Children's home run by Ownlife Residential Limited in Kingston upon Thames

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

The registered manager has ensured that the recommendation made at the last inspection has been met. The workforce development plan now has the details of induction and probation, the process for managing poor performance, the process for supervision of practice, and training and qualifications completed by staff, to enable the delivery of the home’s statement of purpose.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people who have left the home since the last inspection have been supported to move to semi-independent accommodations or to live with family members. Managers and staff work with the young people to help them prepare for the transition to a new environment or to live with family members. They achieve this through supporting the young people with pre-placement visits, sharing their assessments with the new home, and helping the young people feel more confident in their life skills. Young people who have left the home keep in touch with the staff and manager.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When considering new admissions the registered manager conducts pre-placement visits with the young person to assess the appropriateness of matching and carries out impact assessments of risks to the residents and staff in the home. Placement referrals are properly vetted for the most part. However, the home admitted one young person without a complete and relevant plan from the local authority, which posed difficulties in the young person’s educational provision.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most of the young people attend school or receive alternative provision. Home tuition is offered to young people who are not yet receiving full time education Young people are encouraged to achieve their educational potential.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments are regularly updated. Records of key-working sessions reflect the efforts made by staff to engage young people and their progress made. Behavioural management plans include practical strategies to help curb unsafe behaviour. The registered manager audits files to ensure the young people are making progress. However, there is room for the home to be more robust in tackling substance misuse issues. One independent reviewing officer said that the care provided to their young person has been ‘very good’ and that the placement maintains ‘great communication with the local authority’. Another young person’s social worker stated that the home is providing appropriate care and that the young person has good relationships with the staff in the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home follows its missing person procedure. Reports are made to the police, local authorities and families, and return home interviews are offered. However, the home could utilise the aggregate information more robustly to better understand why the young person has been missing and better inform their actions to help reduce the missing incidents.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Complaints filed since the last inspection have been adequately handled, in line with the appropriate procedures involving the local authority designated officer. Incidents are properly investigated, with clear outcomes, and reflect a child-centred approach to resolving complaints.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff members report that they receive good support from the manager and peers and enjoy building positive relationships with the young people. Staff are attuned to the young people’s needs and understand the young people’s challenging experiences. The manager and staff are committed to making a difference in key areas of the young people’s lives.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people, irrespective of gender, who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/06/2016 Full Good 20/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/06/2015 Full Good

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The registered person must challenge any placing authority who asks the home to accept a child in the absence of a complete and current relevant plan, as the expectation that a placement of a child without the necessary information would go ahead (in circumstances other than an emergency) is inadequate in relation to their role. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.5)  When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. Evaluation of

p.5

Recommendations

missing incidents should be undertaken to identify any gaps in training, skills or knowledge for staff or to record and retain evidence of what worked well. This evaluation should inform the review of the quality of care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, pages 45–46, paragraphs 9.30–9.31)  The registered person should ensure that, in line with their individual health plans and the ethos of the home, children are offered advice, support and guidance on health and well-being to enhance, and supplement that provided by their school through personal, social and health education. In particular, staff should help young people understand and change negative behaviours in key areas of health and well-being, such as the use of legal highs and drugs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.18)

p.5

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.6

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.6

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.6

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 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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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.7

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.7