Children's home run by Sherico Care Services Limited in Westminster

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC010700 1 SC010700

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Sherico Care Services Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is one of a number of homes owned by a private organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for no more than three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties .

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged as requires improvement to be good at the full inspection on 6 December 2017. There is no change to the judgement following this visit. Following a monitoring visit, which occurred on 30 January 2018, Ofsted issued a compliance notice on 28 February 2018. The notice requested that the provider: redecorate the first floor landing area, clean or replace stained carpets, ensure that all bedrooms have appropriate curtains and lampshades and remove unsafe hazards from the garden area. In addition, the notice requested the replacement of torn curtains in the lounge and wardrobes and a bedside cabinet in one bedroom. The home has completed all of the required work.

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This monitoring visit

Ten requirements and three recommendations resulted from the full inspection. The home has addressed nine requirements and all of the recommendations. An additional concern remains regarding the evidence of cannabis use in the home.

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This monitoring visit

A new interim manager began working in the home on 26 February 2018. Prior to arriving in the home, she managed a semi-independent unit for girls in the London area for two and a half years. The interim manager has applied for formal registration with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

The home accommodated one young person at the time of this inspection. Since the last monitoring visit, another young person left the home on 8 February 2018. He returned to the care of a family member. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC010700 2 The home environment is improved and safer. Fire extinguishers are located in the kitchen area. A new patio and front wall is in place outside of the home. Staff have redecorated the hallways of the home and replaced the carpets on the stairs and main landing area on the first floor. The garden area is now clear of hazards, and the fence has been replaced. The bedrooms and lounge area benefit from new curtains and lampshades.

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This monitoring visit

On the day of the visit, the inspector identified further concerns regarding the garden area and bedroom furniture. Managers agreed to ‘address the issue’. On 22 March 2018, Ofsted received photographic proof of new bedroom furniture, sinks and work having been completed on the garden.

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This monitoring visit

There is evidence of cannabis use in the home. During the inspection, the inspector noticed that the living room area of the home showed evidence of the preparation of a cannabis cigarette. The young person present in the home said it belonged to him.

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This monitoring visit

Despite this concern, there is evidence of improved structure and educational attainment from the young person present in the home. He is now engaging with tutorial support for four days a week, and the home has been active in seeking a full-time school place. His allocated tutor supports this view. The young person commented, ‘I like my home and the tutoring is good. It’s better here than the last time.’ A mentor provided by the local authority supports staff in offering constructive activities such as the pursuit of gym membership.

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This monitoring visit

The interim manager has conducted weekly audits of the case file. The file now evidences regular key work sessions and up-to-date risk assessments. The interim manager remains supported in this work by the improved scrutiny of the independent visitor.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/12/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/05/2017 Full Good 06/03/2017 Interim Declined in effectiveness 29/11/2016 Full Requires improvement Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC010700 3

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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

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop and to benefit, from relationships based on

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Requirement Due date

mutual respect and trust ; an understanding about acceptable behaviour; positive response to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this refers to staff consistently challenging cannabis use in accordance with the home’s behavioural management policy. 20/5/2018

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home to address the compliance notice that Ofsted issued on 28 February 2018.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC010700 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Sherico Care Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sherico Care Homes Ltd, 2−4 Balmoral Road, London E10 5ND

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Inspector

Barnaby Dowell, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC010700 5 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 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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