Children's home run by Virgin Care Limited in Camden

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is cleaned, maintained and decorated to a high standard. Both of the young people seen during the inspection presented as happy and relaxed in their environment. This was communicated by their frequent smiles when spoken to warmly by staff members.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both of the requirements made at the last inspection are met. Foods that need to be blended for young people’s safety are no longer blended together, in order to ensure that young people are provided with varied tastes and textures. This is not explicitly recorded anywhere, which could lead to new staff not being aware of the need to blend food separately.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Independent visitor reports are being completed on a regular basis. However, they are not robustly identifying areas for improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The vast majority of the recommendations made at the last inspection have also been actioned. CCTV is only used when necessary and consent has been provided. Consent is also sought for every piece of equipment which results in the restraint of young people. Risk assessment is of a good standard. Children and young people’s case records are also securely stored.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The one remaining recommendation is in respect of enabling young people to be cared for by both male and female carers. This has not been possible due to challenges in recruiting male staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An allegation made regarding the care provided to one young person was not upheld by the designated officer. However, no internal investigation was completed in order to identify any learning points. Therefore, the concerns raised were not robustly explored.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A great deal of medication is required by a number of young people who attend the home. Staff are vigilant at reviewing what medication is needed. However, there is no system in place to ensure that the correct medication arrives with young people from various locations, such as school and family home. This resulted in some doses of medication not being provided to young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is seeking to develop working relationships with education providers, in order to promote a consistent approach to the care provided to young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The only complaint received since the last inspection was handled appropriately by the registered manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a very stable staff team at this home which provides very important consistency for young people. The management of this home is also of a good standard, which is reflected by the stable staff team and the good quality care provided to young people.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned by a national organisation that has other similar homes in the area. It provides care and accommodation for up to five children and young people at a time. However, due to many of the young people having large specialist wheelchairs, the home usually accommodates four young people at a time. The home is equipped to provide care and support for children and young people who have a physical disability, a learning disability and/or a sensory impairment.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 25/04/2016 Full Good 17/12/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/07/2015 Full Good 21/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 Leaders and managers need to develop a robust system in order to ensure that children and young people always have the correct medication available to them, whether they have arrived from home, school or any other location. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.20)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should actively seek independent scrutiny of the home and make best use of information from independent and internal monitoring (including under regulations 44 and 45) to ensure continuous improvement. They should be skilled in anticipating difficulties and reviewing incidents, such as learning from disruptions and placement breakdowns. They are responsible for proactively implementing lessons learned and sustaining good practice. Specifically, if a safeguarding matter is highlighted, such as the incorrect use of important equipment, the registered manager should seek an internal investigation from a manager who does not work at the home, in order to ensure that any points of learning are promptly identified. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24)

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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 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, 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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