Children's home run by Action for Children Services Ltd 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 sustained effectiveness . Young people continue to be cared for by a competent staff team who place their individual needs at the centre of their work. Staff have a very positive view of the young people they look after and they work hard to engage with them. This helps young people to feel confident about their relationships with staff and supports their progress. One parent reported they have been fantastic with us, I am not sure what my family would do without them’. Young people continue to be safe in the home. This is due to staff having a good understanding of young people's particular vulnerabilities and know what action to take to address them. This ensures young people, including the most vulnerable, benefit from effective support and protection. One parent reported, ‘I don’t have any worries once he is dropped off I know he will be safe’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Health care needs are clearly identified within individual health care plans. Staff receive appropriate training to enable them to effectively support young people with complex needs. This includes the safe administration and recording of medication and first aid. All young people attend appropriate specialist education provision. A good relationship between education and care staff ensures that there is a consistent approach between the home and education to support young people. Behaviour management strategies, together with staff knowledge, training and understanding of the young people, means that any difficult behaviour is managed well. Since the home’s last inspection there have been no reports of young people missing from care and there have been no physical interventions. Staff complete regular health and safety checks and follow a range of safety procedure to protect young people from potential hazards. This includes fire drills,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to ensure young people know what to do in case of an emergency. In addition, the vetting and recruitment of people working at the home is particularly thorough to make sure only appropriate adults work there. There is a new manager in post at the home, who took up position in March 2016. Ofsted is currently processing her application for registration. The manager has a development plan in place, and is committed to making improvements to this service. Staff are well supported through regular supervision, annual appraisal and training, and development. There were no requirements or recommendations from the home’s full inspection and there are no requirements or recommendations made at this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides residential short breaks for up to five young people with learning and/or physical disabilities. The service is operated by a charitable organisation in partnership with a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

27/03/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

17/02/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory progress

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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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