Children's Home run by Action for Children in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC426172 1 SC426172

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Action For Children

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A large charitable organisation operates this service. The home provides short breaks for up to six children who have learning difficulties and/or physical disabilities.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to review the progress made by the provider in meeting the two compliance notices that were issued following the full inspection on 5 December 2017. These notices related to the failure to comply with the regulations in respect of the protection of children, and in respect of leadership and management. This monitoring visit has found that the compliance notices have been met. This inspection judges the overall experiences and progress for the children as requires improvement to be good.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, the manager has implemented a number of changes in respect of the checks undertaken by the staff during the night. The two requirements set at the last inspection have been met in relation to safeguarding notifications and a job description for the waking-night staff. A new job description has been drafted for the waking-night role. With the exception of an update about an incident, there have been no further safeguarding notifications since the last inspection. A number of checks and child-centred duties are now in place for the waking-night staff. These additional safeguards direct the staff to monitor and protect the children through the night.

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This monitoring visit

 The organisation has undertaken its own safeguarding review. Practice at the home is monitored. A new waking-night system is in place. This includes the Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC426172 2 use of electronic fobs. The manager advised that there will be continued introduction of new technology to further improve safety. The role of the waking-night staff has changed. The focus of this role is more child-centred. The waking-night staff undertake regular monitoring to ensure that the children are settled. The staff carry with them appropriate equipment. This equipment helps them to make sure that the children are checked and monitored safely. The equipment includes the use of walkie-talkies and a pager system which is linked to bedroom door alarms. These actions help to ensure that children are safeguarded during their overnight stays.  Risk assessments are up to date and identify the safeguards required during

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This monitoring visit

the night. These assessments provide information about the use of night alarms for the children and clear guidance for the staff, which enables them to identify potential risks for the children and follow the strategies outlined in the assessments. The staff read risk assessments and placement plans.  Children’s placement plans are up to date. Plans for the two new children do not yet detail specific monitoring details overnight, but these are to be updated. The manager has identified that this process needs to be streamlined.  The manager recognises that the staff records need further work to ensure consistency. She continues to work closely with the staff team, reviewing records and ensuring that the correct processes are followed.  The lone-working assessment for the staff has been reviewed and is up to date. The manager ensures that all of the staff understand this risk assessment.  There are two dedicated waking-night staff, who are aware of their roles and

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This monitoring visit

responsibilities. The staff understand their responsibilities on shift and their primary responsibility to safeguard the children in their care. The staff undertake regular checks on the children. This means that the children’s whereabouts are known, to safeguard them overnight.  The manager audits the monitoring records weekly, and follows up any issues. The audits enable her to have an overview of any emerging patterns and also inform the matching process. This management oversight ensures that the staff recording is consistent and reflects an accurate account of the children’s overnight stays.  A new referral form has been designed to capture all relevant information about potential new admissions. The staff are already seeking this information and asking questions about the services that the children have previously accessed. The referral process is to be further developed in partnership with the local authority. Relevant and current information accurately informs

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This monitoring visit

placement plans and risk assessments for each child.  The manager has made a number of changes to ensure that the staff are trained and supervised. This is in the early stages. Waking-night staff are involved in the team meetings, and the manager supervises them on a Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC426172 3 monthly basis. The staff have undertaken safeguarding training specifically for serious events. Issues are discussed in supervision. There are plans for safeguarding training to take place on a quarterly basis at the home.  The number of changes made are having a positive impact on the safety of the children overnight, and address the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. The manager has identified that there are still areas requiring improvement and further development and has plans in place to address them.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 05/12/2017 Full Inadequate 05/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/09/2016 Full Good 29/04/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC426172 4

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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.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Action For Children

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Action for Children, 3 The Boulevard, Ascot Road, Watford WD18 8AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Shelagh Frankcom

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Inspector

Debbie Young, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC426172 5 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, 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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