Children's Home run by Anna House Limited in Havering

Unique reference number SC058603 Inspector Sharon Lewis Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Margaret Akullo-Odiya Date of last inspection 31/07/2014 2 of 7 Inspection date 26/01/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

This interim unannounced inspection focuses on the progress made since the last inspection. It also evaluates whether the home has maintained the quality of provision. The home has sustained effectiveness; children continue to receive an adequate service. There are elements which have improved; however, there continue to be shortfalls in relation to the home's quality assurance and inconsistent restraint records. It is also recommended that the home continues to advocate on behalf of children's health needs.

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This inspection

The overall effectiveness judgement made at the inspection in July 2014 was adequate. Three requirements were made in relation to restraint recording, notifications and the Regulation 33 visitor. Children benefit from the appointment of a highly qualified independent person who has exceptional experience in children's social care and regulatory work. Reports are now being sent into Ofsted and they provide an insightful overview of the home and the areas requiring further development.

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This inspection

Monitoring of the home is not to the required standard. Leaders and managers do not complete quality of care reports at the required intervals. New regulations highlight that these must be completed at least every three months and forwarded to Ofsted. A report has not been received since July 2014. Robust monitoring of the home must be in place to ensure the home delivers a good standard of care.

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This inspection

Children receive greater protection as the restraint records now have more detail and include most of the information required in regulation. All staff do not complete these records in a consistent manner. Some information is still missing, an example being whether the restraint has been discussed with the child. Staff must clearly record all required information, to promote the best interests of children. There has not been any notifiable incidents since the last inspection, therefore this requirement 3 of 7 could not be reviewed.

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This inspection

At the last inspection the home was asked to consider two recommendations to further improve practice. These recommendations related to maintenance of the building and staff training. Children benefit from the continued refurbishment of the premises and purchase of new bedding. New laminate style flooring gives the home a more modern feel. New duvet sets help to brighten children's rooms, providing a more pleasant sleeping environment.

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This inspection

The home has not actioned the recommendation regarding providing training in non- verbal communication to enhance staff members individual skills. Staff are enrolled on the necessary vocational training. They also have Makaton guidance available to assist with communication. The recommendation regarding staff training in non- verbal communication is repeated. Although staff communicate effectively with children, training will enhance the quality of these interactions. It will also give children a greater form of expression.

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This inspection

The home successfully manages a range of complex and challenging needs. Children benefit from the strong partnership arrangements with a range of professionals. Staff receive training and guidance to manage gastro feeding and to test blood sugar levels. Doctors have 'applauded the care provision'. Other professionals state the home has a 'highly motivated team'. Children have improved sleeping patterns and are calmer in mood. Those children with high dependency needs have fewer hospital admissions and relatives highlight that they are 'very happy' with the care. The only issue is in relation to weight management. Staff endeavour to address this issue by implementing healthy eating plans. This is a continued concern as some children continue to gain weight at a rapid pace.

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This inspection

Children continue to enjoy good outcomes; they are very settled and happy. Children have a better understanding of boundaries, structure and socially acceptable behaviour. They are also more self-aware and are learning to make positive choices. Their progress is recognised within school and they receive certificates for their 'excellent behaviour'. Children show greater independence, attending to their personal care and contributing to the household. They take pride in being able to make cups of tea, baking, assisting with clearing the table and washing up. Children also extend their independence out in the community by paying for items, when shopping. Staff highlight that children 'have come a long way in a short amount of time'.

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This inspection

Children enjoy pursing their interests and engaging in a variety of activities. Within the home they enjoy watching their favourite films, listening to music, dancing, trampolining, playing on their tablets. They also benefit from in house pampering sessions, which include massage which helps them to relax. Children express their creativity through art and playing musical instruments. Children socialise in their local community, going to the cinema, bowling, parks and soft play centres. They also enjoy going to see shows, trips to the farm and other places of interest. The 4 of 7 home positively promotes education. Children join the library and they enjoy choosing interesting books.

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This inspection

Children have fun during the festive period, they celebrate at parties and enjoy carol singing. They continue to be the recipients of gifts from the wider community. This Christmas they were in receipt of a piano and an array of gifts. Children also celebrate other traditions, an example being Halloween. The home continues to positively promote contact with relatives. They endeavour to work in partnership with parents and are respectful of their opinions. Family members are freely able to visit the home, as directed by the placing authority. The home hosts birthday parties for children, which enables them to celebrate with their friends and families.

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This inspection

Children benefit from the home's robust management of safeguarding issues. Leaders liaise with the appropriate personnel and efficiently manage concerns. Safeguarding professionals state they 'have no concerns about the residential home and feel that the director has strong protocol, processes and management in place'. Staff continue to benefit from a range of training, which further equips them for their role. Professionals highlight the 'warmth, compassion and real motivation to deliver person cantered care'. They describe staff as having 'excellent professional communication and interpersonal skills'.

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This inspection

Children live within a service which is developing and endeavouring to keep up-to- date with the regulatory changes. The location assessment is in progress, as required in the updated regulations. The home has copies of the new departmental standards relating to the inspection of children's homes. Staff are taking on lead areas of responsibility. More children are able to live permanently within the home, which gives them greater stability. 5 of 7

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Information about this children’s home

This privately-operated children's home provides respite and longer term care for up to six children and young people with physical and learning disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/07/2014 Full adequate 15/01/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 28/08/2013 Full good 11/03/2013 Interim good progress

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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

17B (2001) ensure restraint records includes all required information (Regulation 17B (3) 01/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) maintain a system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 at least once every three months and supply a copy to Ofsted. (Regulation 34) 01/03/2015

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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

 provide training in non-verbal communication training to enhance staff members individual skills. (NMS 18.1)  continue to advocate on behalf of children 's health needs. (NMS 6.6) 6 of 7 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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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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