Children's home in Lambeth

Inspector Angus Mackay

Ofsted conducted an inspection of this children’s home on 13 April 2016, which resulted in a judgement of inadequate with six requirements, six recommendations and compliance action. As a result, Ofsted issued a compliance notice on 10 May 2016. Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection on 21 June 2016. The monitoring inspection checked actions taken in relation to the relevant requirement and the compliance notice issued on 10 May 2016. The regulatory inspector judged that the registered provider had successfully addressed the requirement and compliance notice. Ofsted conducted an inspection of this children’s home on 4 July 2016, which resulted in a judgement of inadequate with twelve requirements, six recommendations and compliance action. As a result Ofsted issued a compliance notice on 12 August 2016. This inspection checks actions taken in relation to this compliance notice and other significant action taken by the registered provider and

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Inspector Angus Mackay

At this monitoring inspection, the acting manager was present throughout and received feedback during the visit and at its conclusion. The responsible individual came to the home during the inspection and provided some information to the regulatory inspector. He also received feedback following the inspection.

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Inspector Angus Mackay

The registered provider has appointed an independent person to visit the home. The person has visited the home at least once a month since the last inspection. However, he has not supplied a copy of the independent person’s report to HMCI. During the inspection, he emailed a report of a visit made on 30 July 2016. The acting manager was unable to access this report on the home’s computer and received a copy from the neighbouring sister children’s home. The report includes suggested actions, with a timetable for their completion. It does not include the visitor’s opinion on whether staff are effectively safeguarding the child accommodated, or if the conduct of the home promotes his well-being. The report does repeat a previous suggested action for the acting manager to address the risk assessment relating to knives and other offensive weapons. The registered provider has successfully addressed the compliance notice.

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Inspector Angus Mackay

The child accommodated in the home was absent without permission during the inspection and for several days before. The acting manager said that since the last inspection he had been missing frequently, often for long periods of up to two weeks. Staff have attempted to find him and have visited places they know he regularly goes to. The acting manager said that she is meeting with the local authority this week to plan further actions, including publicity to seek his return. She acknowledges that, although he returns clean and tidy, he is at risk when unsupervised by staff from the home. The current programme is not successfully reducing the child’s absences from the home.

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Inspector Angus Mackay

The acting manager has implemented random searches of the child’s bedroom to look for drugs or concealed weapons. However, there is no policy or procedure in place to support this. The responsible individual supplied a draft search policy during this monitoring inspection. The acting manager was unable to access it on her computer and received a copy from the sister home next door. The draft policy does not describe the staffing or resources of this home, making reference to security staff and the use of CCTV. The acting manager says that she will work with the responsible individual to make the policy relevant to this setting. Currently there is no effective policy to manage the child’s behaviours, in particular his carrying of weapons.

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Inspector Angus Mackay

The acting manager has agreed to supply weekly and monthly summaries to the placing authority. She was able to evidence the completion of the monthly reports. However, she was unable to access any online weekly summaries and could only show one report from the first week in August. The online system of records is not accessible at all times, and consequently the acting manager cannot evidence much of the practice within the home, cannot access policies and procedures and cannot monitor the conduct of the home effectively.

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Inspector Angus Mackay

The acting manager and responsible individual have sent a basic action plan to the placing authority. This has brief details of how they have addressed each requirement set at the inspection of 4 July 2016. The responsible individual has made progress with some of these requirements. However, throughout the inspection the acting manager was unable to access required policies, procedures and information online.

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Inspector Angus Mackay

The responsible person and acting manager have addressed some of the requirements from the inspection of 4 July 2016. The acting manager has established timescales for the testing of fire safety equipment and has circulated this information to all staff. She has the frequency of all monitoring and testing prominently displayed in the main office. In addition, the acting manager conducts a detailed fire safety audit each month. The registered person has updated the statement of purpose, including the information which was previously missing. He has supplied a copy of the revised statement to HMCI. The acting manager has now got permission for medical treatment for the child accommodated, ensuring that she can meet his health needs. The acting manager has eventually submitted her application to register as manager of this setting. Prior to her interview, Ofsted are completing background checks, including seeking references and evidence of

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Inspector Angus Mackay

The child accommodated in the home had commenced full-time education outside the home prior to the last inspection. Due to him being missing he has not returned following the summer break. Prior to that, his attendance was in excess of 50%. The acting manager accepts that this needs to improve but sees it as a significant improvement for him compared to his previous non-attendance at school. He has made a reasonable start to his education and generally attends when not missing from the home.

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home may provide care and accommodation for no more than three young people, who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. in 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 this guidance, please telephone 0300 123 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

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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