Children's home run by Action for Children in Watford

Inspection report children’s home: SC020675 1 SC020675 Registered provider: Action for Children Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This service is owned and operated by a National Charity. The home provides long- term care and shared care for up to four children. The home provides care for children with learning and/or multiple disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The current manager successfully registered with Ofsted in September 2018

p.1

Enforcement action since last inspection:

None. Inspection report children’s home: SC020675 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/05/2019 Full Good 03/12/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/03/2018 Interim Not judged 19/12/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC020675 3

p.2

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.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection of the home, in May 2019, Ofsted made two statutory requirements and four recommendations. The registered manager has successfully addressed these shortfalls.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers now ensure that they follow safer recruitment procedures. They seek all of the relevant previous employment references for permanent staff, and complete full employment histories for any agency staff that they use. This means that managers can confirm that all staff who are supporting the children are deemed suitable to do so. This helps to protect children from abuse or harm.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has strengthened relationships between the service and other professionals. There is now an escalation policy in place to support key workers to liaise with children’s social workers. This ensures that they receive all of the relevant and up-to-date local authority care plans. Consequently, internal support plans reflect the aims and objectives of the placing authority. This provides children with well-planned, bespoke care and support, and allows them to thrive.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has reviewed and revised internal monitoring systems. These now support her to identify links between the quality of care provided by the service and children’s progress. For example, the introduction of innovative digital communication tools means that children now have more ways to express their opinions. The registered manager uses this feedback to shape service development plans and ensure that these focus on positive outcomes for children.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Relationships between children and staff remain exceptionally positive and this is a considerable strength of the service. Staff know and understand children’s complex needs well. They continually consult with children to gain their views and wishes. Staff incorporate these into their internal care and support plans. This means that children are fully involved in making decisions about their care.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has reviewed the risk assessment relating to the location of the home. This now includes local factors, such as busy roads, that may impact on children’s safety.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children continue to live in a well-maintained home. Their bedrooms are beautifully decorated to reflect their personal tastes, likes and choices. In addition, managers and staff have adorned communal areas with soft furnishings, children’s drawings, ornaments and pictures chosen by children, and child-friendly information boards Inspection report children’s home: SC020675 4 and displays. This greatly improves the vast corridor areas of the home and creates a warm, welcoming and homely environment.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager promotes a culture of achievement that celebrates children’s abilities and does not define them by their disabilities. This collective ethos is the focus of routines in the home, and means that children’s day-to-day experiences are immensely positive. Inspection report children’s home: SC020675 5

p.4

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.

p.5

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: SC020675 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Action for Children

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.6

Inspector

Jo Stephenson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC020675 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7