Children's Home run by Stellakis Miltiadous in Haringey

Unique reference number SC039213 Inspection date 26/03/2014 Inspector Patrick Sullivan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 22/01/2014 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately-run children's home. The home provides care, support and accommodation for to up to six young people of either gender. The service accepts referrals for young people who have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Brief description of the service

Currently the home does not have a Registered Manager; the previous manager left the service a week prior to the inspection. The home's former deputy is currently the acting manager.

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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

At the last full inspection of the home in January 2014 overall effectiveness was judged to be adequate. One requirement and three recommendations were made as a result of this inspection. The report of the full inspection had only been published a month prior to this interim inspection.

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Progress

The home continues to have a vacancy for the post of Registered Manager and currently the Deputy Manager is acting up to fill the vacancy. Attempts have been made to fill the post but so far this process has not been successful.

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Progress

The requirement related to training for all staff employed at the home and specifically concerned first aid training. All staff have not yet achieved their first aid training as there has been insufficient time to arrange the training. The training has been booked and will take within the next couple of months for all relevant staff. The three recommendations have all been met. The first of these related to information about the child being recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. Children's records were seen as part of the inspection and these included detailed behaviour management plans. The home has detailed risk assessments on each child that are thorough and comprehensive.

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Progress

The homes development plan is still a work in progress and is being reviewed in light of the provider's decision to close a sister home and consolidate resources in this home. The Responsible Individual feels that this move will enable the service to focus on its core task and to achieve better outcomes for the young people.

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Progress

The training needs of staff are being appropriately addressed through a training plan which is informed by the outcomes of staff appraisals and supervision. A new member of staff was interviewed as part of the inspection and she stated that she is very happy with the support she has received from the homes management during her induction period. She reported that she has a clear understanding of the homes procedures and policies and has been receiving regular supervision since starting at the home.

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Progress

There have been no restraints or complaints since the last inspection and the sanction book is up to date and completed fully. Where sanctions have been used there is a space for the young person to contribute their view as well as a section evaluating the effectiveness of the sanction.

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Progress

The home currently has five young people living there and has one vacancy. The overall state of the home is good with warm and welcoming communal areas. Bedrooms are maintained to a good standard and the young people have no complaints about the state of their rooms. House meetings are held regularly and discuss a variety of matters relating to the home. Menus and food feature strongly and there is evidence that young people have an input into the choice of food that is purchased for the home.

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Progress

Three of the five young people are not currently in regular education. The home is working closely with the placing local authorities to address this situation and some progress has been made. One young person is now receiving tuition in the home while staff are working hard to get some stability into the life of another young person who has recently been admitted to the home.

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Progress

This is a stable home where young people receive a good quality of care. The absence of a Registered Manager has so far not significantly impacted on the running of the home. The current interim management arrangements have ensured a degree of consistency and stability within the home which has meant that there has been minimal impact on the young people. The home has an experienced and capable staff team who work hard to improve outcomes for the young people placed there.

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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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