Children's Home run by Action for Children Services Ltd in Buckinghamshire

Unique reference number SC424103 Inspector Suzy Lemmy 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 Samantha Oliver Date of last inspection 19/02/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 25/03/2015

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Previous inspection 08/01/2015 - 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 declined in effectiveness .

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This inspection

Young people make progress in achieving goals and receive good quality care, however, a health plan was not completed prior to a young person's admission and health plans were not signed by a health professional. The Registered Manager acknowledges this short fall and is addressing this in conjunction with health professionals.

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This inspection

Young people enjoy their short breaks at the home. Young people said the home was ‘good’ and ‘there was nothing they wanted to change’. Staff know the young people well and have good relationships with them, which means that the children feel nurtured and enjoy their stays. A parent described the home as ‘having a lovely, warm community feel’. The parent commented that she feels that she is safe there.

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This inspection

Staff measure children’s outcomes using creative and child-centred recording, which is personalised to their individual needs. Young people engage well with the process. The sense of achievement they gain increases their self-worth and self- esteem.

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This inspection

The home has a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. There is a plan for redecoration and refurbishment, the manager ensures that the young people are involved by choosing colours. Whenever possible young people use the same room for their stays. They are able to personalise rooms by picking their duvets and boxes of toys to have during their stay. This gives them a sense of ownership and belonging.

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This inspection

Staff rarely use restraint or sanctions. Records of sanctions are detailed and reflective. Behaviour Support Plans are used to identify triggers and patterns of behaviour. Records of restraints are not always completed in a timely manner or contain sufficient detail to ensure that staff can analyse challenging behaviour 3 of 6 effectively. This was a requirement from the last inspection.

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This inspection

Staff work closely with professionals to ensure that the young people make progress during their stays. Staff attend multi-disciplinary meetings with social workers, education staff and therapists. This means that young people receive consistent care and develop their skills in all settings. A social worker said that ‘the home is fantastic, staff have done a lot of work to encourage (young person’s) independence…he is a different boy at the home.’ Staff focus on building on young people’s self-care, retaining and improving ability and striving towards independence.

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This inspection

Staff have regular supervision and are able to discuss any issues with the knowledge that the manager will listen to these issues and respond to them. Staff report that the manager and senior manager are approachable and supportive. This means that the staff group are highly motivated to provide good care for the young people. Robust recruitment ensures that experienced staff work with the young people. The manager is actively recruiting male carers as recommended at the last inspection. Volunteers from the local community visit the home to join the young people in activities, there are good male role models within this youth club. Staff are well trained and able to access the training they need. The manager recognises that more staff need training in administering medication specifically for one young person.

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This inspection

Staff ensure that young people enjoy a range of activities including attending a specialist youth group. There is a plan for activities during the Easter school holidays. This means that the young people are able to enjoy a range of experiences and develop their social skills. Young people enjoy interacting with their peers.

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This inspection

The manager is enthusiastic and keen to improve the service. She understands the areas of improvement needed and recognises that the staff team need support and guidance to care for young people in a consistent, safe way. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This is a short-breaks service run by a national charitable childcare organisation. The home accommodates up to eight children and young people with disabilities. The young people’s needs range from moderate to severe learning disabilities with associated physical, health and sensory impairment and/or complex multiple needs.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/02/2014 Interim good progress 28/06/2013 Full adequate 16/10/2012 Interim satisfactory progress 12/06/2012 Full adequate

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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

(2001) ensure any events listed in column 1 of the table in Schedule 5 takes place, the registered person shall without delay notify the persons indicated in respect of the event in column 2 of the table (Regulation 30(1)) (in the light of new regs) 07/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control or restrain, a written record is made in a volume kept for the purpose which shall include details of the child's behaviour leading to the use of the measure (Regulation 17B (3)(b)) 07/04/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that each child has access to such medical, dental, nursing, psychological and psychiatric advice, treatment and other services, as he may require, particularly in relation to emergency health 07/04/2015 5 of 6 plans being in place prior to admission and training to administer specific medication (Regulation 20 (b))

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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 children's health is promoted in accordance with their placement plan and staff are clear about what responsibilities and decisions are delegated to them and where consent for medical treatment needs to be obtained, specifically in relation to health professionals signing health plans. (NMS 6.5) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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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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