Children's Home run by Laurel Leaf Homes Ltd in Newham

Unique reference number SC060545 Inspection date 04/02/2014 Inspector Patrick Sullivan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Date of last inspection 16/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.2

Brief description of the service

The home is privately run. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for eight children with learning disabilities or emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.3

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.

p.3

Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress .

p.3

Progress

At the last full inspection in July 2013 the home was judged adequate overall.

p.3

Progress

The home is judged to have made satisfactory progress as the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met.

p.3

Progress

At the last full inspection one requirement and nine recommendations were made. The requirement related to updating the Statement of Purpose has been met. A new Statement of Purpose has been written and is operational since December 2013. It addresses the shortfalls of the previous Statement although the list of potential residents is overly extensive. A Children's Guide has now been produced which is appropriate to the needs of the young people likely to be accommodated at the home.

p.3

Progress

Since the last inspection there have been no incidents of restraint so it is not possible to assess progress against this recommendation.

p.3

Progress

Medication recording arrangements have been updated since the last inspection and are now compliant with the recommendation under statutory guidance.

p.3

Progress

The home continues to work with other professionals to improve the educational attendance of the young people resident at the home. Attempts are made to engage them in meaningful activities that will enhance their educational opportunities and outcomes. This progress is hampered by the short term nature of some of the admissions to the home and the difficulties that this presents. The staff at the home have worked very hard with one young person to get her to engage with her education and this approach is now having a positive impact on her education attendance.

p.4

Progress

Since the last inspection the home has admitted one young person. Within the first 72 hours of her admission it became clear that this young person was exhibiting self harming behaviours. The Registered Manager assessed her needs and came to the conclusion that the home was not able to met the young person's complex needs and so the placement was ended. In discussion with the Registered Manager it is clear that she is being more selective around the admissions to the home and is trying to only admit young people whose needs the home can meet.

p.4

Progress

Since the last inspection there have been a number of notifications to Ofsted concerning threatening behaviour towards members of staff. The main instigator of these notifications has now moved on from the home as it was recognised that they were not able to meet his needs. This has resulted in a significant reduction in notifications.

p.4

Progress

The home has a clear development plan which sets out the short and long term objectives for the service. This will involve the current building being converted into semi independent accommodation for young people. The development plan has clearly identified timescales within which the developments to the service will occur as well as identifying the risks to achieving these objectives. The plan also identifies the resources that will be required and how these will be obtained through the sale of another property.

p.4

Progress

Where new staff have been recruited all checks have been undertaken including verification of references. The home is committed to ensuring that the staff are provided with the relevant skills and training to meet the needs of the young people who live there. There has been considerable involvement with other agencies and professionals around missing episodes and an attempt to reduce the frequency of these and also to engage in dialogue with the placing authority in an effort to manage the risks to this young person. This multiagency work has resulted in a reduction in missing episodes and an engagement by the young person in her education.

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5