Children's Home run by Westgate Lifestyle Project Limited in Hounslow

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A judgement of Good occurred at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has Improved effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The full inspection resulted in one requirement and five recommendations. The home has addressed all of these satisfactorily. One recommendation referring to the provision of independent return to care interviews arises as a result of this inspection.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home remains stable and functions well. Ofsted has not received any notifications of any significant events since the last inspection. Behaviour has remained good in the home. The staff team remains consistent and there have been no departures since the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Two young people remain in the home from the full inspection. Each has visibly gained in self-confidence and positive relationships with staff are evident.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff have continued to advocate proactively on behalf of young people. Case files show that staff recently offered a character reference for a young person during a recent criminal case. This reference assisted in dissuading the court from imposing a custodial sentence. This emphasised the benefit of staff support for young people and developing a positive family dynamic within the home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home continues to admit boys aged over fifteen years and over. This helps to develop good relationships in the home and allows staff to focus on progressing independence skills. Young people continue to make progress in a number of areas including personal hygiene, budgeting and cooking. Staff effectively record and monitor progress and share this information with key professionals.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people are motivated to develop independence skills. Managers have established a semi-independent home within the local area. There is some sharing of staff resources between the two homes. Young people consider a move to the home a reward for sustained engagement with their respective care plans.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Outcomes for young people remain good. There has been one discharge from the home since the last inspection. He has continued make progress in his new home and recently returned to the home to visit staff. The well-planned new admission to the home prioritised the needs of residents. The new resident continues to make progress and states, ‘Staff are cool here they really look out for you and care for you.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Professionals continue to express satisfaction with the home. Monthly reports are clear, concise and evidence the change that young people have achieved. One social worker comments, ‘They have worked really hard and helped minimise risk, education is encouraged in the home.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home has successfully installed a computer with full access to the internet. Young people are able to access the internet safely and complete their college work with staff support.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Independent advocacy support is open to each of the young people. This ensures that they receive advice and guidance on sensitive issues such as care planning if required.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home continues to enjoy a positive working relationship with the local community police officer. This helps to provide regular information as to any possible risk factors in the local community. Contact with families and visits are encouraged in the home. Staff use their knowledge of extended friends and family to help monitor and support young people when they go missing from the home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home has introduced a new computer system to monitor and record missing statistics. The system offers full analysis of any trends and patterns in missing behaviour. Professionals are now able to assess the impact of major family events or care planning decisions on behaviour. This helps to inform decision-making and keep young people safe. However, young people are not receiving an independent return to care interview when they return to the home. This denies them an important source of support for themselves and further information for professionals as to why the behaviour is occurring.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Managers have extended the computer system to assist in monitoring the frequency of supervision, timings of staff appraisal and schedule for staff training. This helps to ensure that staff are fully supported and able to care for young people effectively.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Managers have worked hard to review and evaluate existing policies. They are eager for the service to develop. Consultation with young people is regular and effective. Staff and young people have clear guidance on all aspects of the home. This reduces areas for dispute and maintains good behaviour in the home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There is a proactive safeguarding culture. The value of multiagency working is consistently emphasised. Risk assessments remain reviewed and updated regularly. Regular key work sessions and effective case recording assists in this process.

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Information about this children's home

 This is a privately run children’s home. Registration is for up to four young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

13/02/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from home with home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 45, paragraph 9.30) 30 January

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection, 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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