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 last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last inspection. Since that visit the registered manager has commenced her maternity leave. The home has an interim manager. He knows the staff and is familiar with the service as he has previously worked in the home and in the outreach service. The managers had a handover period that enabled a seamless transition. The staff say that the manager is supportive and is keen to further develop the service. They say that he is open to feedback and suggestions

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The tailored weekend plans reflect the children’s personalities and likes and dislikes. The children stay at the home for at least one weekend a month. Their stays do not always coincide with the same children. This is to assist the children to develop a wider network and learn the skills that they need to adapt to differing group dynamics.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children having breaks are happy to come and those who struggle are able to cancel. These spaces are utilised by others who are in need of the additional support. Children who leave have done so having reached their agreed number of stays. The staff offer a flexible approach to stays and they try to facilitate additional visits if requested. This approach is helping the children and their families to manage situations that could otherwise result in the children entering the care system.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager incorporates the holistic approach, offered by their multi-agency model, into the support plans for each child. The mindfulness and family sessions are proving successful now that they are mandatory for new children and their families. Children were visibly keen to start their session after they spoke with the inspector. One child said, ‘I enjoy the [mindfulness] sessions. It is relaxing.’ The children now positively view the sessions as a natural occurrence at the start of their stays.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are knowledgeable about the children and their needs. One parent said, ‘Dropping my child off feels as though he is seeing another part of the family. I am happy with the way all staff welcome him and know him.’ The children say that they have good stays and both they and their families report seeing an improvement since their stays started. Parents say that they trust the staff and that they feel that their children are safe and well cared for.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children and their families benefit from the family work and the support offered both during the stays and via the outreach sessions. The children and their parents are positive about the impact the home has had on them and their families. A parent said, ‘He comes home so positive. He has usually tried new foods and activities and enjoys telling me all about it.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children described themselves as finding different ways of managing situations, such as when they find other children or family members frustrating. The children can identify coping strategies that they have learnt and are able to recognise the positive changes these have had in their lives. A child said, ‘I am much better now when I am not getting my own way. I am more chilled.’ Another said, ‘I used to have the worse behaviour score in school. I am at a new school and I only have three behaviour points.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A professional echoed this by describing how one child, who has recently ceased having stays, was a school refuser but is now attending school. That professional said, ‘The changes happened in such a relatively short period of time. It is amazing.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are minimal incidents of children going missing from the home. One child who was missing from her family home made contact with the staff and they collected her and agreed with her parents that she would have an additional stay. Observations during the inspection showed her receiving a warm welcome and staff having discussions with her about where she had been. Another child said, I ran away from home and came to stay here.’ The use of the emergency bed for children currently having scheduled stays is enabling the manager to provide additional stays for the children during times of crisis in their families and it provides the children with a safer alternative to running away.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been no use of physical interventions. The staff are adept at using de- escalation techniques to manage any difficult situations that arise.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff now update the children’s risk assessments before each stay rather than every six weeks. The risk assessments are updated with any new risks or behaviours identified during a stay. The frequent reassessment of risks ensures that staff are using current strategies and information to safeguard the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Professionals said:  ‘The support and communication is good. They really knew [the child’s] character and behaviour.’  ‘The staff are attuned to teenagers and able to help the children to build the resilience they need to be strengthened and empowered.’ ‘Their work with the children and their families is incredible and is having a positive impact.’

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Information about this children's home

This local authority home is registered to accommodate up to four children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, under short-break arrangements.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/09/2016 Full Good 18/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 22/01/2016 Full Good 26/02/2015 Interim Not judged

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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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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