Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Hertfordshire

Unique reference number SC425418 Inspection date 28/02/2012 Inspector Natalie Burton Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 13/09/2011 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 home provides care and accommodation for up to four children. A private organisation owns and operates this setting.

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Progress

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

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Progress

At the last inspection in September 2011, the overall quality rating of the service was judged as satisfactory with six requirements and six recommendations given. Since that time, the children’s home has demonstrated improvement in its quality of care and the outcomes for children. The home has suitably addressed all the requirements and most of the recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection.

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Progress

Notifications of significant events are sent to the appropriate authorities and appropriate persons without delay. These include the appropriate action taken following the incident. This ensures effective sharing of information and action taken following the incident. The service has taken action to ensure all fire exits are now clearly signed and identified. This means that young people, staff and visitors are now provided with adequate means of escape in the event of a fire. Staff and managers complete weekly vehicle checks, ensuring that any potential hazards to young people are, as reasonably as practicable, free from avoidable risks.

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Progress

The service has recruited to vacancies within the home, and there is now a sufficient number of permanent staff working in the home. However, some staff on occasions lead a shift without having fully completed their probationary period. This does not ensure that young people’s needs are met by staff with the relevant experience of working in the home. This was a recommendation previously and is repeated as a result of this inspection.

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Progress

Staff now record all restraints within a dedicated book kept by the home. However, the recording of sanctions and restraints are not consistently in line with regulations. For example, staff do not always include the effectiveness of the measure of control used or sign the record made. In addition, children are not consistently asked for their view of the measure of control used. This does not enable children to discuss incidents of restraints or express their views about the sanction given, and does not ensure that the recording of the measure of control taken is in line with regulations. This was a previous recommendation which is also repeated as a result of this inspection.

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Progress

All children now attend an educational placement. Children benefit from this as they now have a clear, organised and stimulating daytime routine, in a learning environment which ensures that they achieve their educational potential. Children are provided with information to access an advocate and the Children’s Rights Director. This ensures children can receive support from adults who they can contact directly and in private about any problems or concerns.

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Progress

All staff receive regular recorded supervision. This enhances the quality of service to young people through staff being supported to fulfil their roles. Management now regularly monitors all records kept by the home. This ensures any concerns, patterns or trends with regard to children are identified and immediate action is taken to address any issues.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, discipline or restraint, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose. (Regulation 17B (3)) 10/04/2012

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 encourage children to have their views recorded in records of sanctions, disciplinary measures or restraint (NMS 3.18)  ensure all staff placed in charge of the home have substantial relevant experience of working in the home and have successfully completed their induction and probationary periods. (NMS 17.5)

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