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

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2490938 1

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London Borough of Hillingdon

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The London Borough of Hillingdon operates the home. The home provides care 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/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager post has been vacant since 30 April 2019.

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This monitoring visit

This visit took place to address specific issues raised in quality assurance reports received by Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This was an off-site visit, in line with current COVID-19 (coronavirus) guidance. The inspector held telephone interviews with children, parents and the acting manager, gained feedback from social care professionals and reviewed documents.

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This monitoring visit

There has been no registered manager in the home since 30 April 2019. Since then, the local authority has appointed an acting manager, who has been in post since September 2019. The local authority is in the process of appointing a new acting manager.

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This monitoring visit

The acting manager deals with safeguarding concerns effectively. Appropriate measures are put in place to protect children. These include terminating some placements, strengthening assessment processes to ensure that children are appropriately matched, completing online safety work with children and seeking mental health professionals’ support for children when they need it.

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This monitoring visit

The designated officer commented that there are no systemic safeguarding concerns about the home. Staff receive safeguarding training, and they deal with allegations appropriately. However, the home did not notify Ofsted about one allegation made Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2490938 2 against staff. The acting manager agreed to send this in retrospectively; no children were placed at risk of harm due to this shortfall.

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This monitoring visit

There are some missed opportunities in relation to quality assurance. For example, the managers have not always ensured that quality assurance reports reflect the views of children, staff, professionals and parents/carers/relatives.

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This monitoring visit

Children said that they are happy and well cared for. Children told the inspector, ‘Staff are very supportive’, ‘They help me to get through things’, and ‘They are like sunshine.’ One parent said, ‘Staff went above and beyond to support my child and they have a lovely relationship with my child.’

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This monitoring visit

Children have enjoyed a range of activities during COVID-19 restrictions. These have included walking in the park, cycling, playing football in the garden, board games, art drawings, movie nights, cooking activities and entering competitions for baking cakes. One child commented that living at the home is fun.

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This monitoring visit

Children continue to learn during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Staff support children in their education. Children have laptops to engage in further online learning.

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This monitoring visit

Risk assessments and care plans are clear, detailed and of good quality. One mental health professional commented that staff support children ‘with care and compassion’. The independent reviewing officer and social workers have praised staff about their good levels of communication. This has ensured that children receive the required care on time.

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This monitoring visit

Staff told the inspector that they feel supported and receive regular supervision. Staff feel that the home has managed the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic well.

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This monitoring visit

This visit has led to two new requirements being made. The one requirement from the previous inspection remains not met and is, therefore, repeated.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/12/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 28/08/2019 Full Good 12/03/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness 03/12/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2490938 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

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.

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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) (2)(a)(b)) 7 May 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)) 7 May 2021

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44 (2)(a)) 7 May 2021

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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. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2490938 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: London Borough of Hillingdon

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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

Gulcin Ardic, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2490938 5 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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