Children's home run by London Borough of Waltham Forest in Waltham Forest

Inspection report children’s home: SC036735 1 SC036735 Registered provider: London Borough of Waltham Forest Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home provides residential short breaks and day-care provision for disabled children.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

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 declined in effectiveness.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children enjoy themselves at the centre. They have opportunities to go on activities and outings during the holidays, which they may not have had at home. During the summer holidays there have been visits to the London Eye, Covent Garden, Paradise Park and more locally to a bowling alley and the playground. The home’s garden has recently been made safe, by removing old play equipment and putting in new swings. This meant that there was a period when the garden was closed, but children are again enjoying the outdoor space offered at the centre.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The centre has a passionate and committed staff team, which has good relationships with the children. Each child has a key worker who is responsible for overseeing the individual care needs of their key children. Staff use the Picture Exchange Communication System to ensure choice about menus and activities. Wider views are sought through residents’ meetings and regular reviews of children’s care. Inspection report children’s home: SC036735 2 Levels of supervision offered to children in the centre have not been good enough, particularly for those children coming to visit for the first time. Leaders and managers have responded to this concern by tightening procedures about admissions and ensuring closer supervision of children. Staff team meetings have discussed concerns about supervision levels. Staff spoken to during this inspection were reflective, and able to see where mistakes had been made and the need to change practice.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding issues are not always reported in a timely way to the designated officer. Confusion among leaders and managers about the difference between an allegation and a complaint created a delay in reporting. Despite delays, appropriate records of incidents and investigations are kept and overseen closely by managers. Leaders and managers demonstrated integrity over these issues. In response, leaders and managers put clearer structures and processes in place to prevent any recurrence. All staff, including managers, completed refresher safeguarding training in July 2018. The designated officer stated, ‘The manager is very child-focused and frequently runs things past me for advice.’

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

One serious incident was not notified to the regulator. If notifications are not received, the regulator does not know what is happening at the home. Notifications allow the regulator to understand serious incidents and ensure that providers are taking appropriate actions to safeguard children.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff spoken to reported enjoying their work and feeling supported by their peers and managers. However, formal supervision records are inconsistent.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

External monitoring of the home by an independent visitor did not pick up on recent safeguarding issues. Neither did the recent report indicate that a serious incident had not been notified to the regulator. The independent visitor must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Good progress has been made in meeting the four recommendations made at the last full inspection in May 2018. The registered manager is establishing monitoring systems to manage necessary staff information. A survey is currently running to seek children’s, parents’ and professionals’ views about the centre and how it can be improved. Children’s risk assessments and personal emergency evacuation plans are now updated on files. Leaders and managers have discussed accountability within shift planning in staff meetings and the majority of staff are now signing shift plans. Inspection report children’s home: SC036735 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/05/2018 Full Good 30/08/2017 Full Good 21/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/08/2016 Full Good

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.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.3

Requirement Due date

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

p.3

Requirement Due date

that staff understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.3

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(v)(vi)(vii)(b)) 30/10/2018

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which—

p.3

Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the 30/10/2018 Inspection report children’s home: SC036735 4 children’s home from abuse or neglect; and

p.3

Requirement Due date

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular—

p.4

Requirement Due date

provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about current or ongoing abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the home is located. (Regulation 34(1)(a)(2)(b))

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

p.4

Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

p.4

Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child — is instigated; or

p.4

Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry). (Regulation 40(4)(c)(d)(i)(ii)) 30/10/2018

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

p.4

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—

p.4

Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

p.4

Recommendations

 Ensure the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) In particular, ensure that all the staff receive regular supervision of their practice and records are kept on files. Inspection report children’s home: SC036735 5

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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’.

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Queens Road Learning Centre, 97 Queens Road, London E17 8QR

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered manager: Anthony Lyseight-Goslin

p.5

Inspector

Christine Kennet, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC036735 6 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.

p.5

Inspector

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.6

Inspector

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

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6