“children's homes in Waltham Forest”

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service, Queens Road Learning Centre, 97 Queens Road, London E17 8QR

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service, Queens Road Learning Centre, 97 Queens Road, London E17 8QR

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Inspection report children’s home: SC036735 1 SC036735 Registered provider: London Borough of Waltham Forest Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

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

There are revised safeguarding arrangements in place in the London borough of Waltham Forest, and the home’s own procedures have been updated to reflect these. Staff are aware of the process to follow in a situation where there are concerns about a child’s safety or a staff member’s conduct towards children. All staff are aware of the whistle-blowing policy and who to speak to if they have any concerns.

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Waltham Forest Adult Learning Service

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Children’s home details

Registered provider: London Borough of Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Inspection report children’s home: SC036735 1 SC036735 Registered provider: London Borough of Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Corporate Parenting Service, Ground Floor, Sycamore House, Town Hall Complex, Forest Road, Walthamstow, London E17 4SU

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Inspection report children's home: SC036735 1 SC036735 Registered provider: London Borough of Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Information about this children’s home

This short-break home managed by the local authority provides a service for up to eight children who have learning and/or physical disabilities.

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Inspection report children’s home: SC036735 1 SC036735 Registered provider: London Borough of Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Information about this children’s home

This short-break home is managed by the local authority and provides a service for up to eight children who have learning and/or physical disabilities.

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Information about this children's home

This local authority-managed short-break home provides a service for up to eight children who have a learning and/or physical disability.

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Recommendations

 Ensure that, for children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they are, in most cases, homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Specifically, maintain outdoor play equipment and all garden areas, review the use of numbers on bedroom doors, be aware of any excessive noise, e.g. from banging doors, and refresh those areas of the home which appear ‘tired’.

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Information about this children’s home

The home’s statement of purpose confirms that the home provides residential short breaks and day care provision for children who have a disability.

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home is good because: Inspection report children’s home: SC036735 2  Families value the time their children have in the home. One parent said, ‘The care for our daughter is good.’  Children enjoy trips out and experience new things.  Children gain confidence about staying away from their families.  Children receive care from staff who understand their specific needs.  Parents appreciate their children may do activities that they are unable to arrange.  Children are provided with sensitive support to help them move in successfully.  Arrangements to keep children safe are sound.

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to provide a valued service for children and their parents. This service is evolving to take into account the changing needs of children. It is also extending to children from neighbouring local authorities. One parent noted how the home had made a, ‘huge difference’ to their child’s life. Another parent said their child, ‘loves his time’ at the home. Shortfalls on this occasion relate to record keeping.

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a high level of professionalism amongst the staff team. Senior support staff participate in management meetings which raises their competence and changes their mind-set. Staff are forward thinking and demonstrate a commitment to improving the service for children. Staff continue to expand their skills through a range of training events. There are now accredited behaviour management instructors on site, who help to promote good practice. New children to the home have a tailored introduction. This includes an initial visit that enables them to settle at their own pace. On leaving the home children have a party and gifts, which marks the occasion in a meaningful way. Photos of their time at the home creatively documents their memorable experiences. Children can also benefit from outreach work and day care if they no longer qualify for overnight stays. Staff additionally work in partnership with colleagues to assist

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

Requires improvement

more quickly, for example repair to the seated swing. Simply furnished bedrooms and bathrooms with adaptations are suitable for children with physical disabilities. Some communal areas are very busy in terms of wall decoration and consequently may be over stimulating for the needs of autistic children. There are plans for redecoration, but it is not possible at the moment, due to the busy summer period when the building is in constant use. The registered manager has been in post for over two years. He has appropriate experience and a suitable qualification and is working towards achieving a level 5 qualification. He and the staff fulfil the aims of the home’s statement of purpose. An established, diverse staff team provides steady support to children. Some staff have worked at the home for many years and there is low staff turnover. Use is made of regular agency staff to cover sickness and absence, which has been

Waltham Forest · E17 8QR · Part of London Borough of Waltham Forest

What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being