Children's home run by Potton Homes Limited in Greenwich

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged Good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has Improved effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The management team has addressed the recommendation of the previous inspection and re-organised the supervision schedule. All staff now receive supervision regularly.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people have made exceptional progress because they are looked after by staff who know them extremely well. Young people have complex needs, and staff and managers understand the importance of consistently applying their routines. Nothing is left to chance. Each young person has a bespoke programme that is displayed round the home in pictorial form, and to which both staff and young people refer. These are discussed in handover meetings after each shift. In addition, weekly meetings have now been adapted so that staff and managers review each young person’s activities and behaviour in detail. One independent reviewing officer said: ‘They deal with the whole person, developing their knowledge of her behaviour, what works and what doesn’t. She now has so many improved life experiences and activities and gets out into the community in a way that we had not expected.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The management team holds the interests of young people at the centre of its practice. For instance, young people in this home have little sense of danger, so they are protected by making sure that staff accompany them at all times. Staff and managers balance accurate risk assessments with sound management strategies and follow rigorous health and safety checks in the home. As a result, young people are safe.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The management team places a high value on staff development. Senior workers are studying for national vocational qualification level 5, while the majority of staff already have the national vocational qualification level 3. Remaining staff members either are due to complete this training shortly or have just started this following their induction. Managers are aware that these staff members do not meet the regulatory requirements regarding this issue but have organised a sound plan to ensure that all staff will have the necessary training. Managers ensure that staff receive specialist training to improve their ability to communicate with non-verbal young people. Consequently, staff develop caring and sustaining relationships based on an enhanced understanding of the young people’s wishes and feelings.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Both staff and managers see themselves as part of a team working around the young person, so partnership with families and professionals is a priority. All young people have contact with their families, and this is fully supported by staff. This means that young people see those people who are important to them, and this increases their sense of security. Recently, managers arranged an open day for parents of young people living at the home. Apart from raising funds for the National Autistic Society, this proved a welcome opportunity for parents to share experiences and to gain support. Feedback from parents about this initiative was extremely positive. The management team members benefit from rigorous external monitoring, which they welcome and respond to constructively. Consequently, they continually pursue improvement in the service that they provide.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

All young people attend school. Staff support them purposefully and are ambitious for them, wanting them to view their future with optimism. Some young people are now starting to learn skills in the home that will help them as they reach adulthood, such as washing and dressing with support and helping with their laundry. This greatly enhances their self-esteem, and this confidence shows in their performance at school. One reviewing officer commented about one young person: ‘I observed her in class, and she is really making progress: able to concentrate better, acquire knowledge and manage tasks.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff and managers also apply a highly integrated approach to scrutinising incidents of negative behaviour. They work with health professionals to identify triggers, and amend the management plan. This means that young people change and develop while staff remain confident that they can work with them and keep them safe. There have been no notifications or serious incidents since the last inspection. The number of complaints is extremely low, and staff and managers approach them as an opportunity to develop the service. One parent said: ‘I appreciated the way my complaint was handled and it gave me confidence. We have that kind of relationship now.’

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned residential service for up to five young people, irrespective of gender, between the ages of eight to 17 years old, with a diagnosed learning disability.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/05/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

12/06/2014 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered persons 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 persons must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification by the relevant date (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b) (5)(a)(b)). 21/11/2016

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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 that 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 whom 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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