Children's home run by Mig House Residential Care Home Ltd in Waltham Forest

Inspection report for children's home: SC062785 1 SC062785 Registered provider: Mig House Residential Care Home Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private provider, and it provides care for up to nine children who have a learning disability.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in February 2005, and the manager registered in July 2012.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced and was present throughout this inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Children were present during this inspection, and the inspector spent time with them.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

p.1

outstanding

Date of last inspection: 20 December 2021

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC062785 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/12/2021 Full Outstanding 12/11/2019 Full Outstanding 27/11/2018 Full Outstanding 30/11/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC062785 3

p.2

outstanding

There were nine children living in the home at the time of this inspection.

p.3

outstanding

Children receive highly individualised care and make good progress, particularly in the development of their communication and independence skills. Staff know and understand the children well and are responsive to their needs. Staff are highly skilled in communicating with children and use a range of communication methods to good effect.

p.3

outstanding

Children are treated with dignity and respect, and staff talk about the children with warmth and fondness. This means that children have positive and trusting relationships with the adults in the home and, as a result, they feel safe and settled.

p.3

outstanding

Staff have good relationships with professionals and families. They support children to stay in touch with those who are important to them and have been creative in ensuring that children and their families remain connected. A family member said that they ‘trust’ the home to care for their child.

p.3

outstanding

All of the children, except for a new child in the home, attend an educational setting. Children are making progress, and professionals consulted with gave positive feedback about the care that children receive. One professional said that they had seen a ‘massive change’ and that staff ‘have real warmth’ towards the child. Children’s education plans are all regularly reviewed and updated. The manager has worked closely with a school in implementing a safety plan to minimise risks and to provide a consistent approach to the management of risk.

p.3

outstanding

Children have access to a range of activities in the home and community. The manager’s ethos around disability not being a barrier to learning and experiences means that children are supported to engage in a range of activities where there is an element of measured risk. For example, children go to trampoline parks and theme parks, which give them a sensory experience and support them to join in with fun childhood activities.

p.3

outstanding

Transitions in and out of the home are well planned and managed. Clear transition plans and risk assessments are discussed and shared with professionals and families. These clearly identify children’s needs and how they can be best supported. Careful planning ensures that children are prepared for moving out of the home. Children are encouraged and supported to develop independent living skills and personal care skills. This gives them a sense of independence and achievement. Short stories that describe social situations are used to prepare children for moving in or out of the home. This supports children to have an understanding about what is happening in their lives. Inspection report for children's home: SC062785 4 Children’s health needs are well met and understood. Staff have received additional training through specialist services to support with managing some complex health needs. The manager works well with other professionals and agencies in accessing

p.3

outstanding

additional guidance and support when needed. The manager strongly advocated for a child to ensure a medical concern was appropriately responded to and that medical attention was received. This meant that the child received essential and potentially life-saving treatment due to the manager’s tenacity.

p.4

outstanding

Staff support children to ensure that their voice is heard and use their extensive knowledge of the children to ensure their rights are upheld. Children’s meetings are inclusive, and a range of topics are included, such as road safety and cooking simple meals. Children have short stories that describe social situations from these meetings shared with them to help their understanding.

p.4

outstanding

Children are kept safe because staff know and understand the children and their vulnerabilities. Risks are well known and understood, and risk assessments provide staff with clear guidance on how to keep children safe. Staff receive training and have regular discussions in supervision sessions and team meetings about safeguarding children with disabilities.

p.4

outstanding

Staff know and understand their responsibilities in documenting and sharing any concerns relating to safeguarding children. For example, staff work closely with schools in recording on body maps any bruises and marks that may require explanation. Any concerns are thoroughly discussed and shared with relevant professionals when necessary. This practice keeps children safe.

p.4

outstanding

Incidents have been significantly reduced because staff know and understand the children well. They can recognise children’s moods and the signs they may be becoming distressed or unwell and intervene using de-escalation and distraction to minimise incidents from occurring. Incidents involving the use of restraint are rare, and there have been no restraints in the last year.

p.4

outstanding

Children are provided with clear and consistent boundaries, structure and routines. This helps children to feel safe and secure, and there have been no complaints, allegations or missing episodes in the last year. Behaviour support plans are individual and contain a range of strategies designed to help staff to effectively support children. Staff are highly skilled at managing complex behaviour.

p.4

outstanding

Staff are recruited using systems designed to protect children. All relevant checks are completed prior to staff working with children. This means that children are cared for by adults who are deemed suitable. New staff complete a probation period, shadow shifts and have regular supervision and mentoring. This allows opportunities to discuss staff working practices and supports staff to develop knowledge and awareness of their roles. Inspection report for children's home: SC062785 5 Children are provided with a safe environment. They engage in regular fire drills and are supported by staff to learn how to safely leave the home should there be an emergency that requires this. All of the children have personal evacuation plans in place. These provide staff and other professionals with information about the support that children may need in the event of an emergency.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is highly organised and efficient and has excellent oversight of the home. They are child-centred in their practice and are a positive role model and mentor to the staff team. They have high aspirations for the children and strongly advocate to ensure that the children’s voice is heard and that their rights are upheld. They, alongside the management team, provide exceptional leadership in the home.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager knows and understands the children well. They have good awareness of children’s needs and an understanding of barriers that may impact on children’s progress. They are creative in looking for solutions to improve children’s lives and outcomes.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is supported by a stable and committed team. Most of the staff have worked at the home for several years and feel valued and happy in their roles. They trust and respect the manager and appreciate the additional training and information-sharing that help them to develop their knowledge and understanding.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have regular and reflective supervision sessions and appraisals. Feedback from professionals, staff and children and observations of practice help inform supervision and appraisals. This supports staff development and practice. Outcomes from serious case reviews, legislation and guidance are routinely shared in supervision and team meetings. This supports staff to develop a wider understanding of their roles and areas for learning and further discussion.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have completed a wide range of mandatory training and additional training specific to children’s needs. Most staff hold a relevant qualification for working with children and are supported and encouraged to further their learning outside of the home. For example, one staff member is undertaking a master’s degree in special educational needs. Staff are skilled in their roles, particularly around meeting the communication needs of children. They have all undertaken additional training to ensure that they can effectively communicate and give children a voice.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have a clear vision for the home and look at ways to continuously develop and improve standards. Staff are accountable and are given additional responsibilities to further develop their skills and knowledge. This supports staff to be engaged in the development of the home.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager works well with external professionals and is an integral part of a multidisciplinary team. They are well respected by other professionals, with one professional saying that they went ‘above and beyond’ to ensure that a child’s needs were met. Inspection report for children's home: SC062785 6 The physical environment of the home provides children with plenty of space to enjoy time on their own or with other children. Children’s bedrooms are personalised, and children are helped to decorate and furnish them to their taste. There are photos of staff and children displayed throughout the home, which add to the homely feel. Some areas of the home are looking tired and are in need of some redecoration and deep cleaning. This detracts somewhat from the otherwise lovely presentation of the home. Inspection report for children's home: SC062785 7

p.5

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are provided with an environment that is well maintained, clean and homely. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9).

p.7

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: SC062785 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Mig House Residential Care Home Ltd

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 8 Bushwood, London E11 3AY

p.8

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Khairoonessah Dustagheer

p.8

Inspectors

Sarah Orriss, Social Care Inspector Kristen Judd, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC062785 9 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.

p.8

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9