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

Unique reference number SC448693 Inspector Sharon Lewis Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Bina Alese Date of last inspection 20/03/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 10/09/2014

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Previous inspection satisfactory progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness good

Outcomes for children and young people good Quality of care good Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management adequate

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Overall effectiveness

Young people receive a good service and there is a strong commitment to enhancing their lives. Young people achieve positive outcomes, which is a commendable achievement considering their initial starting points. There are substantial improvements in their behaviour, emotional development, education, social and independent living skills. Young people participate in a wide range of fulfilling activities and their talents are positively nurtured.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people live within a supportive empowering environment. They enjoy good mutually respectful relationships with staff and each other. Staff have high aspirations for young people and positively focus on their capabilities. Young people are happy and comfortable in their surroundings. The service understands the importance of safeguarding young people. There are no issues with bullying and young people do not go missing. Young people positively respond to the care and the lack of incidents, restraints and sanctions is commendable.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people receive care from a culturally reflective experienced staff team. Staff have a good understanding of young people's needs and are able to positively promote their heritage. Staffing levels meets young people's individual and collective needs. Young people receive care from staff that undertake specialist training to provide a quality service. The home has good partnership arrangements with schools 3 of 11 and health professionals which promote the best interests of young people

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Overall effectiveness

Senior management are actively addressing the minor shortfalls. The statement of purpose requires more detail on restraints. Recommendations relate to the staffing rota, the young people's guide and young people's contribution to monitoring visits. These issues do not have a detrimental impact on young people and do not detract from the good quality of care. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home can accommodate up to four young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 30/10/2013 Full adequate

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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

4 (2001) ensure the statement of purpose includes all matters listed in Schedule 1, in particular how staff are trained in restraint and how their competency is assessed. (Regulation 4 (1)) 01/12/2014

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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 staff rotas have time scheduled to ensure handovers are held (NMS 17.6)  ensure the deployment of staff can fulfil the home's statement of purpose and meets the individual needs of all children (NMS 17.1) 5 of 11  make the children's guide available in suitable alternative methods of communication (NMS 13.6)  ensure children are regularly involved in contributing to monitoring the operation of the home. (NMS 21.1) 6 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Professional highlight that young people are 'significantly happier' and they are making 'good progress since being placed'. Young people flourish within a nurturing environment, which enables them to fulfil their potential. Professionals comment that young people are 'more verbal'. They confidently express their needs, wants and feelings through gestures, signing and an increased vocabulary. Young people achieve positive outcomes, which is a commendable achievement considering their initial starting points. Young people benefit from improved emotional wellbeing and resilience. They engage in reflexology and enjoy daily periods of relaxation. They no longer express anti-social behaviour and are comfortable and calm. This is further evidenced by their reduced medication.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people have a positive self-view and are able to nurture their interests and talents. An example of this is involvement in athletics at a sports academy. Young people are aspirational and are working towards being a Paralympian. They learn the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Their daily routines include exercise, drinking lots of water and following a nutritious diet. Young people enjoy international and culturally reflective cuisine and their personal preferences are catered for. Young people enjoy going swimming, playing football, trampolining, dancing and going for daily walks. Young people maintain contact with their family, friends and other important people in their life. Staff are able to supervise contact and they actively approach relatives, which helps young people retain their family bond.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Professionals highlight the 'great improvements' in all aspects of their behaviour, learning and achievement. They comment that young people continue 'to work really hard at home'. Young people engage in a wide range of educational activities which improves their numeracy, literacy, communication and writing skills. Young people have excellent school attendance and a good record of achievement. This includes obtaining certificates and units towards specific qualifications. Young people enjoy a wide range of life-enhancing activities. They visit a wide range of attractions, parks and places of interest throughout London. Within the home they enjoy arts and crafts and listening to music. They have good community links as they regularly eat out, go shopping and use the local leisure and recreational facilities. A meaningful highlight for young people was their trip to Wembley Stadium. Young people are also able to

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Outcomes for children and young people good

observe their religious traditions, through attending places of worship

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people develop valued skills, which helps them prepare for adult life. Professionals comment on the 'massive achievement towards independence'. Young people take pride in their personal appearance, polishing their shoes and choosing their outfits the night before for the day ahead. They assist with shopping, baking, bed making and gardening. They positively contribute to life at the home by laying and clearing the table, washing up and other household chores. Young people's 7 of 11 participation in these tasks actively promotes their self-worth and self responsibility. Young people have good manners, they learn the importance of social etiquette, courtesy and patience. These qualities are character building and contributes to their personal development.

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Quality of care good

Young people live within a supportive empowering environment. They enjoy good mutually respectful relationships with staff and each other. Staff highlight that 'it is a great pleasure and privilege' to watch young people's growth and see their 'hard work pay off'. Staff have high aspirations for young people and positively focus on their capabilities. Young people enjoy spending time together within the home and outside. a good example of this is the celebration of their respective birthdays. Young people benefit from a culturally reflective staff team who are able to positively promote their identity through diet, customs, skin and haircare.

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Quality of care good

Young people express their choices throughout their daily lives. They strongly highlight their likes and dislikes which influences routines and care planning. Young people understand that staff promote their best interests and their wishes may not always be acted upon. The young people's guide details how they can complain. Young people's care plan's concisely detail their diverse needs in a person centered manner. Care plans take into account their unique personality, disability, age, ethnicity, gender, communication, religious belief, sexuality and behavioural needs. Photographic evidence complements records, effectively highlighting young people's progress.

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Quality of care good

Young people benefit from the home's promotion of all aspects of their well-being. Staff manage a wide range of health conditions and receive specialist training. The home has a very good relationship with health professionals who are able to visit the home to undertake bespoke training. Staff use education targets to achieve academic success. There is good continuity of care between the home and school. The home's education plan includes objectives, targets, long and short term goals, which directly correspond to those promoted by the school. The home's staff undertake joint training with school staff, which further demonstrates good partnership working in the interests of young people.

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Quality of care good

Young people live in a home which is suitably maintained and blends into the residential street. Throughout the premises are photographs of young people, which helps promote a homely atmosphere. The environment takes into account young people's disabilities. Bathrooms have handrails and a bathing chair. Young people are very comfortable in their surroundings and freely access a range of communal areas. They can relax in the lounge, which also includes a kitchen and dining area. Mealtimes are a social occasion, where they eat with staff. Adjacent to the lounge is the computer room, where young people can use the internet. They can also relax in the soft room, which has padded walls and sensory stimulating lighting and toys. 8 of 11 Young people have their own bedrooms, which they can personalise with meaningful items. Young people also enjoy spending time in the garden which has artificial turf and a football net.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people benefit from safeguarding arrangements which promote their best interests. Young people learn the importance of personal safety. This includes highlighting hazards and dangers both within and outside of the home. All staff undertake regular safeguarding training and are clear on the procedure regarding managing allegations. The home has good links with the Local Safeguarding Children Board and have access to the local authority training programme. Policies and procedures highlight the extensive ways they need to protect young people. All information detailed in the regulations are available in a variety of safeguarding documentation. The home are aware that it would be beneficial to have the information located in the main child protection procedure.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The home provides care specifically for young people with challenging needs. Staff vigilantly supervise young people and they succeed in promoting socially acceptable behaviour. Individual crisis management plans identify high risk behaviours, triggers and intervention strategies. Staff successfully use aversion by keeping young people meaningfully occupied. Staff use non-confrontational communication, key phrases assist in de-escalating situations. There are no issues with bullying and young people do not go missing. Young people positively respond to the care and the lack of incidents, restraints and sanctions is commendable. Professionals highlight that 'behaviour has been excellent both at home and at school'. Young people have a calm mood and their behaviour out in public is described as 'trouble free'.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people receive protection from the service's health and safety practices. Young people's risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated. This ensures staff are familiar with each young person's current levels of need. The service also has risk assessments for all aspects of safety concerning the premises. The home's location assessment efficiently highlights the risk factors of the local area, this includes antisocial behaviour, sexual exploitation and the prevalence of gangs. The environment is physically safe and secure. Certificates and records confirm regular checks of equipment, electrical, gas and fire safety equipment. Young people participate in fire drills. This raises their awareness of emergency procedures. The home has a sound recruitment procedure, no new staff have started working since the last inspection.

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Leadership and management adequate

9 of 11 The home succeeds in providing a supportive and enabling environment for young people; the mission statement is 'nurture with care'. The manager is also the owner of the home. They are currently going through the registration process with Ofsted. The delay in the registration is due to circumstances beyond the manager's control and will be shortly rectified. This individual has approximately twenty years experience as a healthcare professional. They have a diploma in health and social care and they are currently completing their leadership and management qualification. They have prior experience of setting up residential services for vulnerable adults. They have been managing the home since August 2013 and originally set up the home in May 2012. Staff state the manager is 'good', 'very supportive' and 'cares about the residents'. Leaders and managers have a sound understanding of the home's strengths and the areas requiring further development.

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Leadership and management adequate

Leaders and managers are implementing the new regulatory changes. The home's Statement of Purpose has been updated, the only area requiring greater clarity relates to restraint training and staff competency. Young people have their own guide which outlines how the service can enhance their lives. This guide is only available in a written format, which requires another person to read this document to young people. Staff are not on-site in the mornings, after young people leave for school. The staffing rota reflects this and staff are available to contact in the event of an emergency. Staff are ten to fifteen minutes away. This arrangement works for the home, however, a written risk assessment was unavailable. The staffing rota additionally did not include the handover period. Staff undertake handovers and have documentation to support this practice. Staffing rotas should accurately reflect the deployment of staff. This issue does not impact on the quality of care.

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Leadership and management adequate

Following the last inspection the home had to address one requirement and one recommendation. Record keeping on files now comply with regulations. Young people benefit from detailed, up-to-date records which reflect their experience of life at the home. To improve practice regulation 33 reports required further consultation, these reports now include feedback from staff and involved professionals. Young people are unable to verbally communicate. The quality of interactions are good, however, reports do not mention this. The monitoring system includes monthly regulatory visits and the Regulation 34 report is currently being completed. Staff maintain records that they store securely. Records clearly outline young peoples' strengths, their progress and how the service enriches their lives.

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Leadership and management adequate

Young people benefit from a small culturally reflective staff team. Staff have a good understanding of young people's needs and are able to positively promote their heritage. Staff state they can use their initiative and they highlight various areas they have helped to improve. Professionals provide positive fedback and describe staff as being 'helpful'. Staff receive regular supervision and appraisals. Vocational training is in progress. Staff benefit from specialist training in various aspects of autism. This training from a recognised autism charity increases staff knowledge and ultimately benefits young people. 10 of 11 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management adequate

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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