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

Unique reference number SC062128 Inspection date 13/03/2014 Inspector Wilfried Maxfield Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 12/08/2013 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

The overall rating for the home was judged as good at the last full inspection in August 2013. The home has maintained the high standards across all of the outcome areas since this inspection. One requirement to improve the notification process after a significant event involving the police has been met. No requirements and no recommendations were made as a result of this visit.

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Progress

The Registered Manager is committed to continuously raise the standard of care provided to the young people. The manager's considerable professional experience and long standing commitment to the home ensures that the home is effectively managed. Young people benefit from the very motivated and strong staff team. The vast majority of staff have worked together for many years and provide excellent continuity of care.

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Progress

Young people state that they feel safe and that they enjoy living at the home. Effective safeguarding arrangements continue to benefit all of the young people. The staff team can demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the home's own child protection procedures. Young people who go missing are protected as far as possible. The home complies with locally and nationally expected procedures. Protocols to follow in the event of a young person going missing are well developed and are implemented effectively. The home has established an excellent working relationship with the local police.

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Progress

Young people benefit from living in a caring and supportive environment. They people are encouraged to develop and, in the majority of cases, will make considerable progress during their placement. Staff have established strong relationships with each young person. Young people feel listened to and are encouraged to participate in a variety of forms of effective consultation. All of the young people speak highly of the team and can identify members of staff that they particularly trust and relate to. One young person said, 'I so need this member of staff. I tell her everything and completely trust her. She has supported me in very difficult situations.'

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Progress

The staff team understand young people's emotional and behavioural needs and provide excellent support for young people who engage in high risk taking behaviour. Strategies to reduce or eliminate such behaviours are constantly reviewed and developed further. Young people who use drugs or alcohol are supported effectively. Consistent behavioural boundaries and effective and positive behaviour management is enabling young people to work on their anti-social and challenging behaviour. Strong emphasis is placed on positive relationships and good behaviour is promoted. Physical intervention is used safely within the home and only as a last resort.

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Progress

Young people live in an environment which is clean, tidy and comfortable and is maintained to a good standard. It is well furnished and in good decorative order. The home provides a safe and appropriately secure physical environment.

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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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