Children's home run by Sherico Care Services Limited in Westminster

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC022880 1 SC022880

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Sherico Care Services Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home for up to six children who have emotional and/or behavioural needs. The provider has five children’s homes registered with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted conducted an inspection of this children’s home on 26 July 2017, which resulted in a judgement of inadequate with six requirements, two recommendations and a compliance action. As a result, Ofsted issued three compliance notices on 10 August 2017. Ofsted conducted a monitoring visit on 4 September to check the provider’s progress against the three compliance notices. The home currently has no registered manager, but an interim manager is in place. The organisation’s quality assurance manager was present for the monitoring inspection. The provider has successfully addressed the compliance notice that relates to the protection of children. The quality assurance manager confirms that she has been in communication with relevant designated officers to discuss child protection matters as they relate the child in placement. On 29 August 2017, a looked after child review was held. Discussions between staff and other professionals centred on placement objectives

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This monitoring visit

and child protection issues. The quality assurance manager requested that the placing authority convene strategy meetings in order for professionals to explore risks posed to the child. Since the last inspection, two strategy meetings have taken place, one on 8 August 2017 and another on 30 August 2017. Professionals used these meetings to discuss risks posed to the child and plans to reduce risks to him and others. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC022880 2 The quality assurance manager has liaised with the relevant police team, including the local police missing person’s co-ordinator. A meeting between staff of the home and the police co-ordinator took place on 24 August 2017. This was to obtain more information about the current police investigation involving the child, to enhance partnership working and implement plans to reduce risk. Managers of the home conduct team meetings and individual staff supervision

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This monitoring visit

sessions that focus on child protection issues. This supports staff to provide safe care and keep children safe from harm. The provider has successfully addressed the compliance notice that relates to staff’s recording of information. The quality assurance manager confirms that managers now conduct regular case file audits to review the quality of staff recording. The case file of the child currently in placement contains an audit-recording tool that confirms this to be the case. Staff team meetings focus on the importance of clear and accurate documentation. Staff have updated key case file records. These include the child’s daily log, risk assessment, care plan and behavioural management plan. These documents give a clear account of the work that staff are undertaking with the child. Records accurately reflect risks posed and how staff intend to work with the child and others to reduce the level of risk. Records of staff’s communication with other professionals

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This monitoring visit

is consistent and clear. Staff now conduct and record key-work sessions. These records are an adequate account of staff’s discussions with the child. The improvement in staff recording provides a clear picture of how staff are working with the child and meeting his placement goals. The provider has successfully addressed the compliance notice that relates to the management and leadership of the home. The quality assurance manager confirms that she visits the home three times a week. This is to monitor the home’s operation, the quality of records and staff’s work with the child. Currently, the home has no registered manager. However, an interim manager is now in place, and the provider has very recently appointed a new permanent manager. The quality assurance manager confirms that the provider is in the process of expanding the organisation’s quality assurance team to increase the monitoring of the quality of care provided. This is to ensure that there is effective

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This monitoring visit

management oversight of the home, to help improve children’s outcomes and experiences, and promote their safety.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 25/07/2017 Full Inadequate 21/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 13/09/2016 Full Requires improvement 18/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC022880 3

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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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

39: Complaints and representations The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39(3)) 01/10/2017

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Requirement Due date

40: Notification of a serious event (4) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— (a) a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation; (b) an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; (c) there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; (d) a child protection enquiry involving a child— (i) is instigated; or (ii) concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or (e) there is any other incident relating to a child, which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(a)(b)(c)(d)) 01/10/2017

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Requirement Due date

44: Independent person: visits and reports (4) The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether— (a) children are effectively safeguarded; and (b) the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44(4)(a)(b)) 01/10/2017

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Requirement Due date

6: The quality and purpose of care standard In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, 01/10/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC022880 4 the registered provider must ensure— 6.—(2) The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6(2)(b)(vii)) 14: The care planning standard In order to meet the views, wishes and feelings standard, the registered provider must ensure that children— 14.—(1) (a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and (b) have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. (Regulation 14(1)(a)(b)) 01/10/2017

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Requirement Due date

33: Employment of staff 33.—(1) The registered person must— (a) ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction. (Regulation(33)(1)) 01/10/2017

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendations

 Records of restraint must be kept. The home’s restraint log must allow staff to record full information as specified in the regulations. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph, 10.11)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC022880 5 Unique reference number: SC022880

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sherico Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sherico Care Homes Ltd, 2-4 Balmoral Road, London E10 5ND

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Inspector

Sandra Jacobs-Walls, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC022880 6 to 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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