Children's home run by The Qalb Short Break Services Ltd in Tower Hamlets

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC389781 1 SC389781

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Registered provider: The Qalb Short Break Services Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A limited company owns and runs this short-breaks service. The home provides residential short breaks, day care and after-school club services for children with learning and physical disabilities. The organisation has a service-level agreement with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides short breaks for up to eight children and young people at a time.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted in January 2009. The manager is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

During the inspection, the inspectors were aware that a serious incident was under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, inspectors considered the actions the home has taken in response to the incident, alongside other relevant evidence available to them.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC389781 2 Inspectors have looked closely 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: SC389781 3

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Findings from the inspection

This visit was carried out to address specific concerns received by Ofsted. 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

Leaders and managers have responded well to concerns raised following an internal investigation. They have worked diligently to respond to the shortfalls raised and have been working to a detailed action plan to improve staff practice, and progress is evident. Leaders and managers work well with the commissioning team and the local authority designated officer and have shared the action plan.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have reviewed and strengthened their assessment process of children’s needs when they stay at the home. They have reviewed children’s risk assessments and added a new section to describe children’s presentation when they are unwell. This helps staff to understand what early signs to look out for if children become unwell and take prompt actions to ensure that they receive medical attention if required. Although the majority of children had this information on their risk assessment, two children did not. Leaders and managers took immediate action to rectify this at the inspection. The majority of staff have completed training in basic clinical observations, and managers have a date for all the staff to complete this training.

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Findings from the inspection

All staff have completed first-aid training. Managers have liaised with the Resuscitation Council UK for advice on the training syllabus provided to staff by the external agency. This is to ensure that the external training commissioned provides staff with the appropriate knowledge and expertise to deliver emergency first aid to children, including those with mobility difficulties. Staff who were spoken to say training has been beneficial, and they are due to attend additional training on crisis management to ensure that they have appropriate skills to deal with emergencies in their roles.

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Findings from the inspection

Management oversight of the home has significantly improved. Leaders and managers show appropriate understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for improvement. They carry out regular audits to evaluate the quality of care and children’s outcomes. The deputy manager completes regular random checks of children’s records, including body map, daily logs and medication administration, to ensure that staff follow correct procedures.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have introduced new guidelines when using the minibus with children on board. Guidelines include the staff ratios required to ensure that children are always supervised adequately while on the minibus. Staff now complete observations of children’s presentation during minibus journeys, which are reviewed by managers to ensure that action can be taken if there are any concerns raised. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC389781 4 Leaders and managers ensure that there are accurate recordings of incidents and provide a summary of the actions taken. This ensures that staff continue to follow agreed procedures and benefit from any learning from the incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

The home has a calm, welcoming and homely environment. It is maintained to an appropriate standard. Children are comfortable in the home, and staff are warm and caring.

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Findings from the inspection

Children who were spoken to said they feel safe when they stay at the home and can talk to staff about any worries. One child described their stay as ‘fun’ and said that they love coming to stay because it feels like ‘family’. Staff use appropriate methods of communication for nonverbal children, such as visual aids, to help children to share their views and feelings.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and managers have regular individual and group supervision. The registered manager now receives clinical supervision by an external person, which they find beneficial and reflective. Staff supervision focuses on their practice and the needs of children accessing the service. Leaders and managers have introduced a monitoring system to ensure appropriate management oversight of the quality and frequency of supervision.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff who were spoken to showed appropriate understanding of child protection procedures and know who they need to speak with should they have concerns. They say that they enjoy working at the home and are supported well by managers who are always available. Staff show appropriate understanding of the actions taken to improve the practice following the internal investigation. The team is stable, and many staff have worked at the home for several years.

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Findings from the inspection

The provider has met the requirement raised at the last inspection. One recommendation has been raised as a result of this inspection, and one recommendation regarding staff appraisal was not reviewed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC389781 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/07/2024 Full Good 24/05/2023 Full Good 25/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 02/12/2021 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC389781 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff have their performance and fitness to carry out their role formally appraised. This appraisal should consider, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member. Leaders and managers should respond appropriately to staff’s contributions and set actions to address any gaps identified. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)  The registered person should ensure that children’s risk assessments are consistently detailed with the information required about their health and what staff need to be aware of to support children if they become unwell. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC389781 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Qalb Short Break Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: First Floor, 3 Cumbrian Place, 217 Marsh Wall, London E14 9FJ

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Inspectors

Dorothy Thompstone, Social Care Inspector Amena Begum, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC389781 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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