Children's home run by 5ab Care Ltd

Inspection report children’s home: 2512898 1 Registered provider: 5ab Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It provides care and accommodation for up to two children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

A suitably qualified acting manager is in post. She has submitted her application to become the registered manager of the home.

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Inspection date: 2 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2512898 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Great efforts are made to ensure that young people are engaged and achieving in education. For one young person, this has meant being creative in ensuring that her GCSE programme of work is completed and that she remains on target to achieve predicted grades. Despite individual challenges, staff are tenacious and understand the importance of maintaining positive educational placements. A young person said: ‘The staff put everything in to help young people. I really do appreciate them.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s emotional and mental health needs are well understood. Young people are supported to engage with specialist services. Staff receive regular input from the company’s therapist during team meetings. This helps them to fully meet young people’s emotional and mental health needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff protect young people effectively. A young person said: ‘Staff understand my risks and are managing them the best they can. I think they know me better than I do.’ When young people experience low mood, staff support them effectively. The staff develop strong working relationships with other agencies in order to reduce risks for young people. There is good information sharing with key safeguarding agencies. However, the manager could be more assertive when challenging other safeguarding agencies to improve the service they provide to young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is stable and consistent. The staff team members feel well supported by managers and are provided with good-quality training. Staff also benefit from regular professional supervision. The manager is committed to continual improvement and learns lessons when things have not gone well in the home.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/08/2019 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 2512898 3

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Recommendations

 Regulation 5 sets out overarching requirements that run across all of the Quality Standards. To meet the aspirations embodied in the Quality Standards, children’s homes need to connect with and be part of the wider support system for each child in their care. No children’s home will be able to meet, on its own, all of a child’s needs. It is crucial that the home works in close partnership with all those who play a role in protecting and caring for the child, but particularly the child’s local authority and statutory social worker. The registered person and the staff of the home cannot force a relevant person to engage or work productively with them and the regulation does not require this. The registered person should evidence what they have done to achieve engagement, including any actions taken to escalate concerns. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 11, paragraph 2.3)

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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’. Inspection report children’s home: 2512898 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 71 Knowl Piece, Wilbury Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 0TY

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Inspector

Bev Allison, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2512898 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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