Children's Home run by Hertfordshire County Council in Hertfordshire

Unique reference number SC379199 Inspection date 05/11/2013 Inspector Natalie Burton Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/08/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a local authority children's home registered to accommodate seven young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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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

At the last inspection in August 2013, the overall rating for the service was good, with one requirement and two recommendations. However, Ofsted has recently carried out a monitoring visit to look at concerns about the welfare of children.

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Progress

The home has taken sufficient action to meet the requirement and recommendations from the full inspection. Staff fully record measures of control used within the home. This helps staff to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures they use to help young people to make changes to their behaviour. In addition, staff encourage positive behaviour through incentives and key work sessions with young people. An example is recognising a young person’s continual school attendance. This promotes young people’s understanding of their progress and gives value to their achievements.

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Progress

At the time of the monitoring visit, the manager had not fully addressed the recommendation regarding reporting allegations against staff. However, since this visit, the home has taken action to secure improvement that promotes young people’s safety. All current staff have completed their children’s workforce development council induction. In addition, there is an expectation that new staff will complete this. Therefore, staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to care effectively for young people.

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Progress

At the monitoring visit, one compliance notice and seven requirements were set. The provider has taken appropriate action to fully address the majority of shortfalls raised.

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Progress

During the monitoring visit, serious concerns were raised regarding embedded bullying within the service, due to a lack of implementation of the home’s policy. On occasion there are some incidents of bullying and continued input from staff is needed to completely eradicate bullying without disruption to young people’s placement. These incidents are now, challenged robustly by staff and the home has taken significant action in the timescales set. This is because the service has actively implemented the home’s bullying procedure. Managers have engaged young people to develop their understanding of bullying. Staff have been proactive in challenging incidents of bullying. Staff record incidents in clearer detail and listen to young people, enabling them to express their views and the impact of incidents. Staff and young people have attended courses on bullying. Managers embed this action by meeting with young people collectively and individually to address concerns and set

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Progress

boundaries. This compliance notice is met.

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Progress

The service has effectively implemented the home’s behaviour management policy, following some concerning incidents. Consequently, incidents of challenging behaviour have significantly reduced. This is because managers have discussed expectations of young people’s behaviour with the staff. They have given staff guidance, through young people’s individual support plans. This helps to ensure that young people receive consistent and stable responses to negative behaviour. Staff provide young people with a consistent daily routine and give praise and reward for appropriate behaviour.

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Progress

The manager has implemented a system to monitor and improve the quality of care. The monitoring is effective, taking account of shortfalls identified, and young people contribute their views regarding the quality of care. The manager identifies patterns and trends for behaviour and significant incidents, which helps to inform future care planning for individuals. Where the manager has identified areas for development, the manager documents them and defines actions in response. As a result, the home makes progress and enhances the outcomes for young people.

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Progress

The manager has implemented the homes safeguarding policy following a concern of lack of effective action taken to safeguard children. Managers use supervision and team meetings to ensure staff are aware of the procedure to follow when a concern arises. The manager has identified areas for improvement, for example, in report writing and link work sessions, and has started to address these areas. As a result, young people are protected because staff are knowledgeable about the action to take when concerns arise. Young people benefit from appropriate care and supervision from staff. This is because; staff actively challenge bullying incidents and take appropriate action in response to concerning and challenging behaviour. Risk assessments clearly identify potential risks and the actions to take to reduce these risks. In addition, staff appropriately supervise young people within the home. Bedroom alarms notify staff

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Progress

when young people leave their rooms and staff now monitor young people when they are spending time together in their rooms. Staff notify managers and other agencies of concerning information and inform young people of their concerns. This promotes young people’s safety and well-being.

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Progress

The manager has taken action to secure improvement to the physical environment in the home. The improvements include; personalised individual and communal areas, new carpets, the removal of graffiti and fixing damaged areas, such as door locks. Young people feel valued as a result of living in a home which is adequately maintained. However, due to short timescales, this work is on-going, to provide a completely well- decorated and homely environment throughout.

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Progress

Since the previous visit there has been a notable decrease in the number of significant events in the home. When events have occurred, managers have informed all relevant agencies. In addition, information is clearer, more detailed and submitted within the required timescale. As a result, Ofsted have an up to date view of incidents in the home. This enables Ofsted to monitor the actions staff take to ensure young people’s safety and well-being.

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Progress

The provider has taken sufficient action against the risk of fire. They have replaced or repaired fire doors. As a result, young people are sufficiently protected against the risk of fire.

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Progress

The inspection identified that, on occasion, staff do not consistently meet young people’s health needs. Some young people smoke and use cannabis. There is evidence of staff speaking to young people about the detrimental effects on their health. Staff implement measures of control and have a working partnership with substance misuse agencies. However, these strategies are not consistently effective.

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Progress

Since the monitoring visit, there has been a significant reduction in young people going missing, challenging behaviour and damage to the home. Young people are now engaging with staff and are accessing education more.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, the Registered Manager has left the home. The service has responded by appointing an acting manager on a temporary basis, until a new Registered Manager is appointed.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  ensure that children do not identify bullying as a problem at the home. Staff and children understand bullying is unacceptable. Staff working in the home understand their role in helping to prevent and counter bullying by an adult or child living or working in the home (NMS 3.11)  ensure that children live in a healthy environment where their physical, emotional and psychological health is promoted and where they are able to access the services to meet their health needs. In particular with regard to the use of illegal substances (NMS 6)  ensure that the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated. (NMS 10.3)

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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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