Children's Home run by Castle Homes Limited in Bromley

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

Young people continue to receive care from a service that is continually developing to meet their respective needs. A range of social care professionals note the positive intervention and outcomes for young people. Shortfalls identified relate to staff vocational training and improving the staff appraisal system, whistle-blowing arrangements and the action to prevent young people from going missing. Managers have addressed the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection. Improvements in care planning and consultation ensure that young people contribute meaningfully to decision making. Young people now receive better protection as a result of the regular reviewing of risk assessments and behaviour management strategies. The sound workforce development plan ensures that staffing meets the needs of young people effectively. Supervisory arrangements are more efficient. The registered manager receives regular

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

supervision and has written evidence of these meetings. Staff receive ongoing training that builds on the skills needed for their role. However, not all staff have obtained the level 3 vocational qualification within the required time frame. It is required that staff complete this qualification within two years of starting work at the home. Staff training is in progress, and leaders and managers are aware of the need to ensure that staff have this training within the appropriate time. For some young people, episodes of going missing have reduced dramatically. This is in response to the structured and caring environment. For one young person, absconding is an ongoing issue. Staff follow missing procedures and liaise appropriately with other professionals. However, documentation fails to include the actions that staff are taking to prevent this young person from going missing. Staff are aware of the procedure for managing allegations and that they could

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

report concerns to local authorities. However, they were unaware that they could report whistle-blowing concerns to Ofsted. There are improvements in young people’s personal development. They receive encouragement to be aspirational and self-sufficient. Care plans reflect their voice and individual goals. Young people are making progress educationally. There are examples of positively engaging in their respective courses and plans to attend university. Key work sessions enable young people to set targets and discuss issues of concern. A social worker praised staff support during a young person’s ‘challenging journey’. They also highlighted their ability to work ‘with her to create goals and a path for her future’. Staff endeavour to provide a stable, nurturing base for young people, which is responsive to their individual needs. A young person highlights that staff ‘support us in our time of need’. A social care professional commented that a young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

person’s ‘self-worth seems to be improving’ and she feels ‘that staff care for her’. Staff nurture young people’s creativity, talents and interests. An example is a young person’s musical ability. This motivated a young person to study this subject, write songs and produce their own music. A young person commented on the ‘fun times’ they have. Exercise is part of their weekly routines; examples are going trampolining and swimming and taking regular walks and jogging sessions. Young people continue to enjoy activities both within and outside of the home. Pamper evenings provide an opportunity for young people to relax with a face mask and have their hair and nails done. They enjoy trips to the theatre, cinema, cafés, ice skating, the funfair and shopping with staff. Young people also enjoy venturing further afield; examples are to the seaside and holiday camps for the day. Young people generally move out of the home in a planned manner. Since the last

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

inspection, one young person has moved to an alternative residential placement. No new young people have moved into the home. There is a recognition of the importance of maintaining appropriate relationships. Staff work hard to get to know family members and friends, who are welcome to visit. A parent states that staff ‘always keep me up to date’. Since living at the home, young people have re- established and improved relationships with family members. A young person confirms that staff ‘communicate well with family and friends’. Young people feel enabled to use the home’s complaints procedure to highlight any grievances. Leaders and managers promptly address any grievances. Young people confirm that they are satisfied with complaint outcomes. Individualised behaviour management plans ensure that staff know how to manage unacceptable conduct. Staff enforce appropriate boundaries and adequately manage socially unacceptable behaviour. Occasionally, staff have to use sanctions

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to help young people to understand the consequences of their actions. A reward system is preferred, which enables young people to earn additional money. This relates to their daily targets and helps to reinforce positive behaviour. Young people are able to reflect on their actions and they are learning responsibility. They are also beginning to demonstrate learnt strategies that enable them to self-regulate. A social worker highlights that staff ‘do a good job in remaining consistent in managing challenging and complex situations’. They praised staff members’ ‘understanding, knowledge and patience’. Another social worker gave an example of a young person who was ‘very close to secure accommodation; through their consistent work with her, the risk has significantly reduced’. Leaders and managers respond effectively to child protection concerns. A young person made an allegation against several staff members. This is currently under

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

investigation. Leaders and managers report issues promptly and take swift action to safeguard young people. During the inspection, a young person reported that they feel safe. A social worker expressed their happiness that a young person ‘is feeling safe and comfortable’. Staff educate young people about their vulnerability to grooming, risks of sexual exploitation and what constitutes healthy relationships. Partnership arrangements with the police enable young people to hear these messages from an external authority. This strengthens their knowledge and awareness regarding personal safety. Staff benefit from daily debriefings and regular supervision. They value the chance to ‘offload’ regularly, explore their feelings and reflect on their work. Staff receive annual appraisals, which contribute to their development. However, this process does not take into account the views of young people and professionals who have

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

worked with the staff member. This is a missed opportunity to gain the views of others to influence staff performance. Leaders and managers monitor the quality of care effectively. They are aware of the service’s strengths and prioritise areas for development. Monthly monitoring reports from an independent person contribute to the cycle of continual improvement. Strong partnership arrangements enhance young people’s lives. A social worker stated that they feel staff ‘are meeting the child’s needs in an outstanding way’. Another professional felt that staff were ‘helpful’ and ‘supportive’. There are also good relationships with schools, the police, drug and alcohol services and mental health professionals. Another social worker highlights that staff ‘keep professionals well informed on all communications’ and work in partnership ‘to promote positive outcomes’.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/10/2016 Full Good 17/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 08/12/2015 Full Good 11/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

The registered person must ensure that staff complete their level 3 qualification within two years of starting work in a care role. (Regulation 32 (4) & (5)) 01/07/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Ensure that information about whistle-blowing includes clear procedures for how staff should report to an appropriate authority any concern they have about a child. This specifically relates to Ofsted. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.15)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff have regard to steps they can take to prevent children from going missing. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.25)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff performance appraisals take into account, when reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member and children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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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 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.

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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

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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