Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Greenwich

Unique reference number SC386134 Inspection date 22/11/2013 Inspector Cheryl Carter Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 28/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately-owned children’s home for up to five young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home offers flexible packages of care, including long-term care. One bed is for emergency admissions or respite care.

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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

The overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be good at its previous inspection. Since then, positive progress has been made in addressing the two recommendations made at that inspection.

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Progress

Staff have received in-house training on the Children’s Act 1989 and the Care Standards Act and are now able to demonstrate a better understanding of the legal framework that underpins their work. The training programme has been reviewed and now addresses equality and diversity as well as attachment.

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Progress

The manager of the home uses staff meetings and supervision to identify shortfalls in knowledge and skills and the training programme is devised to ensure that training for the staff team addresses these shortfalls. As a result the staff team appear more confident and are working positively to meet the identified needs of the children and young people.

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Progress

Risks associated with young people's behaviours are carefully assessed and staff adhere to safe care practices to keep young people safe. All incidents of children and young people who go missing are carefully reported and monitored and fortnightly safeguarding meetings are arranged to update and manage the risks associated with the missing person. The home continues to work closely with the local missing person’s unit and in line with their local missing person’s protocol. The home is proactive in alerting placing authorities about their concerns in relation to individual young people as well as taking any necessary action they see as necessary to ensure the young person’s safety. This demonstrates that the young people's safety is at the centre of staff practice.

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Progress

The home's fire fighting equipment, gas and electrical appliances have all been serviced. Weekly fire bell tests as well as fire drills ensure that young people are familiar with the home's emergency evacuation plan. The home provides young people with accommodation that is safe, warm, comfortable and homely.

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Progress

Since the full inspection in June, a new deputy has been appointed. The staff who work at this home are subject to safe recruitment practices to assess their suitability to work with children. Regulation 33 and 34 monitoring of the home’s activities are completed consistently and positive use is made of the monitoring reports to ensure that the home continue to operate smoothly and efficiently according to its Statement of Purpose. A written development plan is in place to promote the quality of young people's care and the improvement and development of the service.

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Progress

As a result of this inspection, no actions or recommendations have been made.

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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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