Children's home run by Action for Children in Watford

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 judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has ensured that the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. The registered person has reviewed and updated the statement of purpose. The home is conducted in a manner consistent with its purpose. The home’s safeguarding policy includes guidance on the ‘Prevent’ agenda, with staff indicating they have found the training on radicalisation helpful in expanding their child protection knowledge. The home makes effective use of commissioned advocacy services that provide support for young people with challenging health needs. Progress has been made in record keeping with the registered manager providing good oversight. Appropriate accommodation and facilities are provided to staff sleeping in the house. Staff continue to receive regular supervision sessions that include reflective practice and promoting professional development. In addition, the management team has full

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make good progress. Staff and managers understand their complex needs and are committed to providing a safe and comfortable service. Their knowledge of the young people’s vulnerabilities as well as strengths help to inform the appropriate level of support provided to the young people. Risk assessments are comprehensive and add value to the overall care planning. Specific, measurable targets are set for each young person in line with their current level of needs as well as aspirations, and young people are well supported to achieve those targets. This helps young people to feel empowered as they are able to make progress in their communication, self-care and life skills. The range of activities the home provides for the young people helps them to avoid feeling isolated due to their complex needs. The home also encourages young people who have significant challenges with the spoken word to express their views and

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

opinions with the use of picture exchange communication and through other means. This ensures that young people feel heard and valued.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager ensures that good admission planning is in place. This includes impact analysis, meetings with partner agencies and a series of tea visits with the young person and family before the overnight stays commence. This allows for a smooth transition for the young people with the staff being able to implement a good support plan. For the young people who leave the service, the home shares their risk assessments, behavioural management plans and all other relevant information with the new providers. The staff and registered manager also work in partnership with the young person’s family to ensure that the progress the young person has made continues in the family home. One social worker stated that the staff and manager ensure that the young people’s needs are met in the home, and they advise parents on meeting the young people’s complex needs themselves. Meetings are well attended by staff who contribute to informing an

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

assessment on whether outcomes are being achieved and whether the provision is still needed. The home has also helped to prevent young people becoming looked after by the local authority. A social worker said, ‘young people love going there and are very comfortable in their environment”.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home also works in partnership with the schools. One educational professional indicated no concerns with the home and that the young people, on the whole, indicate enjoying going to the home.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Complaints made since the last inspection have been adequately handled in line with the appropriate procedures involving the local authority designated officer. Incidents are properly investigated with a clear outcome, and reflect a young person -centred approach to resolving complaints.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Regulation 44 reports reflect a thorough independent assessment of the care being provided to the young people. There have been no reported incidents of young people going missing from the home or safeguarding notifications to the regulator since the last inspection.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager’s self-assessment of the home’s strengths and areas of improvement is thoughtful and considered. A system of monitoring compliance and quality of recordings and practice has been implemented. The home continues to make efforts in being detailed in their recordings. In particular, events that have occurred in the absence of the key worker to better inform their one-to-one key sessions with the young person. However, there is room for the recordings to be more consistent in terms of quality and reflecting their impact on the young people. The registered manager continues to evaluate the quality of the recordings and provide feedback to staff. The registered manager is keen to promote practice development through research and creative ideas.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to demonstrate the attributes of a good service.

p.3

Information about this children's home

 This is a short-break home run by a charitable organisation. It offers residential short breaks for young people who have learning disabilities and/or sensory impairment and/or physical disabilities. It may only provide care and accommodation for up to five young people at any one time.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/06/2016 Full Good 27/10/2015 Full Good

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 must comply with the given timescales.

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:

p.5

Recommendations

 Ensure that all staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.5

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’.

p.6

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 whom 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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7