Children's home in Westminster

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, good care of children and young people has been sustained in this children’s home. However, there has been slow progress in some of the areas that were identified as requiring improvement by leaders and managers at the last inspection. Children and young people in this home are making good progress overall. One young person who has had periods of not being in training or education has recently started a course. The other children and young people are in full-time education. Some have a combination of alternative education provision arrangements. Staff are continuously assessing their needs and progress, and contribute to planning meetings, including education planning meetings. Staff work closely with education providers and support children and young people with homework, preparation for exams, and after-school hobbies and interests. Some young people have a history of poor attendance and engagement in education.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff encourage good attendance by implementing clear routines, reliable transport arrangements, and mediation and support when there are difficulties in education settings. There have been a number of changes to the group living at the home. Five children and young people have moved into the home and four have moved on from the home since the last inspection. The reason for this is that a small number of young people have moved on to age-appropriate, supported accommodation. These were planned transitions and they had developed independence skills prior to moving. One young person has moved, in a planned way, to be nearer to family. One young person moved in, for a short period, until a placement in a more appropriate location became available. Managers have taken into consideration the needs of the children and young people when planning new placements. The group are relating well to each other at this time. However, there have been

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

occasions of conflict and one incident of bullying behaviour. This incident was recorded in detail and the young person concerned was supported to make a complaint. Managers ensured that work was undertaken with all of the individuals involved. There is a clear anti-bullying policy that staff have revisited with the group. Children and young people are benefiting from a period of stability currently. All of the children and young people report that they feel safe, and that they have good peer friendships and positive relationships with staff. There have been a low number of incidents of physical intervention reported. Staff are trained in de-escalation and distraction techniques, and use these if there are challenging behaviours. Children and young people who have a history of aggressive and challenging behaviours are responding positively to structured routines and boundaries. There have been a small number of incidents in which young people have gone

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

missing from the home and a number of unauthorised absences; most of these have been associated with one young person. Staff follow the relevant procedures and liaise closely with the responsible social worker and the police. Return interviews have been undertaken, but sometimes a limited amount of information is shared. The home’s managers are addressing this with the relevant agency. A multi-agency strategy meeting was convened to assess the level of risk to this young person and how to manage and reduce it. The incidence of episodes of going missing has reduced, but there remain concerns. There is ongoing assessment of the risk of exploitation and the young person is engaging with a specialist resource. In addition, care planning meetings have reviewed the placement, in response to the missing episodes. In this way, the concerns and care arrangements continue to be carefully monitored in order to keep the young person

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

safe. There have been concerns regarding incidents of, and suspected incidents of, substance misuse by a young person. He has been referred to a specialist resource which will provide counselling and interventions to address the behaviours. Managers recognise that this behaviour can present risks to the other children and young people. They have implemented strategies and have prevented further incidents within the home. They continue to address this with the young person concerned. Children and young people have detailed health plans and appointments are made for preventive health care. However, some young people have failed to attend dental appointments. Staff and managers have developed creative ways of encouraging children and young people to attend and additional appointments have been made. There is a housekeeper who works with the staff to ensure that children and young people benefit from a balanced, healthy diet. The records

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

showed that some children and young people respond to this better than others. Managers are reviewing mealtimes to ensure that all children and young people have a balanced evening meal. Children and young people are consulted with about their care. There are weekly residents’ meetings and monthly consultation questionnaires. Managers and staff feedback to all children and young people, following any requests and consultation events, by way of a ‘you said – we did’ formula. Children and young people report that they are consulted and that they can talk to staff at any time about anything. One young person was looking forward to going to college and to starting his independence skills package. He said that he feels safe and gets on well with everyone. The children and young people said that they have opportunities to do activities and to continue with interests and hobbies. One young person plays rugby and another plays football. It demonstrates progress, and is a reflection of

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

positive relationships, that children and young people enjoy going out with staff as a group for celebrations and to activities that they have chosen. This inspection found that records do not regularly capture children’s and young people’s contributions or their views on the information that is held about them and their understanding of that information. A recommendation is made to address this. Staff and managers work well with professionals and families. Contact has improved for a number of children and young people due to good communication between staff and families and because the staff support arrangements. Social workers receive weekly updates and are appropriately notified in a timely way of any concerns. A social worker said: ‘I have received useful weekly information. The home’s staff have worked well with this young person’s family and that has improved contact. I believe living in this home has made a positive difference for

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

this young person.’ Since the last inspection, there have been a number of changes to staffing. The registered manager is currently taking maternity leave and the deputy manager has been appointed as interim home manager. She is a qualified and experienced manager. A senior member of staff has been appointed to the interim deputy post. These changes have been seamless and they have not impacted on supervision of staff or the functioning of the team. However, there have been changes to the staff team as well. There is currently one support worker vacancy. A number of staff are undertaking the relevant care qualification and a small number of staff have recently been appointed and are completing a probationary period. This means that there have been times when the staff who are on duty are not qualified staff. The manager takes into account the experience of staff when planning cover in the home. Arrangements that are made for support depend on the risk assessments of

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

children and young people and include any emerging concerns. However, a requirement is made for managers to review staff sufficiency and skills so that they can ensure that the rotas have a balance of experience and qualifications at all times. They should also consider a balance of gender. The managers are addressing the requirement that was made at the last inspection regarding improving quality assurance processes. However, a recent internal audit by a senior manager evidenced that there remain some areas for improvement and development. This inspection found that some records are good and that they accurately reflect the young person’s needs and risks, and help to keep the young person safe. However, some required improvement. One risk assessment did not reflect all of the information about a young person’s missing episodes. Records would be strengthened by having a clear chronology of missing episodes and

p.4

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

unauthorised absences, with outcomes, in the young person’s care file, as well as in the missing information log. It is acknowledged by the managers that there has been slow progress in improving monitoring and quality assurance processes and that there have been changes in the management and staff team. However, they have revisited the improvement plan so that it now includes feedback from recent audits, and will add feedback from this inspection. They are aware of the areas for development and have clear plans with timescales in place. There has not been any impact on the safety and welfare of the children and young people, and they continue to make progress.

p.5

Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home provides care for up to five children and young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

p.6

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/06/2016 Full Good 04/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 28/10/2015 Full Good 26/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.6

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.

p.7

Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

p.7

Requirement Due date

2(c) The registered person must ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. 31/05/2017

p.7

Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

p.7

Requirement Due date

2(d) The registered person must ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. 31/05/2017

p.7

Recommendations

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

p.7

Recommendations

 Children should be encouraged by staff to see the home’s records as ‘living documents’ that support them to view and contribute to the record in a way that reflects their voice on a regular basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph 11.19)

p.7

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.8

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.

p.8

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.8

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.9

Information about this inspection

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

p.9

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.9

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.9