Children's home run by Livability

Interim inspection children’s home: SC371073 1 SC371073 Registered provider: Livability Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 16 children and young people. It offers a short-break service and a residential provision to children and young people up to the age of 19 who may have physical disabilities and associated complex learning and care needs. The home is operated by an organisation with charitable status. The home is registered as a non-maintained residential special school, but is regulated against the children’s home regulations as it provides 52-weeks-per-year placements.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 11 December 2017

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection in December 2017, one requirement and two recommendations were made. These have all been met. Although there have been no new staff recruited since the previous inspection, the recruitment records now contain an explanation of the scoring system used as part of the appointment decision. The number of health and safety signs displayed around the home has reduced. The registered manager said that work is still to be completed in this area.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, a new supervision process has been implemented. The records of these sessions now include observations of staff practice, and monitoring of Interim inspection children’s home: SC371073 2 and reflection on their work. Supervision records are now of a good quality and clearly evidence that the actions set at the previous sessions are reviewed.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The visits by the independent person are carried out regularly. Over the previous three months, these visits have been completed by three different people. None of these people have been able to review the children’s files, as permission to do so has not yet been obtained from the placing authority. This does not enable the independent visitor to assess whether the children are being cared for in line with their plans. In addition, the reports produced after these visits do not provide effective challenge to the home, so they are not an effective tool in improving practice. This weakness had been identified by the leaders and managers prior to this inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to receive good-quality care from a well-trained team which knows the children well.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is an effective advocate for the children in her care. She continues to escalate successfully any concerns she has about the service the children and their families receive.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The monitoring systems used by leaders and managers are good. These systems enable the registered manager to review the quality of the work undertaken in the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the previous inspection, there have been no restraints used or complaints made.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s files are well maintained and contain the required information. Care planning documents reflect the children’s current needs, the strategies the staff use to meet these needs, and the people who the children prefer to support them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers make the required notifications to Ofsted swiftly. The registered manager closely monitors and reviews the incidents reported in these notifications and uses her findings to develop staff practice further.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding processes remain strong. Staff are very aware of the additional vulnerabilities of the children they care for and take appropriate action to keep them safe.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new sensory lounge has now been completed. This room provides children with an additional lounge that is spacious and welcoming. There is a range of multi-use sensory equipment as well as a cinema screen. Children were seen using this room for story time as well as just relaxing. Interim inspection children’s home: SC371073 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/12/2017 15/3/2017 Full Interim Good Improved effectiveness 04/10/2016 Full Requires improvement 18/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 25/06/2015 Full Requires improvement

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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

44: Independent person: visits and reports

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person, if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires. 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 children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (2(a, b) (4(a, b)) 30/04/2018

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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 Interim inspection children’s home: SC371073 4 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

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

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 Mitre Passage, London SE10 0ER

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Inspector

Wendy Anderson, social care inspector Interim inspection children’s home: SC371073 5 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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