Children's Home run by Hertfordshire County Council in Hertfordshire

Unique reference number SC379199 Inspection date 03/02/2012 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 24/08/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

This is a local authority long-stay children's home registered to accommodate six young people of either sex from the age of 13 to 18 years.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

This interim inspection has focused on the progress made by the home since their last full inspection in August 2011, at which they were judged to be good. One requirement and five recommendations were raised at the previous inspection. The Registered Manager and staff have worked extremely hard on the requirement and recommendations and all have been met.

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Progress

Young people benefit from the opportunity of a multi-agency approach for monitoring their care. A written record is kept of all significant events which are then notified to the appropriate authorities, including Ofsted. The outcome of any actions is recorded and used for monitoring purposes. In addition, Ofsted are supplied with a copy of all monitoring visit reports under Regulation 33. These processes effectively safeguard young people and promote their well-being.

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Progress

A number of new staff members have been successfully appointed since the last inspection. An established member of staff stated that the new workers had 'made a real difference and they had fitted in really well'. Young people reported that staff were 'alright' and that they could talk to them. The management team has a record of the recruitment and vetting checks that have been carried out on those working in the home. These demonstrate robust recruitment procedures and ensure staff employed do not pose a risk to the young people in their care.

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Progress

A comprehensive new policy details how electronic motion sensors are used to safeguard young people's welfare. It also ensures that young people's legitimate privacy is protected and that they are protected from potential abuse of such measures.

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Progress

Much improved methods are used to ensure young people's views are captured on records kept within the home or their refusal to comment is recorded. This effectively offers young people the opportunity to comment on their care and promotes their sense of well-being, while building confidence and self-esteem. Young people stated that they knew that staff would listen.

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Progress

No breaches of regulation or shortfalls in meeting the national minimum standards are identified as a result of this inspection.

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