Children's Home run by London Borough of Hillingdon in Hillingdon

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the full inspection this home has been through major changes. These have been adequately reflected both in the revised statement of purpose and in a request for a variation to the home’s conditions, which is currently being processed. Ofsted has been kept informed of these changes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In summary, the changes mean that the home is still offering short breaks for young people who have disabilities. However, it is also caring for children and young people who have emotional and behavioural needs, most of whom do not have learning disabilities. These children and young people are not having short breaks in the home, but are living there full time for planned assessment periods.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements and one recommendation have been made as a result of this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection three recommendations were made. The first related to weaknesses in the administration and management of medication. Medication protocols have been overhauled effectively and staff are now appropriately guided on medication management. Young people now have individual, dedicated medication records and there is an experienced staff member who now takes lead responsibility. These positive changes promote all young people’s welfare effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two further recommendations related to ensuring that risk assessments and care plans were sufficiently detailed and individualised. As staff are now caring for some children and young people full time, expectations in these two areas have further increased. These two recommendations have therefore become a requirement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall, the quality of risk assessments and care plans is good, particularly in the assessment unit. Young people are appropriately involved in drawing these up, and management oversight is thorough. However, practice is not yet embedded within the staff group. Most staff are unfamiliar with caring full time for children and young people who do not have a learning disability. The second requirement relates to the impact of these changes on young people who are staying for short breaks in the home. The amount of accommodation that is available to these young people has been reduced due to the fact that new young people are now living on the first floor. This means that quieter spaces are much more difficult to access. The management team is trying to lessen the impact of this by careful matching of the short-break groups and through plans to develop a quiet room. However, the quiet room is not yet in operation and so young people

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

on short breaks who do not like noise, or who need to safely come out of their wheelchairs, have much more limited options.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Overall, the premises are well kept, and are attractively decorated and equipped. However, there is an issue over the security of the front door which could compromise young people’s safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Photographs of children’s and young people’s achievements, of celebrations and of them engaging in fun activities are evident throughout the building. This helps underline the staff’s child-centred approach to care. Children and young people are positive about the nurturing care that they receive. It is clear that they are appropriately attached and that they trust staff and managers. Children and young people, particularly those in the assessment unit, are making good progress. Some staff are clearly unfamiliar with the needs and demands of the children and young people who they are now working with. However, they respond with instinctive warmth, are committed to getting it right, and say they feel well supported by managers.

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Information about this children’s home

The is a local authority operated service. The home provides short breaks for up to five children who have learning difficulties and physical disabilities, and full-time assessment placements for a further four children.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/11/2016 Full Good 17/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 29/10/2015 Full Good 04/03/2015 Interim Improved 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

The registered person must ensure that all staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. This particularly relates to ensuring that staff appreciate the impact of abuse on young people, and understand the expectations of care planning and risk assessing. (Regulation 13(2)(c)) 01/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the premises are designed to meet the needs of each child. This specifically relates to ensuring that there is a quiet, safe space downstairs for children and young people who require this. (Regulation 6(2)(c)) 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 recommendation:

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Recommendations

 Ensure that external doors are locked as appropriate to ensure security within the home (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 50, paragraph 9.62)

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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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