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

Since the previous inspection, young people have made good progress. Admissions and departures to and from the home are carefully planned. One young person has successfully returned home to live with her family. Two more young people have developed independence and resilience skills that have led to them living independently and safely in the wider community. This is largely due to the high quality of care they received at the home. Young people gain confidence in their own abilities as young adults.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team offers support to young people by establishing structures and routines that are beneficial for them. Staff understand the importance of education and young people are encouraged to achieve in the different educational provisions that are available to them. Similarly, positive work diverts young people from becoming involved in the negative and dangerous situations they experienced prior to coming to live at the home. As a result of the good relationships they enjoy with staff members, young people learn to realise that change can be positive and possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are able to express their views and wishes on a number of aspects of their care experience, including meal choices and activity options. This participation in planning what they do and where they go makes them feel valued. They realise that they have a role to make responsible decisions for themselves.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A deputy manager ably assists the experienced registered manager. They respond promptly to issues raised in the monthly reports of the independent person. Six monthly review reports build on these monthly checks. The resulting analysis provides an honest account of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. Managers impress upon staff the importance of team working and have an understanding of the good standard of professional practice. Developments and improvements within the home are tailored to meeting the needs of individual young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is good at managing and avoiding the considerable risks for young people, because it is alert to signs of danger. Staff members share a detailed knowledge of the particular vulnerabilities of the young people in their care. They use this knowledge not only to protect young people, but also to teach young people how to keep themselves safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Serious incidents are rare, but when they have occurred, the response of managers has been effective. Important and sensitive work with partner agencies ensures the safety of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff recruitment is robust and ensures that only suitable, safe adults are employed to care for young people in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers provide sufficient resources to meet the needs of young people. When other agencies do not assist young people to the required standard, managers have no hesitation in raising the issue. Staff act as good advocates to ensure that young people get access to the services they need to progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A number of improvements have resulted from work to respond to the requirements raised at the previous inspection. Staff are more assertive and more effective in their advocacy on behalf of young people. For managers, a new reporting template ensures that the independent person provides explicit feedback in relation to safeguarding and well-being. When young people want to complain, a new system clearly records how complaints are resolved. Every complaint now results in written feedback for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to deliver the good standard of care identified at the previous inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This home is operated by a registered charity, and provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

13/03/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory progress

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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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