Children's Home run by S P Homes Limited in Lambeth

Unique reference number SC065535 Inspector Angus Mackay Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person S P Homes Limited Registered person address 163 Manor Road MITCHAM Surrey CR4 1JT

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Responsible individual Sarra Pond Registered manager Marcia McKenzie Date of last inspection 03/12/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 04/03/2015

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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 improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

The manager has been a Registered Manager of children’s homes since 2008. She has a positive inspection history and has previously improved the quality of care in homes she has managed. The manager is suitably qualified and is an effective manager of staff. She has been in post for one year and has established good working practices in the home. Staff are enthusiastic about the progress made since the manager’s appointment, one saying, ‘The home is so much better now. It is a pleasure to work here and it is all down to the manager.’

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This inspection

Since the last inspection there has been a significant improvement in the external monitoring of the home. Reports are now more detailed and provide helpful advice and commentary to the Registered Manager, aiding in the development of the home. The manager incorporates this feedback into her highly detailed and effective internal monitoring reports. The internal monitoring reports evidence the effectiveness of the work with young people and the development of the staff team to meet their needs.

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This inspection

The manager maintains a detailed development plan for the home which is regularly monitored and updated as required. The development plan is child focused ensuring all planned actions have a clear purpose in improving outcomes for anyone accommodated. One example is a review of the statement of purpose ensuring it accurately describes the service the home provide to young people. The development plan is rigorously monitored by the manager in her monthly audits of the home and commented on in her quarterly monitoring reports. This rigorous monitoring ensures that the development plan remains an effective and up to date working document driving positive change in the home.

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This inspection

The home is suitably maintained and there are plan to gradually upgrade all areas. Currently the home provides a pleasant warm environment for young people. 3 of 6 Bedrooms are large and suitably furnished. All health and safety checks are in place and all appliances are suitably maintained and checked at regular periods. Since the last inspection the following certification has been renewed; portable electrical appliances; electric plant; plus all firefighting and fire safety equipment. The safety and comfort of the home is rigorously checked by the independent visitor and actions followed through by the manager. This ensures a well-maintained safe environment for young people.

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This inspection

The manager has consulted widely in the local community in her review of the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the home. She has used the feedback and her analysis of local demographics to positively address any known risks in the area. This has led to additional training for staff to provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to address high risk activities. The risk assessment identifies some common risks for children in urban areas such as gang affiliation although this is not a high risk where the home is located.

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This inspection

Staff training has been reviewed and enhanced to provide staff with the skills to meet the aims and ethos of the home, as detailed in the statement of purpose. The manager has made good use of staff development planning and her analysis of the needs of the home stemming from this. The training programme is extensive and includes high quality training in: report writing, diversity awareness, self-harming behaviours, safeguarding, child sexual exploitation, gang culture and affiliation, genital mutilation, child trafficking, and managing challenging behaviour. Staff have completed further extensive training in all aspects of health and safety ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge to keep young people safe.

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This inspection

The home applies an effective admissions policy ensuring they have detailed information on young people prior to any placement agreement. All admissions are carefully planned and the home works closely with placing authorities in meeting placement objectives for young people accommodated. One social worker commented, ‘The staff team are respectful and professional. They always listen to my concerns and respond to me in a positive way.’

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This inspection

Young people generally make good progress in the home and transitions are carefully planned with social workers. Where possible this involves lengthy and effective pathway plans being jointly worked on by all engaged services. One social worker commented on this work saying, ‘The young person was happy with the service provided. He is happy with the home and they are helping him with careers work.’

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This inspection

The manager works effectively with local services building positive links to benefit young people. Training is provided by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB), ensuring staff understand and can effectively apply local protocols to keep children safe. The manager has developed links with the local health care services including the child and adolescent mental health services. She has a positive relationship with local police services, for example encouraging police community 4 of 6 services officers to have discussions with children in the home about risks in the community and how to remain safe. The local police liaison officer commented positively on their relationship with the home saying, ‘Throughout my liaison with the home I have received a warm response from the manager and senior. They have strived to adhere to policy, reported safeguarding concerns and engaged with police accordingly.’

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately-run children's home which caters for up to six young people who have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2014 Full good 11/02/2014 Interim inadequate progress 17/07/2013 Full adequate 14/03/2013 Interim good progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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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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