Children's home run by Action for Children 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 Declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home is currently in the process of a review of staffing and structure. Since the last inspection there have been three managers in post and a high number of permanent, long serving and experienced staff members have subsequently left. This period of instability has had a significant effect on the morale of the remaining staff and the experiences of children living in and accessing this service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some progress has been made against the requirements made at the last inspection. Staff now keep detailed records of medication administered for each child that the manager audits regularly. Progress leading and managing the home in a consistent way, ensuring the staff work as a team has been limited due to the on-going changes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are not consistently recording information on young people’s case notes. Daily records are kept but often important information is missing. Tools are in place to measure young people’s progress against individualised outcomes but staff are not recording supporting evidence on a regular basis. As such it is difficult to ascertain if young people are making progress or whether the targets set require review.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Individualised risk assessments are in place for most young people that identify areas of likely concern and offer strategies intended to minimise any risk posed. However, one young person did not have a personal emergency evacuation plan in place. The majority of assessments and plans in place have not been signed by staff to indicate they have been read and understood. This does not ensure that staff are aware of the risks to each young person and the arrangements in place to protect them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no incidents that have required physical intervention and there have been no occasions where young people have gone missing since the last inspection. There is evidence that parents and social work managers have made recent complaints that staff have not recorded nor dealt with in line with the homes policies and procedures. This does not ensure that a transparent and accountable system is used effectively to manage concerns raised about the quality of the service offered to young people. Similarly the serious event leading to complaint was not notified to Ofsted in line with regulations and guidance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Interaction between staff and young people observed appeared to be warm and responsive. Despite the significant difficulties of recent months, a social worker and parent spoken to said that staff do their best and remain committed to the young people and their well-being. They expressed the view that it was the circumstance of the restructure and resultant staffing difficulties that had led to the decline in care and not individual apathy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are not accessing the range or quality of activities and experiences that might reasonably be expected in a long term and shared care setting. Parents report a significant decline in trips out and arranged events, which they understand is due to insufficient staff being available to safely manage. This does not give young people the opportunity to enjoy wider experiences and take part in activities that will contribute to them becoming more confident and sociable

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people have complicated health needs and, or challenging behaviours that require specialist training and a level of confidence and experience to manage competently. Currently there are insufficient numbers of staff with the required knowledge and experience on the staff team. This has resulted in some young people not accessing all of their allocated shared care provision. A parent of a young person with communication difficulties said that she is concerned that he is not always understood when trying to tell staff what he needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parents spoken to said that communication with staff at the home has significantly deteriorated. Whilst they understand the difficulties of so many changes they describe having lost confidence in the quality of the service offered. Parents say that they need to continually repeat requests to staff relating to the care of their young people and very rarely receive any information about their progress and well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The environment of the home is mostly attractive, welcoming and maintained to a good enough standard. However, one of the bathrooms had a dirty floor and ceiling. Carpet was missing in one area of a bedrooms and another had curtains hanging unevenly with missing hooks. There was also a wall that was patched and filled where shelves had been removed. These areas did not contribute to offering young people a warm and nurturing environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The new manager has been in post for a very short time but is aware of the shortfalls identified at this inspection. He has already started to plan to address the concerns and drive improvement forward. He recognises the challenges and is confident that the current staff group are able and committed to improving the service offered. He is hopeful that the majority will apply for permanent positions and work alongside him to raise standards.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides shared care and long term care, for up to five young people aged eight to eighteen years of age, with physical and learning disabilities and associated medical needs. The home is run by a charitable organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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.

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Requirement Due date

9: The enjoyment and achievement standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the enjoyment and achievement standard the registered person must ensure that staff help children to:

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Requirement Due date

(2) (a) (ii) participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child’s interests and preferences. 25/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, with particular regard to risk of harm, the registered person must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

(2) (a) (i) that a staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. 14/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(c ) that staff have the experience and skills to meet the needs of each child

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Requirement Due date

(d) that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

(e) that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child; 14/04/2016 (f) that they understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

The registered manager must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which are kept up to date and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (b) (c)) 14/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39 (3)) 14/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4) (e)) 14/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 Ensure the children's home provides a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children. In particular, ensure the bathrooms and bedrooms are maintained to a good standard. (The guide to the Quality Standards, page 15 paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

 Ensure staff seek to develop the home's effective working relationships with child's placing authority and with other relevant persons, particularly parents and family members. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, p 52 paragraph 10.3)

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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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