Children's home run by Mig House Residential Care Home Ltd in Waltham Forest

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Ofsted judged this home outstanding 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

Young people continue to gain much from their stay in the home. They benefit from warm relationships with staff who help them feel secure by clear boundary setting. One young person says of the staff: ‘They’re wonderful. They’re good people.’ Another indicates that they like the food and staff, feels safe in the home and get on with the other young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some parents of children who stay for short breaks say they trust the staff to keep their children safe. One says, ‘Staff are absolutely wonderful.’ They find the staff are good at managing challenging behaviour and that behaviour improves as a result of staying in the home. They report that their children are usually relaxed and happy when staying. Some appreciate that their children can make friends as they can tend to be isolated from peers outside of school. One suggests they would like to be able to visit the home with their child in between their short break stays so their child can maintain their friendships. They comment, ‘They don’t have an outside world – they need to stay in touch with their friends.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff prepare young people, for their transitions from the home, well in conjunction with families. They advocate strongly for a planned transition for those residents approaching the age of 18 which is very considerate of their needs. Where young people move to the service’s own adult provision, young people have the chance to be cared for by staff they are familiar with and renewing friendships with previous residents who have moved there. They benefit from visits to their new home and from shared activities and social events to help prepare them for the change.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There continues to be a strong focus on encouraging young people’s independence. Individual targets focus on acquiring skills which will benefit each young person. Some enjoy helping staff with household chores, such as washing and drying up. Others are learning to manage money, prepare meals and cross the road without assistance. Parents appreciate when their children then practise their newly acquired skills in the family home. Progress and achievement in gaining independence skills is celebrated; young people’s confidence and well-being improves. Staff promote young people’s safety. Young people ‘have a voice’. They are involved in decisions about what goes on in the home and about things affecting them. Staff work in partnership with parents and professionals to ensure young people can access the support they need, for example, from the child and adolescent mental health service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff manage behaviour positively with no use of restraint during the period since the last inspection. Clear behaviour support plans ensure that staff manage behaviour in a consistent way, which helps young people feel secure. There have not been any serious incidents. No young people have gone missing from the home or while out on activities. Staff prepare information sheets about each young person to share with the emergency services in the event of them going missing. On some, the young person’s photograph is not clear but staff agreed to improve these. There is no negative impact as it has not been necessary to use these sheets so far.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive training in safeguarding and recognise the particular vulnerability to abuse of those with learning disabilities. Training has helped staff understand the risks of child sexual exploitation so they can protect young people. They are familiar with the government’s Prevent agenda. However, they have not received any information or training on the risks of female genital mutilation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective monitoring by the Registered Manager and by an independent visitor helps improve the quality of the service. The views of those using or visiting the home inform these reviews and suggestions for improvement incorporated where possible. Detailed reports of this monitoring are regularly shared with Ofsted, keeping the regulator informed of the home’s progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The premises are clean, tidy and homely. Young people say they like their rooms which reflect their personalities and interests. They are able to meet their families on the premises where this is possible. Parents enjoy attending social events with their children, such as parties and barbeques. A fence panel is down in the garden but staff assure that this is due for repair soon.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home accommodates up to nine children. It offers long- term as well as respite care for children with a learning disability.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure the home's policies and procedures around the protection of children reflect any requirements of other relevant legislation, with specific reference to information on female genital mutilation. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 44, paragraph 9.22)

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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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