Children's home run by London Borough of Hillingdon in Hillingdon

Inspection report children's home: SC032517 1 SC032517 Registered provider: London Borough of Hillingdon

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children's home

This home is operated by the London Borough of Hillingdon. It provides care and accommodation for up to six young people under the category of emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Most young people admitted to the home are unaccompanied and from outside the United Kingdom.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

p.1

good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 23 February 2017

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Sustained effectiveness

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

This children's home is good because Inspection report children's home: SC032517 2  Young people benefit from an experienced staff team who take pleasure in the progress young people achieve.

p.1

Key findings from this inspection

 Young people are supported to quickly access education on arrival. Young people have their attainment monitored regularly and make good progress.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Young people enjoy good access to specialist services. This includes an easy access Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) provision.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 Staff strive to support young people’s cultural needs, including changing the kitchen arrangements to support young people eating after sunset during Ramadan.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 A strong safeguarding culture supported by excellent procedures and a good staff understanding helps to keep young people safe.

p.2

Key findings from this inspection

 The inspection identifies several shortfalls. There is currently no registered manager. In addition there is no translated copy of the children’s guide, a lack of evaluation of missing incidents or a fully working computer. None of these shortfalls significantly affects the care of young people.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 06/09/2016 Full Good 25/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 03/08/2015 Full Requires improvement Inspection report children's home: SC032517 3

p.2

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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 with the given timescales.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality standard in relation to the statement of purpose. The registered person must keep the statement under review and, where appropriate, revise it to include the updated management structure. (Regulation 16(3)(a)) 21/08/2017

p.3

Requirement Due date

In order to meet a quality of care review, the registered person must maintain a system for monitoring , reviewing and evaluating -

p.3

Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. (Regulation 45(2)(c)) 21/08/2017

p.3

Recommendations

 Records must be kept detailing all individual incidents when children go missing from the home (regulation 36 (schedule 3 (14)). This information should be shared with the placing authority and, where, appropriate with the child's parents. Evaluation of 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 and 46 paragraph 9.31)

p.3

Recommendations

 Children should have access to computer and the internet to support their education and learning, unless there are specific safeguarding reasons why this would be in appropriate. In such cases the home should consider whether it can support the child to access a computer and the internet safely. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations, including the quality standards' page 29 paragraph Inspection report children's home: SC032517 4 5.19)

p.3

Recommendations

 Ensure the children's guide contains contact details for the Office of the Children's Commissioner. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations, including the quality standards', page 23, paragraph 4.23).

p.4

Recommendations

 Ensure that children who cannot, or choose not to, verbalise, have the right to have their views, wishes and feelings heard and respected in the same way as other children. There may be children whose abilities and understanding are such that regulations 7(2)(a)(iv), (b)(I) and (c) will need interpretation, according to their individual circumstances and in consultation with their social worker. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 23, paragraph 4.24)

p.4

Recommendations

 Devise a workforce plan which can fulfil the workforce related requirements of regulation 16, schedule 1 (paragraphs19 and 20) The plan should: - detail the necessary management and staffing structure, (including any staff commissioned to provide health and education), the experience and qualifications of staff currently working within the staffing structure and any further training required for those staff, to enable the delivery of the homes Statement of Purpose; - detail the processes and agreed timescales for staff to achieve induction, probation and any core training (such as safeguarding, health and safety and mandatory qualifications); - detail the process for managing and improving poor performance; ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', (page 53 paragraph 10.8) Inspection report children's home: SC032517 5

p.4

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people say they are happy in their home and report a high level of staff support. One young person comments, ‘Thank you for the best experience of my life, I love you all with big love and respect.’ Despite a traumatic arrival, often on an emergency basis, young people settle quickly and make good progress.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a wide range of skills. This enables them to effectively meet the needs of all young people including those unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in the United Kingdom. Young people are able to learn from each other and expand their knowledge of culture and difference, through discussion and observing cultural practices, such as fasting during Ramadan. Young people settle well into the home and staff make good use of internet based translation resources. However, the orientation process for young people is limited by a lack of key documents. These include the children’s guide which is only available in English. This document also lacks the contact details for the children’s commissioner.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s cultural needs are well supported by staff. On arrival, places of worship are quickly identified and prayer mats and books provided to young people who wish to have them. Staff provide young people with good advice and support to help them follow their chosen faith. For example, staff discuss with young people the possible health implications of fasting through the hot summer weather during the holy month of Ramadan. Staff ensure young people who fast have access to hot food following nightfall.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people enjoy good access to education. Prior to the allocation of a full time school place staff provide young people with support and help prepare them for education. Staff also support learning and English language development by encouraging young people to read and play word association board games. Young people display a drive to succeed and are proud of their progress. At present the home’s computer does not work properly and limits young people’s use of the internet. Managers are aware of this problem and note they are looking to resolve it as soon as possible.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people enjoy a wide range of leisure opportunities. A young person recently joined a local cricket club and proudly talks of his recent match winning bowling performance. Cricket club membership has allowed young people to make friends in the local community and further improve their English language skills.

p.5

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage young people to develop and maintain safe and appropriate contact with friends and family. Staff contact former residents, who are from the same country to offer friendship and companionship. Where contact with family is not possible, staff make use of a family tracing service to locate relatives and extended friends. Inspection report children's home: SC032517 6 Young people receive good help to develop their independent living skills. Staff support young people to open their own bank accounts and familiarise themselves with local transport routes. Staff use a well presented work book to help young people to learn and develop their independent living skills. Saturday is the allocated ‘home cooking day’ and is an opportunity for young people to practise cookery skills with staff support. Young people receive a set allocation of finance per week. This allows young people a regular opportunity to plan their finances and live on a budget.

p.5

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people feel safe in their home. A young person comments ‘It is nice here, I like it.’ They establish trusting relationships with staff in a short time and there are no reports of bullying. Young people say that key work session with staff occur on a regular basis. These one to one meetings allow them to discuss any pertinent issues in a safe and secure manner. Staff use good empathy skills to offer high levels of support and intervene accordingly.

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Behavioural management is effective. Young people respond well to the incentive system. There has been no use of restraint in the home since August 2015. The home benefits from the inventive ideas and solutions proposed by the in house psychologist. She offers staff regular consultation and a useful forum for debating the effectiveness of behavioural management techniques. Where concerns over alcohol or drug use exist, staff act quickly to limit finance and supervise spending. Staff make good use of restorative sanctions and de-escalation strategies such as taking young people for a walk when they are angry or upset. This helps support good behaviour and stability in the home.

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people benefit from quick access to specialist services. This includes a swift referral route to the Children Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). As a result any concerns are dealt with quickly and support is put in place to help young people. In addition sexual health and drug treatment workers visit the home to offer support to young people in a confidential manner. This ensures a holistic level of support.

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There is a strong response from staff when young people go missing from the home. Each young person benefits from an individualised risk assessment which gives clear and accurate information to staff. Staff make good use of the home’s close circuit television system and oyster card tracking system to monitor young people’s whereabouts. Independent return to care interviews are offered regularly by a service specifically commissioned by the local authority. This provides young people with an important source of support at a difficult time. However, at present patterns of missing behaviour are not evaluated effectively by managers, this limits a full overview of any emerging concerns.

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Outcomes for young people in the home are positive. Staff work hard to assist young people in line with the government’s ‘dispersal’ scheme for unaccompanied minors. Staff prepare young people for their next move onto a permanent placement within limited Inspection report children's home: SC032517 7 timescales. For example supporting young people when they visit potential new placements. Staff explain choices and decisions to young people in an open and transparent manner. They have an extensive knowledge of resources within the local area and are able to advise young people accordingly. This is supported by good access to independent advocacy. In addition an effective outreach service has supported a number of successful returns home for young people.

p.6

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff value the importance of multi-agency partnership work. Managers attend Multi Agency Sexual Exploitation meetings to share and receive key information on factors of risk within the local community. This includes information of known offenders in the community or local police operations. This informs risk assessments and promotes a good safeguarding culture in the home.

p.7

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff use established connections within the local community to help to safeguard young people. Local shopkeepers report any concerns to staff of potential anti-social behaviour or attempts to illegally purchase alcohol or cigarettes. This ensures that young people can be advised of the negative consequences of their actions.

p.7

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff use their knowledge and experience to help and guide young people. For example, helping them to understand the possible negative consequences of returning to their country of birth. This approach helps to reassure and support young people to make the right choices.

p.7

How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff use local authority guidance to inform practice. Guidance on working with young people at risk of child sexual exploitation supports staff to build a warm and trusting relationship with young people.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The home’s management has undergone considerable upheaval. The registered manager formally left his position in May 2017; he had been absent from the home since July 2016. His deputy has been the interim manager since that time. She has attained the required management qualification and is highly experienced with over thirty five years working in residential child care. Her deputy has been absent from the home due to sick leave since January 2017. This means the home has moved from three managers in post to one. As a consequence the lack of management cover has unsettled the home and left it lacking in direction. In addition the homes statement of purpose is yet to be updated to reflect these management changes.

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The home is presently seeking formal senior management agreement for the recruitment of a permanent manager. Paperwork for the formal resignation of the registered manager has been progressed during this inspection. The interim manager plans to retire in 2018 and has no intention of applying for the position. She intends to support the induction of the new permanent manager through the induction/probation period prior to finalising her departure from the service. She reports despite the management changes, she has received a great deal of support both from her immediate line manager and the staff team. Inspection report children's home: SC032517 8 The interim manager has commenced an extensive audit of the service. The recommendations and requirements of the interim inspection have been met in full. Managers receive good support as a result of a recent change of independent visitor which offers the home improved levels of scrutiny and challenge. Despite this the home

p.7

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

is lacking an effective service and workforce development plan. Once completed this will support the upcoming period of transition for the home.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The home environment is in a good state of repair. However, there are plans to move to a new home. The new premises have been identified and is it planned to be ready in November 2017; managers are aware that this will require a further application to Ofsted both in terms of a new service and a newly registered manager.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff morale is strong in the home. The staff team refer to a strong team dynamic. The team has bonded over the period of upheaval. The use of agency staffing is kept to a minimum. This promotes good behavioural management and consistency for young people.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff feel valued and appreciated. This is supported by them receiving effective supervision and appraisal. No staff have left since the last inspection. Staff report being enthused by the challenge posed by emergency admissions as this ‘keeps things fresh.’ They say the home provide them with a culture of learning and development. Training is sourced from the local authority with additional courses dependent on the particular interest of staff. Consequently, staff are keenly aware of key areas of risk such as child sexual exploitation and are able to better able to safeguard young people effectively.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Managers regularly audit young people’s case files. Risk assessments offer clear guidance for staff, such as key behaviours to look out for and details of how young people cope in certain situations. This supports good levels of care to young people presenting with high levels of need.

p.8

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Managers control admissions well and use their knowledge and understanding of young people in the home to inform decision making. Staff are confident and able to process emergency admissions which may occur outside of normal working hours. Staff use the local authority’s computer information system to risk assess any known risk factors such as gang association. Procedures offer effective screening and assist in matching potential new young people to the needs of those already resident in the home. This helps to improve outcomes for young people and preserve the stability of the home.

p.8

Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and young people and their families. In Inspection report children's home: SC032517 9 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.

p.8

Information about this inspection

Using the 'Social care common inspection framework', this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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'. Inspection report children's home: SC032517 10

p.9

Children's home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, High Street, UXBRIDGE, Middlesex, UB8 1UW

p.10

Inspector(s)

Barnaby Dowell, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC032517 11 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.10

Inspector(s)

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.11

Inspector(s)

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.11

Inspector(s)

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

p.11