Children's home in Southwark

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team is very energetic for change, and has been strengthened by the addition of a new child and adolescent psychotherapist, part-time consultant psychologist, and a deputy head of care, all of whom add an improved dimension and quality to the home’s management. The new psychotherapist leads the home’s therapeutic approach, and is fully involved with young people from the point of their referral. The psychotherapist makes sure that young people can be helped from the point of their admission because this is seen as of the utmost importance. Some very complex young people are referred to the home, and the management team ensures that they can add value to, and improve, their life before any decision is made. There is an acknowledgement that many young people have already suffered trauma, have had previous multiple placements, and that they must not be let down by poor decision making. A very high level of detail is established about the young person,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

prior to any decision being made, and it is clear that their wishes are always put first. The suitability of the placement is more important than any financial implications for the organisation. New admissions are regularly refused because of the potential impact on either the existing group or individual young people. Managers are very keen that young people’s progress is not interrupted. This process has significantly improved since the last inspection. Comprehensive care planning ensures that there is a highly individual approach to all young people. Very thorough risk assessments make sure that young people can make progress from an early stage. Staff are always working with the most up-to-date information, and there is detailed, regular monitoring and analysis of young people’s progress. This maximises progress because barriers are removed, and decisions about the best way to move forward are made quickly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is developing all the time. Staff are more diverse, experienced and well trained. Crucially, they are in their role because they genuinely want to make a difference to young people. They are motivated by their management team, which has very high expectations. They feel that they are able to develop their own interests in working with young people, enhancing the enjoyment of their role. One staff member said: ’I feel like I am going somewhere.’ This is likely to have a positive impact on staff retention. Staff understand young people’s needs exceptionally well, and have developed very positive relationships with them. Consequently, young people feel very able to share their worries and problems. Young people learn a lot about how to protect themselves and keep themselves safe through their key-working sessions. Joint working with other professionals is a top priority, and feedback from them is

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

very positive. One social worker said: ‘There is brilliant communication.’ They discussed the fact that they always have the most up-to-date information, so that they can make important decisions at the earliest opportunity. Young people progress very well in their placement, and there has been a reduction of significant events since the last inspection. There are particularly notable improvements in young people’s education, where staff go the extra mile. For example, one young person, who has been unable to complete their college course, has had it transferred to this home, as a result of staff intervention. Consequently, the young person will obtain the relevant qualification, giving them a chance to progress in their chosen vocation. Young people have been involved in decisions about changes to the décor and furnishings. The home looks fresh and user friendly, and furnishings are of a very high quality. Young people have been at the centre of these developments,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

ensuring that they have their say. Improvements to anti-bullying are becoming embedded through a detailed plan, including ascertaining the views of all young people and staff, thereby establishing a baseline for further progress. This has already started to have a positive impact on young people’s safety. The two recommendations set at the last inspection have been met. While no young people have been missing since the last inspection, the managers are now holding local authorities to account more, in ensuring that appropriate guidance is followed if this does happen. They have developed new paperwork setting out their expectations for a return home interview. Individual risk assessments with regard to missing from care have also improved considerably, and there is a careful focus on each area of risk. Staff are therefore very familiar with how they should care for this complex group of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s statement of purpose covers the ethos of the home; however, it does not mention that there is a semi-independence house in the grounds, which young people sometimes use to practise their independence skills. While this shortfall does not have an impact on young people, this addition would add clarity to the document about the purpose of the home. When this semi-independence house has been used, the records have not always been of the same high quality as those from the main house. For example, risk assessments are not as robust or routinely undertaken, and records of the activities of young people during their time in the house are not detailed enough. It is therefore difficult for managers to ascertain and monitor what happened and when. There are development plans in place to ensure improvements continue, for example, in relation to a new relaxation room and further staff recruitment. This

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home has made extremely good progress since the last inspection, is still developing, and does not stand still. Information about this children's home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is privately owned. It cares for up to 24 young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and associated mental health needs.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2014 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 that the registered person compiles a statement of purpose which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1. (Regulation 16(1)) 30/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements to protect them. This is in relation to risk assessments for the use of the semi-independence house. (The Guide to the Children's Homes Quality Standards, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that case records are kept up-to-date. This is in particular relation to records kept of young people's activities in the semi-independence house. (The Guide to the Children's Homes Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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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

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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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