Children's home run by Priory New Education Services Limited 07221650 in Hammersmith and Fulham

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 Improved Effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home has improved effectiveness because it has met all of the requirements and recommendations of the previous inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

It has now recruited staff in sufficient numbers to meet the needs of the young people placed. Staff are now suitably inducted and trained to give them the skills to meet young people’s needs. The overwhelming majority of staff have the appropriate qualification in children’s residential care, or are undertaking this award. The home no longer employs external agency staff and this gives young people consistency of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has appointed an independent visitor who conducts monthly visits and who writes reports which identify any necessary service improvements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager now conducts six monthly reviews of the quality of care. The last review highlighted areas of service improvement that have been acted upon.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has improved its system for recording incidents of physical restraint, and these records are now written within 48 hours of the event occurring. Restraint records now contain the views of the young people in relation to the restraint incident.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has reviewed its Statement of Purpose and this now contains the name of the home’s Designated Safeguarding Officer.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A programme of re-decoration and refurbishment has been undertaken and the home is now a bright, clean and comfortable living environment for young people. Young people can now access the back garden without being accompanied by staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The inspector noted that the young people’s bedroom windows have their window panes covered with frosted glass and this restricts their view of the external environment. No written risk assessments are in place to explain this practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has now conducted an audit of young people’s case records and these now show that entries are dated and signed by staff members.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make good progress in expanding their life experiences. One placing authority social worker commented: ‘This home has made massive improvements in the life of this young person. When he was placed six months ago he would not leave his room, and his self-care was poor. Now he engages in activities. He helps with cooking and menu planning. He keeps his room clean and tidy, and he is enjoying life. I am very impressed with what this home has achieved.’ The home works hard to sustain placements even when young people’s mental health deteriorates. One social worker commented: ‘The home has provided a remarkable level of care for this young person and have continued to support him when many other previous placements have given up on him.’ The recently appointed registered manager effectively monitors and reviews the quality of care resulting in several improvements: stronger staff hand-over arrangements, better liaison with the local police, and improvements to the staff

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

rota. The manager is currently undertaking the appropriate award in leadership and management, and this will need to be completed within the given time period. Effective behaviour management systems are in place, and there are good examples of collaborative work with other agencies. A placing authority social worker commented, ‘They collaborate well with ourselves and with the NHS officers.’ An independent reviewing officer said: ‘This home has gone over and above what would be reasonably expected of a home. Reports for review are of a high quality and they liaise well with other agencies in the preparation for review.’ Where behaviour management techniques have become ineffective, because of a young person’s deteriorating mental health, the home has liaised with appropriate professionals to ensure that timely and effective medical assessment and support has been given to the young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home effectively safeguards the young people. The Local Authority Designated Officer commented: ‘I have no concerns about the safeguarding practice of this home. The manager is proactive in keeping us informed about all safeguarding events occurring. There were a series of allegations about staff raised in December/January by one young person. These were quickly retracted by the young person. However, the manager ensured that these allegations were properly and fully followed up…I am impressed by the commitment of the manager in meeting the needs of young people. They go the extra mile to sustain placements.’

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is registered to care for five boys and girls with learning difficulties and associated disabilities. The home is run by a private company and offers the flexibility of short breaks in addition to long term placements. At the time of this inspection there were three young people placed. There were no short break arrangements in place. The property is a three storey house located on the edge of a large city within walking distance of shops and community facilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

08/12/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

15/05/2015 CH - Interim declined in 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

The registered person must have the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare or equivalent. (Regulation28(2)(c)(i))

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Children should be able to access all shared areas of their home unless there are specific reasons why this would not meet a child's needs. Limits on privacy and access may only be put in place to safeguard each child in the home (Regulation 21(c)(I)). Specifically, the use of frosted glass window panes in each young person's bedroom. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15, paragraph 3.10)

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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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