Children's home in Westminster

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding 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

Young people at this home are experiencing very good care in a stable environment, and benefiting from positive relationships with familiar staff and peers. Staff know each young person’s needs, abilities, history and aspirations. They contribute to assessments and child-centred planning to improve outcomes for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the home manager has put processes in place to ensure that all young people have up-to-date care and education plans to inform their risk assessments and placement plans. The manager is tenacious in following up essential information with placing local authorities and liaising with involved agencies. As a result, placement plans both reflect up-to-date information and support staff to make sense of young people’s needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers also challenge and advocate on behalf of young people where information is not shared or the actions and recommendations from planning meetings are not followed up in a timely way. The manager recognises the importance of preventing delay and drift in progressing young people’s care plans. Consequently, one young person has moved on from the home to a foster placement as part of her care plan. Staff supported the move, visiting the placement with her.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one short-term placement since the last inspection. This was to support a longer-term placement that was in crisis and has helped to prevent the breakdown of the placement. While this was arranged at limited notice, the managers of both homes shared detailed information to inform risk management plans and to prevent disruption and/or increased risk to the current residents. There were also ongoing monitoring meetings and careful planning of the young person’s return to her original placement. As a result, there was very limited impact on the group at this home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people at this home have made exceptional progress from their starting points. All are in full-time education or employment placements. There is excellent partnership working between school staff and leaders, the relevant virtual school headteacher, the provider education lead and home staff to overcome any barriers to learning. One young person did very well in her GCSE exams and is studying A levels this year. One young person achieved vocational qualifications and has received excellent feedback from the full-time apprenticeship that she is undertaking. In addition, three young people have secured part-time employment, enhancing their confidence and life skills. One young person has experienced some challenges at her school, but the home manager has worked closely with the school leaders to resolve the difficulties. The issues have also been addressed in care planning meetings, and strategies have been agreed to support the young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the young people benefit from specialist referrals to resources to support them with their specific needs. Staff support attendance at health appointments, and encourage independent attendance where appropriate. Young people are benefiting from improving physical and emotional health. There has been a significant reduction in self-harming behaviours by young people, with no incidents for some time.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff group is particularly strong at developing partnership working with families and friends so that each young person benefits from positive contact, including overnight stays. Some of the young people have plans to return to live with their family. These plans are being effectively progressed, supported by close liaison between staff and social workers.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, young people have continued to benefit from positive relationships with neighbours and friends in the community. They have helped to raise funds for a number of charities through different events. One young person is a volunteer with a dog-walking charity and another attends cadets. They participate in a range of activities with each other and with friends. All of the young people are developing independence skills and are encouraged to take responsibility. For example, some have pets that they care for.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is excellent engagement and participation by young people in residents meetings, care planning meetings and key-work sessions. There has been one complaint by a young person, and this was looked into and resolved. Young people are confident in raising concerns and making requests of staff, managers and social workers. Their views and wishes inform decisions about their care at the home and their care plans. One young person said that they would give the staff and the home ‘11 out of 10’. Another young person reported: ’We are always listened to, for example when we have any ideas about changing things.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Social workers report that staff contribute to meetings, provide weekly reports about progress and ‘will go the extra mile to support the young people’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people report that they feel safe at this home. There have been no physical interventions since the last inspection, no allegations against staff, one ‘missing’ incident and no unauthorised absences. Young people who were vulnerable to exploitative relationships are experiencing positive, healthy relationships. Staff are skilled in distracting young people and preventing issues from escalating. Staff are familiar with each young person’s personality and preferences, enabling them to defuse any concerning behaviours. If sanctions are used, the manager and staff regularly review them to ensure that they are effective and use reparation where it is appropriate. Young people have responded to positive relationships and positive reinforcement, and, as a result, there has been a significant reduction in risky behaviours.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have received training and development opportunities and regular supervision. There have been a small number of changes to the staff group as a result of promotion and career development. A number of staff are completing qualifications or are about to start the qualifying course as recently recruited staff. This means that that there is a potential for a lack of qualified and experienced staff on the rota. A requirement is made to ensure that there are sufficient qualified and experienced staff on the rota at all times.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has a range of quality assurance mechanisms in place that are supporting the development of practice and positive outcomes. Staff and managers are receptive to advice and recommendations. The manager said: ‘All of the staff are aspirational for all of the young people. We want them to have positive memories of living here. You can see from the progress that the young people are making that this is working.’

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home is registered for up to five children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/07/2016 Full Outstanding 21/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/08/2015 Full Outstanding

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which 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

13: In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person is required to: (2)(c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. 01/06/2017

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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 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 looked after children 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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