Children's Home run by Blandford House (UK) Limited in Hillingdon

Inspection report children’s home: SC484912 1 SC484912 Registered provider: Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned residential children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 10 young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 13 November 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

The director and head of service are actively recruiting a manager for the home. The highly experienced head of service has temporarily filled the vacant manager’s position. She leads the home with dynamism and has addressed all the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. The head of service’s unquestionable dedication to young people and staff has sustained the effectiveness of the home. She said that she views the home much as she would her own home. The head of service continues to drive the home forward. She has recently enlisted the staff team to take part in a local police initiative, providing advice and reviewing preventative measures and outcomes for young people who may go missing.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent monitoring of the home provides detailed, young people-focused Inspection report children’s home: SC484912 2 reports that highlight areas of strengths and constructive advice for improvements. However, the independent visitor does not provide an opinion as to whether children are effectively safeguarded and whether the conduct of the home promotes children’s well- being. This is a regulatory requirement.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improved admission planning is in place. All staff are consulted prior to new admissions to the home. Staff provide opportunities for young people already living in the home to discuss possible new placements. Detailed impact risk assessments help to ensure that young people’s placements are appropriate. Peer group matching and appropriate staffing levels alongside young people’s gender, culture, risks and emotional and behavioural challenges are systematically considered. Comprehensive transition plans ensure that young people are fully supported to arrive and settle in the home. A social worker said, ‘[X] has only been in the home a short time, but so far I am very impressed with the effort the staff have gone to in terms of welcoming him, getting to know him, his likes, dislikes and interests. The staff have been proactive in meeting with the previous carers to understand [X]’s complex needs and how these can be met.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good-quality relationships are a key factor in the home. Young people have good communication and relationships with each other and the staff team. A parent said, ‘Staff are hardworking, polite, respectful and friendly. I give the home ten out of ten.’ Consideration for others is promoted. This includes young people distributing Christmas gifts to their neighbours and baking cakes for a charity coffee morning. Young people’s friends and family are actively encouraged to visit the home. Special occasions are always celebrated. A member of staff said, ‘We are like a family in a very supportive environment.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are encouraged with individualised rewards and incentives to achieve their progress targets. Young people in the home make good progress. The staff team understands young people’s needs. Their knowledge of young people’s vulnerabilities as well as strengths helps to inform the appropriate levels of support and encouragement provided to young people. Specific measureable targets are set for each young person in line with their needs as well as their aspirations. Young people are well supported to achieve their targets. Examples range from reduction in missing from home episodes, reduction in challenging behaviours, cessation of substance misuse to sporting excellence and 100% school attendance.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff act as a good parent would and offer genuine care to young people. Young people are encouraged to help around the home and, as a result, learn useful life skills. A social worker fed back, ‘The staff have displayed unwavering commitment to the young person I work with. This has meant that [X] has gone from strength to strength, and I have seen such a change in him. I am fully convinced that the change in [X] has been accelerated by the home’s commitment to him, and this is so crucial in [X]’s development.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are encouraged to complete regular feedback forms and attend their weekly house meeting. Young people reported that they feel safe and supported. A young person said, ‘This is the best home I have ever lived in.’ Young people said that Inspection report children’s home: SC484912 3 staff listen to them. Whether it is a request for more bedroom storage furniture, new computer games or a sports massage, staff swiftly action young people’s wishes. Young people enjoy a wealth of activities that suit their individual interests. Individual activity planners list young people’s broad range of choices, including cinema and library trips, skydiving, cadets, football and go karting.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff ensure that all young people have a daily routine that includes education. Staff are diligent in working to ensure that that young people receive appropriate opportunities to improve their educational progress. Where young people experience difficulties engaging in education, staff display patience and creativity. For example, focusing on young people’s interests and career aspirations, staff successfully engage young people in appropriate alternative learning opportunities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/11/2017 Full Good 30/03/2017 Interim Not judged 21/06/2016 Full Requires improvement 30/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

Reg 44 Independent person: visits and reports

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Requirement Due date

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 wellbeing. (Regulation 44 (4)(a) and (b)) 30/6/2018 Inspection report children’s home: SC484912 4

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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

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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Inspector

Victoria Jones, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC484912 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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