Children's home run by Institute of Integrated Systemic Therapy in Southwark

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding at the last 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

There were no requirements or recommendations set at the previous inspection, and since the previous inspection there have been no complaints.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who live in this home have had traumatic early life experiences, affecting their emotional wellbeing. Staff work calmly and considerately to meet their needs. They use a therapeutic model to build strong and nurturing relationships. A placing social worker commented: ‘I am impressed by the thoughtfulness and attention to detail that the staff take over his care.’ Staff use these relationships to help young people to begin to recover from their trauma and to rebuild trust. They support them to express their wishes and feelings and they are creative in finding new ways to build a rapport. As a result, young people’s self-esteem grows and they are able to express themselves better.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has failed to notify Ofsted of two incidents where young people have made allegations against staff. This shortfall has prevented Ofsted from having a current overview of incidents in the home. The manager has liaised appropriately with the local authority safeguarding officer with regard to these incidents and communicated with the placing authorities. He completed direct work with the young people involved to fully ascertain their views as part of internal investigations as recommended by the safeguarding officer. On both occasions, there was no evidence to substantiate the allegations and no further action taken. The impact of failure to notify Ofsted is mitigated because the manager took effective action to safeguard young people

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The senior management team have numerous systems to review and monitor the work in the home. They record interactions between young people and staff, enabling them to analyse impact. Staff use this information to focus their work with young people. Consequently, some young people are more settled with less incidents. A social worker said: ‘There has been significant progress with the young person, which means he is better able to self-regulate his behaviour. In particular, he is more able to manage relationships with the other young people. He is much more able to stand back and see things from another perspective.’ Because of this work, some young people are now able to consider a return to birth families. Local authorities are seeking permanent alternative foster families for other young people. Staff support young people to maintain and develop their education. Some young people access all areas of the curriculum at the school on site. Some have made

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

dramatic improvements in their reading because they attend this school. Others have made the transition to mainstream school, where they build friendship groups outside of the home and are on target to achieve their academic objectives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Trained staff intervene if young people place themselves or others at risk. There have been 53 restraints since the last inspection. The manager and senior staff evaluate these restraints thoroughly. Close analysis has helped staff to learn alternative ways to manage some situations. Overall, there has been a reduction in restraints in recent weeks due to this scrutiny. The manager and senior staff meet regularly to review all significant incidents, they discuss, with the staff team, alternative ways to reduce further incidents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ongoing work takes place with young people to celebrate diversity. Managers raise staff’s knowledge and understanding through training and information sharing. Staff support young people to develop their identity and develop their skills and interests. They encourage young people to participate in sporting activities, such as football. One young person is a member of a local club; attending training and playing in matches regularly. This has improved his self-confidence and he has friends in the local community. Young people attend street dance groups, as well as enjoying trips out and walks with staff in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people say that they are safe in this home. Each young person has a sexual exploitation risk assessment detailing the levels of risks. Staff work diligently with them. Observation and direct work means that young people do not go missing. Staff understand missing from care protocols, should a young person go missing. The manager and staff have a good relationship with the local authority safeguarding officer and good working relationships with placing authorities. Social workers speak highly of the quality of communication. They also comment on how well the staff promote and facilitate contact with young people’s families. This means young people benefit from maintaining these important relationships and their sense of identity.

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Information about this children's home

A registered charity owns this children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to nine children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is a therapeutic community based on an Integrated Therapy model.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/03/2015 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

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4) (c)) 13/4/2016

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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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