Children's home run by Institute of Integrated Systemic Therapy in Southwark

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 improved in effectiveness . There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last inspection. The group of children living at the home remains unchanged. The children continue to make excellent progress compared to their starting points. The manager is considering the suitability of continuing to care for the newest child. Although the child is making progress, some of her behaviours are causing concern and are having a negative effect on the other children. It is felt that she would benefit from living in a smaller home. The premature ending of placements is extremely rare and it is evident that making this decision is very hard. The manager is ensuring that any move is very gradual and phased to ensure that the child moves on in a positive way. One of the children, who was the subject of a care order when he moved in, is now

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

preparing for a move back to his family home. The staff and the family worker have built a rapport with the parent, who has worked closely with them throughout her child’s placement, to develop the parenting skills and coping mechanisms that she will require when her child returns home. The children are all attending school and continue to achieve extremely high levels of attendance. If the children have trouble in class the staff offer support to them in school, to ensure that the children are encouraged to work through any issues and that they do not miss any lessons. This also assists the school staff with learning the techniques that the staff use successfully to help calm and refocus the children. Some of the children are doing some exercises prior to starting their school day and the staff are helping the children to make healthy food choices. This enables the children to learn about healthy eating and exercise in a relaxed way.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child proudly showed the inspector his bedroom and spoke about the colours he has chosen for his walls and his carpet. He also showed his collection of toys. The children are involved in the decisions about the decor and furnishings and this promotes their feelings of pride and ownership in their home. During the inspection, the staff and the children were busily planning the activities for the imminent half-term holiday. The children also participate in a variety of regular extra-curricular activities. This gives them the opportunity to develop new skills and build friendships. The community meetings continue to provide a space for the children to discuss personal and household matters. The children benefit from being able to offer each other support and strategies to address the matters raised. No children have gone missing from home. There has been an increase in the number of incidents and the use of physical interventions. The staff team review

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

these incidents on a weekly basis to identify any attributable factors and revise strategies used by the staff and the children to assist with the reduction in frequency. The manager tracks any behaviour perceived as bullying. The most recent tracking related to a child who experienced a decline in his behaviour when his care plan was changed and he became aware that a move home was no longer possible. The review of incidents in this way helps the manager to identify triggers and address the root problems. The managers have a good understanding of the home and are continually reviewing and identifying areas that they can develop or enhance. An example of this is the bespoke training course that the managers have commissioned to teach the staff how to engage with the children creatively through play. This, combined with the integrated systemic approach of the home, equips the staff with a variety of techniques to continue to improve the trusting relationships that children have

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

built with them. The manager has recruited staff to the vacant posts. The existing staff no longer have to provide regular cover through additional shifts and, consequently, are feeling more energised. The new staff spoke enthusiastically about the induction, supervision and the training that they have received. One said, ‘I am loving it. It’s great. I find the managers supportive and welcoming. It is so different to other homes I have worked in.’ Professionals are positive about the manager and the staff team and the difference that they are making to the children’s lives. One said, ‘I am very positive about the placement and my experience of the staff’s joint working. No difficulties or concerns. They are proactive.’ Parents were also positive about the level of care that their children receive. An email from a parent said, ‘Quite simply, this is the best update that we have ever received. There is balance, there is no spin and it is clearly our daughter.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another parent said, ‘Before he moved there no school could contain him. Now his school reports are brilliant. He gets 98% attendance. The staff are all brilliant. I would move in myself.’

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Information about this children’s home

A registered charity owns this children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to nine children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is a therapeutic community, based on an integrated systemic therapy model.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

18/03/2015 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 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.

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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 at: 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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