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 Good 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

The young people continue to make good progress during their stay. All young people now have an ‘outcome arrow chart’ in place showing targets and goals, how these will be achieved and what support the young person will need along with the impact this will have on the young person when they have achieved their goal. Targets are set during reviews, with contributions from parents and young people. A parent commented, ‘X has gained in confidence at being away from home and learning new things.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff feel supported by the manager and she has clear visions and aspirations for the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been completed and implemented. There are robust monitoring systems in place giving a clear insight into the effectiveness of care practice in the home. Staff use a computer system to record incidents of behaviours; this is broken down to times, day, activity, which young people were present and staff on duty. This is then uploaded quarterly to look at patterns or triggers enabling staff to better support young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive regular supervision which looks at care practice and staff development. There are regular staff meetings which also support staff with care practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recruitment is robust and checks are in place before staff begin work in the home which safeguards young people. There is also a good induction process to support new staff in learning their roles.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people and parents have built positive relationships with a stable experienced staff team who know and understand the needs of the young people and their families. One parent commented, ‘The home is filled to the brim with staff who are of kindness, this most certainly enables me to relax.’ A social worker commented, ‘It was a lovely experience to spend time in the home and see the passion the staff have for the young people they work with.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a good understanding of the young people’s challenges and complex health needs. There are detailed health plans in place which have been signed by parents. Staff completed extra training on the health needs of a young person at the request of a parent and after consultation with the GP. Staff listen to the views and concerns of parents and act on them to improve the care and stay for the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to work closely with education providers, they visit the young person at school as part of the referral process and attend reviews.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a computer and IPad for young people to use and they may bring in their own. Staff are aware of the safeguarding issues and young people’s IPads are checked by staff when they come in and young people are monitored when using these devises. There is now a protocol in place for use of electronic devices by young people and staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have recently undertaken extra safeguarding training which included child sexual exploitation and e-safety. The manager has also implemented in-house training sessions looking at the vulnerabilities of young people using the service and how staff can ensure that they are kept safe. The manager reports any concerns to the appropriate professionals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are individual risk assessments on file which are reviewed every six months. Each young person also has a personal evacuation plan in place. Not all records are signed and dated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a good ratio of staff to young people. Staff see activities, both in the home and in the community, as an important part of the young people’s stay. Staff were observed getting activities ready for the evening. These had been planned with knowledge of the group that were due in that night. Staff commented, ‘We have planned messy play for X tonight; he is very sensory and enjoys this activity.’ This shows that staff have a good knowledge of what the young people enjoy when they come to stay.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand that transitions can be difficult for some young people and their families. One young person has recently left the service; staff worked with the parents about how best to plan her leaving and undertook work with her about moving on. This young person had built a good friendship with another young person; the staff looked, with both parents about how this can be maintained.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions are individualised to meet the needs of the young person and the families. The manager on receiving a referral will look at the needs of the young person and the current group so see if a place can be offered. Staff also complete a matching assessment to ensure that the young person has been placed in the appropriate group. Staff will visit the school and parents to gain information and start to complete the young person’s placement plan. Parents are also involved in completing these and sign to say they are in agreement. A planning meeting will then take place with the home, parents and social workers to plan tea visits. Once these have been completed then an over-night stay is arranged. Parents are consulted throughout the process. A parent commented, ‘Unless you are in the position of having a vulnerable child you will never know the feeling that we have knowing X is being cared for by people we trust.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a warm safe nurturing feel. The reception area is bright and welcoming with photos of staff. Staff worked hard to ensure that the young people were involved in the personalisation of the bedrooms; these are now much brighter and welcoming, the corridors and lounges are inviting and a swing that children can be hoisted into has been purchased for the garden.

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Information about this children's home

This is a short break service for young people with learning disabilities, sensory impairment and physical disabilities. It is run by a national children’s charity and can accommodate up to 14 young people. There are 42 young people on the register. Young people may have challenging behaviours associated with their disability and complex health needs that require nursing input.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Regulations 35-39 detail the records that must be kept in a children’s home. All case records must be kept up to date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Guide to children’s homes regulations. Page 62. Paragraph 14.3)

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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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