Children's home run by Action for Children Services Ltd

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a charity. It is registered for up to four children, aged up to 18, who have a sensory impairment and/or a learning and/or physical disability.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager was registered with Ofsted on 5 September 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 7 January 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: 2537149 2

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The care of children

Children have trusting relationships with staff, who have a thorough understanding of children’s needs. Staff provide warm and consistent care, with clear guidance and appropriate boundaries.

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The care of children

Staff have supported children to maintain their relationships with family. Opportunities to spend good-quality time together have been carefully managed at the home and in the community, including visits to an outdoor zoo, the beach and country walks with picnics.

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The care of children

Staff encourage children to share their wishes and feelings about what matters to them, including any worries about their family or school. Staff are creative and use social stories, communication aids, drawings and games to assist children.

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The care of children

The manager and staff keep the home exceptionally clean and tidy. Children personalise the home with fairy lights, drawings and lots of games. Bedrooms are individually decorated with lots of photographs and items of choice. During the pandemic, children have spent time enjoying arts and crafts and the trampoline, planting vegetables and playing football in the garden.

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The safety of children

Children are safe living at this home. Staff have prioritised their well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic by following government guidelines and implementing robust hygiene processes.

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The safety of children

The manager ensures that behaviour and risk management plans are regularly updated. Plans provide clear guidance to staff about how to keep children safe. Physical restraint is used as a last resort and is of a low level. Records are comprehensive and meet regulations.

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The safety of children

The manager has ensured safer recruitment processes include all the necessary checks and requirements to prioritise the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has worked hard to make several improvements to the quality of care provided to children since the last inspection. Monitoring and review systems are used well ensuring that the manager has effective oversight.

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Leaders and managers

Staff receive regular and good-quality supervision that enables them to meet the needs of children. Staff feel supported and ‘love working’ at this home.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has effective systems in place to ensure staff complete mandatory training. The manager has been creative in her approach, to make sure staff receive Assurance visit report: 2537149 3 training online and face to face, including behaviour management and restraint training, safeguarding, first-aid and medication training.

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Leaders and managers

Staff speak very highly of the registered manager and describe her as ‘very supportive’ and ‘approachable’. Managers and staff have worked flexibly to maintain the care to children and no agency staff have been used during the pandemic.

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Leaders and managers

The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. No requirements or recommendations are made following this visit.

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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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Inspector

Anna Gravelle, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2537149 4 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

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