Children's home run by CareTech Community Services Limited in Hertsmere

This monitoring visit

Serious concerns were raised with Ofsted and a monitoring visit was undertaken by two inspectors, on 8 March 2016. The outcome of the visit was that there were serious concerns about the lack of sufficient action taken to promote the welfare of the young people. Two compliance notices were made with a date for compliance of 1 April 2016 and three requirements were also set. The main areas of concern arising from the visit were: insufficient investigation into all allegations made; failure to implement the homes disciplinary policy to conduct a disciplinary investigation to prevent a recurrence; concerns regarding the maintenance and cleanliness of the living environment; a lack of nutritious food available to young people and inconsistent action taken by staff when young people are missing.

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This monitoring visit

In order to evaluate the progress the provider has made in meeting two of the requirements, a monitoring visit was undertaken on the 17 March 2016 by one inspector. The visit found that the provider has taken immediate action to address the living environment for young people. This is because the staff have hoovered the carpets, cleaned inside the kitchen cupboards and removed cobwebs and cleaned the windows. In addition, ivy has begun to be removed from the property, and bathrooms cleaned. As a result, the home appears cleaner and brighter. The provider has a clear action plan to continue to make improvement to the home, with new furniture purchased, carpets to be deep cleaned or replaced, new windows to be fitted and young people have been consulted regarding new décor of the home. The manager has implemented a cleaning rota that is overseen daily, to ensure that the home is kept clean. While the provider has taken sufficient

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This monitoring visit

action within the timescales given, further work, already identified is required to ensure the young people are provided with a welcoming and homely environment. Therefore this requirement is remade.

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This monitoring visit

The visit found the young people are now provided with nutritious and varied selection of food. The young people’s fridge, freezer and kitchen cupboards are well stocked with good selection of food to eat and cook. The manager has also implemented a food stock list to ensure that food supplies are kept at this sufficient level. Therefore young people have access to a variety of nutritious foods.

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This monitoring visit

The two compliance notices, a further requirement and a recommendation made at the last interim inspection were not looked at during this visit. Ofsted will continue to monitor the progress.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for three young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A private organisation operates this setting.

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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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

(2)In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard in particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— (b) ensure that staff— (ii) protect and promote each child's welfare; (iii) treat each child with dignity and respect; (v) help each child to understand and manage the impact of any experience of abuse or neglect. * 01/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

(1) In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that— (b) promotes their welfare.* 01/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

(2) In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure: (d) that the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child's health. 01/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

(2) In order to meet the protection of children standard, in particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered 01/04/2016 person to ensure: (a) that staff - (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare. This is with particular regard to effective action being taken by staff when young people are missing overnight.

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to statutory requirement notice.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that staff supervision enables staff to reflect and act upon how their own feelings and behaviour may be affected by the behaviour of the children they care for. This specifically relates to the regularity of supervision in line with the home's policy. (The Guide to The Quality Standards, page 39 paragraph 8.15)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the home since their last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. 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

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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