Children's Home run by Castle Homes Limited in Bromley

Unique reference number SC419334 Inspection date 24/02/2014 Inspector Tola Akinde-Hummel Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 07/10/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately owned children's home provides care and accommodation for up to four children or young people who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties. The home has a registered school on site which is available to children and young people not attending an external school or alternative education provision.

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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 full inspection was completed in October 2013. This was judged as a good service. Two requirements and one recommendation for improvement were made as a result of the inspection.

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Progress

The home's menus have been reviewed and new menus have been introduced. Young people have been consulted and menus are more varied than previously. Three members of staff have attended nutrition training to refresh their understanding of diet and health. The home has provided a range of cookbooks for young people to read and decide what they would like. The process of introducing young people to international meals has been challenging and at times, young people are reluctant to engage. Staff recognise that this is work in progress and that tastes change and vary. Although young people are not always complimentary about the food on offer additional consultation with young people will identify meals that they enjoy and are willing to try.

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Progress

Monitoring reports are provided to Ofsted and these are insightful and evaluative, exploring how the home has developed in the previous six months and where the areas for development are. The manager is aware of the recent development to provide these reports on a quarterly basis.

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Progress

The recommendation focused on the need to support young people to maintain a more healthy lifestyle. A variety of actions have been taken by the home to promote physical activity and reduce the desire for young people to smoke. Young people now exercise more regularly and are beginning to make the connection between keeping fit, healthy lifestyles and managing stress. Young people are more aware of the dangers of smoking and the need to reduce their intake, although in times of conflict this has a limited amount of success. However staff continue to seek external advice to vary their approach and provide guidance and inspiration.

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Progress

The young people are emerging from a volatile period which has had a negative impact on their attitude and behaviour. .. This period has only recently come to a close and there is a recognition by the Registered ( STEPHANIE MURRAY: Registered Manager has capitals) Manager and the staff team of the need to address the impact the experience has had on the staff team and the young people.

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Progress

Young people admit that they have been feeling unsettled in the home and this has resulted in an increase in conflict amongst them and towards the staff team. Although they have spoken individually to staff and the Registered Manager about the difficulties, this has not been done as a group to enable them to acknowledge the effect these experiences have had on them. Young people still maintain that it is their home and they wish to remain there.

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Progress

Young people are not fully adhering to house rules and believe that they are not treated equally, particularly when sanctions are being imposed. This causes further animosity and friction amongst them and towards staff.

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Progress

During this period of instability, there was an increase in incidents of abuse to staff and damage to property. A knock on effect was the increase in sanctions as a result of challenging behaviour. There has also been a rise in the incidents of missing which is directly related to this time. The home has set up a fines jar to help to regulate bad language used by young people when they address each other and staff. Money collected is saved and used for items for the young people such as bedroom accessories or additional activities of their choice. This has varying degrees of success.

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Progress

Staff have worked hard to manage the difficult situations and maintain a safe household. All damage to the home is repaired swiftly to ensure the environment remains welcoming and comfortable.

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Progress

There is an acknowledgement from the staff team that the home needs to re- evaluate a number of areas of practice and re-establish boundaries. The effect of recent events has revealed the need to focus on the depth of resilience young people have and increase this. This will enable them to feel more secure and manage conflict more effectively. Staff continue to remind young people of their goals and support school attendance. This continues to be a challenge but young people receive daily support and rewards to attend and engage in education. Young people are encouraged to maintain relationships with their families. This is very positive.

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Progress

Activities are organised with young people and they continue to make use of key work sessions. This is used to discuss difficult behaviour and issues they are facing.

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Progress

Young people report that they enjoyed Christmas celebrations and were provided with gifts of their choice. They are planning a trip abroad during the summer holidays.

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Progress

New members of staff have been introduced to the home and state that they have been welcomed by staff and young people. They are keen to contribute their ideas to the running of the home and have the confidence to do so. The staff team remain committed to the young people and improving outcomes.

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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

(2001) must keep under review and where appropriate revise the behaviour management policy (Regulation 2 (a) ) 30/04/2014

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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 all children communicate their views on all aspects of their care and support (NMS 1.3)  must create an environment and culture, to promote models and support positive behaviour that all staff understand and implement ( NMS 3.2)  ensure that children develop and practice skills to build and maintain positive relationships, be assertive and resolve conflicts positively (NMS 3.5)  ensure that sanctions and rewards are clear, reasonable and fair and are understood by staff and children ( NMS 3.8)  must regularly review incidents of challenging behaviour, examine trends or issues emerging from this, to enable staff to reflect and learn to inform future practice (NMS 3.21)

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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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