Children's Home run by Stonelake London Limited in Brent

Inspection report children’s home: 1264048 1 Registered provider: Stonelake London Limited Interim 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. The registered manager started working at the home in March 2018 and was registered with Ofsted in July 2018.

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Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 4 September 2018

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Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home provides a nurturing base where young people are thriving and developing as individuals. All young people are attending education and they are making good progress in all areas of their lives. A young person praised the staff team and they described the registered manager as ‘a nice person’.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

All the requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed. The registered manager and staff work in partnership with others to support Inspection report children’s home: 1264048 2 the progress of young people. There is a clear vision for the service and a commitment to improving the outcomes for young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a comprehensive statement of purpose, which has been updated. This document now reflects the current list of therapies, the correct contact information for Ofsted and the current safeguarding legislation.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The improved staff recruitment procedure protects young people. Personal checks confirm the suitability of new staff. Risk assessments are undertaken if there are any concerning issues.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The structured induction process equips new staff for their roles. All of the required staff are completing their vocational training and staff now have their performance formally appraised. However, the appraisal system misses the opportunity to take into account the views of children and involved professionals.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality assurance system now meets regulatory requirements. The registered manager has reviewed the home’s quality of care. The subsequent review reports now include the views of children and local authorities and there is a realistic action plan to support continual improvement.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people live in a safer environment, for example loose wiring has been secured, there is now appropriate lighting and window restrictors have been fitted. Certificates also confirmed the safety of the electrical and water supplies.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from a more consistent behaviour management approach. This enables them to take responsibility for their actions. Sanctions are mainly restorative and young people respond positively to their personalised rewards. Since the last inspection, there have been no physical restraints. Staff effectively use de-escalation techniques to defuse challenging situations.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The work with young people is character building and focuses on helping them to fulfil their potential. Male staff continue to act as positive role models. Boys talk sessions enable the young men to meaningfully discuss topics, such as safe sex and community safety.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are learning to manage their emotions. They can use boxing pads to punch out their frustrations. Music production also enables them to creatively express their thoughts and feelings.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new initiative has been the introduction of art therapy. These sessions contribute towards improvements in young people’s emotional well-being. Young people have also created mood boards, which detail their future aspirations.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are currently engaging in a healthy eating challenge. A dietician is also helping staff with devising nutritious food options. Young people exercise regularly by going to the gym and playing football. Inspection report children’s home: 1264048 3 Young people live in a more pleasant and homely environment, for example a new kitchen has been fitted, rooms have been redecorated and a cosy corner has been created in the dining room. Photos of young people and staff are also on display throughout the property.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people move in and leave the home in a planned manner. The registered manager carefully considers new referrals to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on the young people already living at the home. New young people quickly settle into the home, forming trusting relationships with staff.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people engage in a wide range of activities, such as going to football matches, museums and exhibitions. They particularly enjoyed their supercar racing, where they had an opportunity to drive a Porsche.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people learn valuable life skills, which are necessary for independent living. This includes cooking, budgeting and being responsible for household tasks. Young people also learn to consider the needs of others, through supporting children’s charities.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers succeed in providing a family-style atmosphere where young people feel safe, listened to and cared for. There is also a commitment to the well-being and development of staff, which enables them to feel valued.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/09/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/09/2017 Full Good

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Recommendation

 Ensure that staff appraisals take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5) Inspection report children’s home: 1264048 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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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 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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