Children's Home run by Action for Children in Hertfordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, three requirements and one recommendation were set. The manager was required to ensure that following the use of a physical intervention, staff accurately record the event within 24 hours. She has ensured this is current practice and to enhance staff’s competence, the entire staff team received further training in this subject.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the scrutiny of the service by the independent visitor has improved. Regular parental feedback has informed the independent visitor as to whether young people receiving a service are effectively safeguarded and that the home promotes their wellbeing. This feedback has provided the independent visitor with a positive view of how young people experience the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been some improvement in the record keeping. A new file matrix programme gives a visual aid to staff to prompt them where updates in documentation are required. However, updated information is required in all sections to ensure that accurate information is available, informs practice, and safeguards young people. This requirement is therefore not met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the manager has met with adult services to gain clarity about the operational process when young people move from childcare into adult care services. To support and assist the young people to understand their transition to adult services the home has implemented new processes. It now provides young people with a photographic memory booklet of their time spent at the home and end their time with a party and leaving card. The manager offers the home as a venue for reviews to take place. This new development will ensure that staff are present and partake in the transition planning for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The entrance to the home has undergone a welcoming transformation. On arrival, young people are able to see photographs of staff and others accessing the service. The area offers parents an inviting environment with comfortable furnishing, where useful literature is on display for their information. The home is in good decorative condition and the recent addition of rugs, pictures and personally, chosen bedding offers young people a comfortable, homely environment during their stay.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people clearly enjoy their time in the home; supported by staff who understand their needs. Staff engage in activities young people like and will support them to try new pursuits. The manager is proactive in expanding these opportunities. She has commissioned specialist activity training to enhance the competence and skill within the team. Parents report that their children have a very positive experience, that they ‘really love going’ and that they work well with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A full permanent staff team offers consistency of care. They are motivated to deliver a good service and want to contribute to make a difference to young people’s lives. Staff receive appropriate training giving them the skills and understanding to provide care to children with a physical or learning disability. Individuals accessing the service do encounter other experiences or conditions alongside their disability such as mental health, bereavement and loss or attachment difficulties. To assist and support further progress and development for young people, staff require access to a wider range of training to expand their knowledge and understanding.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since being in post, the manager has demonstrated good practice of working together, forming professional links with schools, social workers and parents. This close liaison ensures continuity of care as common themes and forms of intervention are consistently delivered to support development and targeted achievements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has introduced a number of positive additions to the home’s practice. ‘My visit’ documentation records an account of the young person’s stay. The award of a certificate recognises achievements and boosts self-esteem. Young people’s meetings offer an opportunity to voice opinions and contribute to service development. The manager is motivated to continue to develop the service and has a number of ideas. There is currently a lack of robust action and development planning to underpin those ideas and continue to drive the service forward.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s Statement of Purpose reflects the ethos of the care delivered to young people. However, the document does not include all the services offered by the home and the home has not sent a copy of any revised Statement of Purpose to Ofsted. The children’s guide is not accessible to most young people that use the provision. The home is required to produce an age appropriate guide using suitable communication symbols that inform young people about the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has maintained effectiveness since the last inspection. It continues to develop the service and demonstrates good outcomes for children.

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Information about this children's home

A large charitable organisation manages this service. It provides short break respite care for up to six children with learning difficulties and/or physical disabilities aged between 5 and 18 years. The assessed need of each child or young person determines the frequency and length of stay.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/07/2014 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirements Due Date

The registered person must keep the statement of purpose under review and where appropriate, revise it and notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b)) 30/07/15

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Requirements Due Date

7: The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard In order to meet the standard with particular reference to access to information in the home the registered person must (c) keep the children’s guide under review and seek children’s comments before revising the document. 30/07/15

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Requirements Due Date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) which are kept up to date and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(b)(c)) 30/07/15

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

The children’s home must provide a children’s guide that is age appropriate and in an accessible format specifically using widget symbols. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 24 paragraph 4.21)

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Recommendations

Ensure that staff are provided with relevant training to enable them to meet young people’s presenting needs. In particular training in understanding attachment, child development and mental health. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 52 paragraph 10.5)

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Recommendations

The report (Regulation 45) should clearly identify any actions required for the next 6 months of delivery within the home and how those actions will be addressed. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for continuous improvement in the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 65 paragraph 15.4)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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