Children's home run by CareTech Community Services Limited in Hertsmere

Inspection report children's home: SC407326 1 SC407326 Registered provider: CareTech Community Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A private organisation operates this setting. The on-site school provides education for children up to 16 years of age.

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Information about this children's home

Judgement at last inspection: Requires improvement to be good

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Four requirements and two recommendations were set at the last inspection. One of the requirements has not been met and is restated.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s location risk assessment continues to contradict the children’s individual risk assessments. For example, the missing-from-home risk assessments for the children advise the staff not to follow the children if they approach the road while the home’s location risk assessment gives clear instruction to the staff to follow the children if they go missing from the home. This contradiction in the records means that the staff do not benefit from clear and consistent guidance. This is of particular concern given that the home is in close proximity to an extremely busy and dangerous road. It is of further concern that this shortfall was raised previously but has not been addressed. Inspection report children's home: SC407326 2 The children receive one-to-one care. A sample of the rotas showed that this care has remained consistent. However, the absence of the registered manager and a team leader has contributed to a failure to provide an experienced and qualified member of

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

staff on some shifts. The failure to ensure that staff who are in their probationary period have consistent on-site support from a suitably qualified senior member of staff puts children at risk, and means that staff practice is not monitored effectively.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been four incidents of children going missing since the last inspection. During this inspection, the staff were unable to locate past records in a timely manner due to poor filing systems. For example, information was initially given that a child had been missing on two occasions. However, the child had in fact been missing from the home on three occasions. Failure to ensure that record-keeping systems are clear and accurate makes it difficult for staff to access a full picture of incidents at the home. Furthermore, it makes monitoring incidents, to ensure that effective action has been taken, difficult.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A complaint record contained no outcome or feedback to the child. The content of the complaint was in fact an allegation made by a child against a member of staff. The organisation has taken appropriate action in respect of the staff member’s practice. However, there is lack of clarity in records that prevents effective monitoring. It also prevents Ofsted as the regulator from fully understanding what is happening at the home and assessing whether any regulatory action is required in order to ensure that the children are safeguarded effectively.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff keep the house clean and tidy. However, the decor is tired in appearance and fails to offer a welcoming environment for the children. One of the children has caused damage to furniture and the property itself, resulting in replacement and repairs being required. Although the damaged furniture has been removed to ensure that the environment is safe, this has resulted in the home now being sparsely furnished. The acting manager has made plans for improvements to the decor, and new furniture is being ordered. However, this much-needed work to provide a homely environment for the children has not yet commenced.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two children currently live at the home. No children have left the home since the last inspection. One child’s progress in their education continues and she has clear goals for her future, which the staff actively support and encourage. The child who has been admitted since the last inspection experienced a planned transition and the staff visited her prior to her arrival. Initial progress was made in her education attendance, but it has declined significantly. She constantly refuses to attend education and expresses a wish to be placed elsewhere. The acting manager has consulted with the child and is actively working with the placing authority to look at the options for her.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Professionals spoken with during this inspection were complimentary about the commitment of staff and the level of communication from the home. A social worker commented, ‘I can’t fault the communication and the input by staff. I receive weekly reports, and I am contacted immediately if there is an issue.’ Inspection report children's home: SC407326 3 The staff apply sanctions for negative behaviour, and they encourage positive behaviour with rewards. The sanctions are restorative in nature, and fair. The staff explain the reason for the sanction and follow up incidents with key-work sessions. This helps the children to recognise negative behaviour and explore alternative ways to manage their emotions.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met three of the requirements set at the last inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

 A tumble dryer that posed a potential fire risk has been replaced.  The home’s statement of purpose now contains up-to-date and accurate information detailing the current staffing.  The staff have reviewed the children’s placement plans, which are now updated promptly. The plans are in line with the placing authority’s plans and provide accurate information, enabling the staff to understand the children’s individual needs.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met the two recommendations set at the last inspection. There have been three physical interventions since the last inspection. The manager was not directly involved in these incidents, but arrangements are in place for external oversight should the manage be involved. The records of the incidents show that the children have the opportunity to talk through each incident that they are involved in. This enables the children to think about their behaviour and helps them to make better choices in the future.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this inspection, no concerns were highlighted regarding the recruitment procedures of the most recent members of staff. Recruitment processes include verification of references. Any gaps in employment are checked, and new staff do not start until all of the checks are completed. This helps to ensure that only suitable adults are employed to work with the children.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/06/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/07/2016 Full Inadequate 17/05/2016 Full Inadequate 04/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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What does the children's home need to do to improve?

Inspection report children's home: SC407326 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who understand the children's home's overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children and use this understanding to deliver care that meets children's needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6(1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that repairs are carried out within reasonable timescales and that the decor is maintained to provide a well-kept and homely environment. 02/04/2018

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure 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 and that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that risk assessments are clear and that they are consistent with other documentation in respect of the risks and responses associated with the proximity of the dual carriageway and children going missing. 02/03/2018

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Requirement Due date

*The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that helps children aspire to fulfil their potential and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child, and to 02/03/2018 Inspection report children's home: SC407326 5 use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13(1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular:  Take urgent action to ensure that the home’s location risk assessment and the children’s individual risk assessments are consistent, providing clear guidance to staff about the action to take in the event that a child goes missing. Staff members’ knowledge and understanding must be regularly reviewed and evaluated.  Ensure that the systems for recording, storing, reviewing and monitoring all of the records held at the home are effective and provide an accurate account of incidents at the home.  Ensure that the deployment of staff is safe and effective, with clearly defined monitoring and review of new and/or inexperienced staff through direct supervision and the day-to-day management oversight of the home.

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Requirement Due date

* These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the 'Social care common inspection framework', this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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'.

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Children's home details

Inspection report children's home: SC407326 6 Unique reference number: SC407326

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Children's home details

Registered provider: CareTech Community Services Limited

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: CareTech Community Services Limited, 5th Floor Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Lynne Drage, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC407326 7 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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