Children's Home run by Stonelake London Limited in Brent

Inspection report children‟s home: 1264048 1 Registered provider: Stonelake London Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to four young people. The home‟s statement of purpose explains that it is a therapeutic home for young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and challenging behaviour. Staff use the cognitive behaviour therapy model of working and they receive guidance from a psychiatrist and a psychologist.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager started working at the home in March 2018 and was registered with Ofsted in July 2018.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children‟s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 25 September 2017

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children‟s home: 1264048 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/09/2017 Full Good Inspection report children‟s home: 1264048 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

For the purposes of paragraph (3) (b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained— the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”). (Regulation 32(4)(a)) 01/11/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children‟s safety. (Regulation 32 (1))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the home must obtain two references, disclosure checks and where necessary complete risk assessments on staff prior to them starting work. 01/11/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep the keep the statement of purpose under review and where appropriate revise it. (Regulation 16 (3) (a)) 01/11/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction. (Regulation 33 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, documentary proof must be available to evidence that this has occurred. 01/11/2018

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep safe. In particular, the standard requires the registered person to ensure— that the premises used for the purposes of the home are maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child‟s health. (Regulation 12 (2)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure the loose wiring from a light fitting is secured and the lightbulb is replaced on the first floor. Furthermore, ensure that there is documentation to verify the safety of the electrical supply and the water supply. 01/11/2018 Inspection report children‟s home: 1264048 4 The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made. (Regulation 35 (3)) 01/11/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months. (Regulation 45 (1)) 01/11/2018

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all staff have their performance and fitness to carry out their role formally appraised at least annually. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff are familiar with the home‟s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful and clear recording. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 62, paragraph 14.4) In particular, the need for accuracy and to provide summaries of „boys‟ talk‟ discussions.

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improvement to be good

Young people continue to flourish within the nurturing family-style environment. However, additional factors from the other outcome areas impact on their overall quality of care. This relates to shortfalls regarding the environment, records, staff recruitment, staff training, staff support and the quality assurance system.

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improvement to be good

Record keeping does not always clearly detail young people‟s progress. The good work undertaken with young people in „boys‟ talk‟ sessions are not recorded. Also, an inaccurate description of an acronym was used, which described a young person‟s activity incorrectly.

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improvement to be good

Young people describe the care that they receive as „good‟. They are growing in maturity, independence and self-confidence, and display aspiration for their futures. Young people engage in a wide range of activities linked to their hobbies and interests, which includes new experiences such as a holiday abroad.

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improvement to be good

Person-centred care planning enables young people to voice their needs and preferences. Focused key-working with staff helps young people with their personal development and making sense of their past. Life-story books meaningfully detail their lives and photos capture their memories.

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improvement to be good

Young people thrive within an atmosphere of positive reinforcement. Young people are attending college or are enrolling in other educational establishments. Staff also succeed Inspection report children‟s home: 1264048 5 in providing young people with educationally enriching activities, for example visiting museums.

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improvement to be good

A young person stated, „I have clear goals for the future.‟ There is a strong emphasis on making a positive contribution to society. Young people have attended a national citizen scheme, donated to charities and are currently establishing a community garden.

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improvement to be good

Staff value young people‟s diversity, through supporting them to follow their cultural and religious traditions. The home celebrates achievements, birthdays and religious festivals, such as Eid. Young people enjoy traditional culturally reflective meals. A popular event is „Jollof Wednesdays‟, which showcases West African cuisine.

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improvement to be good

Young people lead a healthy lifestyle through exercise and eating a nutritious diet. Young people are also able to access therapy; however, they prefer discussing their feelings with staff. They also have the option of expressing themselves in the music studio.

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improvement to be goo

Young people state that they feel safe; however, some practices within the home do not have sufficient regard to their welfare or safety. The organisation does not take adequate precautions to ensure that the environment is appropriately maintained. Window restrictors are not fitted for all upper windows and there is a lack of lighting in one hallway.

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improvement to be goo

Health and safety issues are potential hazards for young people, an example being the exposed wiring on the upper-floor landing. At the time of the inspection there was an absence of documentation to verify the safety of the electricity supply and water supply.

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improvement to be goo

Safer recruitment practices are not complied with and the organisation has employed people prior to references being received. Staff have undergone inductions prior to the receipt of their disclosure and barring service checks. There was also no evidence that written risk assessments had been completed when issues were highlighted on disclosure and barring checks.

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improvement to be goo

There is an inconsistent approach to sanctions and restraint recording. At times sanctions are not given or restorative work is not recorded. Young people do not receive a consistent message regarding the consequence of their behaviour, to help them in adult life.

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improvement to be goo

Restraint records do not contain the required detail. This makes it difficult to analyse and learn from events. Incidents are, however, reducing as young people are learning to self-regulate their feelings.

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improvement to be goo

Staff succeed in helping young people understand the importance of personal safety. Young people prefer spending their time at the home and no longer associate with Inspection report children‟s home: 1264048 6 unsuitable friends. There are no issues with young people going missing or being exploited.

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improvement to be goo

Young people proudly state that they are „helped to be better‟ and they are „new and improved.‟ Staff receive analytical insight and reflective guidance from the home‟s psychologist. Young people generally respond well to praise and rewards. An example is the recognition of achievements through the „star of the week‟ scheme.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

It has been a challenging time for the home due to the departure of an established manager and several staff members. The management structure is further weakened as the deputy manager is on long-term leave. The culmination of these factors has resulted in a difficult management transition.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The registered manager has worked extremely hard to provide a stable environment for young people and support the newly forming staff team. Staff praise the new registered manager, describing her as „incredible‟ and „the best‟.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The statement of purpose requires updating to include the current list of therapies used. Amendments are also needed to reflect the correct contact information for Ofsted and the current safeguarding legislation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Quality assurance requires improvement. Although the home does benefit from constructive monthly reports from the independent visitor, the quality of care review has not been completed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Young people benefit from a committed, competent, culturally diverse and gender- balanced staff team. Staff share interests with young people and act as good role models. A young person confirmed „staff are very caring‟ and „they meet my needs.‟

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff receive regular supervision, team meetings and an adequate range of training. However, records do not evidence that all the necessary staff inductions and appraisals have been completed. Vocational training is in progress for all staff. There is an outstanding requirement, however, for staff to have completed this training within two years.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers have addressed one of the two requirements made at the last inspection. The updated behaviour management policy now clearly outlines when the police should be contacted. The updated policy has resulted in better outcomes, as it highlights the wish not to criminalise young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Leaders and managers are aware of the shortfalls and they have a strong desire to improve the quality of care in the home. Feedback regarding the home is positive. A health professional described staff as „lovely, caring and compassionate people‟. Inspection report children‟s home: 1264048 7

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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: 1264048 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stonelake London Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 211b, Station Road, Harrow HA1 2TP

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Inspector

Sharon Payne, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: 1264048 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted Inspection report children‟s home: 1264048 10 Inspection report children‟s home: 1264048 11 Inspection report children‟s home: 1264048 12

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