Children's Home run by Kartikeya Solutions Limited in Haringey

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 Declined in effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three requirements and four recommendations resulted from the full inspection. The home has addressed these successfully. Further concerns have arisen during this inspection and resulted in three requirements and three recommendations. These concerns refer to insufficient training, staff appraisal, poor internet safety measures and lack of independent advocacy. The interim manager is committed to addressing these and implementing service improvements.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do not access independent advocacy. This results in a lack of full knowledge and oversight when key care planning decisions occur. Raised support will increase the possibility of improved services and outcomes for young people.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Restraints and physical interventions are not fully recorded. The current process does not allow young people to record their wishes and feelings fully. This is of particular concern given the absence of independent advocacy. Recordings are exclusively completed by staff members. Consequently, strategies for avoiding repetition are not fully evaluated and the safety of young people may be placed at risk.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Training for staff is insufficient. Key training, around issues such as child sexual exploitation and self-harming, is missing. In addition, one staff member is still to complete the level 3 qualification within the necessary timescale. This may result in risky behaviours being unnoticed or staff being unable to meet the needs of young people. Despite the home being open since June 2015 some staff members are lacking a formal performance appraisal. This will support their development and monitor attendance at training and key learning activities.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is evidence of a reduction in risk-taking behaviour. When young people abscond from the home, staff work hard to ensure that independent return to care interviews occur and any concerns are swiftly acted upon. Local police report that the home has ‘good awareness of young people’. Good multi-agency working supports a strong safeguarding culture. Staff are presently liaising with the child sexual exploitation risk analyst to access social media accounts and analyse recent pictures and posts. This information supports staff in educating young people on the dangers posed by the internet. Despite this work, young people do not enjoy safe access to the internet via computers in their home. There are no effective filters, and this may result in access to inappropriate materials while in the placement.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An appropriate assessment of risk of the local community has been completed. This provides a fuller account of the dangers posed in specific local areas, including gang-related issues. It has improved care planning decisions and supports safe care practice. The manager has reviewed care arrangements. This outlines a comprehensive action plan for the home and offers an overview of the outcomes achieved in the home. A revised statement of purpose is now in place. This includes a full account of staff qualifications and expertise and provides full information for placing professionals. Young people will benefit from more appropriate placement matching.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements in case recordings are evident. Managers now review case files and recordings more regularly. Risk assessments are comprehensive and holistic. Staff have clear guidance regarding the management of complex behaviours. Notification of serious events to Ofsted now occurs more regularly. This supports the effective monitoring of the home by the regulator and assists effective safeguarding.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have attempted to engage young people with local bodies, such as the Children in Care Council, with limited success. Staff will continue to explore these options and young people understand that resources are available. However, they have chosen not to engage.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff morale is strong in the home. There have been no departures since the last inspection. Staff report that communication levels continue to improve, resulting in clear behavioural management techniques and consistency for young people.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are happy in their home. Staff work consistently and persistently to support them. There is evidence of them engaging with both the therapeutic and educational provision on offer in the home. One comments, ‘It’s good here, staff do everything.’ The home offers a rich array of activities, including weekly go-karting trips. Young people recently worked with the horticultural therapist to build a new shed area in the garden. The environment is safe, comfortable and well maintained. A new pool table has been purchased for the home. This promotes staff and young people enjoying their leisure time together.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make progress in education. Case files show a progressive increase in educational engagement. Staff skilfully use the ‘well-being curriculum’ to promote the value of healthy eating and regular exercise.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run home registered to care for up to five young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 20/04/2016 Full Good 02/11/2015 Full Good

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

(4) The registered person must ensure that all employees: (c) have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(c)) 01/01/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

(4) An individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if by the relevant date, the individual has attained: (a) the level 3 diploma for residential childcare (England). (Regulation 32 (4)(a)) 17/04/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

(4) The registered person must ensure that all employees: (a) undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)) 01/01/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:

p.5

Recommendations

 Ensure that when a restraint occurs that young people be given the opportunity to express their feelings about the experience of the restraint as soon as is practicable, ideally within 24 hours of the restraint incident, taking the age of the child and the circumstances of the restraint into account. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 50, paragraph 9.60)

p.5

Recommendations

 Ensure that young people have access to a computer and the internet to support their education and learning, unless there are specific safeguarding reasons why this would be inappropriate. In such cases the home should consider whether it can support the child to access a computer and the internet safely. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.19)

p.5

Recommendations

 Ensure that children have access to appropriate advocacy support, and where possible this should be provided by a person the child chooses. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.16)

p.6

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’.

p.7

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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8