Children's home run by London Borough of Harrow

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

On the day of inspection, a day care provision was provided rather than a residential overnight service and therefore only limited contact with staff was possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has sustained effectiveness since the recent full inspection in January 2016. No complaints about the service and no notifiable events have occurred. An independent person has continued to regularly visit the home to check what goes on and report on their findings. Their reports help the service to develop. The Registered Manager has good oversight of the service and seeks to constantly improve all aspects. The updated development plan identifies how the service will grow during the coming financial year.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Due to some staff absences/retirement, management and the staff team, with the support of regularly used agency staff, have covered staff shortages. This has helped promote stability for children using the service while the recruitment, induction and training of new staff is ongoing. The main current focus for management is getting the staff team to full strength.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Training is ongoing to ensure staff have the skills they need for the work. For example, training on the standard and consistency of recording was well-regarded by staff. Refresher training in physical intervention takes place to ensure staff can safely manage particularly challenging behaviour and protect children. However, there is rare use of physical intervention, with only two incidents requiring this during the last five years.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have ‘a voice’. The service continues to engage children in what goes on in the home. For example, interpreting Ofsted’s reports into PECS so they can understand the inspection findings and introducing the new independent visitor so they are prepared to meet him. Staff take children’s suggestions and requests seriously, discuss them in team meetings and follow them up. As a result, visits to favourite activities have increased and individual interests supported, for example, visits to the library and more trips to the park. Children continue to experience a wide range of activities during their short breaks. This includes eating out, horse riding, swimming and trips to museums. Activities are risk assessed, then reviewed, to ensure that they continue to meet children’s needs and are safe.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority children’s home provides short breaks for up to five children and young people with learning, sensory and physical disabilities, at any one time.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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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