Children's home run by Sherico Care Services Limited in Westminster

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

Children and young people continue to make fair progress as a result of their placement at the home. For example, the young person currently resident at the home, has continued not to engage in any learning activities, but is now seeking employment and attending job interviews. He continues not to attend health care appointments, still not considering this a priority. Staff continue to encourage the young person to attend to his health care needs, but at 17 years, staff respect the young person’s decision about this issue.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The previous inspection highlighted that staff do not consistently conduct room searches with two members of staff present. This remains the case at this inspection. The recommendation is repeated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person has the opportunity to participate in activities planned by the staff group. However, his preferred option is to socialise with his friends away from the home or play console games and access social media. The young person has good contact with his family.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person continues to develop key practical skills in preparation for adulthood. He regularly helps staff tidy communal areas, including the garden area and is able to complete household chores such as laundry. Staff support him to research job opportunities, and compile an appropriate CV. Staff continue to encourage the young person to prepare and cook more nutritiously balanced meals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person shares a good relationship with the staff team. He comments, ‘Some staff have left. Things are better now. The staff are alright.’ The staff team work hard to keep the young person engaged in the home’s services. A member of staff says, ‘I used to work with adults, but really like my work here with children. I enjoy helping them make progress.’ The young person indicates that he feels safe in his placement. The frequency of absence from the home without permission has reduced, as has the frequency of young people’s challenging behaviour. Staff understand actions to be taken in the event that young people are absent from the home; procedures are strictly adhered to and staff consistently document relevant information. Staff’s communication with involved professionals is good. There have been no complaints, notifications to Ofsted or any incidents of restraint since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The leadership and management of the home is adequate. Staff receive good support and supervision. Since the last inspection, the manager has left the service. Currently, no permanent manager is in place and an interim acting manager provides management cover. In line with the regulations, the service is required to appoint a manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The inspection notes shortfalls in the effectiveness of the home’s monitoring systems. This is particularly in relation to the monitoring of the quality of staff recording. Key case file documents are insufficiently detailed or incomplete. This is the case for 1:1 discussions, behavioural management plans and risk assessments. For example, the current risk assessment does not mention or explore the risks posed due to the young person’s recent purchase of a motorbike and a motor scooter. Behavioural management plans are not explicit or effective in offering staff guidance in managing incidents of criminal damage or damage to property. Staff do not make use of restorative justice as a means to address such behaviour. There is little evidence of the use of incentives to promote positive or improved behaviour as outlined in the home’s statement of purpose. This is not in the best interest of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This service continues to provide a good standard of care and young people make fair progress. The home does not have a permanent manager in place and this hampers the effectiveness of the homes monitoring systems, particular the quality of staff recording. This does not however have a negative impact on the experiences of young people in placement.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is one of number of homes owned by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for no more than three children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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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

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered provider must;

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Requirement Due date

27(1) appoint a person to manage the children's home. 01/06/2016

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, the registered provider must ensure that staff;

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Requirement Due date

36(1)(b)) maintain case records for each child which are kept up to date. In particular, to ensure that that behavioural management plans, risk assessments and 1:1 discussions are appropriately recorded on file. 01/04/2016

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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

 Take reasonable precautions when conducting room searches. In particular, that in every instance two members of staff are present. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 42, paragraph 9.7)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff understand and apply the behaviour management strategy at all times. These must be kept under review and revised where appropriate. Staff to consider the more consistent use of incentives to promote positive behaviour and restorative justice to address behaviour resulting in criminal damage. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 46, paragraph 9.34)

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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

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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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