Children's Home run by Westgate Lifestyle Project Limited in Hounslow

Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 1 SC409851 Registered provider: Westgate Lifestyle Project Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home is registered to provide care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in June 2010. The current manager registered in July 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living at the home at the time of the inspection, although only one child was in residence.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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inadequate

How well children and young people are helped and protected inadequate

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inadequate

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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inadequate

There are serious and widespread failures that mean children and young people are not protected, their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded, and their care and experiences are poor, resulting in a lack of progress.

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inadequate

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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inadequate

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/04/2024 Full Good 13/06/2023 Full Good 17/05/2022 Full Good 20/10/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children’s overall experiences and progress in this home are poor. There are significant shortfalls in the leadership and management of the home. Furthermore, staff are not sufficiently experienced or skilled to meet children’s complex needs. This shortfall has a significant negative impact on children’s welfare, on the day-to-day care and safeguarding they experience and on the progress that they are able to make.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Children’s health needs are not being met in a planned or safe way. For one child, their ongoing health and care needs have not been addressed or met effectively since they moved into the home 18 months ago. Current practice in relation to all aspects of medical and personal care is unsafe, which presents risks to both children and staff. Staff are not supporting the child to attend health appointments. The reactive approach of staff, combined with the absence of any plan to address these aspects of the child’s needs, has a negative impact on the child’s welfare and also limits the child’s opportunities to develop independence and improved health outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

There are shortfalls in how care is planned and delivered, which limits the quality of children’s experiences. The pre-admission process is not good enough. While initial assessments consider the potential impact on those already living in the home of new children moving in, placement suitability is not consistently reviewed in the light of new or more up-to-date information. Even when it becomes clear that children’s needs are too high to be met in the home, they continue to be admitted. As a result, leaders cannot be assured that children are placed appropriately or safely.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Mealtime arrangements have a negative impact on children’s daily experiences. There is limited, and not always sufficiently balanced and healthy, food in the home. This reduces opportunities for children to try new foods and develop healthy eating routines. Staff are not permitted to eat the home’s food, preventing shared, family-style mealtimes that promote role modelling and social learning. This leaves children without healthy routines, denies them family-style care and weakens relationships with staff, who are too often perceived as serving rather than caring figures. As a result, staff’s authority is undermined and children do not receive the safe and consistent care they need.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: inadequate

Despite the shortfalls identified, some children have made individual progress in some aspects of their lives. For example, one child has engaged in education for the first time, enabling them to sit a GCSE early. Children’s relationships with the registered manager are generally positive and provide children with a consistent and trusted adult. Another child has been supported well during a challenging legal process. The registered manager is committed to providing them with ongoing support and is maintaining regular visits and phone calls while this child is away from the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 4 When children move on, transitions are managed with care and sensitivity. One child who moved to a new home at short notice was well supported. Ongoing contact from the registered manager demonstrates that positive relationships are sustained with some children.

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

Children’s safety is compromised because staff do not have the experience, and have not been supported to develop the skills, to manage and address the behaviours associated with children’s often complex needs. This shortfall reinforces unhealthy dynamics and leaves children without clear or consistent boundaries. The absence of effective behaviour management increases the risk of harm both within and beyond the home and does not help children to make progress.

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

One child has been given unrestricted access to Wi-Fi when this was not appropriate or in their best interests. This has disrupted their sleep and daily routines. Staff and managers are not clear what the child is accessing online or what safety measures are in place. As a result, the child is at increased risk of harm, and their health, well-being and progress are compromised.

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

CCTV, which had not been in use at the last inspection, has been reinstated in all communal areas following an unsubstantiated allegation against a staff member. On this occasion, CCTV was used primarily to protect staff, rather than to safeguard children. This breaches guidance, compromises children’s privacy and does not promote a child- centred approach to care.

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

Children are not receiving meaningful or effective support to help them to learn new skills and to better manage their own needs. Staff lack the skills and experience to deliver this work effectively. Consequently, children are not consistently supported to understand their feelings, or make sense of their behaviours.

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

Safeguarding notifications are not always submitted to Ofsted. This limits regulatory oversight, preventing Ofsted from monitoring serious incidents effectively.

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

Safer recruitment procedures and HR processes are inadequate. Recruitment records are incomplete, with gaps in essential checks such as the Disclosure and Barring Service and references. Leaders cannot therefore be assured that staff are safe and suitable to work with children. This places children at risk of harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The leadership and management of the home are weak. The relationship between the responsible individual and the registered manager is poor, as a result of conflict, and there is a lack of shared vision for how the home should be run. Consequently, roles and responsibilities are unclear, leading to inconsistent oversight and weak accountability. This also has a negative impact on staff morale and the working culture Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 5 in the home, with some staff reporting the use of overly institutional language, and occasional inappropriate and even sexist language by some leaders.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff turnover is high. The staff team lacks experience or cohesion. The home has been unable to recruit or retain skilled staff. Experienced staff who are appointed frequently leave before completing trial shifts. As a result, children are cared for by a team that lacks the skills and confidence to meet their complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Staff do not receive the professional support they need. They do not get regular, good- quality supervision. Probation procedures are not followed and appraisals are limited in both frequency and quality. There is no evidence of regular team meetings to support reflection or shared learning. Staff also lack a structured induction and training to help them understand their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Employment practices place staff under strain. Some are paid below the National Minimum Wage, do not receive statutory holiday or sickness entitlements and in some cases are not paid correctly for hours worked. These practices not only create financial hardship, but drive high turnover, mitigate against the creation of a stable and capable workforce and so further destabilise children’s care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home environment is poorly maintained and unwelcoming. Damaged flooring, carpets, curtains and blinds remain unrepaired, and two bedrooms are still not prepared for children despite repeated requirements from previous inspections. The physical condition of the home undermines the sense of stability and nurture that children need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Children’s records and recording systems are poor. They lack clear and accurate accounts of children’s needs, experiences and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Due to the concerns identified at this inspection, three compliance notices have been raised. These relate to the culture that leaders establish in the home, recruitment practices and meeting children’s health needs. In addition to this, a notice has been issued restricting the number of children who can be accommodated in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 6

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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, 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.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed;

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Requirement Due date

that the child’s placing authority is contacted, and a review of that child’s relevant plans is requested, if—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person considers that the child is at risk of harm or has concerns that the care provided for the child is inadequate to meet the child’s needs. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a)(c)(e)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers should ensure that when considering new children moving into the home they are satisfied that the staff can respond effectively to the child’s needs. Leaders and managers must ensure that they keep children’s care plans under regular review. 28 September

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

promotes their welfare. 28 September Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 7 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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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;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers should ensure that experienced and skilled staff are recruited and retained to provide stable and consistent care for children.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must have effective monitoring and reviewing systems to ensure that they review the quality of care provided to children.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must improve the quality and organisation of children’s records so that they provide a clear and accurate account of children’s needs, experiences and Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 8 progress, so that children can reflect meaningfully on their time in the home.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must clarify the roles and responsibilities of the registered individual and the registered manager to ensure consistent and accountable leadership.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that they promote an inclusive and respectful culture.

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Requirement Due date

*The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well-being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c)(2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that staff encourage children to take a proactive role in looking after their day-to-day health and well-being. Children with specific health needs must be supported to manage these subject to their age and understanding with effective care plans. 28 September Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 9 Leaders, managers and staff must work with children’s placing authority and relevant health professionals to enable proper and immediate access to any specialist medical support required.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that children have access to a balanced varied diet.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are located so that children are effectively safeguarded;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(v)(vi)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must review the impact of unrestricted Wi-Fi access on children’s routines, safety, well- being and sleep, and ensure that boundaries support healthy development. Leaders and managers must ensure that staff are skilled and able to support children to learn how to keep themselves safe and manage behaviour effectively. 28 September Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 10 The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must improve the quality of the home environment so that it provides a welcoming, safe and nurturing space for children. This includes creating a family-like environment around mealtimes and maintaining children’s bedrooms, including those that are vacant, so that they are suitably furnished and maintained to meet children’s needs. 28 September Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 11 This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that safer recruitment practices are in place that meet the requirements of regulation. 28 September

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each permanent appointment of an employee is subject to the satisfactory completion of a period of probation.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development; 28 September Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 12 receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (1)(a)(b) (4)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that all staff have an induction to the home, a probation process and training to equip them for their role. Staff must receive regular, good- quality supervision, annual appraisals and opportunities to develop their practice.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person should ensure that there are satisfactory employment conditions that are supportive of staff to provide consistency for children.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that they report serious incidents and police involvement to Ofsted. 28 September

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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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: SC409851 13

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Westgate Lifestyle Project Limited

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Inspector

Jenny-Ellen Scotland, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC409851 14 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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