Children's Home run by Destiny House in Harrow

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038906 1 SC038906

p.1

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This private home provides care and accommodation for up to eight young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to check the action required in the three compliance notices dated 15 September 2017. These were issued to the home following the full inspection of the home on 22 August 2017.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The provider was required to address three compliance notices by 1 October 2017. These related to the items below:

p.1

This monitoring visit

Failure to comply with Regulation 13 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 – the leadership and management standard.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Failure to comply with Regulation 37 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 – other records with respect to children’s homes.  Register of children  Staff roster

p.1

This monitoring visit

Failure to comply with Regulation 40 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This visit concluded that the provider has met one compliance notice and partially met two. The registered provider is working to address the remaining issues and said that they were likely to be resolved in full by the end of October 2017. This is largely due to the contracting of an external agency to revise the home’s policies and procedures manual. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038906 2 Since the last inspection, there have been no allegations made against staff. The registered provider has not had the opportunity to put into practice its compliance with Regulation 40. This relates to notifying Ofsted and each other relevant person, without delay, if there is an allegation of abuse.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The registered provider has complied with one aspect of Regulation 37 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015: maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4 and ensure that the records are kept up to date; in particular the register of children. At this monitoring visit the inspector saw that the register contains all the required information and is now up to date. Therefore, the register has the required details for all the children living at the home.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered provider has partially complied with Regulation 37 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015: maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4 and ensure that the records are kept up to date; in particular, a copy of the staff duty roster of persons working at the home. This is now kept and details the various shifts and whether staff are not working.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered provider explained that a record of the actual rosters worked is detailed in the time sheets for payroll. However, these completed time sheets were not seen by the inspector. This section of the requirement could not be verified. Therefore, this section of the requirement was not fully met.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered provider has partially complied with Regulation 13 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the leadership and management standard. This notice related to various requirements to update policies. The adequacy of staffing and closed-circuit television policy now comply with regulations.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered provider has contracted a company to revise all the homes policies and procedures to create a standardised manual. The inspector saw an email confirming this arrangement. The registered provider stated that this would be completed by the end of October.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered provider has made an effort to address the complaints procedure, which now includes information on how to manage complaints against the manager.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There is now a general child protection and safeguarding policy. It refers to organisations through which staff can whistleblow their safeguarding concerns. This includes the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, the host authority Harrow, Childline and Ofsted. It also provides details for contacting the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command. However, this policy refers to contacting the Children’s Workforce Development Council, which closed in March 2012. The updated policy does not include relevant legislation. Examples are the updated version of ‘ Working together to safeguard children’, and the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038906 3 The policy on handling allegations against staff members is partially complete. ’The registered provider explained that it uses the London Child Protection Procedures,

p.2

This monitoring visit

5th edition 2017. Section 7 relates to allegations against staff or volunteers who work with children. The registered provider had a copy of this document. It would be beneficial if the provider had its own policy. This will be included in the new policy and procedure manual, which is due to be completed by the end of October.

p.3

This monitoring visit

The workforce planning policy is in progress. The registered provider has made a notable effort to produce a policy that covers a range of topics. However, it does not include all the information outlined in the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’’

p.3

This monitoring visit

The registered provider said that it wants to work with Ofsted and comply with regulations. It has demonstrated a commitment to meeting the compliance notices. However, these have not been fully addressed within the required timeframe.

p.3

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 22/08/2017 Full Inadequate 27/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 28/09/2016 Full Requires improvement 25/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038906 4

p.3

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.4

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.4

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.4

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.4

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.4

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.4

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.4

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

p.4

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.4

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and 01/11/2017 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038906 5 feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 1 (a) (b) 2 (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (i) (ii) (h))

p.5

Requirement Due date

maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that the records are kept up to date. (Regulation 37 (2) (a) (b) (Schedule 4.3))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must record the actual rosters worked. 01/11/2017

p.5

Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

p.5

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.

p.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038906 6

p.5

Inspector(s)

Sharon Payne, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC038906 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.6

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.7

Inspector(s)

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

p.7

Inspector(s)

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

p.7