Children's Home run by London Borough of Southwark in Southwark

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has Improved effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Under the competent and highly committed leadership and management, the service has continued to improve in many ways.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager clearly has his staff’s trust. They talk about him with professional admiration. He gives them confidence which then they pass onto children. He inspires them to continue to strive to improve their practice and do everything they can to improve children’s outcomes further. He effectively monitors the quality of care and takes decisive actions to make improvements. The staff receive good management support and clear guidance on best practice. They have continued to develop their professional knowledge and skills. Alongside the managers, some of them have attended ‘team around child meetings’ and made their significant contributions to the integrated way of working more explicit.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In line with one of the recommendations from the last inspection, the manager has organised a specialist training on looking after children with an autistic spectrum disorder. To enhance the staff’s understanding of the needs of a particular child who uses the service, the training also covers pathological demand avoidance.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff promote positive children’s outcomes through providing high quality, personalised care. Consistently good planning and persistently keeping clear and firm boundaries with children have led to improved effectiveness of the behaviour management practice. Some children have made amazing progress in their self- regulation and have reached significant milestones.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A child who often used to hit, slap and spit now presents with calm and constructive behaviours. His mother commented that he comes back home after a short break as a well-mannered boy. Another child, who due to the highly challenging behaviours required support of three staff members at all times, now has two to one support with occasionally being successfully supported by only one staff member. In the first few months of using this service, incidents of restraint were frequent. This was consistent with behaviour in school and at the family home. The young person has now learnt much more constructive ways of behaving and relating to people. When difficulties arise, instead of becoming violent, she now communicates with staff. The feelings of trust and inner safety that that she has developed underpins this remarkable progress. She now says ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ without prompts. Other children’s verbal and non-verbal communication

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and social skills have also continued to significantly improve.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children enjoy their short breaks. They have positive experiences that widen their horizons. No incidents, no physical interventions, no sanctions and no accidents have occurred in the review period. There have been no complaints.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In line with the only other recommendation, the leaders and managers have taken comprehensive actions to improve the physical environment. Following redecoration of many communal areas, the space is cleaner, brighter and better maintained. Children enjoy staying in a nicer and more comfortable place for their short-breaks.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parents are now more involved with the service. The recent Christmas party for children and their families and friends was the biggest and reportedly, the best ever.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The leaders, managers and staff have continued to strengthen their mutual professional respect and partnerships with other agencies. They are looking forward to the service’s future with excitement and great plans. Clear timescales are in place for a full refurbishment/ redesign of the premises, this summer. The plans demonstrate the local authority’s commitment towards having high aspirations for children and further development of the quality of the service.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This is a local authority service. It provides short breaks for up to five children who have complex learning and/or physical disabilities and challenging behaviours. Children usually stay from Monday to Friday or at weekends. The children’s respite service shares the building with a similar service for adults. Locked doors separate the two services. The garden is shared. There is one Registered Manager for both children's and adults' services. All staff also work across both provisions. The Care Quality Commission regulates and inspects the adult service.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

12/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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 .

p.5

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,

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

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

p.6