Children's Home run by London Borough of Brent in Brent

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to have excellent experiences and make good progress as a result of their short break experiences at the centre. The service continues to meet well-individualised placement objectives. Staff encourage children to be healthy, engage with their learning and work effectively with the staff team to develop practical skills. This is to enhance their levels of independence. A small number of medication errors have resulted in the current judgement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children very much enjoy attending the service. A child’s key worker commented at a recent children in need review, ‘ On E’s last visit to the unit, I asked him if he enjoys coming to short breaks, to which he responded that he does. On occasion, E seems reluctant to leave the unit when Mum comes to pick him up.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to support children to make progress in achieving individual set placement targets. Typically, these targets focus on enhancing children’s communication skills, social interaction and levels of independence. The newly- introduced target-tracking tool works well in evaluating children’s progress in achieving targets. As children achieve set targets, new appropriate goals are set.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The previous inspection highlighted that some children’s risk assessments and short break plans were not up to date. Since the last inspection, managers have successfully implemented the use of an audit tool to assist with monitoring the quality of records. Children’s files reviewed during this inspection evidence the consistent use of the audit tool, which includes routine checks to determine whether risk assessments and plans are current. In every case, these documents were reviewed and up to date. This is important as it ensures that staff have access to information that reflects children’s changing needs or circumstances.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, managers have forwarded to Ofsted a number of safeguarding notifications. The registered manager manages these incidents well and takes remedial action to ensure that children are safe, particularly when out in the community. One recent incident resulted in the involvement of the local authority designated officer, which is in line with local safeguarding protocols. The registered manager ensured that effective remedial action was taken, and encouraged practice reflection and staff learning from the incident.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection there have been three occasions when errors have been noted in the administration of children’s medication. The registered manager has been swift and decisive in taking effective action to prevent further medication errors. For example, staff now seek clarification of medication information from parents at every short break experience. Staff are now required to contact the local pharmacist to confirm and verify any medication queries.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has revised the centre’s system to log children’s medication when they arrive, to make the process more efficient and effective. The entire staff team is to undergo a series of medication training, online testing and group training with the pharmacist. This is to enhance staff’s safe management of medication. The registered manager has also revised the centre’s medication policies and procedures to support safe practice. Team meetings and individual staff supervision sessions will focus on staff’s demonstration of their learning and skills in their administration of medication. The registered manager is to explore with the pharmacist further changes to the medication administration records to make clearer to staff the information that they are required to record.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager acknowledges that medication errors pose significant risks to children and are unacceptable. In turn, the registered manager has introduced significant safeguards and taken extensive steps to promote staff’s safe administration of medication.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An independent consultant continues to conduct monthly Regulation 44 monitoring visits. These highlight and review service operation, delivery and practice, including safeguarding issues. These monitoring visits help to identify the service’s strengths and weaknesses, and support managers to take action to improve service provision and keep children safe.

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Information about this children's home

This short break service occupies purpose-built premises. A London local authority owns and manages the centre. The service provides short breaks for up to eight children and young people living with physical and learning disabilities and sensory impairment.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 01/09/2016 Full Outstanding 16/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 28/09/2015 Full Outstanding 02/03/2015 Interim Sustained 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 make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children's home.

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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 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

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

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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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