Children's Home run by Heartwood RSW Ltd in Redbridge

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home provides a secure base for children, in which they feel safe, supported and cared for. Two young people reiterated that this was ‘the best’ placement they had ever lived in. They commented on the ‘nice’ staff. One stated that it was, ‘Like a second home.’ Another described it as being ‘really cool’. An independent reviewing officer commented that a young person was, ‘Looking so well and growing in self-esteem.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people quickly settle into life at the home. They have good mutually respectful relationships with each other. Young people enjoy socialising together in the home and outside the home, on trips. They receive encouragement to pursue their interests. For example, young people have joined the army cadets. Young people enjoy going to the cinema, laser tag arenas and theme parks. Visits to tourist attractions in central London, the theatre and seaside resorts have assisted in expanding young people’s experience.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have good relationships with schools. They liaise regularly with key staff at the schools in order to address issues. Some young people are attending college or having home tuition. Most of the young people are not in full-time education. Although young people have access to a computer, engage in educational games and go to the library, their informal learning is inconsistently recorded. 'Young people’s intellectual and vocational skills are not sufficiently developed here is minimal evidence of educational trips or activities, which would enhance young people’s learning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people receive encouragement to lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes exercise in the form of walking, swimming and going to the gym. There is a focused effort to promote young people’s well-being through their engagement with mental health services and with substance misuse and smoke cessation services. In the home, young women enjoy pamper sessions, while young men have their own bonding time. Young people are supported to look after their sexual health. However, there was no evidence of staff helping them to understand the importance of heathy, nurturing personal relationships. Each young person receives encouragement to form a positive identity by experimenting with their faith and their diet. Young people are able to pursue vegetarianism and their spiritual beliefs. They also receive support regarding their personal development. They learn emotional resilience and racial tolerance through

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

having their discriminatory attitudes challenged and through engaging with staff in open dialogue about such issues.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent living programme helps young people to make the transition into adult life. They undertake age-appropriate personal and household tasks, which include cooking and doing their own laundry. A young person commented that they get ‘a lot of support’. This young person stated that, with regard to their future, they were, ‘Looking forward to greater things.’ Young people are supported to open bank accounts, apply for jobs and courses, and obtain their provisional driving licences. Some young people express anxiety regarding future plans and say that they would appreciate the support of an advocate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people influence decision-making both individually and collectively. They take an active role in house meetings; this includes young people chairing the meetings. They assist with choosing the homes menu and with activity planning. Young people also help with the home’s cosmetic refurbishment programme, which involves the decorating of individual rooms in the property. Young people engage in key-work sessions, which enable them to discuss issues that affect their lives. They also share the responsibility for devising their individual weekly planner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff appropriately manage incidents of challenging behaviour. Since the last inspection there have been no restraints. Young people learn the consequences of their behaviour through the sanction process. The sanctions are reparative in nature and help young people to become more responsible for their behaviour and actions. Young people endeavour to meet weekly targets which reward them for positive behaviour. They take pride in working towards agreed incentives, for example money to purchase a mobile phone. The relationships that staff maintain with young people are amiable and supportive and have appropriate boundaries. Young people learn to manage their emotions through anger management and relaxation techniques.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection there have been staff changes. A new manager has been appointed. He has approximately 15 years’ experience of working with vulnerable children and young people, and have been working in management positions for the last 10 years. The new manager is currently going through the process of registering with Ofsted. The new manager has a child-focused vision for the service and wants ‘children to flourish’. A young person describes the new manager as ‘pretty decent’ and easy to ‘chat to’. Other new staff include a deputy manager and senior support staff. Staff commented on the improved morale among staff members and the valued support that they receive from senior leaders.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a good quality assurance system which focuses on continual improvement. The new manager explained that he is currently stabilising the team, but was aiming to provide an ‘outstanding’ service. The monitoring of regulations 44 and 45 provides a good evaluation of the quality of care that the home gives. Appropriate action plans are in place as a result of this monitoring. There is an organisational commitment to improving standards, as demonstrated by the independent service audit. This provides the home/the service with a strong foundation to build on' which will ultimately benefit children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have partly addressed the requirements from the last inspection. Improvements in record-keeping demonstrate the effective management of sanctions and complaints. Young people enjoy engaging in a wider range of activities. The updated statement of purpose accurately reflects the service and includes staff changes. New staff benefit from a structured induction into their role. Senior leaders appropriately inform Ofsted of changes within the management team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are several outstanding issues that relate to improving educational outcomes and enabling young people to make a positive contribution to their community. The location risk assessment does not comment on the suitability of the home’s location and the management of risks. Staff champion the individual quality standards and take the lead in implementing them. This is a new initiative, but the home’s documentation does not describe these quality standards in enough detail An example of this is the induction legislation, which does not mention the quality standards or the new regulations. The failure to address these issues has resulted in the reinstatement of the previous requirements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All the good practice recommendations from the previous inspection have been actioned, or are in progress. Leaders and managers support staff more effectively through their workforce development plan and through scheduled staff appraisals. Young people benefit from receiving a children’s guide, which clearly outlines useful information and the home’s aims and objectives. They also live in a more homely environment that has comfortable new furniture, soft furnishings and art work.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for five children, irrespective of gender, who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/07/2016 Full Requires improvement 08/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 01/09/2015 Full Good 13/03/2015 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) meet(s) 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the education standard, the registered person must (2)(a) ensure that staff: (v) promote opportunities for young people to learn informally; (viii) help a child who is of compulsory school age, but who is not attending school, to access educational training and support; and (b) make certain that each child has access to resources to support the child’s learning. 01/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

9: The enjoyment and achievement standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the enjoyment and achievement standard, the registered person must (2)(a) ensure that staff help each child to: (iii) make a positive contribution to the wider community. 01/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises at least once in each calendar year. (Regulation 46(1)) 01/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must have regard to the quality standards. (Regulation 15) 01/05/2017

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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 children have access to appropriate advocacy support.(‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.16)  Ensure that progress in education is measured and evidenced in various ways, including through qualitative information. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.2)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff help children to understand what makes a healthy nurturing relationship. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.10)

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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 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, workbased 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

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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