Children's Home run by MacIntyre Care in Hertfordshire

Inspection report children’s home: 2510323 1 Registered provider: MacIntyre Care Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home, which is run by a private organisation, looks after children aged 11 to 18 who have learning disabilities. The manager has been in post since December 2019.

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Inspection date: 4 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2510323 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 improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met two of the three requirements and all six of the recommendations that were made at the last inspection. The unmet requirement will be repeated. The children continue to make good progress. They have trusting relationships with a consistent staff team that knows and understands them. The staff evidence children’s progress in a way in that is meaningful to the child. The staff are proud of the children’s individual progress and celebrate their achievements with them. Communication and gaining children’s views have improved. The staff use a variety of methods to ensure that children’s wishes and feelings are listened to and acted on. Since the last inspection, two children have moved to alternative placements and one child has successfully returned to live with their family. The manager has developed the impact risk assessments, considering children’s needs and compatibility. This means that placements are being matched effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two of the children attend full-time education. One child is on a reduced education timetable. The staff are working closely with the education provider to ensure that the child is getting the support that she needs. Risk assessments are comprehensive and regularly reviewed and updated. Child- friendly placement plans guide the staff in how to work with children on a day-to- day basis and incorporate their long-term plans. Staff receive regular good-quality supervision. The manager supports the staff to have one-to-one sessions to review working practices and any conflicts. A member of staff said that she found this supportive and feels that it has made the team stronger and communication more transparent. The staff have ensured that there are communication aids around the home to support the children. Pictorial complaints forms help the children to understand how to make a complaint. The manager responds using Picture Exchange Communication

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Systems or Widgets so that the children understand the action taken and the outcome. The manager has reviewed the location risk assessment, considering risks in the local area and how these can be reduced. The assessment is robust and guides the staff in keeping the children safe. The home is decorated to a high standard. Children’s bedrooms are individually personalised and reflect the children’s personalities and tastes. Inspection report children’s home: 2510323 3 Safeguarding incidents are managed well. The manager reports concerns appropriately and takes advice from the designated officer. However, some notifications to Ofsted have been late. This prevents Ofsted from having a current view of how well the children are safeguarded. Inspection report children’s home: 2510323 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/08/2019 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 2510323 5

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— there is any incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(4)(e)) 02/04/2020

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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: 2510323 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 602 South Seventh Street, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK9 2JA

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Inspectors

Trish Palmer, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2510323 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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