Children's home run by RNIB Charity in Camden

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 declined effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Action has been taken to meet three of the four previous regulatory shortfalls. Staff recruitment procedures are now rigorous and include requests for information from all previous relevant employers. Records of physical intervention and incident reports now show the full story of any event, including attempts to calm behaviour and the effect on the child or young person afterwards. The monthly independent visitor has been replaced and now visits each of the five bungalows to make sure that all children’s safety and welfare are evaluated at each visit.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managerial monitoring is broadly good but managerial systems for safeguarding monitoring should be stronger. Review of behavioural plans has not identified use of a method that is not prescribed, or part of the behavioural policy. Nursing cover is still not always provided, as required at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are still a few occasions when, due to sickness, appropriately qualified nursing staff are not on site to lead on health care in one bungalow registered with Care Quality Commission (CQC), this is despite recruiting to two additional posts. The registered person is clear that residential care staff are properly trained and competent to carry out any nursing tasks, as would any parent. They say they have chosen not to compromise the quality of care by using unfamiliar, albeit qualified agency nurses to fill the gap, preferring trained residential staff instead.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The behavioural response of holding doors shut is not detailed within the home’s behaviour management policy. This technique brings practice within the area of a restriction or deprivation of liberty. Three children have plans which state that for the dignity or safety of the child or others, staff may hold bedroom doors shut for seconds at a time. These plans are drawn up by the service’s behavioural advisor, a specialist nurse. Plans are agreed with parents and placing authorities. The manager is aware and communicates with placing authorities and parents about this issue. The manager tracks and follows up on any incidents that require this measure, to ensure proper use and take action where she has had concerns about prolonged use. The organisation’s broad safeguarding practice is acceptable and the manager refers and properly implements inter-agency safeguarding procedures under the direction of the local safeguarding team and the local authority designated officer

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

(LADO). The registered manager has not managed to obtain a conclusion from the LADO when they directed an internal investigation into concerns about staff. After the internal investigation, managers did draw up ‘lessons learnt’ to improve practice, but managerial monitoring did not ensure follow-up actions were completed through staff supervision. The organisation’s regular safeguarding meeting did not consider these ‘lessons learnt’, or act as a ‘critical friend’ to rigorously review the home’s safeguarding actions. For example: whether staff raised concerns about colleagues practice in a timely way, or whether notifications were made to Ofsted when there are allegations against staff or serious incidents. This means they do not always use opportunities for learning to improve the experiences for children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service has had a significant recruitment drive across the care team, to reflect children’s changing and increasing needs. Some vacancies still exist and recruitment continues. Some teams in some bungalows have a high level of relatively new staff and team leaders and the registered manager monitor the quality of the care practice closely, reinforcing teams where necessary with more experienced staff, or staff of a different gender. Many staff are very long standing and have extensive knowledge and skills. A placing authority new to the home was impressed with this, and also their commitment to working cooperatively. She said staff are: ‘Open to suggestions of alternative intervention methods demonstrate a learning attitude. Staff are happy to take on board suggestions.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are enthusiastic and relish their work and the relationships they build with children and young people. They say that they are well supported, well trained: ‘we just love it.’ Placing authorities report good partnership working. A social worker said: ‘Positive, frequent and detailed communication with the local authority and parents.’ Despite this, some parents have reported to Ofsted that they do not think their concerns about the quality of care are taken seriously. Some parental issues have been resolved informally, such as children wearing other children’s clothes. More recent practice is to deal with concerns through the complaint procedure to ensure a formal response. A placing authority said that, ‘any issues are promptly managed and dealt with seriously.’ Systems for six-monthly quality review do not feature the outcomes of consultation with parents, placing authorities and children and young people. There has been

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

no formal consultation this year about the broader service, though there is lots of consultation about day-to-day care and through care and education reviews about individual matters. Young people do have suggestions, for example: more indoor activities for days when not at school, like karaoke and more dancing, ‘so not just constantly watching telly.’ Young people are making good progress. A placing authority commented on how the staff were helping one young person to develop words to express themselves. Having built trust and made emotional attachments with staff, this young person was able to join her very first review meeting, and give her view, say what she wanted. The independent reviewing officer said: ‘Massive progress. Impressive- everything seems to be catered for.’ Five young people have moved on to other adult placements, or to be nearer to parents. Five young people have moved in and settled well. Another social worker described how well staff had responded to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

a new young person: ‘Very impressed at thoroughness of getting to know him.’ A mobility specialist helps young people with sensory and visual impairment navigate their world. A young man has become the first ever resident, to walk to and from school, completely independently. This is a significant achievement: staff are proud. Music therapy, physio therapy, occupational therapy, massage, Reiki and speech and language therapy are all available on site and this is good for children’s wellbeing. A social worker said, of their young person: ‘Increasing weight, thriving, and looks well and happy. Developing trust.’ Young people who can, say that they feel safe, and while there are staff who they trust more, they can trust everyone. All young people who want to, go on a really good holiday each year that provide them with opportunities for new challenges, adventure, a change of scenery, time with friends and relaxation, exploring new territory. Friendship is valued and one

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

young person still meets up with his old friend from the home, living locally, they meet for drinks and meals. One young person was extremely positive about her experience, ‘I like it- the people obviously, and the layout is easy to get around for visual impairment.’ Ofsted judges the education provided by the registered person’s on site school as outstanding. One social worker described their young person making, ‘excellent progress in school,’ and that she was, ‘progressing in a way in school she has never done before.’

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Information about this children's home

This is a large children’s home that provides care and accommodation for up to 30 children and young people in five purpose-built bungalows. The children and young people have a visual impairment, learning and physical disabilities, or sensory impairment. One of the bungalows is also registered by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and provides a specialist service to children and young people with high health and medical needs who require long-term ventilation or who have life-threatening or life limiting conditions. This establishment is owned by a large national charity. The majority of the children attend a DfE registered school on the same site. Young people may remain at the home until the age of 19 to complete their education

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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: In order to meet the leadership and management standard with particular reference to nursing staff, reviewing incidents, implementing lessons learned and sustaining good practice, the registered provider must:

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Requirement Due date

2 (d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (g) demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on— (ii) feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and (h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 30/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children's home; and the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. This is with specific reference to restricting children by holding shut their bedroom doors. (Regulation 35 (1) (a)(b)) 30/04/2016

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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)) 30/04/2016

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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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