Children's home run by Action for Children Services Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1271380 1

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Action For Children

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This short-break service for children is run by a national charity. All children have a learning disability and additional complex needs in relation to either emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since 15 March 2019.

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This monitoring visit

This visit followed the children’s home being judged as declined in effectiveness at the interim inspection on 16 January 2020. A compliance notice was issued on 21 January 2020 due to breaches to Regulation 25. Three requirements and two recommendations were also raised.

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This monitoring visit

During this inspection, the inspector found that the necessary steps had been taken to ensure that the home’s fire arrangements were safe. The compliance notice issued in relation to Regulation 25 is met.

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This monitoring visit

A requirement was issued in relation to Regulation 13. In response, a workforce plan has been developed to ensure that the staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child.

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This monitoring visit

Monitoring and review systems in relation to the recording of fire checks have been improved. However, the manager had not signed the children’s personal emergency education plans to evidence that these had been completed. This requirement has been reissued and will be reviewed at the next inspection.

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This monitoring visit

A requirement in relation to Regulation 14 has been met. Care plans are reviewed and updated when new information becomes available. Any changes to plans are communicated to staff, who sign the records to verify that they have read and understand the changes. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1271380 2 A requirement was raised because there was no registered manager for the home. The new manager submitted his application for registration to Ofsted on 20 February 2020. The requirement has not been met and is repeated to allow time for the application process to be completed.

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This monitoring visit

Two recommendations were made at the interim inspection, which have now been met.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/01/2020 Interim Declined in effectiveness 26/06/2019 Full Good 06/02/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1271380 3

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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 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 their full potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(h)) 30/04/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if— there is no registered manager in respect of the home. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)) 29/05/2020

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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. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1271380 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Action For Children

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3 The Boulevard Ascot Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 8AG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Shelagh Frankcom

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Inspector

Suzy Lemmy, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1271380 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 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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