Children's home run by Chartwell Care Services Ltd in Islington

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

Young people continue to receive a good standard of individualised care and support, and make steady progress in all areas, given their starting points and complex behaviours. This is testament to the staff team, as there have been a number of recent changes in staffing. The registered manager, who was a key figure in young people’s lives, left at the end of January 2016. The new manager started at the beginning of January 2016, and along with the existing staff team, has supported young people during this period of change.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s relationships with staff remain positive, which helps them to feel safe and secure. They are consulted about their choices and wishes, and staff have continued to be strong advocates for them. This is particularly evident in how they have supported a young person with his wish to move. The young person started a new school in September 2015 and has settled well and made friends. He has requested that he lives at the school, and staff contacted the placing authority to instigate procedures. The young person will be moving shortly. This is clear evidence of staff working in the best interests of, and empowering, young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are good at managing young people’s complex behaviours. A social worker commented that staff understand the young person very well, know what strategies work, and have worked consistently as a team. This has resulted in significant improvements in his behaviour since moving into the home. The inspector was able to spend time with both young people during the inspection, which reflects the progress they have made. However, during the Christmas period, both young people’s behaviours had become more difficult. This can be attributed to the time of year, and, for one young person, the fact that he has asked to move. There has been an increase in the use of restraint for one young person, but staff are working closely with the child and adolescent mental health services and the school to manage his behaviour. Although another young person’s behaviour has deteriorated, it is significant to note that restraint has rarely been

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

used. This demonstrates the progress that the young person has made since moving into the home. The new manager has addressed the recommendations made at the full inspection. This includes the recommendation relating to individual risk assessments regarding young people going missing. In addition, she has completed a benchmarking risk assessment form which she has sent to the police missing person’s team. This is good practice as it informs the police of the particular vulnerabilities of each young person. She has also produced individual protocols for staff to follow in the unlikely event that a young person goes missing. A police officer from the missing person’s team recently joined a staff handover to discuss young people’s individual vulnerabilities and the police’s role. These actions, including collaborative working with the police, improve the protection of young people from the risk of harm and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements have been made in the recording of restraints. The manager is monitoring records closely, highlighting any shortfalls in recording, and discussing these with staff. This has addressed the recommendation made at the full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and responsible individual are in the process of recruiting more staff. They are clear about the amount of staff required to meet the needs of young people. Two experienced members of staff were appointed in January 2016, which has resulted in increased staffing on the late shifts. They have also introduced a weekly management monitoring tool, which includes the monitoring of staffing levels, and staff recruitment and retention. These actions have addressed the recommendations made at the full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new manager and responsible individual have already demonstrated a commitment to improving the care provided. The manager has introduced a new care plan format, and staff are reviewing care plans regularly. She is in the process of trying to set up regular care team meetings with young people’s social workers, schools and other relevant people. The new weekly management monitoring tool also helps to monitor young people’s care, which will be regularly analysed to inform future developments and the progress of young people. A staff rolling training programme has been implemented, which helps to ensure staff receive relevant training and refresher training at appropriate intervals.

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Information about this children's home

The home is run by a private company and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children with learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

14/08/2014 Interim Improved Effectiveness

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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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