Children's Home run by Amelia’s House Limited in Brent

Inspection report for children’s home: SC448693 1 SC448693 Registered provider: Amelia’s House Limited Full 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 and accommodation for four children who have complex needs. The home’s statement of purpose specifies that it will look after children with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and/or behavioural and emotional challenges.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in July 2012 and the manager was registered at the same time.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC448693 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/03/2020 Full Good 12/09/2018 Full Good 03/10/2017 Full Good 27/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC448693 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

C hildren living at the home thrive due to the nurturing, life-enhancing homely environment. A parent stated that she cannot score the home ‘less than 10 out of 10’. Another parent and a psychiatrist also confirmed that they were ‘impressed’ with the care provided to children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children attend school. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff assisted some children with home learning. One child’s school commended the level of mathematics support the child received.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide a learning environment for children, by reading to them and taking them on educational trips to museums. Children are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle through their diet and exercise. Playing football, swimming, walks and bike rides are part of their weekly routines.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which offer them the opportunity to visit new places, for example going to the theatre. Children express their creativity during art and crafts sessions. They also dance, sing and play percussion instruments during their weekly sessions with a musician.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s care plans have clear targets and they are written in the child’s voice. Care plans highlight children’s strengths and focus on empowering children and making them more independent. However, care plans are in written format, which is difficult for children to understand.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children develop their independent living, social and personal development skills. Children demonstrate a caring attitude and thoughtful consideration of each other. Children enjoy baking and they help to prepare the evening meal and daily snacks for each other.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s progress with their independence skills exceed expectations. Children have improved continence and they take responsibility for their personal care, such as making their bed and doing their laundry. They also assist with laying and clearing the table and helping staff while out grocery shopping.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a strong commitment to helping children to maintain their relationship with their family. Staff support children’s stays at their family homes during their weekend breaks. Parents greatly value this support.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and they know how to report child protection allegations. An independent reviewing officer stated that the home Inspection report for children’s home: SC448693 4 ‘provides a safe and stable environment’ for children. Parents trust the team of staff and they praise the way staff manage their children’s behaviour.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The registered manager strongly advocates for the children’s needs, especially in relation to their mental health. The strong relationship with psychiatrists and psychologists ensures that any concerns are promptly managed. The home also has access to its own mental health nurse to offer bespoke training and advice.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Since children have been living at the home, there has been a significant improvement in their emotional well-being. This has reduced the number of incidents and children no longer require two-to-one staffing. Children also benefit from a peaceful and calming bedtime routine.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

A headteacher praised the ‘firm boundaries’ which have resulted in ‘improved behaviours in school’ . A psychologist stated, ‘I am so impressed with the care, love and understanding’ during ‘very difficult’ times’. Staff do not have to physically restrain or sanction children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There is an onus on de-escalation and staff proactively anticipate anything which may upset a child. Children are calmer and they are more patient. They are learning to manage their moods through taking themselves to their rooms when they experience distress.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Parents and social workers praise the fact that staff do not ‘give up’ on children. Staff understand each child and creatively work towards providing the best outcomes for them. All children have been living at the home for over two years, which gives them a sense of togetherness.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children learn the importance of fire, personal and travel safety. The risk management system identifies and checks for environmental hazards, as well as identifying specific risks to children. However, the location risk assessment is not reviewed and updated annually.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The high staffing levels at the home ensure that children receive the appropriate level of supervision and support. There are no issues in relation to children going missing from the home or being at risk of radicalisation or exploitation.

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good

Children benefit from compassionate leadership and a dedicated staff team who are determined to make a positive difference in children’s lives. It has been a challenging time for the home due to the death of the responsible individual and the departure of several staff members.

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good

A new responsible individual has not yet been appointed and staff are currently covering the vacant posts. The registered manager has worked extremely hard to Inspection report for children’s home: SC448693 5 provide a stable home for children. One parent praised the ‘good management’ and stated that their child ‘was in the right place’.

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good

The provider has tried to provide children with a comfortable and pleasant home. However, two walls have holes in them and areas of the premises require redecoration. A refurbishment plan is in progress and it is noted that children have all received new wardrobes.

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good

Staff are experienced and generally competent. However, they have not benefited from annual appraisals. A social worker and a teacher highlighted that record- keeping is inconsistent. The registered manager is aware of this issue and hopes to invest in a computerised recording system to make record-keeping easier.

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good

The provider has not addressed two of the four requirements made at the last inspection. The registered manager and relevant staff members have not yet completed their required vocational training and the quality-of-care review has also not been completed since 2019.

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good

The organisation provides good continuity of care for older children. It has opened a home for young adults, which has ensured that they move into a familiar setting. The young adults’ home is registered with the Care Quality Commission and has received a good overall judgement.

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good

The registered manager has a good working relationship with the other professionals involved in children’s care. This results in staff suitably supporting children with educational and therapeutic targets. Staff also help older children with their transition to college and moving on from the home.

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good

Children receive personalised care from a staff team that feels well supported. Staff have a chance to reflect on their work during their supervision meetings. They also attend regular team meetings and training workshops.

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good

The registered manager is aware of the home’s strengths and the areas requiring further development. The home benefits from constructive monthly reports from the independent visitor. The registered manager demonstrates a strong desire to provide a good service to children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC448693 6

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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

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) ("the Level 3 Diploma"); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may defer the relevant date if the individual—

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Requirement Due date

does not work, or has not worked, in a care role in a home for a prolonged period; or

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Requirement Due date

works, or has worked, in a care role in a home on a part- time basis. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b)(5)(a)(b)(6)(a)(b)) 1 March 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating— 1 March 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: SC448693 7 the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c)(5))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(c)) 1 March 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year considering the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard).

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Requirement Due date

When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46 (1)(2)) 1 January 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are supported to understand the nature of records kept by the home. In particular, this relates to their care plan. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.5)  The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful and clear recording. In particular, the registered person should ensure that all record-keeping is consistent. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that they provide a homely, domestic environment. In particular, they should repair and redecorate the damaged walls. Inspection report for children’s home: SC448693 8 (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that they appoint a responsible individual for

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Recommendations

the home. The responsible individual’s role is to supervise the management of the home as set out in the definition of a responsible individual in regulation 2. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 60, paragraph 12.3)

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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 for children’s home: SC448693 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Amelia’s House Limited

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Inspector

Sharon Payne, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC448693 10 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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