Children's Home run by London Borough of Southwark in Southwark

Inspection report children's home: SC031479 1 SC031479 Registered provider: London Borough of Southwark Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority service. It provides short breaks for up to five children who have complex learning and/or physical disabilities and/or challenging behaviours. Children usually stay from Monday to Friday or at weekends. The children’s respite service shares the building and the garden with a similar service for adults. Locked doors separate these two services. There is one registered manager for both the children’s and adults’ services. All staff work across both provisions. The Care Quality Commission regulates and inspects the adult service. This home is currently non-operational.

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: Not judged

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Information about this children's home

Date of last inspection: 22 February 2017

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection, two years ago. At this interim inspection the home was 'not judged'.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home was also not judged at the previous two inspections that took place in February 2017 and November 2016.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has remained closed while a full refurbishment is carried out. The main building work was completed in August 2017. Further work, such as the fitting of locks to some doors, is scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks. The building inspector visited recently. Their report is not available. A fire strategy document is in Inspection report children's home: SC031479 2 place but an up-to-date risk assessment is still to be completed. The registered manager states that furniture for the home has been ordered and is due to arrive in 10 days’ time. A security guard with dogs is stationed outside the building to protect the empty building from any intruders.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

While this home is closed, the local authority has continued to provide the same short- breaks service from a different site in the borough. These different premises have been registered with Ofsted as a children’s home and with the Care Quality Commission as a care home for adults. This service is subject to regular inspection and regulatory activities.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The local authority has applied to voluntarily cancel that registration as it plans to return its short-breaks service to this registered children’s home. It is envisaged that the short- breaks service will recommence on these premises in November 2017. The registered manager is developing a comprehensive transition plan for the service, and for each individual child to help them cope with the changes.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There will be a break in the short-breaks provision for children. This will give time for staff to discuss and agree on the new vision for this service, and review the statement of purpose and other policies, procedures and practices. Additional training, such as in using the newly fitted ‘criss-cross’ ceiling hoists and other new lifting equipment, is also planned to take place before children move back in.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is in regular contact with Ofsted, providing relevant information and updates.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/02/2017 Interim Not judged 01/11/2016 Interim Not judged 19/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 17/09/2015 Full Good

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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 differences 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 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. Inspection report children's home: SC031479 3 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

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'.

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: London Borough of Southwark, Play Service, 285 Albany Road, London SE5 0AH

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Inspector

Seka Graovac, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC031479 4 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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