Children's Home run by Buckinghamshire County Council in Buckinghamshire

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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have continued to make progress in the home since the last inspection. They participate in activities in the community and are supported to build and maintain friendships that are important to them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have built positive relationships with staff, who know and understand them. A child commented, ‘The staff are great and they respect and listen to me.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has been in post since February 2016 and is registered with Ofsted. He has the experience to manage the home and is in the process of completing his level 5 qualification.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were two requirements set at the last inspection, one of which has been met, and two recommendations, of which one has been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have completed their mandatory training and have attained or are registered on the level 3 national vocation qualification award.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand the importance of education and actively support children to attend. All children are receiving full-time education and staff support them in completing homework. There is good evidence of the staff working with education provisions and challenging plans that they believe are not in the best interest of the child.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand that transitions both into and out of the home can be difficult. The manager tries to ensure that placements are as planned as possible due to some emergency placements having had a negative impact on the group. A child who recently moved into the home commented ‘I came to visit with my social worker before I moved in; the staff were really welcoming.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are regular children’s meetings at which children are encouraged and supported to chair and take minutes. These give children the opportunity to discuss their wishes and feelings and also to advise on any purchases for the house. They also use these meetings to challenge each other’s behaviours in a safe environment. This shows that staff understand the importance of children being consulted about home life.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints regarding the home since the last inspection. A child, with the support of staff and his advocate, has put in a complaint regarding his social worker. This shows that staff support children to complain when they are unhappy with the service they are receiving.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been incidents of children going missing since the last inspection. However, these have decreased in number since December. A child commented ‘I used to go missing, but I don’t anymore; when I came home the staff would tell me how worried they had been.’ This shows that staff use the positive relationships they have with the children and this them feel cared for. Children receive return to home interviews.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand the importance of children developing their independence skills in line with their age, understanding and ability. One child is on a full independence programme and staff commented that his confidence has grown. Staff support the children in using the internet and public transport. This shows that staff are not risk averse and understand that children need to learn and manage some risks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Risk assessments are reviewed and updated. These are clear and informative and support the staff in working with the children and keeping the children safe. However, impact risk assessments are not completed before a child moves to the home, which results in a missed opportunity to look at risks for the child and the current group and how these risks can be reduced or managed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have completed their safeguarding training. However, the manager needs to complete a higher level to ensure that he has the required knowledge, as the designated safeguarding officer for the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are good, clear and detailed placement plans in place to support the staff’s work with the children. However, children do not have the opportunity to sign or comment to say that they understand or agree with the plans.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff understand the importance of recognising and celebrating children’s achievements and make individual certificates for them. Children can earn individualised activities. One child went to see the X Factor on tour and another went to a Marvel fair in London. This shows the children that staff have recognised their achievements and have put thought into how these can be celebrated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children have all completed a framed picture that represents them. These are on the hall wall and are from past and present children. This shows the children that staff will still be reminded of them when they have left. Staff commented that children who come back for a visit are always pleased to see their pictures still on the wall. There have been 46 sanctions since the last inspection, which were fair, proportionate, and evaluated by the manager. Children were signing and commenting on these until a few months ago, but there is no evidence that they still have the opportunity to comment on and sign these.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is no clear evidence that children receive regular key-working sessions; when asked, children commented that they didn’t think they have these. Key-work sessions need to be meaningful and children should have the opportunity to comment on and sign these to say that they understand the session or the actions that have been agreed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is still no robust monitoring in place to ensure that the care practice and the progression and outcomes for children are evaluated by the manager. The development plan still needs to be completed. The independent visitor’s reports assist the manager with some monitoring, but there has been no consent from social workers or children for the visitor to read children’s files.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The house has gone through a redecoration programme. It is clean, bright and welcoming. A new modern kitchen has been installed and the downstairs area has been repainted and has had new flooring. The bathrooms have been redecorated and some of the children’s rooms have been newly redecorated. A child was very proud of her room and the wallpaper that she had chosen. The garden is also having some work done in the next few weeks. A new shed has been purchased and some decking is due to be put in the garden, which will make it more inviting for children.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by Buckinghamshire County Council and provides residential care for up to six young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/09/2016 Full Good 25/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/08/2015 Full Good 09/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) meet(s) 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

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires. ( Regulation 44(2)(b)) 01/06/17

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within five working days of the use of a measure of control discipline or restraint, the registered person or authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure used. (Regulation 35(3)(c)) 01/06/17

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Requirement Due date

14. In order to meet the care planning standard the registered person must ensure: (f) that staff help each child to access and contribute to the records kept by the registered person in relation to the child. 01/06/17

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Requirement Due date

13. In order to meet the leadership and management standard, with particular reference to having a development plan in place for the home, the registered person should: (2)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. 01/06/17

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The registered person should ensure that skills in safeguarding are gained, refreshed and recorded in the home’s workforce plan. This is in relation to the manager having the relevant safeguarding training. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.12)  The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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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 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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