Children's Home run by S P Homes Limited in Lambeth

Unique reference number SC065535 Inspection date 14/03/2013 Inspector Paul Taylor Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 17/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately-run children's home which caters for up to six young people who have emotional or 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, carried out in October 2012, the home was judged to be inadequate. At that inspection four requirements and three recommendations were made.

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Progress

The home has fully addressed all of the requirements made. There are now systems which effectively ensure that all notifications, reports written as a result of monitoring visits and reviews of the service are forwarded to Ofsted. Additionally, the home has effectively addressed shortfalls identified by the local fire and rescue service after an inspection carried out in September 2012. The home has ensured that all members of staff are appropriately trained and that all fire prevention equipment, such as self-closing door devices, is serviced and working. The fire and rescue service has written to the home and expressed that it is satisfied that all the issues have been addressed. It is clear that monitoring and promotion of young people's safety has been improved as a result of improvements made.

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Progress

Two out of three recommendations made at the last inspection are met. The home no longer locks doors to internal communal areas, such as the lounge and kitchen, as part of routine practice. This means that young people have access to these areas without any restrictions. The home has also implemented a new system to monitor the administration of medication. This ensures that the records of medication administered to young people and the amount of medication in stock are up to date and accurate.

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Progress

One recommendation is not fully addressed in relation to the home not having a written risk assessment for staff working alone. Members of staff are aware of what to do and who they can turn to for help but this is not underpinned by written procedures or a risk assessment. The staff knowledge of the young people and their awareness of what to do ensures that no one is at risk. However, the recommendation that the manager makes certain that all members of staff have access to a written procedure and risk assessment remains. This will ensure everyone will know what to do in the event that there are new young people admitted to the home and that information is available if new members of staff are appointed to work at the home.

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Progress

Young people benefit from living at the home. The care and nurturing provided has enabled young people to make significant progress, particularly when bearing in mind their starting points. The home encourages and enables young people to attend full time education, join clubs based in the community and to increase independence and personal-care skills.

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Progress

The home ensures on-going training is made available to members of staff, for example in safeguarding and the newly-implemented fire training. This knowledge enables members of staff to promote young people's safety. The staff team also meet on a weekly basis so that all members of staff know what is happening in the home and how to consistently support each young person living there. This ensures that nurturing and individualised care is delivered which in turn, enables young people to develop and progress.

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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 that when only one member of staff is on duty at any time, a risk assessment has been carried out and recorded in writing, identifying any likely risks to children, staff and members of the public. (NMS 17.9)

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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.

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