Children's Home run by Amelia’s House Limited in Brent

Unique reference number SC448693 Inspection date 20/03/2014 Inspector Wendy Anderson Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 30/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately run home can accommodate up to four young people with emotional and/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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

The overall rating for this service was adequate at the last full inspection on 30/10/2013. At this inspection five requirements and eight recommendations were made. Of these all the requirements and seven of recommendations have been met.

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Progress

The young people's records now contain individual support plans, behavioural plans and individual risk assessments. The behavioural support plan forms part of the young peoples care plans. It is also closely linked to the young peoples school behavioural support plans to ensure continuity. These plans have been effective as there has been a clear decrease in the number of incidents involving the young people. Although the young people's individual support plans have improved they do not consistently include robust information on what the staff team will do to meet the identified need. This could potentially lead to inconsistency of care.

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Progress

Health care plans are on young people's files and linked to this are consents signed by those with parental responsibility for medical treatment, first aid and the administration of prescribed and non prescribed medications. This information helps ensure the young people's medical and health needs are met. There are now copies of young peoples personal education plans and individual education plan on their files. These are current and help ensure young people's educational needs are met.

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Progress

Regular fire drills are held for staff and young people and this ensures that all are clear on what action to take should a fire occur and thus contributes to their safety.

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Progress

Currently there are enough staff at the home to meet the needs of the young people placed. A recent recruitment drive has taken place and two new member of staff have been appointed. Currently staff lone work but this is only after they have complete their probationary period.

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Progress

Staff at the home are now receiving supervision in line with the frequency stated in the home's supervision policy. This ensures that staff receive the support and guidance they need. Staff have also undertaken training since the last inspection, this has included fire safety, restraint and first aid. The Acting manager was able to evidence future training plans for the team. These are linked to decisions in staff supervision sessions where training needs can be identified.

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Progress

The recording format for physical intervention has been reviewed. This format will now provide all the required information. However since the last inspection there have been no physical interventions.

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Progress

The Regulation 33 visits and reports have improved, however they still do not contain all the required information and also they lack robust evaluation of the service.

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Progress

The acting manager has reviewed the format for their Regulation 34 six monthly reports. This covers all the required areas. However at this inspection the manager was in the process of completing this report as it is not due yet.

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Progress

Currently the home does not have any environment risk assessment for the home. By completing these it would ensure that the young people live in a safe environment free from avoidable hazards. Although during the inspection no hazards were found a robust risk assessment process would ensure this would not happen.

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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

28 improve record keeping on children's files, so that the 30/06/2014 (2001) information kept is more detailed, relevant and kept up to date. This in particular relates young peoples individual plans consistently and robustly detailing how staff will meet the identified need.(Regulation 28)

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that regulation 33 visits observe the care provided, the practice of staff, inspect compliance with regulations, systems and processes and the quality of the environment. The visit must wherever possible include private interviews with children or young people living in the home and staff. Parents relatives or carers should also be interviewed where appropriate. ( Volume 5, statutory guidance, paragraphs 3.12 and 3.13)

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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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