Children's home run by London Borough of Haringey

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 effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The previous Registered Manager recently resigned and the deputy manager is currently covering under interim arrangements. He is experienced in the role and is working effectively in partnership with the staff team to ensure that the service continues to improve and develop. The provider is taking prompt action to put permanent management arrangements in place. They are in the process of recruiting a new manager to fill the current vacancy.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home responded positively to address the shortfalls highlighted in the previous inspection. They now produce comprehensive risk assessments and risk management plans to address the needs of young people with complex health needs. These assessments are informed by expert input from health professionals. Staff are trained in medical interventions to ensure young people receive safe care. The staff have improved their links with education providers and are taking steps to share learning about how best to support young people to make progress.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most young people are well behaved and there are few incidents of challenging behaviour. Staff know the young people well and pay close attention to their individual needs. They are aware of situations that may make young people feel anxious. As a result staff take action to avoid placing them in situations that may heighten their anxieties. Staff use a range of techniques which are successful in encouraging positive behaviour. There is a clear policy in relation to the use of sanctions which are seldom used in response to negative behaviour.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Physical intervention is rarely used and only when necessary to prevent harm. Staff record such incidents and the manager reviews them to ensure safe practice and to learn from incidents to reduce the risk of them reoccurring. However records do not consistently evidence the efforts made to deescalate a situation or the method of interventions used. Without this information, the registered manager does not have complete information to assess that practice in this area is absolutely safe for young people.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continue to use a ‗Hanna cot‘ for some young people to sleep in. This equipment prevents young people with complex needs harming themselves. It also restricts their liberty. The home undertakes a risk assessment in consultation with parents which ensures these beds are used appropriately. However such assessments are not supported by expert advice or assessment, such as from a social worker or health care professional.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service works effectively in partnership with parents to ensure that the young people experience consistency of care. Young people referred to the home undergo a careful introduction which includes a number of visits before they stay overnight. Staff are mindful to progress introductions at the right pace for young people. This gives them time to build relationships and get to know each other. One parent commented positively about how staff had been able to help her child overcome separation anxiety. The young looks forward to coming to the service and makes good relationships with her peers.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The provider is striving to develop the service so that short breaks provide more than just a ‗holiday‘ for young people. Each young person has targets to work towards and staff encourage them to learn skills for independence. They learn group living and social skills, self-care and household tasks such as tidying and hoovering. This means that young people make progress in important areas that will maximise their potential and improve their life chances.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are welcoming, warm and affectionate towards young people. They give careful thought to how each group of young people will mix together. This means that young people usually have a consistent group when having short breaks. This allows them to make friends and provides an element of security and stability as they know what to expect when they use the service.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff feel positive about working in the home. They are committed to providing a high standard of care to young people and say they feel supported by each other. There are limited opportunities for the team to meet, reflect on practice and share learning. This has the potential to undermine the positive progress that is taking place and misses an opportunity to fully involve staff in service development. Not all staff have completed the required qualifications.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy a range of activities within the home and often go out on trips. Staffing levels are high so there are always enough staff to provide a safe level of monitoring and support.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do not go missing. They are safely supported when out in the community which aides their social skills. In general detailed risk assessments outline each young person‘s vulnerabilities. These are supported by clear plans to respond to emergencies which staff are aware of and understand. However some young people do not have their risks clearly evidenced or contextualised. In practice, because the staff know the young people well this shortfall does not have a significant impact on their progress or wellbeing. The responsible individual is a senior manager within the local authority children‘s services. She is an experienced social worker and takes an active interest in the quality of care. She provides clear leadership and ensures that the practice in the home is integrated into the overall service development plans of the local authority. This strengthens the partnership between the service and the social

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

work teams. In addition this ensures there is a senior manager in a strategic role to advocate for the service and vulnerable service users.

p.4

Information about this children's home

This is a short break service, operated by the London Borough of Haringey. They provide short breaks for up to six children with moderate to severe learning and physical disabilities.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

25/11/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

p.5

Recent inspection history

25/02/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.5

Recent inspection history

05/02/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained— (a) the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (―the Level 3 Diploma‖); or (b) a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma. (5) The relevant date is— (a) in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or (b) in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. (6) The registered person may defer the relevant date if the individual— (a) does not work, or has not worked, in a care role in a home for a prolonged period; or (b) works, or has worked, in a care role in a home on a part-time

p.6

Requirement Due date

basis.(Regulation 32 (2) (3) (4) (5)) 15/08/2016

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  In some cases, such as in children‘s homes caring for children with complex care needs, restraint may be necessary as a consequence of a child‘s impairment or disability. A child‘s EHC plan or statement of special educational needs may contain detail about planned and agreed approaches to restraint or restraint techniques to be applied in the day-to-day routine of the child. This could include, for example the use of a device, such as outlined in paragraph 9.46. This specifically refers to the need to make sure the use of the Hanna cot is part of a well-informed, multi- agency assessment to ensure that its use is absolutely necessary and frequently reviewed. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 47, paragraph 9.43) .    Records of restraint must be kept and should enable the registered person

p.6

Recommendations

and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child. This specifically refers to the need to record the interventions used to avoid the use of physical intervention and the type of hold used. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 49, paragraph 9.59)

p.7

Recommendations

 Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Where there are safeguarding concerns for a child, their placement plan, must include details of the steps the home will take to manage any assessed risks on a day to day basis in order to ensure that the intervention is proportionate to the presenting behaviour or concern – plans must be clear about the context of previous behaviours, the risks these present (and to whom) and the strategies in place to reduce risks. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 42, paragraph 9.5)  

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

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 .

p.8

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,

p.9

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

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

p.9