Children's home run by St Christopher’s Fellowship in Wandsworth

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 and deputy managers continue to work effectively together with the staff to embed systems and to provide good, reliable care to the group living in this home. There has been one planned discharge and no new admissions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Observations, discussions with staff, young people, and social workers evidence that the group get on well together. With support from staff, they learn to work effectively through any differences resulting in a reduction in the number of incidents within the home. Some young people are developing friendships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Four of the five regulations have been met. For example, the independent visitor now comes to the home at times where there is more likelihood of opportunities to speak with young people thus providing an additional layer of safeguarding.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The regulation not met, relates to the bathrooms used by the young people. These continue to be of a poor standard. While the registered manager could evidence that he has made effort to move this issue forward it remains outstanding because there has not actually been any improvement. The result is, a repeat regulation made from the last inspection. The main living room is decoratively of a high standard and the young people’s bedrooms sampled are individually personalised. However, communal areas specifically the shared laundry facilities on the ground floor and the hallways throughout the building present as in need of decorative attention. This shortfall detracts from, and undermines the considerable effort that the staff and the young people have made together to create an otherwise homely and welcoming environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints, safeguarding issues or physical interventions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of missing continue. Managers and staff have developed effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders which is resulting in a gradual reduction in frequency and intensity. This means that for some young people the likelihood of sexual exploitation is reducing. However, practice continues to fall short because the staff are not yet implementing a consistent approach to the return from missing procedure. This does not enable staff to amend plans using up to date information, potentially held by other agencies about the associated risks from young people’s behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most young people continue to attend school or employment. Where difficulties emerge staff work in partnership with the relevant key stakeholders and the individual to identify strategies to encourage the young person to engage. One example is particularly creative. A young person who has an affinity with dogs is engaging as a volunteer with a local rescue centre. This is helping to reduce episodes of missing while alternative employment and education plans are discussed. One of the dogs from the rescue centre comes to visit the home contributing to a domestic, homely atmosphere. However, practice falls short because there is no documented risk assessment in place thus potentially compromising all of the other young people in the home in the event of an unforeseen incident.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff set boundaries and implement rewards and incentives to promote positive behaviours to beneficial effect. The approach also helps young people and staff to continue to have good and meaningful relationships. One young person said: ‘The staff and the manager in this home are really good.’ Another young person said: ‘The staff make me feel safe and at ease. I don’t always agree with what they say but I know that they do what they do for my own safety.’

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Information about this children's home

The children’s home is managed by a charitable organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to eight young people of either gender who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

21/01/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard the registered person is required to:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(c) ensure that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. This is with particular regard to the communal bathrooms. 31/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must implement as required— a policy (in this regulation referred to as "the missing child policy") setting out— (b) the procedures to be followed, and the roles and responsibilities of persons working at the children's home, in relation to a child who is, or has been, so absent. This is with particular reference to ensuring that young people who go missing have a return from missing interview conducted by an independent person. (Regulation 34 (4)(b)) 04/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person is required to:

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Requirement Due date

(2) (a) (i) ensure that staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm ,taking into account information in each child's relevant plan. This is with specific reference to having a dog in the home and overnight. 04/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure staff seek to meet the child's basic needs in a way that a good parent would, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met- doing so is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff care for the child and value them as an individual. This is with specific reference to the communal laundry area on the ground floor and the hallways throughout the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15 paragraph 3.7)

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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

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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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