Children's Home run by London Borough of Hillingdon in Hillingdon

Inspection report children's home: 2490938 1 Registered provider: London Borough of Hillingdon Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

 The local authority owns and runs this home for up to five children.  In the home’s statement of purpose, the provider states that it provides care for children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.  The registered manager post has been vacant since April 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2490938 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered managers of two other homes run by the local authority managed this home after the departure of the registered manager. Since then, the local authority has appointed an acting manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The acting manager has been in post for the last three months. There have been improvements at the home since the last inspection. For example, the acting manager has met the two requirements and five recommendations made at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff described the home as ‘settled’ at the moment. The acting manager is making sure that any new admissions do not disturb the equilibrium of the home. Staff reported that a new risk-matching tool is helping to make sure that any new admissions are right for the current mix of children. This is to ensure that staff can meet the needs of all children living in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff advocate for children and work effectively with other professionals such as social workers and youth mentors. Staff provide effective challenge to the local authority where they feel that decisions are not in children’s best interests. Staff work effectively to make sure that children can see their family and friends, which supports children’s emotional well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The numbers of children going missing from the home are reducing. Some children who were often going missing have not done so for long periods. Children who do routinely go missing nevertheless stay in touch with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff encourage children to attend education or training. When children struggle, staff seek alternative provision which is better able to meet children’s needs. Staff encourage those children, who are learning English as a second language, to make friends and talk to others.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders, managers and staff have improved the building by adding more soft furnishings and making sure that notices are non-institutional. Recently, a ceiling collapsed in the staff office. However, investigations and repairs are ongoing and staff are managing this situation safely.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Reviews carried out by an independent visitor, as well as by the acting manager, help to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the service. The acting manager has clear plans for how she wishes to improve the home further. Inspection report children's home: 2490938 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/08/2019 Full Good 12/03/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 03/12/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children's home: 2490938 4

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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 registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if–

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home; and

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Requirement Due date

is not, or does not intend to be, in day-to-day charge of the home.

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of–

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person so appointed; and

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Requirement Due date

the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27(1)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii), (2)(a)(b)) 31/01/2020

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: 2490938 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: London Borough of Hillingdon, Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 1UW

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Inspector:

Jacqueline Graves, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report children's home: 2490938 6 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 looked after children, 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

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