Children's Home run by McRae Residential Care Services Limited in Croydon

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 registered manager is responsible for the management of this home and a sister home a short drive away. This home has an experienced deputy manager, who has a level 5 diploma in management, effectively supporting the management of the home. She provides regular supervision and support to the staff team and has immediate access to practical assistance from the registered manager and responsible individual, if required. The management arrangements are effective and ensure that young people continue to be well cared for in a safe and nurturing environment. The deputy manager sets high standards in the home and ensures that all areas are safe, clean and well maintained. Young people have an active say in the home and in particular about their bedrooms, which they are very proud of and describe in glowing terms. One young person said, „Other children‟s homes I was in got smashed up by the kids. It is not like that here. We respect the home. I am really

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

comfortable here, I love it.‟ Bedrooms are large, comfortably furnished and decorated as young people wish. One parent said of this, „My son‟s room is a very welcoming environment, therapeutic. It is lovely.‟ The management team plan all admissions carefully, ensuring they consider the risks to young people in the home as well as their ability to meet the needs of the prospective new admission. One parent commented, “They fully involved me in the admission and had a lot of discussion about what my son likes and what works. The admission decision was good and showed they were considering the best ways and best environment, to meet his needs in an age appropriate way. They were always thinking in his best interests.” All admissions including emergency admissions are subject to this level of detailed planning. One social worker said of this, “They showed careful consideration about this admission. They recognised my

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

needs for a speedy decision but had a good balance in considering the young person‟s needs. They were quick and flexible but did not just say yes. They wanted to balance out the risk to others and to ensure that the placement would work.” The management team generally plan moves out of the home in a structured manner. Staff provide young people with a structured preparation for independence programme including reducing levels of staff supervision in one of the semi independence flats in the house. One young person is currently successfully making this extended and carefully supported move to independence. However, one recent placement broke down when a young person threatened others in the home and caused damage. One young person said that he felt protected by staff‟s quick actions to safeguard him and others from this behaviour. The manager revised the statement of purpose and young people‟s guides

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

following the last inspection. These revised documents provide a clear and detailed explanation of how the home functions. All staff have a good understanding of the statement of purpose and apply the principals in their work with young people and their families. In addition, the management team share them with families, young people and their social workers prior to any admission. One mother said, “The home is definitely like it says in the booklet. The manager asked my son to read it and he could see the benefits for himself but also the limitations. The booklet is really, really informative for young people and written with a young person centred approach. It sets a standard for young people to work towards and is written in a way that makes everything seem achievable.” Young people say they trust staff and enjoy a good relationship with them. Staff are skilled in their interactions with young people and their families. This approach

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

ensures that there is mutual respect and warm nurturing relationships within the home. Staff set clear boundaries for young people and manage situations skilfully. Consequently, there is no use of restraint in the home. Staff do set boundaries and are clear to young people that certain behaviours are not acceptable and could lead to police engagement. A social worker praised their clear communication with young people about their approach, “The manager clearly described their approach to him. They have said that they will not tolerate bullying, threatening or criminal behaviour. They had an open discussion with him about this. It was a good, warm, friendly approach making it clear they will support him as a child in their care. They demonstrate an ability to balance respect for the young person and set appropriate boundaries.” Young people are making satisfactory educational progress in the home. Managers

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

have good relationships with schools and virtual schools, ensuring that all young people attend some form of education. Where young people are excluded from school, managers assist the virtual school in providing appropriate tutoring and educational opportunities. Young people also use tutoring to address emotional and behavioural issues, aiding them in building confidence and an understanding of the consequences of their actions. One tutor said of the home, „The home is very good at supporting my work. They facilitate everything I wish to do. We are working well together and we are jointly exploring the use of additional services. The young person is building confidence and achievement with these supports.‟‟ Young people all have placement plans, behavioural plans, risk assessments and health care plans. These set targets for the young people and the manager has instigated a system for tracking progress in meeting these targets. This is a newly

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

implemented system, which is not yet demonstrating achievement and progression for young people, other than for health care targets. However, staff continue to record health care plans in two locations, leading to inconsistent use of the online system and potential for confusion. Young people are involved in target setting and these match target areas in the local authority care plans. One young person said, „They have helped me to change my routine. I used to sleep all day and get up in the night. I am now up in the day and attending education. I love it here.‟ The home applies safer recruitment guidance when appointing all new staff. The manager has improved recruitment records with a front sheet evidencing that all appropriate checks are in place. Due to the short time between inspections, the records still do not show that the manager verified the authenticity of all references, although letters on file indicate that this is the accepted procedure in

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the home. The registered manager has completed a review of the home against the quality standards. He has included development and training plans in this document, evidencing clear thinking about improvements in the home and staff development. The report links to the detailed and well-constructed workforce development plan. This provides a clear structure for the ongoing development of the, efficient and effective, staff team. In addition, he has effectively used the monthly independent visitor‟s reports and targets to aid in this process of continuous improvement. These reports are a helpful check on compliance with the home‟s own standards and comment on the conduct of the home. They do not explicitly comment on whether the home effectively safeguards young people but do comment when there is a safeguarding issue. The registered manager‟s report provides good information on staff development and some analysis of the quality of care provided

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to young people. The home has successfully addressed most recommendations from the last inspection. Staff enhance young people‟s safe care with the offer of an independent return interview after any occasion where they have been missing from the home. None of the current young people have gone missing. However, staff offered a previous resident this service. Sanctions are now generally restorative in nature or reflect a failure to earn bonuses. Young people understand the rewards and sanctions system and say it is fair. The manager is now effectively monitoring practice in the home and has supplied a report to HMCI. The registered manager is enhancing these reports with more detailed information on young people‟s progress including: school attendance; success with targets; what rewards and sanctions are successful; recreational activities; the frequency of staff supervision; and health care progression. The manager has completed a policy on

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the searching of young people‟s rooms and this is included in the young people‟s guide. One parent commented that staff had clearly explained this to her son.

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Information about this children's home

This privately-owned home may provide care and accommodation for up to six young people (boys) who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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 up to date and provide an accurate description of the work done with them. In particular, ensure that: staff update risk assessments and care plans; and that health care plans clearly show who is responsible for tasks, when they are completed and that they evidence young people's progress. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, record, telephone checks of references and who has completed them. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that when the independent person makes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home's arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the care home they comment on this in the report. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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

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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