Children's home run by London Borough of Waltham Forest in Waltham Forest

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

While there are improvements to some aspects of the service, an incident when a child went missing from the home results in a judgement of sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A child said they like coming for a short break and are happy in the home. Children mostly choose their own activities and the use of computer tablets and enjoying the well-equipped garden are popular choices. A cook usually prepares meals, but in the cook’s absence staff purchased fast food. This was not particularly suitable for a child on a low-fat diet.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has addressed the four recommendations made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children’s guide is now in pictorial form, so is suitable for most children to understand. However, there is room for improvement. In a few places, the language could be more appropriate. Also, a written version appears on the same pages as the pictures, which crowds the page and may confuse the reader.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has improved the workforce development plan. This now includes all parts of the quality standards.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments for activities now address the specifics of each proposed activity. This helps to reduce risk regarding taking children on events out of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are now more mindful of supporting children to build friendships with others, as they recognise that for some it is difficult to make friendships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In addition to the home meeting the recommendations, there has been investment in improving the appearance of the home. Previously decoration and furnishing were reasonable, although in need of brightening in some areas. Management arranged to repaint many areas in neutral colours. This helps reduce ‘busy’ wall decoration which may have been overstimulating for the needs of children who have autistic spectrum disorder. As a result, the environment looks fresh and clean. A refurbished bathroom provides an additional shower suitable for children with physical disabilities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

It is rare for children to go missing from the home or when out on trips. During this inspection period, one child went missing from the home. The episode did not appear to adversely affect them. Nevertheless, and despite the child’s vulnerable status, staff did not notice they were missing for almost two hours; therefore, the child was at risk. An investigation resulted in the human resources team taking various actions. Staff say morale is low, as these actions affect the team. The quality of care delivered by staff is variable. Staff report high sickness levels. Staff cover shifts with support from consistently used agency staff to ensure appropriate levels of supervision.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent visitor provides effective monitoring. They visit monthly and provide reports to the home and to Ofsted. The visitor makes useful recommendations, such as advising the home to deal with staffing matters before they impact on the service. Staff morale and dynamics are now impacting on the service. The registered manager conducts his own monitoring and understands the impact that staff attitudes can have on the home’s atmosphere. He also acknowledges the urgency of dealing with the fallout from the investigation

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Information about this children’s home

This short-break home is managed by the local authority and provides a service for up to eight children who have learning and/or physical disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/08/2016 Full Good 22/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/11/2015 Full Good 06/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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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