Children's Home run by SureCare Residential Ltd in Hertfordshire

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit took place because following the interim inspection Ofsted issued a compliance notice on 2 March 2017. The notice was issued because, during the inspection, the provider failed to demonstrate that they were safeguarding children sufficiently. The shortfalls were in relation to behaviour management.

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This monitoring visit

Since the interim inspection, there has been positive action taken by the managers and leaders. For example, the staff have had the opportunity to attend face-to- face training to consider behaviour management strategies and further additional external training has been commissioned by the responsible individual. This helps the staff to feel confident about their role in dealing with and supporting the children.

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This monitoring visit

Changes to the staff rota mean that the more experienced members of the staff team, who have more confidence to deal with any challenging behaviour, are available for longer periods of time across the day. This change increases the continuity of care for the children and, in turn, reduces the opportunity for conflict.

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This monitoring visit

There has been a dramatic change in the group of children. Two children have moved on, which means that the home currently has two children living together. As a result, the home is much calmer, and incidents have reduced significantly.

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This monitoring visit

The home’s new manager is having a positive impact. One member of staff said, ‘She is strong-willed and making it very clear to us about what her expectations of all of us are.’

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This monitoring visit

As a result of the efforts made by the managers, leaders and the staff to address the previous shortfalls, the matters raised through enforcement have now been met.

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This monitoring visit

The remaining six shortfalls in regulations and one quality standard were not examined during this visit. This means that progress in these areas will be reviewed at the next full inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care for up to four children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is one of a small group run by an independent provider. A psychologist is available to offer direct psychological support to the children. The provider also operates a school. The staff are available to support the children to access this resource.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that 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

In order to meet the positive relationship standard, the registered provider must ensure that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from relationships based on: (b) an understanding about acceptable behaviour; (c) positive responses to other children and adults. 28/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must implement the safeguarding policy intended to safeguard children accommodated in the home from abuse or neglect. (Regulation 34 (1)(a)) This is with specific reference to liaison with the designated officer for the local area when there is unusual physical contact between staff and children 28/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard, (1) the registered person must enable, inspire and lead a culture in relation to the children’s home that: (a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and (b) promotes their welfare. (2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to: (a) lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose. 28/04/2017 (c) ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. 12: The protection of children standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure: (2)(i) that staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. This is with specific reference to updating risk assessments effectively. 28/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must ensure that the requirements of the Regulatory Reform Act are complied with. (Regulation 25) This is with specific reference to routine and effective fire drills. 28/04/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must implement the behaviour management policy which sets out how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the home. (Regulation 35 (1)(a)) 28/04/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure that Ofsted is notified if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious (40 (4)(e)). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. out in 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 this guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

to 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

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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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