Setting in Watford

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The committed and inspiring manager attained registered manager status in October 2015. She has previously been a deputy manager in a children's home. She has three years’ experience of working with children with disabilities and 12 years’ experience of child protection social work, including in a management position. She holds a social work qualification. The home is making significant progress in improving outcomes for children and young people under her tutelage.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirement and most of the recommendations raised at the previous inspection have been fully met. This demonstrates the home’s capacity to improve. The statement of purpose has been recently reviewed and updated. This comprehensive document provides all interested parties, including the regulator, with a detailed view of the care provided. Children and young people are therefore appropriately placed enhancing their opportunities for progress. One of the strengths in the home is the growth in partnership working with professional agencies and links with local community groups. These ensure that children and young people are provided with every opportunity to be an active part of the home and their local area. This enhances their self-esteem and feelings of well-being and belonging. The manager said, ‘His progress is definitely around tolerating others and being on the unit in a community setting.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s locality assessment has been updated to accurately reflect the issues in the surrounding area. This document was developed with input from specialist and local police officers, not only ensuring information was current and detailed, but also building those positive partnership arrangements. These provide further safeguards for children and young people. Children and young people enjoy coming to stay in a spacious home that is all on one level, enabling them to move around freely. For many, this space is liberating as they can go from room to room or outside in the garden with ease. They can choose their own bedroom, which enhances their sense of security and belonging. A staff member said, ‘(Name) has come so far in making choices now.’ However, there are still obsolete audio monitors on the walls in each of the bedrooms. These are potentially hazardous to children and young people who could easily harm

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

themselves upon them. The newly decorated entrance hall is welcoming and bright. This provides a positive first experience as children and young people and their families come in to the building. Extensive future planning and partnership working with a local community group and a national supermarket chain, will provide even more benefits for children and young people. One room is to be turned in to an art and ‘chill-out’ room and the sensory room is to be completely refurbished. Children and young people enjoy excellent, nutritious meals during their stay. The introduction of a daily menu selection not only increases their food experiences, but also improves their learning opportunities. Children and young people grow in confidence in making choices and expressing their wishes as well as building life skills. The cook said, ‘The children are able to come in to the kitchen and can sometimes help with getting their meals, which some of them love. For example, a

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

few weeks ago I made pizza bases and laid out all of the toppings. The children were able to come and choose what they wanted and put them on. They felt they had made their own pizza as well as getting exactly what they wanted.’ Excellent planning and careful introductory visits ensure that children and young people are prepared carefully before they start to attend the home. In addition, staff receive good and appropriate training to meet the needs of each individual child. For example, managing constant seizure activity. As a result, children and young people are able to quickly build trusting bonds with staff, enhancing their opportunities to make the most of their stay. A specialist epilepsy nurse trainer said, ‘It’s been a real pleasure working here. I’ve rarely met such an enthusiastic and interested staff team. They are really good at what they do.’ High staffing levels and the warm, attentive interaction children and young people

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

have with staff, mean that the majority of short stays occur without any incident. On occasion, staff may need to use physical intervention in order to safely steer children and young people away from unsafe situations, or to prevent injury to themselves or others. Much improved recording systems mean that information is now appropriately captured, effectively allowing behaviour management plans and risk assessments to be updated. This improves children and young people’s care and protection as their triggers are recognised and planned for. However, on occasion, some of the recording is subjective and does not promote the prevention of recurring behaviours. There have not been any missing episodes from this home. Appropriate security measures, coupled with the constant attention children and young people receive, mean that they are well protected. The proactive manager has made excellent links with a local specialist police officer to establish immediate strategies if a child

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

or young person were to become lost while on an outing in the community. In addition, she is working on introducing an identity bracelet for each child, which will provide further safeguards. Children, young people and their families fully understand the home’s complaints system. Information is readily available to them in their welcome packs and through a suggestion box located in the entrance hall. In addition, the manager and staff host regular coffee mornings and annual social events where all involved in the home can share their views. There have not been any complaints. While children and young people are on their short stays the enthusiastic and nurturing staff team do all they can to introduce them to new experiences. These can include making craft items and cards for a Christmas fair; designing posters and cards; participating in inclusive activities in the community or being visited by the staff’s pet dogs. These experiences enrich children and young people‘s lives

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and effectively broaden their horizons. The manager said of one young person, ‘He’s our absolute superstar. He made the Christmas cards and he designed them and he designs our posters, he’s so artistic. He’s absolutely fabulous.’

p.4

Information about this children's home

This service is operated by a national charity. It provides short-breaks for up to six children and young people with physical and learning disabilities.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

12/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.5

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure - that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (2)(d)) In particular, that the obsolete monitors be removed and those walls redecorated 01/09/2016

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Staff should be familiar with the home's policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.6

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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

p.8