutory requirements that were previously set. These were to ensure the proper supervision of young people, to ensure that there is full and satisfactory information with regards to staff before they start working there, to ensure that the manager has the necessary skills to manage the home, to ensure that procedures are implemented with regards to bullying and, when young people are missing, to protect them from gang-related violence and sexual exploitation.

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Progress

The monitoring of the home to assess whether it is efficiently managed and effective in meeting its Statement of Purpose has significantly improved. These now accurately identify areas of improvement so that the quality of care can be improved for the benefit of young people.

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Progress

Young people now live in a home where any form of bullying is totally unacceptable. Young people are confident in telling staff if they have any concerns in this respect. Staff effectively intervene to reduce bullying behaviours to ensure that positive relationships are developed and maintained between young people.

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Progress

The management of the home has significantly improved. The previous manager has resumed her role as Registered Manager and she is supported in her task by senior staff. This has provided young people and staffing with consistency of care and has helped to improve the childcare practice. For instance, staff meetings now regularly take place. Staff now have a greater understanding of policies and procedures and how these should be implemented in to their day-to-day practice. Behavioural plans assist staff to intervene constructively so that young people have the right kind of support to develop positive behaviour. As a consequence, key working sessions are held regularly and address a range of issues in order that young people know how to keep themselves safe within the home and in the community. Discussions have been held with young people with regards to alcohol abuse, risks relating to sexual exploitation, gang involvement and behaviour management. Where young people

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Progress

have made poor choices or where risks taken are unacceptable, staff have assisted them to understand and manage their own behaviour differently. Young people engage in activities that act as a diversion from being involved in negative behaviours and which promote their self-confidence and self-esteem. Gardening helps young people learn how to positively nurture, be responsible, gives them a sense of achievement and is a form of exercise to keep them healthy. Any concerns with regards to young people's risk-taking behaviours are followed up, where relevant, with other agencies. This includes safeguarding agencies and counselling and support services to safeguard young people's welfare and to help them grow into well rounded and mature adults.

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Progress

Staff understand the procedures that should be followed in the event of any allegation or disclosure of abuse. Any concerns are promptly referred to safeguarding agencies and safety measures put in place in order to protect young people following an allegation. Young people have trusting relationships with staff. There is a culture of openness and trust between young people and staff, which enables young people to feel safe to alert staff if they have any worries or concerns.

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Progress

Recruitments systems have improved and now ensure that only staff who are carefully vetted can work with young people. Full and satisfactory information is now available, including proof of qualifications. This allows the home to make informed decisions with regards to the integrity of staff and effectively assess whether they have the right attributes to work with young people.

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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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