Children's Home run by Laurel Leaf Homes Ltd in Newham

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

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Positive progress has been made as the registered person has met the majority of the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection in May 2015.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The registered person and an appointed deputy director have worked well with the regulator and local placing authority to ensure improvements prior to accepting any new referrals. There were new admissions before July 2015 and only two young people are currently receiving a service.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The building now looks homely following an extensive refurbishment. The bedrooms all have different colour schemes with matching curtains, duvets and towels and the whole house has new carpet. The computer room is re-opened, the games room is fully equipped with pool, table tennis and other games and the garden is a pleasant place to sit or help with gardening. Young people’s views and choices influenced this refurbishment. A new front door is waiting to be fitted which will make the home more secure. The upstairs windows require cleaning.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home’s statement of purpose accurately reflects the services on offer within the home. A psychologist informs staff of strategies for managing behaviour, provides coaching for staff and supports training at team meetings.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The registered person is trying to ensure the home’s workforce provide continuity of care by giving two staff guaranteed hours contracts and seeking to employ three more contracted staff when new referrals are admitted.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A new interim manager started on the 4 January 2016, following a period of over a year with temporary or deputy managers. The previous interim manager did not pass his probation period and was dismissed prior to completing the registration process with Ofsted. The registered person intends to submit an application for registration of the new manager. There has been no Registered Manager in this home for well over 26 weeks and therefore a requirement continues at this inspection. Despite this, a deputy manager and director have been overseeing improvements since July 2015. The home now works more proactively with other professionals to meet regulations. There is evidence of staff challenging the placing authority to ensure young people’s needs are met. For example, supporting a social worker to complete a pathway plan by using their knowledge of the young person’s needs. Established links with the local children safeguarding board supports refresher

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

training on safeguarding and offers young woman and gangs training in January for staff. Other agencies such as children’s rights and the designated officer maintain better contact and the new manager plans to establish better links to promote young people’s needs and safety.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Following a period of concerns and unsettlement, the home’s leaders and managers agreed they would cease taking referrals, while refurbishment, recruitment and improvement work took place. The deputy director declined two recent referrals due to the possible negative impact on the existing young people in placement.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people like living at the home and describe positive relationships with staff. For example, one young person says, ‘I feel relaxed, comfortable; I can talk to any of the staff especially my keyworker.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff support young people to attend education, one young person is now in college following a period of two years of very poor attendance and gained two GCSE’s in the summer. Support is available to young people to maintain contact with their families, one young person having direct support in the family home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people feel safe in the home; there are no incidents of bullying reported and no restraints recorded. An allegation against a staff member has been appropriately reported and investigated with the oversight of the designated officer. This helps to keep young people safe. There is a decline in incidents at the home and the young people show maturity and an ability to negotiate.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The deputy director has worked hard to maintain the service while prioritising areas for development and monitoring the quality of care. The refurbishment of the home and recruitment of a new manager and staff has been the focus of work undertaken. Alongside this a new placement plan which reflects the Quality Standards is now in use and is a helpful and useful working document.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff say they feel more supported and settled. Appraisals of practice are in place and regular supervision is evident on staff files. The new interim manager is now in post and intends to continue to develop improvements in the service. The home’s objective is to sustain improvement with new referrals to the service.

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Information about this children's home

The home is privately run. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for eight children with learning disabilities and/or emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/02/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children's home. (Regulation 27(1)(a)(b)(iii)) 31/01/2016

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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

 To ensure children's homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. In relation to the fitting of the new door and cleaning the upstairs windows. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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

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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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