Children's home run by Virgin Care Limited in Camden

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to provide a caring and valued service to young people and their families. One young person said ’I like coming here, I have some friends, I like the staff and the food. He also told me he likes going out and about and is ‘looking forward to going out tonight to the Panto’.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection the manager and staff have developed and updated the service to benefit young people. Sanctions are no longer used to manage behaviour. Instead a reward box is in place, providing a more appropriate system for young people who may have limited understanding of their behaviour. It is not clear if all young people benefit from rewards or the frequency of their use as records are not kept.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy a good variety of activities in the home and out in the community. Activity access has improved. Several care staff have now taken the additional safety tests required so that they can drive the minibus. Community access for young people is easier and more frequent. Links have been made with local activity providers for example improving access to bowling and adventure facilities. An activity chart is on display in the main lounge so that young people can choose what they want to do. Young people enjoy a good variety of activities in the home and out in the community.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff take effective action when they have any concerns about a young person. A social worker made the following comment when talking about staff. ’I’m impressed with their attention to safeguarding’.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Several records have been updated to provide more accurate and useful detail to care staff. Care plans are more comprehensive and the information is clearer. Activity planning has improved and the manager is hoping to develop this further to include planning for activities in the evenings during the school terms.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home have a new administration worker. She is contributing to the homes continuing improvements in particular developing audits around activities to ensure young people have equal access to new experiences.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of physical restraint is kept to a minimum. The two records since the last inspection detail young people being gently guided by staff to avoid an incident.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have been involved in the recent recruitment of a new staff member. This adds to their skill and confidence. Some of the young people are benefitting from undertaking an ASDAN award which focusses on independence skills. This is of particular value as a measure of capability for those moving into adult services in the near future.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have development targets. These are usually linked to the targets at school and home to maximise progress. The team work in close collaboration with families, other stakeholders and partners to share ideas and provide what is best for young people. One member of staff has developed a tactile sensory communication system for a young person following the success of something similar used in another short breaks home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Attempts to remove unused furniture and clutter from the home has had some success. Bathrooms are clear of specialist equipment which is not in use. Bedrooms have had a makeover with some new soft furnishing and curtains to make them brighter. The manager is optimistic that more can be done about storing larger items. The options explored to date, such as widening door frames, are not financial viable.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Development work is ongoing and some changes are not yet fully embedded into practice. Recommendations relating to records and the environment have been repeated until fully resolved.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recruitment file containing information for a new member of staff is not complete. Whilst important checks are in place the proof of identity and a recent photograph is missing. This compromises the evidence of safer recruitment practice.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Fire alarm and other fire safety checks have not been completed weekly as expected. This compromises what should be effective safeguards in place to protect young people and staff in the event of a fire or similar emergency. The manager agreed immediate action to address this issue.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This service provides short breaks for up to seven children who may have a physical disability, learning disability and sensory impairments. It is run by a national care provider.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

16/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

25: Fire precautions Ensure that adequate precautions are taken against the risk of fire. In particularly complete fire equipment and safety checks as required. (Regulation 25(1)(a)) 22/03/2016

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure that the environment is homely and consistent with a domestic setting, this particularly applies to making sure that rooms are not cluttered with unnecessary furniture or equipment. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 15, paragraph 3.9)

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that clear careful recording contributes to understanding the life of the child. In particular demonstrate equal opportunities and access to experience by recording rewards and the activities attended by young people. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that the Registered person follows safer recruitment practice and has copies of the required information on file as set out in regulations 31-33. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 61, paragraph 13.1)

p.5

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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.7

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.7