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

Unique reference number SC032502 Inspection date 02/01/2013 Inspector Muhammed Harunur Rashid Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 26/06/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a children's home, run by a local authority. It provides care for up to 13 children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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

At the last inspection in June 2012 the overall effectiveness rating for the service was good. Three recommendations were made to ensure: that young people are helped to understand how to keep themselves safe; that the result of the reviews of the placement plan is recorded in the child's file and to ensure that all staff hold level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma.

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Progress

The children's home has acted upon these recommendations. Staff now regularly advise children at link working sessions and house meetings how to keep themselves safe in the home and outside of it. Staff now ensure that the result of the reviews of the placement plan is recorded in the child's file, and that individuals responsible for pursuing actions arising from reviews, are clearly identified. These steps help to promote the welfare and safeguarding of young people. Currently five care staff are undertaking the level 3 Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma and anticipate completion of this by July 2013.

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Progress

This inspection has identified that the home’s capacity to continually improve is good. Young people continue to make good progress across aspects of their development and placement outcomes. Young people attend schools, colleges or other provisions. Young people are generally healthy and they have access to various specialist services to address their emotional and mental health issues. They attend various sporting activities to keep themselves physically fit. Young people develop a wide range of independent living skills. They learn to shop and prepare a meal as part of learning life skills for semi-independent living. Young people enjoy various trips, such as visits to London, swimming and bowling.

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Progress

Individualised care plans are tailored to meet young people’s individual needs. Staff act as role models and assist young people to develop a strong identity. Young people have individualised positive behaviour management programmes, and risk assessments are in place. Behaviour management programmes are devised with input from specialists. The service addresses challenges to educational progress and achievement and works with social workers to find suitable educational provision for young people.

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Progress

Young people live in a safe and nurturing environment. Young people say that they feel safe in the home and staff listen to their concerns. Currently there are no bullying issues at home. Young people are safeguarded through appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures and staff knowledge and skills on safeguarding areas. Safeguarding issues are addressed at each handover and staff meetings. Staff follow the agreed procedures when a young person goes missing from care and report all incidents to relevant professionals.

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Progress

Current staffing levels are appropriate to meet young people’s assessed needs. The Registered Manager reviews staffing levels in accordance with the overall needs of young people. The Registered Manager informed that she is in the process of recruiting a deputy manager and a senior residential worker. Staff receive regular supervision and appraisals from their line manager to ensure they are competent. Systems and practices within the home are constantly under review, and improvements made whenever necessary. Quality assurance systems, which include Regulation 34 checks and Regulation 33 visits, are robust and the findings are always shared with the staff team.

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Progress

A complete redecoration of the premises is taking place which includes redecoration of the young people’s bedrooms, communal areas, toilets and bathrooms. In addition to this, the service is replacing two old kitchens. The service hopes this full completion of works will provide a safe and pleasant homely environment for young people living there. A number of young people stayed at home over Christmas. Staff purchased various gifts for young people and the home was decorated for this purpose.

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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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