Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Hertfordshire

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection two young people joined the home, one of these young people continues to reside in the placement with the plan being that he remains until adulthood. Managers effectively use the organisation’s impact assessment tool. This takes into account the presenting behaviours and individual needs of young people considered as potential residents against those already in placement. This effective system provides a clear rationale and evidence of how managers assess risk of harm and potential vulnerabilities to ensure all young people experience a safe, stable home life where staff are able to meet their individual needs and promote their welfare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person moved on from the home into a suitably assessed specialist resource. Again, this well considered, co-ordinated approach saw managers and staff working closely together with the wider professional team. A four week planned transition offered the young person a smooth move into his new home, where well informed staff are meeting his complex needs. An independence plan is in place for another resident as she nears adulthood. Staff are keen to ensure young people successfully manage in adult life. They use nationally recognised independence planning tools alongside an individualised plan that takes into account the young person’s capabilities, needs and hopes for the future to support this significant transition.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to progress in placement, for some this is engaging in education when previously they have not. For others, it is about effectively managing their emotions so as not to harm themselves or others and for some it is about being able to relax and enjoy their home surroundings. One social worker reported: ‘There is a significant difference in his presentation and emotional progress, he is also safe in this home and he no longer just wanders off and goes missing.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people experience a homely environment where redecoration and refurbishment helps to maintain a good standard. However, recent structural changes to garden space and the purchase of new furniture has culminated in a significant quantity of rubbish stored alongside the property. Whilst the home took action to clear the rubbish as a result of the inspection, they are required to continually maintain the premises to protect each child from avoidable hazards.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

To improve the quality and standard of care, two requirements and one recommendation were set at the last inspection. The home now has a sufficient permanent staff team in place. They offer young people consistent, familiar care. Staff have undertaken some training courses to enhance their knowledge and understanding of specific subjects, to help them better meet the individual needs of young people in placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

However, since the last inspection a number of bullying incidents have occurred, which caused significant distress to one young person. This is a new behaviour, which the home has satisfactorily managed. Nevertheless a number of staff have not received training in this area of behaviour management. New learning will be likely to support staff in managing such situations and ensure young people feel safe and their welfare protected.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendation regarding staff supervision is not met and a further shortfall in practice is noted. Staff have not received regular supervision in line with organisational practice nor have eligible staff had their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. Therefore staff’s development and performance has not been considered as part of meeting young people’s needs and the overall service delivery. As these leadership and management tasks have not taken place, it becomes a requirement of the service at this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work with health professionals to ensure that young people remain in good health. For some young people, specific input is required to assist with particular conditions. Staff have established routines, which both assist young people managing these conditions and ensures the home remains a pleasing environment in which to live. A specific diet is required to assist the management of a condition, however, there is lack of recording about the nutritional content of food offered and consumed. This does not provide a good overview for monitoring purposes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection the registered manager has left the post, however, satisfactory interim arrangements have ensured that young people have remained settled and well cared for by the enthusiastic, skilled and nurturing staff team. They support young people to make progress. One social worker stated: ‘It has been difficult to contain his emotions, but they have stabilised him. They are not fazed by his difficulties, they say he is here for the long term.’ Although a number of requirements are set at this inspection, they remain mostly management tasks. The home has sustained its effectiveness.

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Information about this children's home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. A private organisation owns and operates the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

29/07/2014 Interim Declined in 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

12: The protection of children standard:

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Requirement Due date

To meet the protection of children standard requires the registered person to ensure that:

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Requirement Due date

2 (d) 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. 14/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4) (b)) 14/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4) (c)) 14/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard:

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Requirement Due date

To meet the leadership and management standard requires the registered person to ensure that staff:

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Requirement Due date

(2) (c) have the experience, qualification and skills to meet the needs of each child, in particular regard of undertaking bullying training. 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 that young people are provided with nutritious meals and that a clear record of is kept of food consumed. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15 paragraph 3.8)

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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

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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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