Children's home run by Sahara Care Service for Children Ltd in Slough

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as Requiring Improvement 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 manager has left since the last inspection. A new manager has been appointed and has put in an application to Ofsted to be registered.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were eleven requirements and seven recommendations made at the last full inspection. Nine requirements and all seven recommendations have been completed and implemented.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people have made good progress. One young person commented, ‘I like it here, staff help me look towards the future. I’m going to school every day and I’m starting college in September.’ However, some young people are less engaged with the home, fail to respond to boundaries, and are involved in inappropriate behaviour in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no sanctions since the last inspection. Young people have the opportunity to receive an extra pound a day by respecting the house rules. This is recorded on a daily chart but does not indicate at the end of the week, how much young people have earnt or if they received this. This is a missed opportunity to make a genuinely consequential environment for young people who frequently challenge the boundaries of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff celebrate achievements with young people, they receive a certificate for star of the week and one young person proudly showed a certificate from staff celebrating obtaining a college placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are encouraged and supported in preparation for adulthood; some young people have started to engage well and have started to acquire new skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do go missing from the home. Staff actively look for young people in the local area and inform the police and other relevant people. On return staff will try to ascertain where the young people have been and with whom. There is evidence that the manager tries to ensure that the social worker meets with the young people within 72 hours of their return.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no physical interventions since the last inspection; staff will use defusing techniques when working with the young people who are angry or upset. One young person commented, ‘I’m better at managing my behaviour now, I just go to my room or find some space. Staff know that’s what I need when I’m angry and leave me to calm down.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Not all staff have been trained in physical intervention, the staff team is due to attend training in April.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is mostly new having many changes since the last inspection. There are significant gaps in training with regard to safeguarding, Child Sexual Exploitation and Radicalisation. These need to be completed as a matter of urgency as the staff work with young people who have been or are vulnerable to CSE. There was no evidence to suggest that staff have received training on self- harming behaviours. There is also a lack of staff trained in first aid. This may impact on the homes ability to effectively manage some of the current behaviours

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff will engage young people in key work sessions as part of addressing missing and other behaviours. Although the manager has completed some of these sessions to a good standard covering Child Sexual Exploitation and keeping themselves safe, recordings from other staff lack depth and insight making it difficult for the manager to monitor the quality of the work undertaken.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments for young people are in place but not always updated with intelligence from police or other agencies to ensure that staff are aware of potential risks and best able to safeguard the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Impact risk assessments are completed as part of the referral process although recent young people moving into the house have not settled as expected.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection. A young person spoken to knew who to talk to if she had a complaint and there is information around the home and in the young person’s guide informing young people of the homes complaints procedure along with details of other organisations they can contact.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are regular young people’s meetings giving them the opportunity to talk about issues in the home and for staff to get feedback.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recruitment checks are in place and verified before staff can work in the home. Some application forms contain gaps in employment, which were not discussed during the interview. As part of safer recruitment all gaps in employment need to explored and evidence of this retained.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are good monitoring checks in place, which the manager and deputy are in the process of updating to ensure they are more robust. An independent person carries out monthly visits. The manager reported that she finds these useful. However, the young people or social workers have not signed to say they are in agreement with the independent person reading their personal files.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Supervisions are regular and support staff to look at and reflect on care practice and discus the young people. There are also regular staff meetings, which also supports practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is clean, tidy, decorated, and furnished to a good standard. One young person confirmed, ‘we get to choose things for the house and the decoration.’ Young people are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms.

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Information about this children's home

This home is run by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/11/2015 CH - Full Requires Improvement

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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

Ensure an independent person inspects such of the home’s records as the may be required. In particular seek permission from placing authorities to review their records when relevant. (Regulation 44 (2)(b) 10/4/16

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Requirement Due date

(2)(b) In order to meet the positive relationship standard the registered person must ensure that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others.

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour, and in particular reduce involvement in anti-social behaviour outside the home. 15/4/16

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(iii) In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure that staff have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm. 12/5/16

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Requirement Due date

13 The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

(1)(c) In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. 12/5/16

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— (a) at all times, at least one person on duty at the home has a suitable first aid qualification; ( Regulation 31 (2)(a)) 12/5/16 A full employment history, together with a satisfactory explanation of any gaps in employment, in writing.( Schedule 2(6)) 15/4/16

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. This is in relation to risk assessments being kept updated. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations Page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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Recommendations

 Staff need the knowledge and skills to recognise and be alert for any signs that might indicate a child is in any way at risk of harm. The registered person should ensure that skills in safeguarding are gained, refreshed and recorded in the homes workforce plan. (Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations page 43 paragraph 9.12)

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Recommendations

 The registered person is responsible for ensuring that all their staff have been adequately trained in the principles of restraint and any restraint techniques appropriate to the needs of the children the home. (Guide to the Children’s homes Regulations page 49, paragraph 9.57)

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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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