Children's Home run by Sankofa Care Ltd in Croydon

Inspection report for children’s home: 1244386 1 Registered provider: Sankofa Care Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to five children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted on 11 July 2017. The current manager registered with Ofsted in May 2023. The manager is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there were three children living in 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: 20 February 2024

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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: 1244386 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2024 Full Good 21/03/2023 Full Good 21/03/2022 Full Good 28/10/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 1244386 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home offers a clean, warm and welcoming environment for children. Most communal areas are nicely decorated and spacious, which gives children a pleasant alternative to their bedrooms. The progress of repairs and decoration is ongoing, and some areas still require some attention to detail.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive relationships with managers and staff. This has contributed to children wanting to stay at the home and feeling a sense of belonging. One parent said their child speaks positively about their lived experience at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress in their education. Leaders and managers work in partnership with relevant agencies to promote children’s educational attendance and achievements. One child has completed their GCSEs and is now attending college to continue their studies.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health. All children are registered with universal services and have detailed healthcare plans. Staff support children to attend appointments to ensure that their medical needs are met.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children regularly engage in tailored key-work sessions. They receive support and advice that helps develop important life skills. The recent introduction of in-house therapy has promoted further understanding of the children’s needs. Children are also learning how to self-manage their emotions positively. One professional said that a child they work with has become increasingly comfortable with expressing their feelings to staff at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s voices are heard and respected. They regularly attend child-focused house meetings which are activity based to support engagement. Children’s views and opinions are considered in the quality of care they receive from staff and advocated for with their professional networks. One child has progressed to chairing their own meetings with professionals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children remain in contact with family members. Staff make plans and establish positive relationships with these connected people. Children spend quality time with their families outside the home with the support of staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a wide range of activities in the home and local community. Staff encourage their personal interests and create positive memories. Over the summer period, the children enjoyed the company of friends at the home’s themed Olympic sports day barbecue garden party. Inspection report for children’s home: 1244386 4

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

Children are safe and well looked after in the home. Leaders and managers are proactive in requesting professionals meetings to discuss any concerns around children’s well- being. They ensure that information is shared, and concerns are raised promptly. One professional said that the home is ‘really good’ at keeping them updated.

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

Staff manage risks for children effectively. These risks are understood and are reflected in children’s risk assessments. Assessments are kept up to date and include detailed control measures to manage and mitigate risk. This helps staff to provide effective care and support.

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

Episodes of going missing have reduced in the home. Staff follow the correct protocols when children go missing from the home. Children are reported to the relevant agencies and efforts are made by staff to keep in contact with children during their absence. Staff welcome children when they return home and have tailored discussions to address their safety. One parent said the reduction in times their child is missing from the home is positive and a testament to the relationships children have with staff.

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

Staff recruitment is robust. The staff induction training is of good quality and includes relevant training. This helps to ensure that staff have the right skills to meet children’s needs.

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

Staff advocate on behalf of children. Staff also source additional specialist services to promote and support children’s well-being as needed. Children also have access to therapeutic support at their own request.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have high aspirations for children and they ensure that staff have the right training to understand children’s individual needs. Leaders and managers seek additional training and work in partnership with outside agencies to extend the expertise of their workforce. This leads to staff being confident in their role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision is regular for all staff. Staff have the space to discuss children and raise any concerns and/or support they need. The in-house therapist offers additional one-to-one supervision that promotes staff well-being and supports staff to develop their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are well attended by the staff and therapist. Staff benefit from group reflective practice sessions and group clinical supervision. These fortnightly meetings provide a forum for staff to focus on children, their progress and the quality of care they provide.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have good oversight of the home. They have effective monitoring and quality assurance systems in place. This enables staff to receive direction to address any shortfalls in practice and improve the care children receive. Inspection report for children’s home: 1244386 5 Staff regularly update parents about their children’s progress. Parents say that communication with staff is thorough and consistent. Parents feel their relationships with staff are positive and they are comfortable to express their views through regular discussions. This means that parents feel that staff help them to be connected to their children and their care. One parent said communication with the home is ‘wonderful’. Inspection report for children’s home: 1244386 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that regular maintenance, decoration and repainting of damaged areas is completed in a timely way; that old files are suitably archived; and that broken furniture is cleared from spare rooms. (‘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: 1244386 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 15 Station Road, London SE25 5AH

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Abby Osei-Asibey

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Inspectors

Natalie Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1244386 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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