Children's home run by Park Lane Residential Home Limited in Brent

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has declined in 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. The young person currently resident has secured paid work experience via an apprenticeship that she successfully applied for with the support of staff. The outcomes for the young person are positive. The home’s management of allegations and complaints are a cause for concern. The home’s complaints log does not evidence any complaint/allegation against the service. However, the most recent regulation 44 monitoring report noted that a young person had in fact made a complaint/allegation against a member of staff. While the provider acknowledges that a young person did make an allegation, staff had failed to initiate a referral to the LADO or notify Ofsted as required. This is a serious breach of the regulations and does not promote effective safeguarding of young people. The previous inspection highlighted a number of shortfalls. The provider has failed

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to resolve some of the identified issues. The service has very recently appointed a manager for the home. This follows the employment of an interim manager. The new manager is a qualified social worker with extensive experience of residential childcare. The manager is undergoing the registration process with Ofsted. The previous inspection highlighted shortfalls in the vetting of staff. This inspection notes that the provider had not obtained full vetting information as required for newly appointed staff currently working in the home. In particular, for one member of staff only one of the two required written references was evidenced. This does not promote the safe vetting of staff to ensure the robust protection of young people from harm or abuse. In recent months, the provider has recruited an entirely new staff team. Most staff members already have the required level 3 award; those who do not, have enrolled

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

on the appropriate course. This was not the case at the last inspection. The manager is in the process of devising a staff-training programme that meets the needs of the staff team. This is to be finalised once the manager completes a needs analysis of staff skills and development. The manager continues to explore training opportunities via the host Local Authority’s Safeguarding Children’s Board and external trainers. This is to ensure staff have access to and complete key training to help enhance their case practices. The service now has in place a bullying policy; however, this new policy does not include guidance to staff about the prevention of cyber-bullying. This requirement is therefore repeated at this inspection. The safeguarding practices of the service is not effective and this has had influence on the judgement of declined effectiveness made at this interim inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is privately owned. It provides care and accommodation for a maximum of five young people of either gender. The home caters for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/09/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

06/03/2015 CH - 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

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. 02/05/2016

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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 person must;

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Requirement Due date

39 (3) ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response and the outcome of any investigation. 02/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure that staff;

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Requirement Due date

12(2) (a) (v) understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children who are assigned to them by the registered person. In particular, that staff maintain effective communication with the LADO once an allegation is made. 02/05/2016

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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 person must ensure that;

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Requirement Due date

32(3)(d) full and satisfactory information is available in relation to individuals working in the home in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. In particular two written references. 02/05/2016 13 The Leadership and Management Standard

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

40(4)(c) notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if- there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. 02/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must;

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Requirement Due date

34(3) prepare and implement a policy for the prevention of bullying, which must include information about the prevention of cyber-bullying. 02/05/2016

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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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