Children's Home run by Stonelake London Limited in Brent

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1264048 1 Registered provider: Stonelake London Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home was registered with Ofsted in September 2017 and is privately owned. It provides care for up to 4 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 3 children were living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2022.

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 inspectors evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. 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: 1264048 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

The inspection was carried out to follow up the requirements raised at the last inspection and to monitor progress.

p.2

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 addressed most of the concerns raised at the last inspection. Five of the 6 requirements and 2 recommendations have been met.

p.2

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. They respond appropriately to the independent person’s reports and recommendations from their visits. Managers have ensured that children’s records are detailed and individual to each child.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

All children are now attending school and enjoying their education. The manager and staff take effective action to support children to attend school and have developed appropriate routines. They work with education professionals and provide children with educational activities at the home. Managers challenge schools and placing authorities to ensure that children receive appropriate support. Children say that they enjoy attending school and they have developed appropriate relationships with their peers. One social worker provided positive feedback about the care provided to children and communication from staff.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Three children currently live in the home. They are well settled; 2 children have lived in the home for over 2 years. Two children said that they feel safe and can speak to staff. They can identify a trusted person whom they can talk to if they have any concerns. Staff support children to express their views through regular conversations. Children’s feedback is used in the review of the quality of the care provided to children; managers respond well and feedback from the children is positive. Children also provide feedback for staff appraisals to help with practice improvement and staff development.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. The admissions process for new children moving into the home has improved. Managers assess risks for the new child as well as for those children already in the home, and consider how the risks can be managed and reduced. They assess the ability of staff to provide the most appropriate care to meet the children’s needs and they work well with placing authorities to gather further information about new children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Incidents of children going missing from the home have significantly reduced. The majority of missing-from-home incidents are managed well. Children’s risk assessments are reviewed and updated when necessary and staff talk to children about risks. Managers request independent return home interviews; these are Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1264048 3 completed and any concerning information is shared with the home. However, a new child does not have detailed information in their individual missing protocol stating clearly at which point they can be reported missing. In addition, on one occasion, staff did not follow the child’s protocol. This child’s grab pack does not include information relating to the child’s risks. This compromises the manager’s and staff’s ability to manage and reduce risks relating to missing-from-home incidents.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff show appropriate understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Team meeting records demonstrate that staff are reflecting on their practice and the needs of children. Staff supervision is now regular and covers a broad agenda. These supervision sessions are reflective, offer staff support and guidance, and consider the needs and progress of children. Staff benefit from reflective group supervision and have completed a range of training since the last inspection, including the dyadic developmental psychotherapy model to support staff to understand the therapeutic model of care provided in the home.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The home’s physical environment is kept safe for children. However, leaders and managers do not ensure that repairs and redecoration in the children’s bedrooms are completed promptly. This does not provide a warm and comfortable environment for children.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

One requirement and one recommendation were not met from the previous inspection and have been restated. One recommendation was not reviewed at this inspection and is therefore restated.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

No new requirements were raised. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1264048 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/07/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/06/2024 Full Good 04/07/2023 Full Good 26/04/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1264048 5

p.4

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.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

p.5

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(e))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that children have individualised missing-from-home plans and protocols that give staff clear direction on actions required. 30 April 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1264048 6 This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

p.5

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that any consequences are reviewed so that children understand why there are concerns about their behaviour and the reasons for the consequence. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38) This recommendation was not reviewed at the assurance inspection and is restated.  The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets children’s needs. This specifically relates to ensuring that the home environment is maintained to a high standard and any disrepair is promptly addressed. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) This recommendation was not met at this inspection and is restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1264048 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Stonelake London Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sinckot House, 211 Station Road, Harrow HA1 2TP

p.7

Inspectors

Dorothy Thompstone, Social Care Inspector Andrea Ulett, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1264048 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.

p.7

Inspectors

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.8

Inspectors

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.8

Inspectors

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

p.8

Inspectors

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

p.8