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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make good progress using this service and have positive relationships with a staff team that know and understand their individual needs and plan to make sure these needs are met during their stay. There are good comprehensive care plans in place, which are updated by key workers when needed. Parents have an input into these and sign to say that they agree.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have goals and targets in place which are tracked using the homes ‘Arrow Charts’. These are set during reviews with parents and in consultation with schools. The staff should complete the daily paper work showing how young people have worked on targets and progressed during their stay. The majority of these are not completed making it difficult to monitor progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, staff are formally recording young people’s feedback on their experience during their stay. Young people’s meetings have also recently been introduced, where staff and young people discuss topics such as bullying and activities. The manager has spoken to staff about recognising the signs of bulling and what action needs to be taken.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have the opportunity to plan activities; staff have created a colourful folder with pictures depicting a wide variety of activities for young people to choose from, both outdoor and indoor. There is also a folder with different meals that young people can choose. A member of staff commented, ‘it would be nice to have more PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) boards around the home for young people to access.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have also recently started to complete key work sessions with young people. This will give them individual time with staff and support them in meeting targets and goals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff celebrate young people’s achievements; once the reception area has been decorated a celebration wall will be put up giving parents and visitors the opportunity to recognise young people’s achievements. A member of staff spoken to commented, ‘we weren’t always good at celebrating achievements but I think we are a lot better now.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive regular supervision, a staff member commented, ‘supervision is regular and I find it supportive, I can speak to my supervisor when I need to.’ The manager has recently begun to monitor the quality and recording of supervision and will sit in periodically.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are regular staff meetings where young people, training and issues around the home are discussed. Staff requested that staff meetings be changed to twice a month so that at one young people can be discussed and the alternate meeting will look at care practice and other issues in the home. This has now been implemented.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two sanctions since the last inspection; these have been fair and proportionate. Staff have sought young people comments. There have been no physical interventions and no complaints.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been one serious incident reported; the manager informed all relevant people and kept them informed of developments. There is good evidence of action taken when the review concluded. The manager has reflected on the incident and now ensures that all staff sign to say that they have read and understood the risk assessments in place for each young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the importance of safeguarding young people, there is appropriate security on doors and windows, each young person has a personal evacuation plan in place alongside detailed risk assessments. Staff have attended child sexual exploitation training and safeguarding and these are also discussed in team meetings. The prevent trainer for protective behaviours is coming to train staff in life space interviews to safeguard and give them the opportunity to discuss their feelings and plan any further work.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are robust monitoring checks in place. These are transferred on to graphs that help trends and patterns to be identified and these are acted upon. These are also monitored by the organisations head office.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff spoken to are clear on the things the home does well and how they can work towards improving things further. Some staff feel that morale in the home is still low but is beginning to improve, staff feel that ideas they have are listened to and acted upon if appropriate. The manager has been looking at positivity workshops with staff to help build and maintain morale and working together as a team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions into the home are managed well. The manager is involved in the referral process and matching young people to the appropriate group to make sure that they have a positive experience and are safeguarded. Young people visit the home for tea along with parents who are asked to complete the care plan so that staff have a good understanding of the young person’s needs before they progress to overnight stays.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have built positive relationships with parents and keyworkers update them on progress their child has made or any issues which have arisen. There is good communication between the staff and education providers; staff attend the school as part of the referral process to observe young people in class and talk to teachers. They work closely together in identifying targets for the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection it was noted that work needed to be completed to bring the environment up to an appropriate standard. The reception area was being painted during the inspection and this will be a focal point for the achievements board. The flooring still needs replacing. The dining room looks tired and in need of redecorating. All bedrooms have now been redecorated and are bright and inviting. Young people were involved in choosing colours and pictures. Wooden flooring has been put down, there are appropriate blinds or curtains in the rooms and they are more personalised for each young person’s visit.

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Information about this children's home

This is a short breaks service run by a national charitable organisation. The home accommodates up to eight children and young people with learning 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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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/09/2015 CH - Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 CH - Interim declined in 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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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe (2) in particular, the standard in paragraph(1) requires the registered person to ensure- (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (b) that the homes day to day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. Regulation 12 (2)(v)(b) 8/3/16

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard (2) in particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to- (b) ensure that the staff work as part of a team where appropriate. Regulation 13 (2)(b) 8/3/16

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Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to – (iv) regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of care. Regulation 7(2)(iv) 8/3/16

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationship standard. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure- (xi) de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. Regulation 11(2)(xi) 1/3/16

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. This is in relation to staff being aware of risk assessments for young people. (The Guide to the Homes Regulations, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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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

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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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