Children's home run by Sherico Care Services Limited in Westminster

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 sustained 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. They lead healthy lifestyles, engage with their identified educational provision and the home generally meets placement objectives. The number of critical incidents has reduced since the last inspection, although the frequency of young people being absent without permission remains high.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s registered manager has left the service since the last inspection and an acting manager is currently in place. Senior personnel of the organisation provide support and supervision to the newly promoted acting manager. The home’s management arrangements are adequate to meet the needs of young people. The provider is required to appoint a permanent manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s recording and management of the use of restraint was a cause for concern at the last inspection. There have been no incidents of the use of restraint since the last inspection and staff have received relevant training. Managers have revised the recording tool used when young people are restrained. However, the document does not prompt staff to provide full information as required. For example, the revised document does not advise staff to include the method of control used nor the effectiveness of any physical intervention. The requirement to ensure staff maintain comprehensive restraint records is repeated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The previous inspection also had concerns for the organisation’s management of complaints and subsequent allegations against staff. Since the last inspection, one young person has made a complaint. Senior staff of the organisation managed this complaint appropriately and in accordance with procedures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In relation to the management of allegations against staff, senior staff have issued revised guidance to ensure the organisation complete robust internal investigations with comprehensive written records. These records are to ensure all involved staff provide an accurate account of critical incidents they witness. This was not the case at the last inspection. The provider has recruited new staff. Vetting procedures are appropriate and newly appointed staff undergo an induction, which staff say is a useful introduction to their role. Not all staff demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the home’s child protection procedures, in particular in relation to managing allegations. While awaiting formal training, staff and young people will benefit from new staff receiving appropriate support and guidance to inform their safeguarding practices.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The previous inspection raised concerns for the effectiveness of Regulation 44 visits. A previous monitoring report had failed to highlight that an incident involving staff restraint of a young person had taken place. Since the last inspection, the provider has appointed a new Regulation 44 visitor and there is a revised reporting format in place. Regulation 44 reports now comment routinely on any incident where restraint is used. This promotes the careful monitoring of staff’s use of restraint with young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Previously, managers did not consistently complete staff appraisals on an annual basis. This issue is now resolved as managers have revised the staff appraisal policy and there is closer monitoring of the frequency of staff appraisals. This ensures staff development and training needs can be addressed formally to enhance safe care practices.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people report that they are satisfied with services provided by the home. They feel safe in placement, feel that the staff team are supportive, and are generally able to meet their needs. Young people enjoy safe access to their family members and participate in the home’s consultation efforts.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team have consistent communication with key family members and other involved professionals. They ensure that they consider young people’s views and that all parties are aware of emerging placement issues.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Unresolved safeguarding issues together with the lack of a permanent manager has contributed to the interim inspection judgement of sustained effectiveness. Identified shortfalls require effective resolution if the home is to progress to become a quality service.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is one of a number of homes owned by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for no more than three children 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

30/03/2015 Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

27/11/2013 Interim Satisfactory Progress

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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

In order to meet the protection of children Standard, the registered provider must ensure that;

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. 02/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children Standard, the registered provider must ensure that;

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Requirement Due date

staff understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. 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 01/06/2016 registered provider must;

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Requirement Due date

27(1) appoint a person to manage the children's home.

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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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