Children's home run by Greenfields Adolescent Development Limited in Hertsmere

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has moved on to another placement. This transition was fully supported by the staff, and a package of outreach support remains in place. The staff travel long distances to continue their investment in the young person’s well-being. This ongoing support has enabled a smooth transition for the young person and has helped him to feel valued. A social worker told the inspector, ‘[The home] has [the young person’s] needs at the heart of what they do when making a positive transition away from [the home].’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people have remained in placement and have continued to make progress. Both young people are attending tailor-made educational programmes. Their attendance has increased. Good communication with the school further strengthens the potential for achievement and good career opportunities for the future. The young people enjoy a number of activities both inside and outside the home, which include mountain biking, shopping and playing snooker.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, staff and young people have been through a challenging time. There have been incidents of substance misuse, missing, damage to the home and challenging behaviours. The staff team has implemented safeguarding procedures in an attempt to address the risks. These have included working in partnership with other professionals including the police, independent reviewing officers and placing authorities. As a result, young people’s risk-taking behaviours have now declined.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff are not afraid to challenge other professionals’ views if it is in the best interest of the young person. For example, the manager has been able to challenge a placing authority about the level of risk a young person’s family presented. He then worked in partnership with the placing authority, and put in support to minimise these risks. This has enabled the young person to have increased contact with his family and his risk-taking behaviours have declined as a result. An independent reviewing officer commented, ‘The placement has enabled the young person to thrive; they have a clear understanding of how to work with him. He is happy, feels safe and there is clear understanding of how to meet his needs.’ During times of challenging behaviours the home has sustained substantial damage. This damage has been quickly repaired and a programme of redecoration is under way. However, the home, as identified during the last inspection, still lacks

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although young people do take part in an independence programme, this is not helping to influence young people in developing their life skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements and one recommendation were raised at the full inspection. Staff are awaiting their certificates to show that they are now qualified in residential childcare. The home now also benefits from an in-depth location risk assessment. The requirement in regards to the condition of the home will be re-made.

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Information about this children's home

This home is owned and operated by a private company and is part of a large national organisation. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/10/2016 Full Good 29/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 30/06/2015 Full Good 14/01/2015 Full Inadequate

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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 within 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

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered person must:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(c)(i) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. 31/03/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Staff must help each child to prepare for any moves from the home, whether they are returning home, moving to another placement or adult care, or to live independently. This includes supporting the child to develop emotional and mental resilience to cope without the home's support and, where the child is moving to live independently, practical skills such as cooking, housework, budgeting and personal self-care. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 17, paragraph 3.27).

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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 that 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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