Children's home run by Barnardo’s in Redbridge

Inspection report children’s home: SC025940 1 SC025940 Registered provider: Barnardo’s Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a children’s charity and is registered to provide care for up to six children with learning disabilities. The premises are wheelchair accessible, as all the bedrooms are situated on the ground floor. The home offers long-term placements, short breaks, and respite provision. Care delivery incorporates the principles of social pedagogy. The manager started working at the home in May 2018 and submitted his application to be the registered manager in December 2018.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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 requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have addressed all of the requirements and all but one of the recommendations from the last inspection; the exception being refurbishing the bathroom, which is in progress.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are more ambitious and outcome-focused for children. They take pride in seeing the whole child, and not simply their disabilities, and follow the principles of social pedagogy. Children are thriving within a caring environment and are making significant improvements both socially and emotionally. They are growing in self-confidence, maturity and independence. Staff empower children to have a voice. A good example of Inspection report children’s home: SC025940 2 this is the support given to a child to write a letter to the court regarding their care proceedings.

p.1

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have improved their communication skills due to being more socially interactive. Children are now sitting appropriately at the dining table. They also assist with laying the table. One child also makes meals for his peers and the staff.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children benefit from more detailed care planning. Care plans clearly record each child’s needs, preferences, goals and aspirations. Staff understand the importance of careful and clear record keeping. Inaccurate recording of information is no longer an issue. Children’s risk assessments are more detailed. They are regularly updated and include the risks associated with internet use.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

All children are now attending school and they have good attendance rates. A teacher highlighted that a child was now ‘hitting all his targets’ and ‘has much potential to succeed’.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are engaging in a wider range of activities and new experiences. They enjoy going to the cinema, eating out for meals, bus rides and trips to the theatre. A recent unique experience was a plane ride, based on a fantasy flight to the North Pole.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children benefit from better staffing arrangements. The workforce development plan now details how staff will be supported in their role. Staffing levels have increased, and new, enthusiastic staff have been recruited. Staff receive effective guidance from clear shift plans. They also enjoy the opportunity of sharing their interests, skills and experiences with children, such as providing children with cookery lessons.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are calmer and more settled, and there has been a marked decrease in incidents of challenging behaviour. Children enjoy negotiating rewards and they are responding well to the incentive scheme. There has been no need to use physical interventions and staff are recording sanctions. However, staff do not consistently record the effectiveness of each sanction. This limits the ability to inform future practice.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Fire safety has improved. The automatic closing mechanism on the doors has been repaired. Children benefit from a homelier living environment. Children’s photographs are on display throughout the home, reminding them of fun experiences. The lounge has been redecorated with murals, decorative mirrors, soft furnishings and a new sofa, making it more appealing and comfortable.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

The refurbishment of the bathrooms is due to commence shortly. The back garden is well maintained, with new outdoor furniture. Hanging baskets and a border of flowers enhance the external entrance area. However, an old sofa is currently stored at the front of the property, which makes the drive look unattractive.

p.2

and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers learn from incidents, complaints and allegations. They are solution-focused, and issues are used as an opportunity to improve practice, policies and documentation. The quality assurance system focuses on continual improvement and the Inspection report children’s home: SC025940 3 quality of care review contains an achievable action plan.

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/05/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/07/2017 Full Good 12/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 07/06/2016 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

35: Behaviour management policies and records

p.3

Requirement Due date

(3)The registered person must ensure that— (a) 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 which includes— (vii) the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(vii)) 01/03/2019

p.3

Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) In particular, make bathrooms less institutionalised and dispose of the old sofa that is in the front garden. Inspection report children’s home: SC025940 4

p.3

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.4

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.4

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.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 13A Silver Fox Way, Cobalt Business Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE27 0QJ

p.4

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Suzanne Turner-Jones

p.4

Inspector

Sharon Payne, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC025940 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.

p.4

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.5

Inspector

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

p.5

Inspector

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

p.5