Children's Home run by Anna House Limited in Havering

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 staff generally manage challenging behaviour well. However, in one case, staff have struggled with a very difficult situation. Some have experienced injuries when trying to make sure that a child does not harm himself or others. There has been an increase in physical interventions. Staff have found that some holds are impractical. The staff have tried to make this child’s bedroom as safe as possible, but it appears institutional as a result. It is commendable that the staff and management do not easily give up on children. However, greater involvement with all professionals involved in this child’s life is urgently required in order to help them to make progress, notably in reducing their challenging behaviour and reducing the risk to themselves and others. Records of restraint show some errors. For example, insufficient details are

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

included to describe what type of restraint staff have used at times. Therefore, it is not possible for management to check exactly what has taken place. It is highly unusual for a child to go missing from this home or while out with staff. Nevertheless, one child managed to leave the home for a short period of time in very unusual circumstances. Managers responded positively to reduce the risk of further incidents. Management have reported all notifiable events to Ofsted and any allegations to the designated officer. Children have experienced stability, as there has been little change in the staff team or managers caring for them. A member of staff said that they ‘work well as a team’. The registered manager ensures high levels of supervision, making consistent use of agency staff when required. Staff morale is somewhat affected by the challenges that they have faced recently. Nevertheless, staff have warm,

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

positive relationships with the children and want the best for them. Children continue to have contact with their families. Relatives are welcome in the home and encouraged to be part of their children’s lives. There is good support for education. The majority have education placements and attend regularly unless unwell. One resident is not in education after arrangements broke down. While further options are being considered, staff engage the child in activities. The management team has met the three requirements and four recommendations made at the last inspection. This helps the home to comply with regulation and standards and to improve the quality of care. Management monitoring has improved. The registered manager shares copies of her monitoring reports with Ofsted. Monitoring by an independent person is appropriate. The registered manager now has a workforce development plan. This has been instrumental in

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

identifying when training is due to maintain a qualified staff team, for example, training in first aid. Managers are raising awareness of autism to develop staff knowledge and now have links to the National Autistic Society to inform their practice. The majority of children went on a week’s holiday in the summer. This gave them valuable experiences in staying away from home in a setting adapted to their needs. Staff take the children on trips out to parkland areas and places of interest. They cater for children’s individual needs and interests, for example, taking them bowling or to eat out in local restaurants.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This privately operated children’s home provides short breaks and long-term care for up to six children who have learning and physical disabilities. One young adult currently resides in the home.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 03/08/2016 Full Good 03/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 13/07/2015 Full Good 26/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

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 within the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that (a) within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes (iv) a description of the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(iv)) 30/05/2017

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that the home works in close partnership with all those who play a role in protecting and caring for the child, but particularly the child’s local authority and statutory social workers. The registered person should evidence actions taken to escalate concerns. This is with specific reference to ensuring that concerns about one particular child are clearly communicated to all involved in their life in order to help them to progress and to help all adults meet their very complex needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 11, paragraph 2.3)  Ensure that those commissioning training in restraint for children’s homes staff are satisfied that the training fits with their existing restraint system and is appropriate to the needs of the children whom the home is set up to care for.

p.5

Recommendations

This is with specific reference to reviewing techniques in order to manage the intensity of one child’s behaviour to prevent injuries inflicted on staff and members of the public. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.58)

p.5

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’.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

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

p.7