Children's home run by Hertfordshire County Council in Dacorum

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 .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to experience a stable home life where a caring, permanent staff team deliver nurturing, predicable care. Large, suitably furnished community rooms, specialised equipment and personalised bedrooms offer young people a range of comfortable and homely living spaces that meet their individual needs

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has begun to address the requirement and has met the recommendation set at the full inspection. Since then one young person has joined the home. Prior to placement a robustly completed impact assessment is completed. It provided a clear rational and evidence of how managers assessed risk of harm, disruption and vulnerabilities of the young person coming into the service in the context of those young people already resident and vice versa. Staff continue to supervise contact between young people and their family members. The manager has requested specific training for staff to enhance their knowledge and skills in this often complex area of work. However, due to internal organisational processes this training is not yet agreed. The newly placed young person experienced a well-planned move into the home. Scheduled meetings prior to placement enabled parental and professional input into care planning and a clear introduction programme ensured his smooth

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

transition into the home. The young person’s mother said: ‘He is so happy there, the staff are fantastic and I have witnessed very good interaction between my son and the staff.’ No young people have left the home since the last inspection. However, a number of residents will be leaving the service to move into adult care within the coming year. A close working relationship with the transition team ensures their adult’s needs are assessed with a view to appropriate accommodation being identified. Transitions both into and out of the home are well managed by a skilled staff team. They work collaboratively with both family members and the professional team to help young people experience a seamless transfer and to reduce any possible apprehension or anxiety. The passionate staff team support young people to make continuous progress. They consider their individual likes and note their views and wishes through a

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

variety of communication mediums and opportunities. One young person has a keen interest in politics and he delivered the opening speech at a disability conference. He will also be working on the youth council and with aspirations to attend university extra tuition supports his enthusiastic studies. For another young person significant progress in their language skills, enables them to communicate more fluently. For another, feeling settled, safe and having a trusted relationship with staff who support her to manage her feelings and behaviours has meant she has self-regulated and managed a significantly traumatic and emotional episode. The service has commissioned a young people’s advocate who meets with all the young people regularly. This advocate specialises in working with young people with disabilities and uses various communication aids to support interaction and participation. The manager has a number of monitoring processes which offer an oversight of

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

service delivery. Quality of care audits demonstrate how the service is meeting the individual needs of young people and the execution of management tasks. However, a shortfall is noted as these audits do not specifically consider the strengths and possible limitations within the home, nor do they set a plan against the identified areas when action is required. By expanding the audit template to include these areas the manager is likely to develop a continuous improvement plan for the home. Similarly, the manager has a system in place to monitor the frequency of staff supervision. Whilst staff supervision is generally occurring with organisational guidelines a shortfall in practice is noted. The content of supervision frequently lacked discussion about the needs of young people in placement, neither did it offer staff time to reflect on their practice. Improved supervision documentation will support supervisors in ensuring that staff consider how their

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

practice meets each young person’s needs.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This service offers young people a permanent, long term home. The committed staff team hold aspirations for them and work in their best interests. Staff value family relationships. They work well with family members and support young people to maintain these. One parent stated: ‘They have helped me re-build my relationship with my son. We go out, it feels normal and I feel valued.’

p.3

Information about this children's home

This service provides care and accommodation for up to six young people who may have sensory impairment, learning disabilities and physical disabilities. A local authority owns and operates this setting.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

13/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

27/02/2014 Interim Satisfactory progress

p.4

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.5

Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard: In order to meet the leadership and management standard with particular reference to staff supervising contact between family members and the young people the registered person must ensure that staff: (2) (c) have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. 30/06/2016

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure there are systems in place so that all staff receive supervision which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of children assigned to their care. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61 paragraph 13.2)  Ensure that the review of the quality of care enables the registered person to identify areas of strength and possible weaknesses in the home's care. The report 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 of the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 65 paragraph 15.4)

p.5

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.6

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.6

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.6

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.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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.7

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.7