Children's Home run by Wandsworth Borough Council in Kent

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2683465 1 Registered provider: Wandsworth Borough Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

A local authority runs this service. It provides care and accommodation for up to eight children with autism, learning disabilities and associated conditions. The home is on the same site as a sister home of the same size. All the children living in the home attend the organisations school located on the same site.

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Information about this children's home

There were eight children living in the home at the time of this visit.

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Date of last inspection: 29 November 2023

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The Inspectors has looked at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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'. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2683465 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff care for children well and help them to feel secure. They are warm towards children and show clear commitment to their growth and development. The children have good relationships with staff. Children show confidence in approaching staff and know how to express their needs. Staff show a good understanding of these needs.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff ensure that the care of children and meeting their complex needs is at the centre of their work. Children have access to a well-resourced school that is situated on the same grounds as the children’s home. There is good communication between the home and school staff. They work together to ensure the children feel safe and well-cared for. For example, one child often returns to the home during the school day to get reassurance that staff are still there and to manage their personal hygiene.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children with their health needs. They use a range of communication aids to prepare children for health appointments such as the dentist, or optician. They work with children to help them to understand what will be happening and that they will be safe. As a result, one child had their first ever optician appointment.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff use communication aids to help support the children to express their views, wishes and feelings. They work in a positive way with children and encourage their input into the décor of the house. Staff involved the children in the design of the Games Zone and the children choose the decoration of their rooms.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff recognise the importance of children having time with family and prepare them well for this. One child has a call with their family the day before. This reduces their anxieties and improves their experience of family time.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have a good understanding of risk. Managers produce detailed risk assessments which they keep updated. These guide staff in how to best work with children and manage any risks.

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Findings from the inspection

New care and behaviour support plans provide clearer guidance for staff in how to manage behaviour. Because of the care and support that they receive from the staff, one child has made significant progress in their behaviour. There has been a significant decrease in the use of physical interventions for one child. However, placing authorities are not always informed of incidents relating to the children they are responsible for. Full records of physical interventions were not reviewed on this occasion. Therefore the requirement made at the previous inspection remains in Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2683465 3 place. This will be reviewed at the next inspection of the home. Staff feel the training they receive meets their needs. One said, ‘I give [the organisation] 95% - 100% in terms of training. It is the place to grow.’

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have worked to improve the home since the last inspection and introduced improved monitoring systems. They look for learning from medication errors, complaints and safeguarding incidents. There is a detailed action plan to address areas for development identified in the last review of the standards of care. However, the manager has not received regular supervision since the last inspection. This is a missed opportunity for further review and reflection on their practice as well as the continued development of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers ensure sufficient staff to meet the needs of the children. Children who need one-to-one care and support receive this. The core permanent staff are supported by agency staff with whom the children have developed positive relationships.

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Findings from the inspection

Some of the requirements and recommendation made at the last inspection have been met. Others need more time to embed so that the effect of the changes is evident. A new manager is now recruited. In the meantime, an interim manager manages the home.

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Recent inspection history

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2683465 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/11/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2683465 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

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child's placing authority effectively in the child's care, in accordance with the child's relevant plans; (Regulation 5 (a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the child's placing authority is informed of any incidents relating to the child.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 May 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children's home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)(b)

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that restraints are carried out only in accordance with a child's support plan.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 May 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that systems are in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2683465 6 practice. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 61, paragraph 13.2) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2683465 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Wandsworth Borough Council

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Wandsworth Borough Council, The Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street, London SW18 2PU

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Children's home details

Responsible individual: Penelope Doswell

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Inspector

Vevene Muhammad, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2683465 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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