Children's Home run by Action for Children in Hertfordshire

Unique reference number SC426172 Inspector Rosemary Dancer Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Action for Children Registered person address Action for Children 3 The Boulevard, Ascot Road WATFORD WD18 8AG Responsible individual Shelagh Margaret Zoe Frankcom Registered manager Maria Alexandra Hall Date of last inspection 30/01/2014 2 of 7 Inspection date 08/07/2014

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

The last inspection was carried out on 30/01/2014. The judgements made were that outcomes for children and the quality of care were good, safeguarding and leadership and management were adequate.

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This inspection

Children and young people clearly enjoy their time in the home and staff are attentive towards them and understand their needs. Young people are supported by committed staff who support them to enjoy their stay in the home and to have fun.

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This inspection

The process for ensuring young people settle into the home well are effective and this means that young people can quickly make the best out of their stays.

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This inspection

Staff support young people in their transition from the home, despite the often short notice from the local authority. They have strived to provide positive endings for young people who are moving on and do all they can to ensure that the new placements the young people are moving to have all the information they need to care effectively for the young person.

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This inspection

Young people are safe while staying in the home because there are a range of risk assessments that are implemented, staff take appropriate action in the event of an issue or concern arising, and staff are aware of each young person’s needs and vulnerabilities.

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This inspection

There have been some changes in the staff team that led to some vacancies. These have now been recruited to although the new staff have yet to commence their employment. Staff receive supervision that supports them in their caring task.

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This inspection

There has been one notification made since the last inspection that resulted in a complaint being made to the home. There has been one other complaint made to 3 of 7 the home since the last inspection. These were both investigated to the complainants’ satisfaction.

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This inspection

The manager has established good professional relationships with other agencies, for example the local schools. Relationships have been forged by the introduction of meetings between the manager and the head teacher of a local school on a termly basis. The manager and head teacher now contact each other between these meetings when issues arise. This means that issues are now addressed in a timely way.

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This inspection

The recommendations made at the last inspection relating to the monitoring arrangements and development planning have been addressed. The arrangements for monitoring and developing the service are beginning to support the development of the service.

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This inspection

There were two requirements made at the last inspection. The first related to the training provided to staff and staff achieving a level three qualification in caring for children and young people. All permanent staff either now have the qualification, are studying for it or are enrolled on a course. For bank staff the home is currently exploring the options for these members of staff to either undertake the qualification or to do certain modules to 'top up' existing qualifications to the level required. While the requirement has not been fully met and has been restated there has been progress in ensuring that all permanent staff working with the young people are suitably qualified. The second requirement related to ensuring that all children and young people understand and have practiced a fire evacuation. The home has also made some progress with this. Out of 49 children and young people using the

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This inspection

service 11 have recently been involved in an evacuation and there is a programme in place for the remaining children and young people to experience this. This requirement has however been repeated as some children and young people are yet to become familiar with how to evacuate the building.

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This inspection

A further three requirements have been made as a result of this inspection, two relate to recording and paperwork issues. Not all of the records in children and young people’s files are signed and dated by the author and this means that, for these records, there are no clear lines of accountability. While the Statement of Purpose has been updated over time there has not been a copy of this document provided to HMCI for a significant period of time. This means that Ofsted, as the regulator, does not have a clear oversight about the current aims and objectives of the service. Likewise the guide for children has not been updated and has some incorrect addresses and information contained within it. These issues have no impact on the safety or well-being of young people.

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This inspection

While the premises are purpose built and provide a comfortable environment with good resources for children and young people to use there are issues with the speed that maintenance issues are addressed. This is not the direct responsibility of the manager who requests repairs in a timely way. It is because there are complex 4 of 7 processes for requesting repairs that take an unacceptable length of time to be approved. This has resulted in the washing machine and tumble dryer being out of commission for some time and two doors, which are ill fitting and unstable, not being able to be used by children, young people and staff for over a year. 5 of 7

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Information about this children’s home

The service is managed by a large charitable organisation. It provides short breaks for up to six children with learning difficulties and/or physical disabilities

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/01/2014 Full adequate 28/08/2013 Interim inadequate progress 25/01/2013 Full adequate 12/07/2012 Interim inadequate progress

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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

5 (2001) keep under review and, where appropriate, revise the statement of purpose and the children’s guide; notify HMCI of any such revision within 28 days (Regulation 5 (a) and (b)) 15/08/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that persons employed in the home has the qualifications for the work he is to perform (Regulation 26 (2)(b)) 01/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that the persons working at the home and, so far as practicable, children accommodated there are aware of the procedure to be followed in case of fire (Regulation 32 (1) (e)) 01/09/2014

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children’s home used by the children are of sound construction and kept in good structural repair externally and internally; with specific reference to streamlining the process for 01/09/2014 6 of 7 securing repairs to the premises so that they are addressed in a timely way (Regulation 31 2 (d))

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) Requirement made ensure that the record maintained in respect to each child is signed and dated by the author of each written entry. (Regulation 28 1 (c)) 31/07/2014 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Reg. Requirement Due date

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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