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

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 Sustained Effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has sustained effectiveness since the last inspection. Managers have not fully addressed all recommendations from that inspection; however, young people make good progress in the home and love being there. They trust staff and have appropriately affectionate relationships with them. One young person said, ‘There is a lot of love and care in this home. Staff have played a big part in my life by slowly nurturing me to be a grown man.’ Young people are aware of their care plans and risk assessments and discuss these with their keyworkers. However, care plans, risk assessments and health care plans have not all been fully adjusted to evidence young people’s progress and to include their views. The Registered Manager has discussed these changes in team meetings and established a working group to implement change. Keyworkers have commenced modifying files to include clearer measurable targets and young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people are signing these, evidencing their involvement in reviewing them. The management team are approaching this task in a measured way to ensure full staff and young people’s engagement and understanding of how to successfully evidence progress. The management team have completed a policy describing their approach to the use of CCTV to safeguard young people in the home. Following the last inspection the deputy manager sent a draft policy to the home’s local authority for comment and approval. Due to the lack of response, the policy is still not agreed or operational. The draft viewed during the inspection lacked some relevant detail, in particular regarding protocols for the storage of discs and recordings. The home continues to use the system to maintain external security and enhance the safe care of young people. However, the lack of a finalised policy potentially compromises the effective use of the CCTV and does not confirm its compliance

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

with data protection guidelines. The registered manager continues to provide staff with regular training, supervision and appraisal. She has completed a workforce development plan, which documents the approach to staff development. The manager made a slight amendment to this, during the inspection, to link the plan to staff performance procedures. She monitors this meticulously, ensuring that all staff have regularly updated training in areas identified as key priorities. These include: behaviour management and restraint; safeguarding and child protection; first aid; and controls of medication. Staff are knowledgeable and skilled in the application of this training, which ensures a safe living environment for the young people. The manager has commenced a review of the safeguarding policy and procedures. Staff or interested parties can access the policy and procedures via a link in the statement of purpose. The policy and procedures are detailed, easy to read and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

cover many relevant areas. However, the safeguarding policy does not include all areas that staff have completed training in. The Registered Manager has commenced this review and the inclusion of an updated section on e-safety to provide appropriate guidance to staff. Due to the good training, staff knowledge and competency this has no immediate detrimental impact on the safe care of young people. Young people have a positive reward programme linked to key targets that they agree with staff. The deputy manager is evaluating the effectiveness of this programme and modifying it to improve its impact on young people’s behaviours. Young people have an excellent understanding of the programme and discuss their progress in meeting personal targets with their keyworkers. One young person co- wrote an explanation of the programme improving the young people’s ownership and evidencing their understanding of it.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager makes good use of the high quality independent person’s reports. She uses these positively to aid her monitoring of the functioning of the home and the effectiveness of changes to practice. The reports are suitably critical and provide a helpful evaluation of the safeguarding of young people and the provision of care in the home. The manager maintains a user-friendly development plan for the home which clearly outlines areas for development and how she plans to achieve positive outcomes for staff and young people. She has established and implemented a range of methods to track young people’s progress in key areas including: attendance at education; reduction of missing from care episodes; achievement of rewards. In addition, she tracks successful provision of staff support such as supervision, training and appraisal. She has a good understanding of the functioning of the home and the progress of young people. The management team

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

use this information positively, to aid their care of young people, for example by providing support where education attendance has dropped. Staff ensure that young people have an active role in the development of the home. Young people confirm that staff listen to them and give them a real active role in the home. For example, the manager consulted with them about the appointment of the new chef. One young person said, ‘Staff asked us about the cook, what we think of her as a person and how she is as a cook. We said the food is great, she is really nice so just give her the job.’ Young people enjoy good relationships with staff and feel safe and well looked after. They all say that they are making progress with staff support. One young person said, ‘Things are going really well. I get a lot of help from staff with my emotional health. I feel supported by them to improve. ’ Where young people require additional support they say that staff ensure this is there for them. One

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

said, ‘My keyworker has a relationship with me which is like mother and son. If I have been losing my temper she will suggest I speak to my therapist and find the best way forward. It does help.’ All young people are in some form of education and have improved their attendance and performance. The home are good at supporting young people to attend and to maintain attendance at college or courses. None of the current resident young people have gone missing since the last inspection. They respect the structure and boundaries that staff have agreed with them. They negotiate variations to return times with staff and are gradually developing independence in a safely supported manner. An independent reviewing officer (IRO) commented on one young person , ‘She gets on well with the staff in the home and I think they have contained her and stopped her going missing. She stick to curfews and will let home know if she is running late. They can now relax

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

boundaries as they build up trust. She benefits from the clear structure and boundaries in the home. She has thrived there.’ Young people are all working on an independence programme. Staff are adapting the programme to meet individual personal needs, identified following an initial assessment of their competencies. Young people all commented positively on the support given to them. One independence programme viewed has lengthy comments from the young person highlighting her delight at the progress she is making. She says, ‘I feel so safe at the home because they have given me so much help and explained everything to me. I give thanks to everyone here and I feel that my journey will end with happiness and good memories.’ Young people recognise the difficulties that staff have in providing them with more freedoms in a home accommodating a diverse range of young people with diverse needs. One young person, frustrated at the pace of progress, was able to reflect positively on

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

this saying, ‘I love the home but I do want to move out. I feel that I have a protective barrier around me here. Some kids before have rushed people like their social workers and have failed. They want to make sure I am ready for everything when I leave. They do not want me to drop like a rock they want me to float like a boat.’ The home has a diverse staff team that works with a highly diverse group of young people. Staff are good at meeting young people’s cultural and personal needs as described in the statement of purpose. They are creative and innovative in their approach, ensuring the inclusion of all young people. For example, during the inspection a member of staff engaged in a conversation with a newly admitted young person, who has no English, using a mobile telephone with a translation facility. This ensured that staff could meet his needs before the interpreter came to the home. An IRO said, ‘They are definitely good at supporting and meeting

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

cultural needs including food, clothing and religion.’ The manager has reviewed and revised the statement of purpose and the review of the premises. The statement of purpose contains a skilfully structured, comprehensive and highly detailed description of the service provided to young people and their families. Staff have a good understanding of the aims and ethos of the home and apply this in their work with young people. They are particularly skilled at effectively involving young people in the development of the home and in meeting their cultural, linguistic and religious needs as previously noted. The manager ensures that the review of premises is meticulously structured providing an excellent inventory of the positive resources in the area. It is an effective and easy to access assessment of the suitability of the location of the home. The manager provides a suitably decorated and maintained home, containing

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

many positive images of the young people, good lighting, suitable ornaments and comfortable furniture. It does not stand out from other homes in the street and provides a lovely setting for young people. One social worker said, ‘I like the home. First impressions are of a warm welcoming and homely place. It is a real home with nice homely touches.’ The manger has built good relationships within the community, enhancing the safety of young people. She is supporting the street party in the summer, with aid to get the licence and support for events. Young people are excited and proud of their engagement in this event, jointly organised with the local community. One young person said, ‘I am looking forward to it. It will let us show what lovely kids are here and show what staff do for us and how it benefits the children.’

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Information about this children's home

This section should outline: This local authority children's home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people who have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/03/2015 Interim Sustained Effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that young people's records are kept up to date and provide an accurate description of the work done with them. In particular ensue that risk assessments, care plans and health care plans have clear targets with identified areas of responsibility and timelines. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62 paragraph 14.3)

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Recommendations

 Review and revise the home's safeguarding policy and procedures ensuring they include the guidance on the areas covered in training. In particular issues including e-safety, familial abuse, female genital mutilation and radicalisation. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 44 paragraph 9.21)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the policy on the use of CCTV describes how this supports the safeguarding and wellbeing of the young people in the home. ( The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 16 paragraph 3.16)

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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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