Children's Home run by Westgate Lifestyle Project Limited in Hounslow

Unique reference number SC409851 Inspection date 13/03/2013 Inspector Sharron Escott Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 09/07/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a children's home registered to care for up to four young people. The home is owned and operated by a private provider.

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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 inadequate progress .

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Progress

This service was judged as adequate at the last full inspection in July 2012. Four requirements and three recommendations were identified. Three requirements and two out of three recommendations have been met.

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Progress

The requirement relating to notifiable events has not been fully met. Records reviewed identified four significant incidents resulting in police intervention. Communication and consultation with parents and placing authorities is clearly documented. However, they have not been appropriately reported to Ofsted within the required time scales.

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Progress

As a result of this interim inspection three requirements and four recommendations have been raised.

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Progress

Young people speak positively about the care they receive. One resident said, 'this is a cool home to live in, I like it here because the staff care about you, I can talk to people if I want to, my key worker spends time with me and we spend time together at the gym. Staff and young people have established warm and respectful relationships, communication is open and honest. Young people say, 'because I don't get spoken to like a stupid kid I listen to the advice I am given and try to learn from it’.

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Progress

There is a strong commitment from staff and management at the home to provide a good quality service. All young people in placement are attending further education courses and are thriving while learning skills of their choice and that will benefit their employment opportunities as young adults. Missing from home and significant incidents have reduced significantly for some, resulting in anti-social and offending behaviour reducing. However, records do not adequately detail actions taken by staff to ensure young people's safety and prevent further incidents. As a result this recommendation has been reinstated.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, an extensive maintenance programme has been identified to improve the physical condition and presentation of the home. Work has recently commenced and includes the rear garden secured with garden fencing. Some initial progress has been made in providing a homely, comfortable and well-maintained environment. However, further improvement is required as young people are living in a home where general decoration and soft furnishings are inadequate.

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Progress

The Statement of Purpose has been updated. Staff have successfully completed their NVQ Level 3 and have received appropriate training in first aid which helps them to meet the daily living needs of young people. All new placements are assessed prior to admission, the manager considers the needs and group dynamics and the skills of the staff members before agreement is given to the referring local authority.

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Progress

Since the last inspection there is a newly established staff team in place. The current staffing levels reflect the supervision levels required for the young people in placement, ensuring continuity of care is provided. The staffing rota does not show that there is a dedicated handover time where essential information is shared between staff and it could not be identified what staff member is responsible for leading the shift and spending time with individual young people. As a result, young people are not clear which staff member is working directly with them and that staff are fully aware of their changing daily living needs.

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Progress

The core staff records for recruitment and vetting are held at the home. Individual records do not adequately detail safe recruitment practises. For example; verification of references and a full employment history for staff members have not been sought. As a result, a requirement has been raised to ensure young people are safeguarded. Staff members receive regular supervision attend team meetings and feel well supported, however not all staff have had their probation periods reviewed and their performance appraised. As a result, young people are being cared for by staff members whose performance and competence have not been formally approved.

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Progress

The health needs of young people are generally met, general health appointments are promoted, healthy eating is encouraged and physical activities are maintained. However, individual’s life style choices have impacted on their continued good health and well-being. In particular; misuse of recreational drugs and outstanding health assessments for some.

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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

(2001) ensure that all staff employed have full and satisfactory information available in relation to all matters specified in Schedule 2 (Regulation 26 (6)(b)) 05/04/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that serious incidents necessitating calling the police to the home are reported to Ofsted as required under schedule 5 (Regulation 30 (1)) 05/04/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children's home used by children are kept clean and reasonably decorated and maintained. (Regulation 31 (e)) 05/04/2013

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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 that the home considers, with the responsible authority, what action should be taken to prevent the children going missing in future (NMS 5.9)  ensure children are supported to develop practical skills, including personal self- care and understanding and taking responsibility for personal healthcare (NMS 12.1(e))  ensure records of staff working at the home demonstrate the actual staffing levels, naming who is working on each shift, and that they include scheduled time for handovers and planned time with individual children (NMS 17.2 and 17.6)  ensure all staff have their performance individually and formally appraised at least annually and takes into account the views of the young people. (NMS 19.6 )

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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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