Children's Home, Residential special school run by Wandsworth Borough Council in Wandsworth

Inspection report for children’s home: SC470513 1 SC470513 Registered provider: Wandsworth Borough Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority-run service which provides care and accommodation for up to 56 children with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities and associated conditions. The registered children’s home is on the same site as the organisation’s school and is comprised of separate individual houses so that children live in smaller groups. It accommodates children for short breaks and for placements of 38 and 52 weeks of the year.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Following the inspection on the 12 April 2021, compliance notices were issued in relation to the use of restrictive practice. Monitoring visits took place on 21 May 2021 and 21 June 2021 where these notices were deemed to be met. Inspection report for children’s home: SC470513 2

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children 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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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, leaders and managers have made significant efforts to improve the environment across the homes. There has been redecoration and new furniture has been purchased. There has been a focus on individual rooms being personalised for children in line with each child’s individualised needs. This meets the recommendation set at the previous visit.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have worked diligently to recruit more staff. There are now effective working relationships with recruitment agencies. This is further enhanced by new and more effective recruitment procedures. This has led to an increase in permanent staff and the significant reduction in use of temporary staff. As a result of this improved consistency, children are more settled and incidents are reducing. In particular, incidents of children being restrained have markedly reduced.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are well supported. There is a clear supervision and appraisal structure in place for all staff. Since the previous visit, all staff have had appraisals completed or scheduled in the forthcoming weeks. This requirement is met. Staff speak positively about their working experience, with one member of staff stating, ‘The young people are treated with the upmost respect, and every day I drive up the driveway I feel that I am very much part of a community.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some exceptional partnership working has led to significant progress for one child in particular. Staff ensured that they communicated with all agencies and advocated for the child. This has led to significant changes in how the child’s care is planned and delivered. In turn, this has led to significant reductions in the child’s self- injurious behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have composed new safeguarding and complaints policies. These have been shared with staff and are now embedded in practice and kept under review. This meets the requirement set at the previous visit. However, despite a new disciplinary procedure being drafted, this is not yet in use. Therefore, this requirement is repeated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have introduced a new electronic medication monitoring system. This has provided a safer system for staff to use when administering medication and has seen a reduction in incidents of wrongly administered or recorded medication. Inspection report for children’s home: SC470513 3 Complaints have been well managed, with thorough investigations being undertaken before conclusions have been made. This is then clearly communicated to the complainants to allow a proper understanding of decisions made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All allegations and concerns are taken seriously and appropriate actions are taken. This ensures that children are effectively safeguarded. Similarly, there is good communication with professionals, parents and carers. However, not all incidents are notified to Ofsted as required. Inspection report for children’s home: SC470513 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/04/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/12/2019 Full Good 11/03/2019 Full Good 27/11/2018 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: SC470513 5

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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 person must operate a disciplinary procedure which, in particular—

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Requirement Due date

provides for the suspension from work of an employee if necessary in the interests of the safety or welfare of children; and

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Requirement Due date

provides that the failure on the part of an employee to report an incident of abuse, or suspected abuse, whether past or present, in relation to a child to the appropriate person is a ground on which disciplinary proceedings may be instituted. (Regulation 33 (2)(a)(b)) 31 March 2022

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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;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)(e)) 31 March 2022

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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 for children’s home: SC470513 6

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: London Borough of Wandsworth, Early Years Centre, 1 Siward Road, London SW17 0LA

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Inspector

Mark Newington, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC470513 7 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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