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

Unique reference number SC062128 Inspection date 20/03/2013 Inspector Muhammed Harunur Rashid Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 13/08/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The children's home is registered to care for up to six young people aged between 12 and 17 years for assessments. The home is owned and operated by a local authority.

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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 full inspection in August 2012 the home was judged as good overall and is now judged to have made good progress since then. Outcomes for young people are good and the home has successfully addressed one recommendation raised at the previous inspection. This related to all new care staff completing the Children and Young People’s Workforce Diploma at level 3. The home has introduced improvements and is planning further improvements to the quality of the care it provides.

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Progress

Individualised care plans are in place to meet young people’s individual needs and these are reviewed regularly. Young people also have individualised positive behaviour management programmes and risk assessments are in place.

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Progress

Staff encourage and support young people in planning for their care and developing a wide range of independent life skills for future independent or semi-independent living. Young people learn to manage their money effectively through buying their own food and household items. They learn to cook meals and look after their personal space and communal areas. Young people attend various courses at schools, colleges or equivalent. Facilities at home are conducive for study. Young people have the use of a computer for educational and recreational purposes.

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Progress

A wide range of leisure activities are available to young people. Young people take part in various sport activities to keep themselves fit. They visit various places of interest to them. For example, visits to parks and museums.

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Progress

Young people live in a safe and nurturing environment. Young people spoken to said that they feel safe in the home. They are safeguarded through appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures being implemented in practice and staffs’ safeguarding knowledge and skills. Safeguarding issues are addressed at each handover and at staff meetings. Missing from care incidents are low. Staff ensure that young people are aware of the dangers of going missing from the home.

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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 the young people. The home is currently in the process of recruiting two permanent residential care staff. All staff receive regular supervision and appraisals from their line manager. Regular team meetings promote good communication between the staff team. The service offers a wide range of training to staff to update their knowledge and skills in many areas. This includes training on child protection, first aid, and sexual exploitation.

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Progress

Systems and practice within the home are constantly under review and improvements are made whenever necessary. Registered provider visits are taking place and the manager completes regulation 34 reports on a bimonthly basis for reviewing the quality of care. This external and internal monitoring focuses on the home’s strengths and highlights areas for improvement.

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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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