Children's Home run by Wandsworth Borough Council in Wandsworth

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding 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

The home continues to provide a valued service for children and their parents. A parent describe the service as being ‘excellent’ and ‘an absolute life saver for our family life.’ A professional confirms ‘the home shines as a beacon of working in a very caring and child centred way.’ Staff continue to go over and beyond to provide a life enhancing, individually tailored, child focused service. Staffing focuses on ensuring children receive the best possible care. The organisation demonstrates a purposeful commitment to addressing poor practice. Decision making focuses on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has effectively addressed two of the three recommendations from the last inspection. The use of male agency assists in ensuring there is a better gender balance on shifts. Leaders and managers confirm a process is in place to consider the views of other professionals and children in staff appraisals. They will ensure this information is included in the forthcoming appraisals. The only outstanding issue is the need to update the children’s guide. This document should help children understand how they can access advocacy support and how to contact the Children's Commissioner. Staff are currently looking at the best way of incorporating this information.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children enjoy their short breaks at the home. They engage in a wide range of activities. Children continue to constructively use art and craft sessions to make meaningful items. Examples are bracelets, decorative tiles, magnetic fridge stickers and cards. They enjoy ice skating, bowling, trips to theme parks and exploring their local community. The homes computer room, sensory room and adventure playground continue to be popular pastimes. In addition children benefit from external visitors, an example being a theatre company. This was particularly innovative, as they were able to experience a sensory pantomime performance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work in an exceptionally child centred way. They excel in the review reports they produce for children. These creatively include the child’s voice and photographs and uniquely showcases their achievements and progress. Staff continue to go above and beyond to meet the needs of children. They supervise contact with parents in emergency situations and are instrumental in helping to reconnect children with their estranged relatives. Staff take a vested interest in children’s wellbeing, an example being planning birthday parties for them. They keep in contact and help children to maintain friendships with those who have left.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are assisted to lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes exercising individually or group keep fit sessions. Improvements include the marked reduction of the frequency of seizures. The good integration of health professionals ensure children’s needs are met and reviewed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to achieve and receive external recognition for their efforts. An example being attending a ceremony at the town hall which involved presentations from the mayor. A parent highlighted how the service improves their child’s ‘independence skills and self-esteem.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff must help children understand the consequence of their actions and provide a consistent approach to behaviour management. An example being when a child hit another child, however no steps were taken to help the child understand this was unacceptable. Therefore an opportunity to assist the child to learn was missed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Restraint records are maintained inconsistently. Occasionally staff have to physically restrain children to protect them from injury to themselves or others. However the records of these do not always contain the required information. For example some entries do not include the duration, effectiveness, consequence or that the child has been spoken to about the measure.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leadership and management arrangements are continually strengthened. Deputy managers have or are undertaking relevant management qualifications. Staff continue to effectively develop their skills. Courses include therapeutic crisis intervention, autism, attachment theory, emergency medication and stress management. This enables them to competently care for children and the linking of research to practice informs their quality of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service benefit from high quality Regulation 44 reports which have a meaningful impact on the quality assurance process. Reports are insightful, child focused and there is a clear understanding of the task. Reports comprehensively highlight the strengths and areas for development. The views of parents and involved professionals additionally contributes to the evolving service and their improvement agenda.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work in partnership to assist children moving onto adult services. New children to the service have a tailored introduction, which includes an initial visit. This enables them to settle into the service at their own pace. Siblings can also have their short break together which a parents describes as ‘invaluable.’ Files for new children had the majority of information. An exception being for one child a risk assessment was unavailable. Staff should actively assess the risks to each child to safeguard them and inform care practices.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority home for children who have a physical or learning disability. The home provides short breaks and long term care for 13 children at any one time.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 CH - 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

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a restraint a record is made which includes the duration, the effectiveness and any consequences. (Regulation 35 (3) (a) ) 01/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that within 48 hours of the sanction or restraint they or a person authorised by them has spoken to the user about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3 (b)) 01/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure the children's guide helps children understand how they can access advocacy support and how to contact the Children's Commissioner. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards, page 24 paragraph 4.22)

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Recommendations

 ensure poor behaviour is challenged and discussed. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the Quality Standards, page 39 paragraph 8.11)

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Recommendations

 continually and actively assess the risks to each child (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards, page 42 paragraph 9.5)

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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

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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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