Children's Home run by Winsbeach Children’s Home Limited in Waltham Forest

Unique reference number SC406638 Inspection date 13/03/2013 Inspector Sharon Lewis Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/09/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a private home. It is registered to accommodate up to three children and young people with 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

This interim unannounced inspection focuses on the progress made since the last inspection. The overall effectiveness judgement made at the last inspection in September 2012 was good. The outcomes for young people are central to this inspection. Young people continue to thrive and are making very good progress in relation to their starting points. Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, caring and homely environment. The two requirements and one recommendation for improvement from the last inspection have been effectively addressed. These related to updating the safeguarding policy, the missing from care procedure and the sanction record. Young people receive better protection from the updated documentation. One action is being made to further improve the service. This relates to formalising the quality assurance process. A good system is in place, however, reports are not sent to Ofsted in accordance with Regulation 34.

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Progress

Young people are happy and are extremely settled at the home. They enjoy good relationships with staff and state that they would score the home 'nine out of ten.' External professionals are 'very impressed' with the care and feel the home is 'doing a good job.‘ They highlight the strong leadership and management, stating they are 'struck by the motivation and keenness to work in the best interests of children.’ This includes keeping social workers up to date by providing daily reports.

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Progress

There is excellent health promotion, which includes sensitively managing issues. Staff liaise closely with health professionals; this includes acting as intermediaries and facilitating visits at home. Staff have a very good understanding of young people and tenaciously advocate for their current and future needs. This includes highlighting the need for a more therapeutic placement. This home is able to respond to short term needs and act as a bridging placement. Finding a more suitable provision may take a period of time. There is an acknowledgment that care plans and risk assessments, therefore require amending.

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Progress

The home continues to work very successfully with young people who have a wide range of challenging emotional and mental health needs. Staff have a good understanding of young people's past and how it manifests in their present behaviour. They introduce and maintain appropriate boundaries helping young people to develop self-awareness, self-control and self-determination. Young people benefit from the high staffing levels and the stable, structured support arrangements. Staff use motivational models of care where the emphasis is on promoting and rewarding good behaviour as opposed to sanctions. Young people state they enjoy 'working towards things,' an example being a high-end mobile phone. Young people confirm that they have a children's guide which clearly details the house rules and expectations. They fully understand the consequences of their actions.

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Progress

Young people benefit from the passionate child-focused leadership. The culture within the home focuses on positive reinforcement, empathy and unconditional acceptance. Young people regularly engage in key work sessions. These interactions enable young people to constructively address issues in a positive manner. Staff highlight young people's strengths and actively support them with developing their talents and pursuing their interests. Examples are playing table tennis, football and going to the cinema. There are significant improvements in young people's mood, behaviour, emotional well-being, sleeping patterns and their attitude to life. Examples are the reduction of unauthorised absences and a desire to return to education. Young people are learning to become more independent. This includes devising their menus, budgeting, shopping and extending their cooking skills.

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Progress

Young people state that they 'like' staff and that they 'feel safe' and 'prefer it' to previous placements. There is a good consultation system. This includes routinely gathering the views of parents and stakeholders which contributes to improving and validating the service.

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Progress

Parents provide very complimentary feedback and the home is continually evolving to meet the needs of young people. The home's apprenticeship scheme is a good example of this. Management believe that young people who have had the experience of being looked after in the past are well placed to support other young people who may come into the care system. The apprenticeship scheme enables young adults who were previously looked-after to attend college and progress into becoming staff members. This scheme has already started and is a success.

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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) supply to Ofsted a report in respect of any review of the quality of care conducted in respect of part (1) of this Regulation. (Regulation 34 (2)) 01/08/2013

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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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