Children's Home run by Ravensbourne Project in Lewisham

Inspection report for children's home: 1257289 1 Registered provider: Ravensbourne Project Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a short-breaks residential home and day service which provides care for children with learning or physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments. The home can provide overnight short breaks for up to five children aged between eight and 18, provided that two of the five children are siblings of the same gender. The home operates at weekends, during term time and in all holiday periods.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in July 2017 and the manager registered in October 2019. The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there were no children present at the home.

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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 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: 1257289 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/07/2021 Full Good 01/08/2019 Full Good 20/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 07/08/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 1257289 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, 38 children were receiving short breaks at the home on a rotating basis. The children have a wide range of physical and educational needs. Some of the children have medical conditions that require daily medication. Leaders and staff are knowledgeable about the individual needs of children. Parents are confident that their children are being well cared for and that their health needs are met well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make remarkable social, emotional and physical progress. Case records demonstrate the progress that children make. Children have individual targets and objectives. Staff assist children in reaching their objectives and preparing for independent living.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of children learning to improve their communication skills. Staff expertly use short stories that describe social situations to communicate with children. High-quality communication is seen as essential to the development of self-esteem and is enhancing children’s ability to settle in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children come for a short break, they have many opportunities to try out new activities. These include arts and crafts, computer games, an interactive projector system, a sensory room and a trampoline, as well as simply watching television or relaxing. The home has also purchased a caravan holiday home near a seaside resort where parents and children can take extended short breaks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in an environment that is physically safe, homely and comfortable. Children’s bedrooms are furnished and personalised to reflect their preferences and tastes. However, the cabin house in the garden has a broken window that needs to be replaced.

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

Children’s needs are thoroughly assessed before the start of their short breaks. Staff understand the processes for assessing and introducing new children to the home. Leaders and managers complete and coordinate all assessment work and invite children for tea at the home. Careful planning and transitions ensure that children are successfully introduced to the home. This helps them to settle and feel more at ease and secure during their short-break visits.

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

Staff are well trained and understand their safeguarding responsibilities. All concerns and observations are reported to children’s social workers. Staff have the confidence to work directly with children and address their sensitive issues. Inspection report for children's home: 1257289 4 Care plans and risk assessments are detailed and are followed consistently by staff. Children’s plans provide a unique insight into their behaviours and the best possible means of supporting them. As a result, serious incidents are rare.

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

Staff work with children and their families in a targeted way to effect change in family circumstances and to keep children safe. Staff have undertaken some excellent work with children and their families on the impact of neglect.

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

Recruitment processes are appropriately thorough and safe. Prospective staff are carefully vetted and assessed before they start work. This helps promote children’s safety in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers share an ambitious vision and have high aspirations for all children. They strive to make a positive difference in children’s lives. Leaders and managers are present and available to support children and staff. Strong leadership in the home helps children make good progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team works well with other professionals, including social workers and care coordinators, and with children’s families. This collaborative approach ensures that children receive coordinated help and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has a sufficient number of experienced staff. A key strength is the dedicated, stable and diverse staff team. The stable staff team provides children with consistent care and support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff are well supported and feel valued. They benefit from regular professional supervision and team meetings. This allows them to reflect on their practice and share their views and experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The high quality of staff training is a strength, and a comprehensive workforce development plan is in place. This provides the manager with a clear overview of the staff team’s strengths and areas for development. However, not all staff receive a thorough induction. Inspection report for children's home: 1257289 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they provide a homely, domestic environment. In particular, this relates to replacing the window of the cabin house in the garden. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 1257289 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Ravensbourne Project

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Inspector

Maud Pipim-Addo, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1257289 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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