Children's home run by The National Autistic Society in Islington

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 1 SC032154 Registered provider: The National Autistic Society

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is part of a charitable trust. It provides care for up to eight children who may have autism spectrum condition. Children may have other associated difficulties, such as sensory impairment and physical disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is divided into two houses, with a communal hub and garden. Children who live in the home also attend the school that is in the same grounds.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Only the social care provision on this site was inspected. There has been no registered manager since January 2025.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 3 December 2024

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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. 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: SC032154 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

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

p.2

Findings from the inspection

 Staff are uncertain about the plans that the charity has for the home. Therefore, staff are anxious about their ongoing employment with the charity. This has created a challenging environment for staff to work in.  The absence of a manager and lack of effective input from the responsible individual have affected the team’s ability to provide an acceptable standard of care.  The child’s experience of care is isolating and mundane. Therefore, there are significant concerns associated with the child’s mental well-being.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

This assurance visit was carried out following Ofsted receiving anonymous reports associated with the care of a child. Subsequently, Ofsted had credible concerns that a child’s mental health was being significantly impaired due to current care arrangements in the home.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff’s commitment and care for the child have been significantly undermined by the charity’s lack of clarity of its long-term plans for the home. Coupled with a lack of presence and guidance from leaders and managers, this has created an unhealthy work environment fuelled with uncertainty and trepidation. Consequently, the child’s experience of care is being significantly affected.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Worryingly, staff are not supporting the child to better manage their anxiety and distress effectively. This has fuelled staff’s anxiety around their approach to care. Therefore, there is a level of tension that is noticeable in the home. This has created an unhealthy living environment for the child.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Most staff are not confident that they have the skills and ability to support the child in the community. Consequently, the child leads a mundane lifestyle as most of their time is spent either in school or in the home. Additionally, the child is living alone with no company from peers, therefore adding to the child’s sense of isolation.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The lack of effective input from leaders and managers has resulted in care practices becoming stagnant. Additionally, the absence of a manager has resulted in offers of help and support from professionals across the charity not being used effectively.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The staff have made their concerns clear to leaders and managers, the child’s local authority and the child’s family. Therefore, plans are in place to seek more suitable care arrangements that are best placed to give the child more quality of life and provide the level of support that the child needs.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The responsible individual has been clear that no more children will move into the home. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/02/2024 Full Good 22/02/2023 Full Good 08/11/2022 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 4

p.3

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

p.4

Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)) 1 August 2025

p.4

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.4

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, asset out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.4

Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

p.4

Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(ii)(iii)(c)) 1 August 2025

p.4

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— 1 August 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 5 helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

p.5

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.5

Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h)) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: The National Autistic Society

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2nd Floor, Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH

p.6

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Joshua Fitzgerald

p.6

Inspector

Steve Guirey, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC032154 7 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7