Children's Home run by Ownlife Limited in Lewisham

Inspection report for children's home: 2547560 1 Registered provider: Ownlife Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care for up to three children who may have emotional and/or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in October 2019 and the manager registered in July 2022. The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living 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: 2547560 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/04/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2547560 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children settle into the home well and form trusting and secure relationships with staff. Staff and managers know children and have a good understanding of their individual needs. This helps children to make progress from their starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Good-quality risk assessments and care planning are carried out before new children move into the home. Managers and staff also visit some children before they move in. This enables staff to gather important information and seek children’s views, which helps them to support children in the most effective way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The progress that children make in school varies. School attendance has increased for some children, and they are making progress towards meeting their expected targets. One child’s engagement with home tuition is sporadic, however there are plans in place to support their transition to an alternative provision.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop their independence skills, which helps to prepare them for adulthood. Staff are skilled at providing children with opportunities to gain and develop practical skills that are appropriate for their age. Since the last inspection, two children have successfully returned home to their families.

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

The good quality of care provided to children is extremely child-centred. Children feel comfortable sharing information and talking to staff and say that they can tell staff ‘anything’. This open communication helps to keep children safe.

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

Children’s detailed risk assessments and behaviour support plans help staff to understand each child’s risks and vulnerabilities. The clear guidance in safety plans helps staff to manage children’s behaviour effectively and keep children safe. As a result, serious incidents are extremely rare.

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

Incidents of children being reported missing from home have increased. Although staff know what to do when children go missing and follow the children’s individual safety plans, further assessment is needed to prevent such incidents from occurring. When children return home, staff ensure that they have an independent return interview with their social workers. However, managers and staff do not use information from these interviews to inform their safety plans. Leaders and managers are missing opportunities to gain a better understanding of why children go missing and to develop strategies to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

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

The use of restraint in this home is rare. Restraint is only used as a last resort to keep children safe. Restraints records allow the manager to have good oversight of the incident. Inspection report for children's home: 2547560 4 Health and safety at the home is prioritised and staff carry out regular fire alarm checks and testing. However, staff do not ensure that all children respond to fire drills. Leaders and managers are aware of this shortfall and have devised a new evacuation plan that is yet to be tested.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is child-centred and this is reflected in her decision-making. For example, when considering new children moving into the home, her decisions are firmly based on the needs of the children already living there. Her child-focused approach ensures that children are provided with stability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team is stable, which provides children with consistent care and support. The staff are well supported and feel valued. They benefit from regular professional supervision and team meetings. This provides them with the time to reflect on their practice and share their views and experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The quality of staff training is a strength of the home. There is a comprehensive workforce development plan that provides the manager with a clear overview of the staff team’s strengths and areas for development. As a result, children are cared for by a well-trained and knowledgeable team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers ensure that children live in an environment that is physically safe, homely and comfortable. Some children’s bedrooms are decorated and personalised to reflect their tastes and preferences. However, one child’s bedroom has holes in the wall, and there were plates of food and clothes on the floor. Staff efforts to support this child to keep their bedroom clean and tidy have so far been unsuccessful. Inspection report for children's home: 2547560 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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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing or away from home without permission, the responsible local authority provides an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. The registered person should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)  The registered person should ensure that children’s homes are nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of the children. They will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. In particular, ensure that all children’s bedrooms are kept clean and tidy. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including, the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children's home: 2547560 6

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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: 2547560 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Legion House, 75 Lower Road, Kenley CR8 5NH

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Inspector

Maud Pipim-Addo, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2547560 8 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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