Children's home run by Hertfordshire County Council in Dacorum

Assurance visit report: SC458141 1 SC458141

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Information about this children’s home

This local-authority home provides care for up to seven children aged between 10 and 18 years, who have been assessed as unable to live in the family home and require a period of positive residential care.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered since 2012.

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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. 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: SC458141 2

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The care of children

Six children were living at the home during the time of the initial COVID-19 national lockdown. Two children moved temporarily for three weeks during a COVID-19 outbreak at the home.

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The care of children

The children benefited from clear, structured routines and spending quality time with the staff. The staff and children took part in planned activities to keep them busy during the period of the COVID-19 restrictions.

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The care of children

The children have built and maintained strong and trusting relationships with a staff team that knows and understands their individual needs and characteristics. Positive interactions between the staff and children were observed by the inspector during the assurance visit.

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The care of children

During the pandemic, several staff and children contracted COVID-19. This was managed well, with a core staff team working at the home alongside established agency staff to care for the children. A social worker and a parent said that the children were well cared for during this time and that communication was excellent.

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The care of children

The children were able to continue with their education during the pandemic. Schools sent work for children to undertake with the staff. Once the restrictions were lifted and the home became free of COVID-19, children were able to return to their education provision.

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The care of children

The staff used social stories and picture systems to help the children to understand why they could not attend school or have regular contact with their families. The staff supported the children to speak with their parents using video calls. Parents said that this worked well and that they were able to have regular virtual visits with their children.

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The safety of children

Staff considered the children’s levels of understanding and individual communication needs to help them to understand the pandemic and the impact that this has had on their lives.

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The safety of children

The staff continue to safeguard the children well. All concerns are reported to the relevant professionals, and managers follow advice and direction effectively.

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The safety of children

Comprehensive risk assessments and behaviour management plans are regularly reviewed and updated. The staff know who to report concerns to and they follow the advice given.

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The safety of children

The staff have a good understanding of the children’s health needs and have ensured that health appointments have been attended. Some of these have been via video for children who have not been able to attend personally. Assurance visit report: SC458141 3

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Leaders and managers

A stable staff team has been in place during the pandemic. This has ensured that positive, safe relationships have been maintained. The manager used the effective contingency plan when the home went into lockdown due to COVID-19. This ensured that children remained safe during the pandemic.

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Leaders and managers

Comprehensive monitoring is in place. The independent visitor’s reports are shared with staff and used to develop the home. Regular good-quality supervision enables the staff to work effectively with the children and helps staff to develop their practice.

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Leaders and managers

Partnership working between the manager and external professionals is effective. A social worker said that communication during this period has been excellent and any concerns have been passed on to them.

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Leaders and managers

The staff have undertaken the organisation’s mandatory training online. Some face- to-face training has been booked for the new year.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has met all the requirements and recommendations that were raised at the last inspection.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hertfordshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Apsley One, Brindley Way, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP3 9BF

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Inspector

Trish Palmer, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC458141 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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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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