Children's Home run by Action for Children in Shropshire

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2538785 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 children’s home is part of a national charity and commissioned by a local authority to provide a residential short-break service for up to seven children who have learning and/or physical disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably qualified and has been registered with Ofsted since August 2020.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit is the home’s first inspection since being registered with Ofsted in October 2019.

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This monitoring visit

A new manager and a number of new members of staff have been recruited since the home was registered. These changes have helped children to have increased consistency in who is looking after them during their short stays.

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This monitoring visit

Despite the impact caused by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the service has continued to provide short breaks to children. This support has been invaluable to families and has given the children the opportunity to have time with their friends.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have made sure that children are kept busy with a wide range of activities, such as arts and crafts, baking, themed days, garden play and water play. For example, during the summer, staff created a beach that gave the children the opportunity to experience what it would be like at the seaside.

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This monitoring visit

Staff celebrate children’s achievements. The staff proudly ensure that the display boards are covered with photographs that show the achievements that children have made during their stays. This acknowledgement helps children to gain confidence and a sense of pride in what they can achieve. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2538785 2 Managers have responded promptly and appropriately when concerns have been raised. This has included liaising with other professionals to put in place protocols that help to safeguard children.

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This monitoring visit

Despite the home’s many strengths, managers have not ensured that children’s plans and risk assessments are regularly reviewed and kept up to date. Consequently, staff do not always have access to up-to-date information that they need to provide informed care to the children and to have clear strategies in how to respond to risks.

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This monitoring visit

Due to COVID-19, not all staff have received some of their essential training. Managers have not given enough consideration to alternative ways that staff can still receive training that they need. This has caused a delay in some staff having the required skills and knowledge in how to care for some of the children’s individual needs.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have reviewed and updated the home’s statement of purpose. However, they have not updated the required details about staff, including their experience and knowledge. This leaves the reader without essential information about the staff who care for the children.

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; 12/01/2021 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2538785 3 understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development.

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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: 2538785 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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Inspectors

Debbie Bond, social care inspector Mr Sam Dulay-Kainth, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2538785 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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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: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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