Children's home run by Rosedale Children’s Services Limited in Hertsmere

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

Since the last inspection, improvement has been made in providing bespoke planning and the achievement of small but important goals for each individual. This was a recommendation from the last inspection that is now met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As a result, all young people are making very good progress across all aspects of their development. For example, the speech of one individual is becoming clearer, supplemented by the greater use of alternative communication methods.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another young person is now able to tolerate the presence of others for increased amounts of time. This has made family contact more rewarding for them and their families. A social worker complimented the home on, 'managing contact which is working really well now. Mum feels well supported too.'

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A third young person is making greater use of picture cards to indicate 'I want…' and 'I need….' to help him construct longer sentences. Picture cards have also been used to good effect to help young people better communicate their views and choices.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people continue to enjoy activities in the home and the community. Some young people have had 'first time' experiences, such as travelling by bus, going swimming and playing ten-pin bowling. In the home young people enjoy jigsaws, singing and creative arts. A social worker said, 'Interaction between staff and young people is good and relaxed. Staff have a lot of good ideas for keeping them busy.'

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Strong partnership working results in tangible benefits for young people. For example, the manager has worked closely with the speech and language therapist to develop one young person's vocabulary. Acting on their advice, the manager has introduced 'doing words' which has enabled the young person to construct very simple sentences. Young people continue to have excellent attendance at school. Collaborative working between the manager and education staff is helping to successfully address some of the barriers to learning and functioning in school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to develop as they should, their complex needs closely monitored by appropriate health professionals. Staff continue to respond with speed, care and attention when young people, because of their complex needs, require immediate medical assistance. The manager and staff have particularly keen oversight of how medication is affecting young people. The manager is influential in advocating on their behalf when adjustments in medication are advisable. Medical professionals have taken this into account and as a result children's medication has been reduced. This has meant, for one young person, no episodes of epilepsy for over two months. A social worker said that the manager, 'is very proactive and involved in helping professionals to make decisions.' Young people are safe at the home. There is effective assessment of risk, which takes into account young people's very complex needs. A social worker said she

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

had, 'no concerns about safeguarding'. The use of restraint to manage challenging behaviour is minimal but closely monitored. Young people are encouraged to manage as much of their personal care as they can. This protects their privacy and dignity. The independent visitor's report now clearly confirms whether young people are safeguarded and their welfare is promoted. This is a requirement from the last inspection that has been met. The manager's monitoring of the home, and of the development of each individual young person, remains highly effective. This ensures young people are safe and that they make consistently good progress. Recommendations to amend the statement of purpose and update staff training on autism have also been met. Staff have also extended their repertoire of communication skills by attending training on alternative communication methods. Further learning has been undertaken on radicalisation and child sexual

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

exploitation, supervision and, for senior staff, team leader qualifications. These learning events make a real contribution to improving the quality of care offered to children and young people.

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Information about this children's home

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Information about this children's home

25/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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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