Children's home run by London Borough of Harrow

Inspection report for children’s home: SC033919 1 SC033919 Registered provider: London Borough of Harrow Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides short breaks for up to five children with learning or physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted in 2003.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were having an overnight short break 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

Date of last inspection: 12 October 2022

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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: SC033919 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/10/2022 Full Good 23/06/2021 Full Outstanding 23/07/2019 Full Outstanding 01/11/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC033919 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who attend this short break service receive good-quality care and enjoy positive experiences. The facilities include a well-equipped sensory room and spacious garden with a trampoline, nest swing and roundabout for the children to enjoy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s wishes and feelings are gained through social stories and one-to-one interactions. Many children are non-verbal, and staff use social stories and simple language to communicate with them. For example, staff present children with a book that contains photographs of activities in the community, to allow children to make a choice about what they would like to do during their stay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress from their individual starting points. Staff use a ‘skills teaching record’ to set targets to help children to develop their personal independence skills, such as getting dressed, washing themselves and completing laundry. Staff support children to achieve these targets during their stay, and they track their progress. When children learn to complete a skill consistently, staff work with parents and schools to develop a new outcome for children to achieve. Families say that their children’s confidence and personal and social skills have improved because of attending this service.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s individual achievements are celebrated. Children receive ‘star of the week’ certificates for the progress that they make. Staff sing and clap with children to praise and applaud them. These records of achievements and special moments are important for children and represent a part of their life story which they can refer to in fondness.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children form positive relationships with staff. Children are relaxed and comfortable with staff, who are caring and nurturing towards them. Staff understand children’s needs and behaviours well and are able to respond to them effectively.

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

Staff and managers work closely with parents and other agencies to understand and assess children’s needs and risks. They develop detailed care plans and risk assessments to support children during their stay.

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

Staff have a good understanding of children’s emotional needs. They use effective de-escalation techniques to support children when their behaviour becomes heightened. Children are supported appropriately after incidents. Staff speak to them about what has happened or engage them in positive activities to help them to feel better. Following incidents, staff reflect together to help them to understand the reasons behind children’s behaviours and implement appropriate plans to safeguard and support children in the future. Inspection report for children’s home: SC033919 4 Children experience a thoughtful and considerate transition into the home. Managers and staff work closely with parents and children to ensure that they do not rush the process. Children come for ‘tea visits’ until they show signs that they are ready and comfortable to stay overnight. This approach is successful, and children feel settled

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

Children’s safety and well-being are at the centre of practice in the home. If there are safeguarding concerns about children, managers and staff take prompt action and report it to the appropriate agencies. This ensures that children are given the appropriate help and support when needed.

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

Children’s diagnosis and health needs are well understood and met by managers and staff. Staff take care to meet children’s individual needs, such as ensuring that food is cut up into small pieces to avoid risks of choking.

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

The home environment is safe and comfortable with spaces for children to enjoy various activities. Children’s bedrooms are clean and ready for children when they arrive. Bathrooms and toilets are equipped to meet children’s physical needs.

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

Recruitment practice is not robust. Leaders and managers do not always explore or effectively record gaps in staff’s employment history.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A highly experienced, skilled and effective registered manager runs the home. The requirement raised at the last inspection has been met. The registered manager commissioned specialised training and reviewed medication practice to prevent further errors.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers know the children well and understand their needs and behaviours. They have high aspirations for children and work with families to support children’s progress and development. They ensure that there is a sufficient level of staff to support children on a one-to-one basis. This ensures that children achieve good outcomes and have enjoyable experiences when they are at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers and staff work closely with parents and children’s professional networks. This helps them to identify any concerns and support children with their needs. Consequently, children receive well-rounded care and support from the staff during their stay.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are regular and effective. Information from multi-disciplinary meetings is shared with the staff team. Managers and staff discuss relevant topics such as safeguarding, teaching skills and different ways of supporting children and families. There is also focus on staff training and development, which further supports good running of the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and effective supervision that focuses on staff well-being and child-related practice. Staff performance and practice is appraised annually. This Inspection report for children’s home: SC033919 5 ensures that leaders and managers have good oversight of staff practice and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Families, social workers and school professionals feel confident in the care that children receive from managers and staff in the home. They report that managers and staff communicate well and work closely with them to support children’s needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC033919 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, The 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 recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information in respect of the individual has been obtained in relation to the matters in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 2.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that safe recruitment processes are followed and obtain a full employment history and scrutinise any gaps in employment. 1 September 2023

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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: SC033919 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: London Borough of Harrow

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Harrow Council Hub, Forward Drive, Harrow HA3 8NT

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Inspector

Amena Begum, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC033919 8 regulates and inspects 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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