Children's home run by St Christopher’s Fellowship

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2495375 1 Registered provider: St Christopher’s Fellowship

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to care for up to nine children with social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in November 2018 and is run by a voluntary organisation in partnership with a local authority.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were four children living in the home. All of the children were present at the home, and the inspector spoke with them briefly.

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: 2495375 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have responded to the outcome of the last inspection and have taken actions to address the concerns raised. As a priority, they have ensured that staff have the skills and experience needed to provide good care to the children who are living in the home.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

All staff have recently received training on caring for children who may self-harm. Ligature scissors have been purchased for the home. However, staff have not yet completed training on how to use them. The training on self-harm is yet to be embedded in practice, with some staff members not following risk assessments and not ensuring that children who are at risk of self-harm have no access to sharp objects.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children’s health and education needs are prioritised. Health and education professionals visit the home to ensure that children receive the appropriate support when they are not engaging in education or attending health appointments.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children have also received support from the fire service to understand the importance of fire safety and to encourage them to engage in fire drills. Repairs have been completed to the home, including fixing the front door to ensure children’s safety.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of children’s sensory needs. For example, one child struggled in the summer heat. Staff made temporary adaptations to their room to ensure that the child was able to stay cool while staying safe. A safety plan remains in place. This ensures that the child is not overstimulated or distressed. However, safety planning is not always consistent. For example, one child leaves the home in the early hours of the morning, and there was no evidence of a suitable safety plan being in place.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

When incidents occur, staff confidently use de-escalation techniques, ensuring that children are responded to with sensitivity. Leaders and managers understand the need for children to have growing autonomy, and they support them to understand how to stay safe. Leaders and managers work effectively with partner agencies to ensure that, when children are spending time with friends for longer periods, suitable arrangements are in place to ensure their safety. They work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure that all checks are undertaken and that welfare visits take place. Professionals’ meetings are requested when required.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers acknowledge that staff turnover is a challenge, and they have a recruitment strategy to address this. However, there have been a few occasions when staff have been lone working at the home and when there has been Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2495375 3 an insufficient number of staff on shifts. Leaders and managers have recognised that this should not occur. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2495375 4

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/06/2025 Full Good 13/08/2024 Full Good 03/05/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2495375 5

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff skills for safeguarding include being able to identify signs that children may be at risk, and that they support children in strategies to manage and reduce any risks. Staff should encourage children to express their views about whether they feel safe, both within and outside the home. Staff should support children to understand how to ask for help to stay safe and that the home is an environment which supports this. In particular, the registered person should ensure that staff receive training on how to use the ligature scissors and that children have safety plans in place when required. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 43, paragraph 9.10)  The registered person should ensure that contingency plans are be prepared in the event of a shortfall in staffing levels. If it is likely that there might only be one

p.5

Recommendations

member of staff on duty at any time, the manager should make a formal assessment of the implications for children’s care, including any likely risks. This assessment should be recorded and available for inspection by Ofsted and placing authorities. The registered person should also ensure that staffing levels meet the needs of children and that they can respond flexibly to unexpected events or opportunities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 54, paragraphs 10.15 and 10.18) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2495375 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: St Christopher’s Fellowship

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: St. Christopher’s Fellowship, 1 Putney High Street, London SW15 1SZ

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered manager: Denine Nwajiobi Deacon

p.6

Inspector

Angela Reid, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2495375 7 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 looked-after children, 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