Children's home run by Heartwood Residential Services Ltd in Barnet

Inspection report children’s home: SC423959 1 SC423959 Registered provider: Heartwood Residential Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people are progressing. They benefit from a personalised service which enables them to grow as individuals.  Consultation arrangements enable young people to take an influential role in Inspection report children’s home: SC423959 2 individual and collective decision-making.  Young people live in a home which has effective safeguarding arrangements. They feel safe and comfortable.  There is a good promotion of equality and diversity. Young people benefit from a culturally diverse staff team whose members are responsive to their needs.  All young people are attending a suitable educational establishment, which includes apprenticeships and colleges.  Young people are making a positive contribution to their community, through sponsoring charity.  The home has a structured programme, which enables older young people to live semi-independently.  Staff establish nurturing, amicable, mutually respectful and professional

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Key findings from this inspection

relationships with young people.  The home has a good reward system, which acknowledges positive behaviour.  Young people benefit from strong management arrangements and an experienced, competent, stable and culturally diverse staff team.  Young people benefit from the high staffing ratio, which enables them to have personalised support.  Young people live in a well-maintained terraced property, which has a range of communal areas.  Educational and social work professionals praise the high level of communication. The police also provide positive feedback regarding their partnership working.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 There is a need to continue encouraging young people to participate in meaningful activities. These should take into account their talents and interests.  There needs to be a more effective system for measuring young people’s progress. The monitoring system needs to be more analytical.  Young people’s risk assessments require greater detail; they do not contain all the identified risks and how they will be addressed.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 07/09/2016 Full Good 29/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/10/2015 Full Requires improvement Inspection report children’s home: SC423959 3

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure each child’s talent and interests are nurtured. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.4)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure measurements of progress include qualitative information such as how well the child is prepared for their next stage of education, training or employment, and quantitative data where appropriate. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.2)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure placement plans include details of the steps the home will take to manage assessed risks on a day to day basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5) This relates particularly to improving the detail in risk assessments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people benefit from a personalised service which provides the opportunity for them to grow as individuals. Despite their complex needs, all are progressing in relation to their starting points. A young person confirmed, ‘I am a better person since moving here.’ They conclude that ‘this home is perfect, I cannot fault it’. Another young person highlighted, ‘I like it here; they make nice food and have nice staff.’ A social worker stated that they would rate the home ‘excellent for the care and support’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are well mannered and they demonstrate emotional resilience. A social worker highlighted that their placed child ‘is a different person’. Key-work meetings focus on personal issues. There is an acknowledgment by staff for the need to proactively work on goals. A social worker praised staff for being ‘very accommodating’ and ‘very child-focused’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are taking a more influential role regarding decision-making. Individually they contribute towards their daily lives and short- and long-term care planning. Collectively they take an active role in house meetings, influencing household purchases, menu and activity planning. They also learn how to negotiate and advocate for their needs, for example in producing a petition for a games console.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage young people to participate in a range of activities. Young people enjoy regular trips to the cinema and a popular activity is go-karting. A young person confirmed, ‘I can do anything I want to do within reason.’ There continues to be an issue regarding the lack of engagement by young people in meaningful activities during their Inspection report children’s home: SC423959 4 free time. Staff acknowledge the need to continually motivate young people and creatively take into account their interests and talents.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a good promotion of equality and diversity. There is a celebration of various religious festivals, such as Diwali and Christmas. Staff are from a range of cultures, which is reflective of the local community. This is particularly significant as young people can enjoy meals traditional to their culture, for example Caribbean food. They can also learn to cook and enjoy international cuisine. Young people can attend their respective places of worship. The diversity of staff also helps young people as there is a personal awareness of their cultural norms. A former resident confirmed, ‘I liked my manager as she was Indian and she understands me.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All of the young people are attending a suitable educational establishment, which includes apprenticeships and colleges. Within the home are computers, books and magazines to enhance children’s knowledge. Young people also enjoy playing chess, which stimulates their intellect. Staff award certificates in recognition of young people’s achievements, for example for excellent attendance and outstanding improvement. A teacher has highlighted that a young person had ‘worked very hard on his attendance and punctuality’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are making a positive contribution to their community, for example by sponsoring a guide dog puppy. Staff are also working on establishing links with a local business to provide relevant work experience for young people.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s birthdays and significant events are celebrated. Staff celebrate with a gift and an event of the young person’s choice. Young people receive encouragement to maintain appropriate contact with relatives and friends. They are welcome to visit the home and have also joined them on activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people receive encouragement to lead a healthy lifestyle. There is on-site exercise equipment. Staff also facilitate joining a local gym and going swimming. Young people learn the importance of eating a nutritious diet.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a good understanding of the need to monitor young people’s emotional well- being. Staff ensure that they have meaningful conversations with young people, enabling them to express their feelings. Staff also help young people to maintain their physical appearance, for example plaiting their hair.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Older young people benefit from the opportunity of living semi-independently. The home has a structured programme enabling young people to increase their cooking, domestic and financial skills. They also raise their awareness of housing, job hunting, maintaining good health and hygiene. All of the young people are improving their independent living skills, for example cooking, baking, taking responsibility for their laundry and cleaning their rooms. A social worker praised the improvement in daily living skills, appreciating that their child ‘learns self-responsibility’. Inspection report children’s home: SC423959 5

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

Young people live in a home that has effective safeguarding arrangements. Young people feel safe; one described the home as being ‘the safest place’ for them. A social worker praised the home’s safeguarding protocols, which prioritise their young person’s ‘safety first’. A police officer highlighted that staff were ‘above all very caring [in] their role in safeguarding’.

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

Young people learn the importance of personal and internet safety. Staff use topical events to inform young people’s knowledge, for example local stabbings and terror attacks. Drawing from the latter is ensuring that young people are vigilant and know how to respond. Staff also use true-life television programmes to discuss important issues, for example child sexual exploitation.

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

Young people contribute towards their behaviour support plan. This enables them to self-define their triggers and preferred interventions. Staff succeed in providing consistent boundaries. They endeavour to understand each young person. Young people understand the expected level of behaviour. A young person stated, ‘Rules are fair and reasonable, which is good.’

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

The high-quality interactions between staff and young people are commendable. Staff establish nurturing, amicable, mutually respectful and professional relationships with young people. A young person who has left the home stated, ‘I loved staying at the home. The staff made me feel good.’ A social worker highlighted that staff treated their placed child with ‘respect and humility’ despite the child ‘being very difficult’.

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

The home has a good reward system, which acknowledges positive behaviour. This enables young people to earn additional monies, treats and meaningful items of their choice. Occasionally staff have to issue sanctions, which concentrate on young people taking responsibility for their actions. Disciplinary measures are appropriate and the restraint and sanctions records meet regulatory requirements.

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

There have been no child protection allegations since the last inspection. Staff undertake regular training in safeguarding. There are also strong links with safeguarding personnel, the police and youth offending teams. There are no current issues with young people going missing from the home. They are also keeping to their curfews. Missing plans are in place to support each young person, if necessary.

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

There are no child sexual exploitation concerns. Leaders and managers demonstrate a strong commitment to keeping young people safe. They initiate professionals’ meetings where there are safeguarding concerns. A young person confirmed, ‘The staff do their best to keep me safe.’ If risks are significantly high, young people can be moved on to alternative accommodation.

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

The admission procedure ensures the careful consideration of potential placements and the impact on the young people already living there. The location risk assessment confirms that young people live in a low-crime area. Staff are aware of the potential risks affecting young people. However, not all information is sufficiently detailed in each risk Inspection report children’s home: SC423959 6 assessment, for example peer influences and the frequency of room searches.

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

The home provides a safe environment for young people. Certificates and regular health and safety checks confirm the safety of the premises. The organisation’s head office leads on staff recruitment. The robust procedures ensure that unsuitable people do not work with young people. Closed-circuit television provides additional security for the home, monitoring entrance areas, offices and hallways.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Young people benefit from strong management arrangements and an experienced, competent and stable staff team. The deputy and senior support worker posts strengthen the management structure. Educational and social work professionals praise the high level of communication, one describing it as ‘very good’. They appreciate that staff are efficient, promptly responsive and work in partnership with them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Four recommendations were made at the last inspection. These related to activities, independent study, risk assessments and staff training. Two recommendations have been appropriately addressed. Staff praised the gang training, highlighting how it had changed their working practices, for example in trying to give at-risk young people a sense of belonging. The ethos of the home supports each young person to learn, emphasising the value of independent study and reading for enjoyment. Staff have purchased magazines that reflect young people’s interests. The recommendations regarding activities and risk assessments have been repeated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is an effective leader, who has over 20 years’ experience in residential care, 15 of which have been in management positions. This individual has a relevant management qualification and their experience includes working within therapeutic settings. A young person described the manager as ‘nice’. A police officer described the registered manager as being ‘consistently a pleasure to work with’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Independent and internal scrutiny of the quality of care contributes to the home’s continuous improvement. Senior management oversight also focuses on the wish to provide an outstanding service. The constructive feedback from the Regulation 44 visitor is a particular strength, which assists with service development. However, monitoring systems need to be more analytical and able to measure progress. Measurements of progress do not currently include qualitative information such as how well the child is prepared for their next stage of education, training or employment, and quantitative data where appropriate.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Young people benefit from the high staffing ratio, which enables them to have personalised support. The staff team is culturally diverse and gender balanced. They pride themselves on their collective strength and ability to work well together. A staff member highlighted it was the ‘best team’ they had worked in. A police officer described staff as ‘very professional’ and ‘courteous’. This officer explained, ‘Nothing has ever been too much trouble for them and they have always been very supportive of police in our role.’ Inspection report children’s home: SC423959 7 All staff, apart from a new staff member, have the required vocational qualification. The new staff member is currently completing this training. Staff receive ongoing face-to- face and online training. They are looking forward to the rescheduled mental health training. Staff benefit from regular supervision, which enables them to reflect on their

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

work. Annual appraisals evaluate their performance and identify areas for professional and personal development. Young people contribute towards the appraisal process. A young person confirmed that a staff member ‘is funny’ and ‘easy to talk to’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Young people live in a well-maintained terraced property which blends easily into the residential area. A social worker praised the ‘lovely environment’. They described it as ‘welcoming and warm, well furnished, clean and homely’. Contemporary art, inspirational quotes on the walls, furniture and soft furnishings contribute to the modern atmosphere. Young people’s bedrooms all have their own television. Communal areas include a television lounge, a spacious kitchen with a dining area and a computer room. Young people also have their own outdoor building within the paved garden. They wish to make the outdoor building cosier and they have requested a new sofa. The home also has soundproofing. A neighbour expressed their appreciation of this, commenting that the soundproofing installed has made ‘such a difference’.

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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.

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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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC423959 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Heartwood Residential Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 416 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex IG3 9TH

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Inspector

Sharon Payne, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC423959 9 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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