Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Hertfordshire

Unique reference number SC425418 Inspection date 05/02/2013 Inspector Linda Leeder Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 26/09/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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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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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Progress

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

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Progress

This interim inspection focused on the progress made by the home since the last full inspection in September 2012, at which the overall judgement was good. One recommendation was raised and this has been met.

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Progress

The service now has a basic development plan in place for home. The development plan has an emphasis on improving outcomes for young people, consulting with young people to obtain their wishes and views, and staff training in order that the staff are able to meet the needs of the young people accommodated at the home. The development plan now confirms how the home will achieve its aims and objectives for the next year to improve the quality of care provided to young people.

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Progress

The recording at the home is generally of good quality; however, the views of young people are not always recorded after incidents of physical intervention. This does not ensure that young people’s views are encouraged when promoting positive behaviour within the home.

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Progress

The Registered Manager is currently absent from the home. The service has informed Ofsted of the Registered Manager's absence and has appointed an experienced and suitably qualified manager on an interim basis. This ensures that the home continues to deliver an effective service.

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Progress

Young people comment that they have good relationships with staff at the home. They say that they can talk to their keyworkers about anything that concerns them and that they feel safe living at the home. Relationships between young people at the home are highly valued. Young people say that they are close to the other residents and view them as siblings. The home has daily residents’ meetings and young people are encouraged to choose topics to discuss. The topics include bullying, future activities and how to promote good educational attainment. Young people therefore have sound relationships and interact positively within the home.

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Progress

Young people enjoy fulfilling activities such as swimming, gymnastics, attending local youth clubs and spending time at car boot sales. Staff encouragement in leisure activities ensures that young people are able to develop confidence in their skills and make a positive contribution to the home and wider community.

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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

 ensure that where any sanctions, disciplinary measures or restraint are used, children are encouraged to have their views recorded in records kept by the home. (NMS 3.18)

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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.

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