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

Unique reference number SC032600 Inspection date 14/12/2012 Inspector Karen Malcolm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 19/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This short-break service provides care for up to five children and young people aged between 10 and 17 years of age who have either physical disabilities and/or special educational needs and who may also have a sensory impairment. The home is owned by the local authority. The service operates every day, except Wednesdays.

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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

The inspection judgement was adequate at the last full inspection on 19 July 2012, with five recommendations being imposed. The home has met two of the five recommendations from the last inspection. These relate to staff having a clear understanding of the home's Statement of Purpose and that there are clear strategies in place to ensure staff are managed appropriately. The shortfall in meeting all the recommendations made at the previous inspection does not have a negative impact on the care provided at the home.

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Progress

Staff stated that following the last inspection at least two team meetings have been held with discussions focussed on the home’s Statement of Purpose. Staff stated that ‘although, they knew about the Statement of Purpose, they did not clearly understand its purpose, and why it was important for the home’. Recent staff meetings have therefore resulted in raising the awareness and understanding for the need of a Statement of Purpose. There are three recommendations that have not been met. These relate to quality assurance monitoring, the children’s guide being produced in alternative methods of communication, and the need for a development plan. However, the children’s guide is in draft format.

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Progress

The numbers of restraint and behavioural incidents have increased since the last inspection. There were 28 recorded incidents of which 15 related to restraint. Staff spoken to had a good understanding of why the number of restraint incidents had increased and what action had been taken to support and safeguard the children and young people. Physical intervention training for all staff is up-to-date and is annually reviewed; this is enhanced by the home having on site qualified physical intervention trainers. Behavioural management is positively promoted and restraint is only used, in strict accordance with the home’s policies and procedures. Incident forms detail the reasons why a physical intervention is imposed and what action is taken. However, the central record for restraint does not clearly follow all the guidance as set out in the Regulation. Information such as whether or not a child or young

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Progress

person has sustained an injury or whether they had been given the opportunity to raise any concerns is not recorded.

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Progress

The management team has changed since the last inspection. The Registered Manager undertakes part time duties which are shared with the deputy manager. An application to register the deputy manager as the second Registered Manager has been received by Ofsted.

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Progress

Children and young people who attend the short-break service receive care and support which is responsive to their individual needs. Parents and carers are generally responsible for meeting the overall healthcare needs of their children and young people. Staff work very closely with children, young people and their families and, as a result, are able to meet their needs. Staff maintain good links with other professionals to ensure that the overall care of a child and young person is maintained, not only within the unit, but in their family home and school. This gives a holistic approach to the child’s overall care. Children and young people are relaxed in the home and become familiar with their surroundings. They are able to enjoy tea- time visits until they are ready for overnight stays.

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Progress

Staff are competent and have right attitudes when working with the children and young people. As well as key working roles staff undertake other roles and responsibilities. Staff stated that they are motivated and that they enjoy the work they do. The majority of the staff team have been in post for a number of years. . The staffing levels meet the needs of the children and young people. This is assessed daily to ensure that the appropriate support is in place for each child accordingly to their needs. The majority of the children and young people who use the service have some form of communication need. Staff have the skills and abilities to effectively communicate with all children and young people, regardless of the individual method used.

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Progress

All children and young people make good progress from their original starting points and this is evident in care plans and compliments received from parents and carers.

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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

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children home, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose in particular matters including any injury to the child and confirmation that the child concerned and the person using the measure about the use of the measure (Regulation 17B(3)(g)(h)) 31/01/2013

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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

 ensure where a child requires it, the guide is available when appropriate through suitable alternative methods of communication, e.g. Makaton, pictures, tape recording, translation into another language (NMS 13.6)  devise a written development plan that is reviewed annually, for the future of the home, either identifying any planned changes in the operation or resources of the service (NMS 15.2)  maintain a system which monitors the matters set out in Schedule 6 (e.g. complaints and behaviour management), in order to improve the quality of the care provided. This will enable the provider to identify any trends and issues of concern so that all those involved in running and working in the home can continually improve the quality of care they are providing. It will be good practice for these reports to be completed at six monthly intervals and a copy of every report should be sent to HMCI within twenty eight days of completion. (Children

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Recommendations

Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 5:Children’s Homes 3.14)

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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.

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