Children's Home run by Hertfordshire County Council 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 Improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has made good progress against the requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection. All young people now have individualised risk assessments that are specific to them, their needs and behaviours. An initial assessment of risk is undertaken when young people begin to use the service. This identifies particular areas of concern and suggests strategies and techniques to best manage behaviours. Staff review the risk matrix and management plan at regular intervals to ensure it remains current and reflective of any changes in behaviour or circumstance. The built in review provides an effective tool to measure and evidence young people’s progress. Managers and staff discussed the practice and process around risk assessment at a recent team meeting and extra training is available. Risk assessments are taken to every staff meeting prior to young people’s stays to ensure all staff remain updated. Staff are

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

now confident and proficient at identifying and managing young people’s individual risks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has amended the statement of purpose recently in relation to emergency placements. It is now clearer and more definitive with regards essential information needed to properly assess the suitability of a request for a bed. Staff in the home and from placing authorities have been informed of the amendments and understand the potential impact of an inappropriate placement. Managers are confident of their ability to refuse a request to accommodate a young person that has the potential to disrupt the stability of the home. There have been no emergency placements since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to access a wide range of training, which the manager records and monitors effectively through a detailed and up to date training matrix. This guarantees that an effective system is in place to ensure that staff remain within timescales for training that requires regular updating and refreshing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people access this short break facility as part of a package of intervention offering support at a time when they are experiencing difficulties within their family. The short break respite is just one part of the package and staff also work with the young person in the community and, if appropriate, with their wider family. Despite the fact that this service has been operating for a relatively short time, social workers and parents are clear that young people are making positive progress. One parent was particularly impressed at staff’s creativity in finding ways to enable her son to express himself through music. She said that this has had a significant impact on his behaviour and, as a consequence, their relationship. She is of the view that without the intervention from this service her son would currently be in the full time care of the local authority.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another young person, who is currently in residential care, is being supported by the service to return to his family unit. A number of systems to measure and evidence progress made are used by the home to good effect and work is currently ongoing to improve and refine this. The manager has ambitious plans to develop an effective tool to collate and simplify information collected, to produce results in a visual and easily understood format.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is extremely well furnished, decorated and maintained. It provides an exceptionally warm, comfortable and bright environment, designed and created with young people in mind. Every aspect of the home has been given careful thought and consideration and, as a result, it feels like a very pleasant place to spend time. It has plentiful high quality resources, which young people enjoy using.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no significant incidents or occasions when physical restraint has been required. Young people do not go missing, although staff are aware and alert to the possibility that this could happen and understand what to if an incident occurs. There have been no complaints or allegations made against staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Detailed plans are made in advance of each stay of how young people will spend their short breaks. Staff plan activities that they know young people will enjoy, but that also link to their overall plans and objectives. For example, staff had purchased a travel journal for one young person shortly due to go on a school holiday. Staff were planning to encourage him to write and reflect on his experiences over the weekend. This was a direct response to his parent expressing concern as to how he would spend his free time whilst away with the school. A member of staff had planned a quiz night, looking at relationships and gender stereotypes, which was another area of concern raised by a different parent. Staff are skilled at arranging purposeful activities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is passionate about the service and leads a committed team by example. Staff are creative and forward thinking and encouraged to offer suggestions and ideas about how the service could be further improved. This enthusiasm and energy helps to create a positive environment that young people benefit from and enjoy being part of.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority home is registered to accommodate up to 4 children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties under short break arrangements.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2014 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

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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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