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 requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . The young people who live in the home are subject to the unaccompanied asylum- seeking children legislation. The asylum application process can involve age re- assessments of the young people who may also become subject to the Government’s ‘dispersal scheme’. This can impact on the length of stay at the home, being typically no longer than nine months. Managers have taken steps to address the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. However, two remain unmet. These include the quality and timeliness of care plans, the provision of regular supervision for the staff team and the administration of medication. The registered manager has been away from the post for some weeks. The deputy team manager has the responsibility for oversight of the running of the home. The

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

gap in management cover has contributed to errors in administration and formal staff support. For example, one care plan was out of date, there were administration errors in the recording of medicines, and a lack of regularity in staff supervision. These shortfalls have not had an impact on the quality of care for the young people. When young people arrive at the home they are provided with a Children’s Guide. However, the guide is in the process of being updated to take account of the various first languages that the young people speak. As a result, some young people are not currently able to receive a copy of the guide in a version they can easily comprehend. The staff team makes timely referrals to health services which provide the young people with quick access to services that promote their well-being. Care planning normally takes account of all relevant needs and in a timely manner. This ensures

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that the young people are provided with the appropriate support from staff who are suitably informed of their specific needs. However, one care plan was incomplete, although this shortfall did not have an impact on the quality of care the young person was receiving. Risk assessments completed in respect of young people who arrive at the home highlight their vulnerabilities due to the nature of them being unaccompanied. The staff complete individual assessments, which include clear procedures for protecting young people at risk of radicalisation. However, the policy for the risk of self-harm and suicide requires further clarity to ensure that it provides a comprehensive assessment of risk. Two young people successfully moved on from the home since the last inspection. The staff team provided positive advocacy for one young person, who required substantial community support in relation to their disability. Staff challenged the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

suitability of the proposed care plan and support at the time of transition. As a result, additional resources were put in place enabling the young person to receive appropriate support in the community, thus ensuring a smooth transition. The staff team works in partnership with local agencies to support the young people’s needs. This includes links to local ‘refugee befriending services’ and attendance at regular religious observance in the community. A placing authority social worker reported that there was ‘good staff communication’ and the staff team attendance at young people’s planning meetings was ‘good’. The young people describe the home as ‘good’, the staff team as ‘good people’, and they were ‘happy’. One young person has been supported to access independent advocacy services. This has enabled his wishes and feelings to be fully considered by professional decision makers regarding his future long-term

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

accommodation plans. A weekly residents’ meeting is held where young people can contribute to the agenda and express their views. This has highlighted the young people’s concerns regarding the quality, choice and cultural appropriateness of the weekly menu. The staff team is aware of this concern and the need to address this. All of the young people are encouraged to engage in education. The majority of them attend as expected. The home has good referral links with local colleges. In some circumstances, access to the ‘virtual school’ is more appropriate for the young people. The home has good partnership working with the local virtual school professionals.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run and owned by a local authority. It is registered for up to 13 young people and specialises in looking after unaccompanied minors. The home also has one bedroom which is used for emergency admissions.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

05/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that must be taken so that the registered person(s) meets 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.

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Requirement Due date

(1) The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23(1)) 17/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

(4) The registered person must ensure that all employees— (b) receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33(4)(b)) 17/05/2017

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 An effective introduction to the home will take into account the child’s abilities and capacity to understand and retain information. In particular, where English is not the first language, the Children’s Guide should be provided in a variety of different languages. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 57, paragraph 11.8)  The registered person should ensure that children are provided with nutritious meals suitable for each child’s needs. In particular, children should be involved in choosing and preparing meals that are culturally appropriate. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.8)  In addition to the requirements of this standard, the registered person has specific responsibilities under regulation 34 to prepare and implement policies setting out arrangements for the safeguarding of children from abuse or neglect.

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Recommendations

The policy on protection of children from abuse and neglect should include arrangements in relation to e-safety and to counter risks of self-harm and suicide. All policies should be reviewed regularly and revised where appropriate. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 44, paragraph 9.19)

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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 0300 123 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

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Information about this inspection

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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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