Children's Home run by St Christopher’s Fellowship in Sandwell

Unique reference number SC404994 Inspector Anne Daly Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person St Christophers Fellowship Registered person address 1 Putney High Street London SW15 1SZ

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Responsible individual Jonathan Joseph Michael Farrow Registered manager Peter McAteer Date of last inspection 01/10/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 24/02/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

Children and young people are positive about their experiences living in the home. They describe it as ‘the best place I have lived in ‘and ‘it’s home not just a house.’

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This inspection

Children and young people benefit from the consistency which gives them a sense of emotional security. This is reflected in the progress observed by other professionals working with the children and young people.

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This inspection

Although not all children and young people are engaging with education or training, staff have persistently advocated on their behalf to identify alternative options to ensure that they are supported to access opportunities to achieve their educational potential.

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This inspection

There remains a good balance of experience among staff. Staff have a range of skills and have received relevant training to meet the needs of children and young people. Children and young people speak fondly of staff describing them as caring. When staffing vacancies have arisen they have been covered by bank staff familiar with the children and young people. This ensures consistency for children and young people and means they are cared for by adults who know them well.

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This inspection

The home is led by a committed and experienced Registered Manager. Children and young people feel he has made a real difference to their lives. The Registered Manager has ensured the home has clear policies and procedures that contribute to the effective running of the home. There is however no formalised approach of obtaining the views of children, young people, their parents and other professionals to assist in the monitoring and evaluating of the provision of care.

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This inspection

Sanctions and restraint when used are accurately recorded. The manager monitors any incidents to inform learning and ensures any issues are addressed both 3 of 6 individually and with the team to improve practice. Staff are supported in team meetings to reflect upon practice in the home and identify ways to develop.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection the Registered Manager has ensured that the staff training grid is regularly updated and reviewed. This ensures that staff development is systematically reviewed and the manager is able to respond to any shortfalls promptly. This addresses the recommendation made at the last inspection.

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This inspection

Children and young people say they feel safe in the home and they are confident that staff will respond appropriately to concerns they may have.

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This inspection

Managers and staff prioritise work with other agencies to ensure children and young people are supported in keeping safe. Since the last inspection there has been a rise in the number of incidents where children and young people have gone missing. The Registered Manager has monitored and analysed these incidents and has taken effective action to address them with multi agency planning. Key working sessions are also proactively used to help children and young people reflect on their risk taking behaviour. This ensures that children and young people are supported in accessing specialist support and information to help them make the right choices to keep themselves safe.

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This inspection

Risk assessments are completed and regularly updated throughout children and young people’s placements. These detailed assessments identify triggers and review risk management strategies to ensure staff proactively respond to changing circumstances.

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This inspection

A strength of the home is effective behavioural management. This means staff actively use strategies to identify problems early and take steps to prevent escalation of incidents. This is developing a positive and nurturing culture from which children and young people benefit.

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This inspection

Partnership working is strong with staff effectively communicating and working collaboratively to ensure children and young people’s needs are addressed. Professionals from specialist agencies report that staff exceed what they would normally expect to ensure everyone is kept updated. This partnership working supports children and young people to overcome difficulties that previously impacted on their development.

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This inspection

Children and young people’s relationships with their families are promoted. Staff encourage and facilitate contact in accordance with care plans overcoming barriers of distance and initial mistrust of family members. The manager and staff recognise the importance for children and young people maintaining a relationship with family in a safe and positive way.

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This inspection

Children and young people’s views are valued in the everyday running of the home. There are regular children and young people’s meetings and they are fully involved 4 of 6 in the recruitment of new staff, menu choice and planning activities. This has ensured children and young people develop self-esteem and confidence. 5 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This service provides care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. A charitable organisation owns and operates this setting.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/10/2014 Full good 07/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 16/05/2013 Full adequate 30/10/2012 Interim good progress

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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 the views, wishes and feelings of children and those significant to them are taken into account in monitoring staff and in developing the home.(NMS 1.7) 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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