Children's home run by St Christopher’s Fellowship in Wandsworth

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . The manager has met the one recommendation made at the last inspection. This was in relation to the staff receiving regular supervision in line with the home’s policy. The staff say that they feel well supported. The supervision sessions are comprehensive, focusing on the needs of the children, staffing issues and training. This has a positive impact on the standard of care because the staff feel valued and listened to. There have been no new children in placement since the last inspection. One child has left the home unexpectedly. This was due to continued breach of his electronic tag, following which he received a custodial sentence. The manager continues to keep in touch with him by phone and planned visits. He will not be returning to the home but the manager remains involved in his plans, in order to support him into

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

semi-independence. During his time at the home he was able to progress his independence skills, which has been really positive for him. He has gained confidence and is able to budget and cook and clean for himself. His social worker said, ‘I cannot speak highly enough of their [the staff’s] work with him. They could not have done any more.’ He is benefiting from access to nurturing, emotional support from positive role models during this difficult period in his life. The external monitoring system is regular and effective. The independent visitor is very positive about the staff and the manager, as she has observed their interactions with the children during her visits. The independent visitor reports that the staff are ‘firm and fair’ in their approach and says that this is why there are very few incidents and no physical interventions. She said, ‘I enjoy coming here, this is one of my favourites. There is a very experienced team here and there is not

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

a high turnover of staff.’ The case files and records reflect this. There have been no physical interventions or complaints since the last inspection. A social worker said that the staff team works well with her child, who at times displays challenging behaviours. She said, ‘They [the staff] manage her really well. I have been really pleased with this. She [the child] has matured and she is more stable.’ The sanctions records show that there is clear management oversight of incidents. The deputy manager monitors and comments as to whether the sanctions are proportionate. The staff team undertakes consistent direct work with the children to explore these issues in more depth. This further affirms a restorative approach. The staff and manager listen to the children’s views and support them to engage with their review meetings. A social worker said of her child, ‘She has a trusting relationship with the staff. They advocate for her.’ Children are able to identify an

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

adult who they feel able to talk to. The children know how to complain and are confident that they would do so if they needed to. One child said that since she has been at the home her behaviour has got better. She said that she has good relationships with staff, ‘some more than others’. At times there are disagreements between the children living at the home because they are all teenagers with very different needs. One child said that when this happens the staff are there to manage it. The staff spend time getting to know the individual needs of the children and they continue to encourage positive relationships. A child said, ‘I like the activity days on a Monday as I can do an activity that I like.’ This helps the children to build confidence and develop their interests. The children attend education and this is a clear focus of the home. The staff and manager give a strong message that the children are expected to attend school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child attends a local college and is doing well; she is able to get herself there by bus each way. As many of the children have struggled to engage with education in the past this is an ongoing area of work. The staff have good knowledge of the education plans for the children and they engage with other professionals to implement a package of support. However, the education plan for one child is out of date. This does not provide staff with current information about the child’s changing needs. The location risk assessment is up to date and comprehensive. It takes into account the risks associated with the locality and the local crime information. The fire drills are regular and involve the children. The fire alarm systems are subject to regular checks and maintenance. There has been an incident when a child repeatedly covered a smoke alarm in his room with a sock. The staff addressed this through key-working sessions and sanctions. However, this behaviour is not

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

included in the current fire risk assessment. This does not ensure that all of the staff are fully aware of the potential risks and mitigating actions. There are incidents of children leaving the home without consent. Actions taken are timely and effective and clearly documented. The staff understand and follow the missing-from-care protocol. Requests to the placing authority for return home interviews are progressed by the staff and the manager consistently. The children’s parents and relevant professionals are confident that the children are safe at the home due to the actions of the staff. A parent said, ‘They do all they can to keep her safe. They phone me straight away if she goes anywhere. I am very happy with that.’ Children’s welfare is a priority in the home and the staff are committed to locating the children as soon as possible to ensure their safety. There is effective communication with all of the relevant external professionals, and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

multi-agency work is of an excellent standard. The manager engages with all of these professionals, building positive relationships with the local authority and youth offending teams. The management of the home is a clear strength and this view is reinforced in the feedback from staff and professionals. A social worker said that the manager had ‘gone above and beyond’ in relation to working with one of the children. She said, ‘The manager is a good role model and gives a good message.’ The manager leads the service well and she is accessible to her staff team and the children.

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Information about this children's home

The children’s home is owned and managed by a charitable organisation. It provides care and accommodation for five children aged between 12 and 18 years who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/10/2016 Full Good 18/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/06/2015 Full Good 03/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that all relevant plans, with particular reference to the home’s education plans, are current and updated sufficiently. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 25, paragraph 5.1)  Ensure that all potential fire risk hazards are clearly documented in the fire risk assessment. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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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

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

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

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