Children's Home run by Wandsworth Borough Council in Wandsworth

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . There are no requirements or recommendations made as a result of this inspection. One requirement and three recommendations resulted from the last inspection. The home has fully met the requirement, which related to ensuring that risk assessments were promptly updated. Managers immediately undertook a comprehensive file audit, and then acted to ensure the updating of any shortfalls. This has enabled all staff to easily access important safeguarding information about young people. The management team has given careful thought about the best way to meet the recommendations. This is demonstrated in that the home has met, or made very good progress on, all three of them. There is now an established, ongoing programme of file audits with clear indicators of shortfalls. Young people’s activities

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

are planned prior to their stays and based on their individual preferences. These are also communicated with picture symbols in the main dining room. The home has plans to do more to encourage effective communication between young people and staff, and already has room–based communication boards in place. The progress made on the requirement and the recommendations demonstrates that effective leadership and management are in place. A particular strength of this home is its commitment to successful transitions, especially in relation to those young people who live permanently in the home. The managers work closely with their counterparts in the new home, and regularly use a picture board with young people, to familiarise them with the impending change. Visits and eventually overnight stays are arranged at the young person’s pace, and key staff ensure that they are present for reassurance. This contact does not

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

necessarily stop once a young person has moved on. For example, one young person is still supported by staff to visit her friend some two years after she left. This excellent practice demonstrates that careful attention is paid to young people’s emotional well-being as well as to their routine care needs. The home has made good progress in ensuring that young people attending for short breaks have aspirational outcomes. The vast majority of young people now have these in place, together with detailed steps about how the outcome will be reached. Staff are gradually embedding these individual targets in their daily practice, and where appropriate are using the ‘Proud Clouds’ to praise and acknowledge young people’s achievements. This supports the development of young people’s self-esteem and gives parents and carers opportunities to feel proud of their child. The children’s home premises remain bright, warm and comfortable and offer a

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

homely environment for both long- and short-stay young people.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority home for children who have a physical or learning disability. The home provides short breaks and long-term care for 13 children at any one time.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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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