Setting in Islington

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good 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

The setting provides short breaks for children with learning disabilities and associated complex needs. At the last inspection, one recommendation was set which the manager has addressed through the development of documented matching considerations when planning short breaks. This gives better evidence of the effective planning of short breaks for children. Physical intervention is rarely used in the home, and no incidents are documented as having occurred in the past year. However, in discussion with the manager it is clear that breakaway techniques, which involve physical intervention and environmental means of restriction of liberty, are used on occasion in order to effectively safeguard children or staff. The lack of recording of such instances means that there is insufficient information to enable the manager to have effective overview of the use of such measures. Significant incidents are rare and where accidents or incidents occur, these are well

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

managed and the information is shared with parents and appropriate professionals. The children are well safeguarded by appropriate supervision and support. Staff encourage children’s communication skills and key information, such as complaints and safeguarding, is displayed in an accessible format. Pictorial communication systems are utilised throughout the home and children like looking at the photographic duty rota to understand which staff they will see during their stay. The manager and organisation have not consistently and effectively utilised quality assurance systems to identify and promote service development. For example, the organisation does not have a clear system for disseminating innovative practice or inspirational training, nor has the manager reviewed the opportunities for promoting young people’s learning and development opportunities. The report of the monthly visit conducted by the independent person, does not give a full flavour

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

of the support provided, nor does it state the independent person’s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and their well-being promoted. While this does not have a direct impact on the care provided, it does have an impact on the rigour of the review and therefore the ability to drive improvement. Staff changes are rare, ensuring consistency. This enables children throughout the years, as they grow and develop into young adulthood, to be supported by staff with whom they are familiar and who know their needs well. As a result they receive an individualised and child-focused service which meets their complex needs. The children feel safe in their surroundings and seek out favourite members of staff. One child said, ‘it is really good, I like it here’. Parents spoke very highly of nurturing staff who really care about the children they are entrusted with. One said that staff, ‘are brilliant with the kids.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is competent to fulfil its roles, having benefited from a good variety of training and support. All staff employed for more than a year have completed their level 3 training, and their competence to deliver complex care tasks and medication administration are regularly assessed. The organisation is an inclusive employer, which means that children benefit from positive role models of different genders, backgrounds and disabilities, promoting their personal aspirations. Children look forward to their visits and enjoy a variety of activities and the opportunity to socialise, sometimes developing friendships. Children show their joy arriving at their short break, by running to their favourite activity, such as go-karts or water play. Some children benefit from opportunities to go out to the community, which would otherwise not be available to them due to their complex needs. Feedback from parents and partner agencies is consistently highly positive

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

about the quality of support provided and partnerships established. Parents say that the levels of support are ‘excellent’ and their wishes and guidance on how their child should be cared for are followed fully. This is particularly important for these children, who are often unable to articulate verbally their thoughts, wishes and feelings. One parent commented that: ‘Consistency is really well implemented, and it’s important as she doesn’t like changes.’ Prior to children using the service, comprehensive assessments of need and sensitive, well-planned transitions take place. One parent described how their extreme worries about their child using a short break setting had been removed by the extremely sensitive and supportive staff. They said, ‘In all honesty we only agreed for her to come to the day care when pressured by the social worker, so we could tell them everything that we didn’t like about it and why she shouldn’t

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

come. It was only because of the staff giving us such confidence that actually we’ve been able to allow her to stay.’ The home is suitably maintained, spacious, clean and safe. The children benefit from an environment that meets their needs, with a favourite area to relax being the well-equipped sensory room. One parent commented how they particularly like the fact, ‘that there is always something a little bit messy showing how they all have fun,’ during their short break.

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Information about this children’s home

A national organisation runs this service. A maximum of six children and/or young people receive short breaks in the home. Placements are for children and young people with complex physical disabilities and/or learning disabilities. The length of stay varies for each child or young person, reflecting their assessed family circumstances.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

10/06/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

30/06/2014 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

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

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. The independent person must produce a report about a visit (‘the independent person’s report’) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (1)(4)(a)(b)) 03/10/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The registered person should ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair and the principles as set out in 9.35 are respected. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)  The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulations 44 and 45) to ensure continuous improvement. In particular, ensure that such reports contain accurate information and cover all aspects of the service, including arrangements for promoting young people’s learning and development. Furthermore, develop effective systems within the organisation for the dissemination of good or innovative practice to drive

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Recommendations

improvement. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24)

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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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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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