Children's home in Lambeth

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires Improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has Declined in Effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has declined in effectiveness since the last inspection. It has failed to successfully address requirements and recommendations set at the last inspection. The registered provider appointed a manager on 8 June 2015 and on 19 June 2015 submitted an incomplete application to Ofsted, to register her as manager for this home. Ofsted returned the application with a request for a complete application including the payment of the registration fee. The registered provider has not submitted this application, which has removed from the regulator the opportunity to assess the fitness of the manager to be in day-to-day charge of the service. The manager maintains a core staff team which she identified at the commencement of the inspection. She supplements the team with agency staff where necessary. The manager has established appropriate checking of all agency staff and maintains a record, including photographic identification, of all agency

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

staff used. The rota shows two staff working on each shift however; this alters with staff absences or shift changes. Shift leaders record who actually works in the home on the online database. Shift leaders have not always completed this fully so there is no accurate record of who has been working in the home. The home does not hold staffing details as required at the last two inspections. Consequently, the acting manager does not hold even basic information about her staff team such as home address, qualifications and whether they work full or part time. The registered person has revised the statement of purpose identifying a core team within it. However, he has not submitted a copy of the statement to HMCI, as required at the last inspection. The revised statement of purpose was not available in the home and is not in use as a guide to working there. The registered person supplied a copy during the inspection. This statement of purpose did not

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

fully and accurately describe the service. For example, it does not describe the approach to anti-discriminatory practice or children‟s rights. The statement of purpose listed a different core staff team to that identified by the manager at the start of the inspection. The registered person has completed an assessment of the appropriateness of the location of the children‟s home. This is poorly constructed, includes an incorrect header and lacks suitably explained information. For example as a positive it includes, „families,‟ with no explanation of this. It includes data about the crime statistics but does not clearly explain how this impacts on young people and how the home manage all risks. Despite reminders, including a meeting between the registered person and Ofsted, the home has not provided to HMCI financial information requested at the last two inspections. This does not allow HMCI to evaluate the financial viability of the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home and whether it can continue to provide care and accommodation to young people. The acting manager is providing supervision to staff and says she receives appropriate professional supervision. The supervision records for staff were available and evidence good support and casework discussions. However, the supervision lacks suitable frequency, given the degree of difficulty the young people worked with in the home. The manager was not able to produce evidence of her own personal supervision or of staff appraisals. There is no workforce development plan in place and no structured evidence of staff training. The manager has a training plan but, as noted by the independent visitor, there are no certificates to evidence some essential training such as safeguarding. The manager stated that some of the staff team had done safeguarding training the previous weekend but was unable to provide evidence of this. Not all staff have suitable first

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

aid training and during the inspection, there was no first aid trained person on shift. The registered person does not ensure that staff are suitably supported or trained to work with the young people or are able to develop their professional practice. Recruitment records were not available on any staff. The acting manager contacted the responsible person requesting the records for the core team, including herself. The responsible person did not supply these records and the home were unable to evidence that all staff have been subject to all required checks, leaving young people vulnerable to being cared for by inappropriate people. The registered person has not ensured that an independent person visits the home at least once a month. For example, there was no visit in January 2016. When he has arranged visits, the independent person supplies reports which evidence a rigour of scrutiny helpful to the acting manager in identifying targets to work on.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The acting manager confirmed that the visitor sends the reports to the registered person who forwards them to HMCI. This practice seriously compromises the integrity and impartiality of the reports, rendering them ineffective as a safeguard for young people. The acting manager has a vision for the service and is working closely with other manager‟s in the company to structure a development plan. However, she has not yet completed this plan. She does complete well-structured and suitably detailed monthly summaries on the young person‟s activity, for the placing authority. These reports evidence an understanding of how to use management information to benefit the young person and guide staff actions. However, the acting manager has not commenced a review of the care provided and consequently has not submitted such a review to HMCI. The home lacks any defined developmental targets and there is no evidence of the monitoring of the quality of care provided

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to young people. The last placement broke down following a series of serious assaults by the young person on staff. The homes approach to managing his behaviour was ineffective and culminated in a serious injury to the responsible individual. Prior to the assault, the home had notified the local authority that the young person was beyond their coping capacity. Staff have prepared a suitably detailed risk assessment, placement plan and behavioural guidance on the young person they are now accommodating. However, these all lack clear targets and measurable desired outcomes. The manager operates a positive rewards programme loosely linked to attendance at education, desired behaviours in the home, compliance with his programme and not going missing. The young person is making progress in some areas but staff do not consistently record this evidence or which elements of his rewards targets he meets. Consequently, the home is inconsistent in monitoring progress and in

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

identifying clearly all areas of success or failure. The acting manager has established a strong working partnership with the virtual school. They praise her engagement and communication with them, which is supporting their efforts to engage the young person in full time education. When the acting manager is not present, communication is less effective. The young person is not currently fully cooperating with the education programme. The acting manager has consulted with the young person and this has resulted in a broadening of the education programme to include elements the young person is enthusiastic about doing. This has had some success although attendance at education remains poor. The acting manager has evaluated information on missing from care and is using this positively, effectively safeguarding the young person and curtailing instances of absence from the home. When the young person has gone missing the social

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

worker and police have provided him with a return debrief. The placing authority have not provided an independent advocate to debrief the young person on his return, which does not ensure a safe approach to his care and accommodation. The social worker provides good support to the young person and works well with the home visiting and engaging in activities with the young person.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for no more than three young people who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties. During this inspection it was providing individual care and accommodation for one young person.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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 – (a) keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate revise it: and (b) notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b)) 15/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees- (b) receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and (c) have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year (Regulation 33 (4)(b)(c)) 15/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month (Regulation 44(1)) 15/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person‟s report to- (a) HMCI (Regulation 44 (7)(a)) 15/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every six months. ( Regulation 45 (1)) 15/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”) (Regulation 45 (3)) 15/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must- (a) supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed (Regulation 45(4)(a)) 15/03/2016 The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children's home at least once in each calendar year (Regulation 46 (1)) 15/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must provide HMCI with such information as HMCI may require for the purpose of considering the financial viability of the home including- (a) the annual accounts of the home certified by an accountant; (b) a reference from a bank expressing an opinion as to the registered provider's financial standing; (c) information as to the financing, and financial resources, of the home and the registered provider (Regulation 47 (3)(a-c)) 15/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must (a) maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4; (b) ensure they are kept up to date in particular with reference to the records of each person working at the home and of persons who work at any time at the home who are not mentioned in the records kept in accordance with paragraphs 1 or 2 of the schedule ( Regulation 37(2)(a-b)) 15/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must demonstrate that the person appointed to manager- the children‟s home is- (a) Of integrity and good character. (b) Having regard to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs (including any needs arising from disability) of the children-(i) the person has the appropriate experience, qualifications and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of the children; and(ii) the person is physically and mentally fit to manage the home; and (c) Full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the person in respect of the matters in Schedule 2. ( Regulation 28 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

With reference to staff employed since April 2015. The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children's safety. In particular the registered person may only employ an individual to work in the home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3) - (a) the individual is of integrity and good character; (b) the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification 15/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

* and skills for the work that the individual is to perform; (c) the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and (d) full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.( Regulation 32(1)(2)(a)(3)(a-d))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that- (a) at all times, at least one person on duty at the home has a suitable first aid qualification. ( Regulation 31(2)(a)) 15/03/2016

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Requirement Due date

* {an asterisk is added in the table above where Compliance = 'Y'} * These requirements are subject to statutory requirement notice.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  complete a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page53, paragraph 10.8)

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Recommendations

 encourage an enthusiasm for positive behaviour through the use of positive behaviour strategies in line with the child's relevant plans. In particular ensure that risk assessments, behavioural plans have measurable outcomes and clearly evidenced rewards. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 39, paragraph 8.13)

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Recommendations

 ensure that when a child returns home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview.(The Guide to the Quality Standards, page45 paragraph 9.30)

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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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