Setting SC384466

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection in June 2015 there has been overall good progress. The two requirements and most of the recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. One recommendation is partly met in relation to young people’s feedback and their ability to take up issues or make a complaint and a further requirement is made in relation to this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has improved its responses to young people who go missing from the home. Two debrief sheets have been created. One for staff at the home to record young people’s responses to where they have been and why they went missing and another for placing authorities to complete on the young person’s return to the home. The home requests that the placing authority provide an independent interview when the young person returns, however where this is not happening they have also collated their own information. This helps staff to understand as far as possible the reasons for going missing and to plan to keep young people as safe as possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements are also evident in inter-agency and partnership working. Key partnerships with police and child and adolescent mental health services (CAHMS) have developed helping to ensure good information sharing and support for specific needs. The registered manager regularly attends multi-agency partnership meetings, (MAP) where information is shared and strategies are developed to keep young people as safe as possible. Links with education are strong, two young people receive home tuition on the unit and another attends a pupil referral unit. An education worker says, ‘The home engage well with me, they prompt the young person to engage with education.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In response to recommendations about transitions to independent living, the home has developed two levels of independence plans for young people. Young people start by learning basic skills before progressing to managing and learning skills that are more complex. The home recognises that the transition to living independently is difficult and offers continued activities at a reduced level during this time. Independent monitoring of the home identifies areas for improvement and allows the registered person to work with the staff team to improve the service. The registered manager is now completing regular reviews of the home, helping to develop the service further. A new deputy manager is in post allowing the management team to develop the foundation of the service, ensuring compliance with regulations and updating policy and procedures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people in placement are making progress from their starting points. For example, one young person who had been out of education for a year is now receiving regular home tuition. The home continues with its expectation that young people will do something constructive during the day to enhance their learning, activity or independence skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people going missing has significantly reduced in this home. This is in part due to one young person leaving the unit; however, the home’s responses and strategies are also having an impact in this reduction. For some young people self- harming behaviours have reduced. The home works hard to engage CAMHS services and request psychiatric and psychological support where needed. One social worker spoken to says, ‘This is the first placement able to manage X’s behaviours. Her absconding has reduced, her engagement is good and self- harming has reduced.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three young people have left the home since the previous inspection. Unfortunately, these were not planned endings, due in part to the complex needs presented by the young people. The home continues to accept young people with similar high levels of need at the same time. The registered manager is aware of this situation and is planning a meeting with all the placing authorities to discuss how this is managed to ensure all young people’s needs are met. Leaders and managers are not always getting enough information at referral point so that they can consider the mix of young people placed into the home and the impact new admissions have on existing residents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall, the quality and ability of the staff team is good. Staff say they feel supported and there is evidence of good, open dialogue between them and real commitment to young people. Appraisals are not consistently happening and this misses the opportunity to review poor practice and consider ongoing staff development. Including young people in this process will help them to feel included in the development of the staff team and feed in their views about staff performance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A theme for young people is that the home is too strict and some of the sanctions feel unfair. The overall experiences for young people however are positive. Significant incidents, notifications and restraints have all reduced since the last inspection. The registered manager and staff team need to take into account the views of young people and incorporate this into the ongoing development of the home. Although one young person did not have a copy of the children’s guide and complaints information, they did know how to complain. Young people are aware of advocacy services, when asked about advocacy, one young person says, ‘Your own words, basically louder.’ Including young people in feedback will help inclusion and promote compromise and negotiation on boundaries and sanctions they feel need changing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding practice is good in this home and young people are better protected by updated safeguarding policy, e-policy and the home’s response to child sexual exploitation at MAP meetings. Staff training focuses on the needs of young people as well as mandatory refresher training.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has worked hard to put the foundations in place for the service. A new deputy manager brings new ideas to help improve and develop the practice further, informed by the views of the young people.

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Information about this children's home

Upper Walthamstow Road is a privately owned children’s home, which provides care and accommodation for up to three young people aged from 11 – 18 years. They accept referrals for young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home prefers to take planned admissions but also takes emergency placements if needed.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

04/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

20/11/2013 Interim Satisfactory progress

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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

7: The children's views, wishes and feelings standard:

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the children's views, wishes and feelings standard with particular reference to making the children's guide and complaints procedure accessible, the registered provider must ensure that each young person: (2)(b) (ii) has access to the home's children's guide, and the home's complaint procedures, when the child's placement in the home is agreed and throughout the child's stay in the home, and (d)ensure that an explanation is given to each child as soon as reasonably practicable after the child's arrival about- (i) the children's guide; (ii) how to make a complaint or representations in relation to the home or the care the child receives and how any such complaint or representations will be dealt with. 29/02/2016

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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

 Ensure the registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs as recorded in the child's relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (The guide to the Quality Standards, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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Recommendations

 Ensure all staff must have their performance and fitness to carry out their role formally appraised at least once annually. This appraisal should take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and the children in the home's care. As part of the performance management process, poor performance should be addressed by a timely plan to bring about improvement. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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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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