Children's Home run by Ravensbourne Project in Lewisham

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1257289 1 Registered provider: Ravensbourne Project

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children's home

This short-break residential home and day service registered with Ofsted in July 2017. It provides care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including sensory impairments. The home offers overnight short breaks for up to five children aged between eight and 18 years, provided that two of the five children are siblings of the same gender. The home operates on weekends, during term time and throughout all holiday periods. Children using the overnight short-break service stay on either a Friday or Saturday night.

p.1

Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, no children were attending the day service, and no children were using the overnight service.

p.1

Information about this children's home

There are two registered managers at the home. One manager, who registered with Ofsted in October 2019, is on long-term leave. A second manager registered with Ofsted in July 2024 and has managed the home since the last inspection.

p.1

Information about this children's home

The second manager is working towards a suitable management qualification.

p.1

Information about this children's home

Date of last inspection: 18 February 2025

p.1

Information about this children's home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

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: 1257289 2 The inspector has 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: 1257289 3

p.1

Findings from the inspection

This visit was conducted to address specific concerns received by Ofsted.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Ofsted identified the following serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection:

p.3

Findings from the inspection

 Failure to ensure that effective systems are in place to review and investigate any concerns or allegations about staff.  Failure to ensure that leadership and management are effective at the home.  Significant shortfalls in the safe recruitment of staff.  Significant shortfalls in safeguarding practices in the home.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have failed to recognise where individuals may be a risk to children, and they have demonstrated poor judgement in relation to safeguarding children.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have not sought any recruitment or background information, such as Disclosure and Barring Service checks, for two people who are employed and have been working in the home. Additionally, neither of the staff members sign in or out of the building. This means that there are no records of when these individuals have been in the presence of children.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

One staff member who has not had safer recruitment checks has been sleeping in the home overnight. The registered manager told the inspector that she ‘assumes’ that this person has a key to the building. Furthermore, there is no risk assessment in place regarding this arrangement or the member of staff.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Leaders, managers and staff lack professional boundaries. Managers reported various incidents that occurred in the home to the inspector. These include verbal disagreements between the responsible individual and a staff member. On one occasion, this happened in front of the team of staff who were attending training in the home. On another occasion, following an altercation between the staff member and the responsible individual, the police were called to the home. The inspector was informed that no children were present during these incidents. However, no measures have been put in place to prevent a reoccurrence of this behaviour. Leaders and managers demonstrate poor insight and understanding of the potential impact on staff and children.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have not responded to staff practice issues effectively. A number of concerns have been raised about an agency worker who has fallen asleep on multiple occasions while caring for children who needed one-to-one care. Despite these incidents and concerns being documented in several records of supervision Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1257289 4 with the worker and other staff, leaders and managers have not taken any action to rectify the situation or ensure that children are safe.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Further shortfalls were identified in leadership and management oversight. During one staff member’s supervision, the member of staff reported an incident involving children. However, no incident report was filed, and there is no record of the event. Leaders and managers approved the supervision records but failed to follow up on the incident.

p.4

Findings from the inspection

Due to the concerns raised at this inspection, a suspension notice has been issued, preventing the home from accommodating children. Six requirements have been raised. One requirement and a recommendation raised at the previous inspection were not reviewed as part of this inspection and have been restated. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1257289 5

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/02/2025 Full Good 10/08/2023 Full Good 28/02/2023 Full Good 21/07/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1257289 6

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

p.6

Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance;

p.6

Requirement Due date

so far as reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance;

p.6

Requirement Due date

and the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d))

p.6

Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to reviewing the home’s monitoring and surveillance policy, statement of purpose and use of CCTV.

p.6

Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 6 June 2025

p.6

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.6

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child's relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child; 6 June 2025 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1257289 7 understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.6

Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home's child protection policies;

p.7

Requirement Due date

that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(v)(vi)(vii)(b))

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that staff provide the level of care and support required for each child in accordance with their needs. Leaders and managers must ensure that the home is a safe place for children and only accessed by people who have been safely recruited and vetted.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

p.7

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.7

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.7

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child; 6 June 2025 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1257289 8 use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home, (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(e)(h)).

p.7

Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must have effective leadership of the home and have adequate monitoring and reviewing system to ensure that they have effective oversight of the service. This includes following up on incidents and concerns regarding children’s welfare.

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

p.8

Requirement Due date

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

p.8

Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

p.8

Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

p.8

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.8

Requirement Due date

the individual has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills for the work that the individual is to perform;

p.8

Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit for the purposes of the work that the individual is to perform; and

p.8

Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that safe recruitment practices are followed in the home. 6 June 2025

p.8

Requirement Due date

The registered person must operate a disciplinary procedure which, in particular—

p.8

Requirement Due date

provides for the suspension from work of an employee if necessary in the interests of the safety or welfare of children; and 6 June 2025 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1257289 9 provides that the failure on the part of an employee to report an incident of abuse, or suspected abuse, whether past or present, in relation to a child to the appropriate person is a ground on which disciplinary proceedings may be instituted. (Regulation 33 (2)(a)(b))

p.8

Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that there is an effective disciplinary process used to address practice related concerns.

p.9

Requirement Due date

An individual may only carry on a children's home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (5).

p.9

Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

p.9

Requirement Due date

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

p.9

Requirement Due date

the individual is mentally and physically fit to carry on the home.

p.9

Requirement Due date

satisfy the requirements in paragraph (5)(a) to (c); and

p.9

Requirement Due date

have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (1) (5)(a)(b)(c) (7)(a)(b))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the responsible individual must ensure that they demonstrate that they have the skills to effectively supervise the management of the home and behave professionally when working in the home. 6 June 2025

p.9

Requirement Due date

A person may only manage a children's home if—

p.9

Requirement Due date

the person is of integrity and good character;

p.9

Requirement Due date

having regard to the size of the home, its statement of purpose, and the number and needs (including any needs arising from any disability) of the children— 6 June 2025 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1257289 10 the person has the appropriate experience, qualification and skills to manage the home effectively and lead the care of children. (Regulation 28 (1)(a)(b)(i))

p.9

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager must ensure they demonstrate that they have the skills to manage the home effectively and take appropriate action when there are concerns about staff and other managers.

p.10

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff have their performance and fitness to carry out their role formally appraised at least once annually. This appraisal should take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and children in the home's care. As part of the performance management process, actions regarding training and development needs should be set. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 61, paragraph 13.5) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1257289 11

p.10

Children's home details

Registered provider: Ravensbourne Project

p.11

Children's home details

Registered manager: Sharon Edwards, Siobhann Brady

p.11

Inspector

Jo Tarbie, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1257289 12 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

p.11

Inspector

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 .

p.12

Inspector

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.12

Inspector

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

p.12

Inspector

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

p.12