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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC032600 1 SC032600

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London Borough of Hounslow

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides a short-break service and full-time care on both a permanent and emergency basis for up to six children. The home’s statement of purpose states that the home provides care to children who have learning disabilities, physical disabilities or sensory impairment.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was triggered as a result of information received from the provider and the home’s independent visitor.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of the monitoring visit the home was looking after one child under short- break arrangements.

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This monitoring visit

The monitoring visit was conducted remotely, using a combination of telephone conversations, email and document review. The inspector spoke with children, parents and local authority social workers.

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This monitoring visit

 explore the provider’s delay in resolving recommendations made in the independent visitor’s monitoring report  assess whether senior staff had failed to offer regular formal supervision to the staff team  review the outcome of an internal investigation that managers had conducted following an allegation made by a child about a member of staff, as it is unclear whether this investigation was concluded Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC032600 2  clarify that after care professionals had identified that it was in one child’s best interest for an alternative care provision to be found, whether the child had moved to a new placement  clarify that managers are appropriately informing Ofsted of events requiring notification.

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This monitoring visit

The main outcomes of the visit are as follows :

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This monitoring visit

 Staff experienced delays in receiving identified key training.  There are gaps in the frequency of when staff received formal supervision.  The investigation into an allegation made by a child against a member of staff had been concluded.  Appropriate alternative care provision was identified for the child in question, who has since moved to the new placement.  Managers are appropriately informing Ofsted of significant events.

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This monitoring visit

Independent visitor reports over the course of the past six months have consistently highlighted the need for the provider to provide senior staff with training focused on staff supervision. Managers acknowledged that this delay could have been avoided and confirmed that this training has recently been provided to senior staff.

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This monitoring visit

The independent visitor reported similar delays in providing staff with training focused on the role of the designated officer. Managers accepted that this delay could have been avoided and confirmed that this training has now been provided to the team. However, during telephone interviews not all staff demonstrated an understanding of the role of the designated officer.

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This monitoring visit

Independent monitoring reports also highlighted gaps in the frequency of formal staff supervision. The registered manager commented that this was the usual practice of the home during summer months when many children were accessing the home for a short-break stay. However, she accepted that this was not in line with the regulations. The registered manager concluded that there was value to providing formal supervision to staff when they were under pressure, which should be recorded. Staff said that they always feel very well supported by their line managers.

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This monitoring visit

The monitoring visit explored the management of an allegation which a child made against a member of staff. Discussion with the registered manager and documents seen confirmed that appropriate action was taken in line with safeguarding procedures to help keep the child safe.

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This monitoring visit

The monitoring visit reviewed the continued placement of this same child at the home. The independent visitor had expressed some concern for the child’s safety and that of others due to extremely challenging behaviour. Managers confirmed that this child had successfully moved to an alternative residential placement. The child’s Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC032600 3 social worker said of the home, ‘I also had (name of child) at Westbrook, the most challenging child I know, and the staff were amazing with him.’

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This monitoring visit

The monitoring visit also reviewed the home’s approach to notifying Ofsted of significant events. In all instances, managers informed Ofsted of significant events as outlined by the regulations.

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This monitoring visit

One recommendation was made at the last inspection, which was reviewed at this visit. The issue related to the contents of the independent visitor’s report. This has since been resolved. One new requirement and one new recommendation were made as a result of this monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

Those spoken with were clear that staff provide children with high-quality, safe care. One mother said, ‘Westbrook has been a linchpin in our lives. Especially during these times, they did their best during COVID-19 to stay open but couldn’t. (the registered manager) and the staff are fantastic, it really is like a family. It brings tears to your eyes how lovely the staff team are. It’s always great.’

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/08/2019 Full Good 16/05/2018 Full Good 16/08/2017 Full Good 09/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC032600 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation12 (1) (2)(a)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, that staff understand the role of the designated officer. 01 May 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs, and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. Specifically, to provide staff with formal supervision sessions at appropriate intervals that are recorded. ("Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Children’s home Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC032600 5 Registered provider: London Borough of Hounslow

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Civic Centre, Lampton Road, Hounslow, TW3 4DN

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Inspector

Sandra Jacobs-Walls, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC032600 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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