Children's home run by Hertfordshire County Council in Dacorum

Assurance visit report: SC400301 1 SC400301

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home, which is run by a local authority, provides care for up to five children. It aims to provide high-quality care that makes children feel safe and nurtured. There is an acting manager in post who is not yet registered. The registered manager left the home on 30 June 2020.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 20 November 2019

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Improved effectiveness

p.1

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).

p.1

Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

p.1

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.

p.1

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.

p.1

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: SC400301 2

p.1

The care of children

There are five children living at the home. One child moved into the home during the period from 1 April 2020 to date.

p.2

The care of children

The inspector was aware during this assurance visit that an alleged serious incident had occurred since the last inspection. This was investigated by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the home in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the visit. This informed the inspector’s judgement.

p.2

The care of children

The children said that the staff have helped them to understand the COVID-19 pandemic. The children and staff are provided with the personal protective equipment that they need to maintain their safety. Comprehensive measures have been implemented to reduce the potential for transmission of COVID-19.

p.2

The care of children

Some areas of the home have been decorated and there is a plan to continue redecoration. However, one child’s bedroom door had an obscenity written on it and another child’ s shower cubicle door was missing. These shortfalls do not contribute to a homely environment for children.

p.2

The care of children

The staff encourage the children to use their skills positively. This helps to build positive relationships between the staff and the children. The children spoken with during the visit named staff with whom they could speak if they have a worry or a concern.

p.2

The care of children

The staff are creative in distracting the children from engaging in negative behaviours and situations. These distractions have varying levels of success. An innovative measure was used by the staff to prevent one child’s engagement in anti- social behaviours from increasing. Managers recognised that the child’s cycle of behaviour needed to be broken to prevent the child from being exposed to further harm. The measure was successful, and the child’s outcomes improved as a result.

p.2

The care of children

Two children undertake voluntary work, and this is fully supported by the staff. The staff support the children to engage in their education packages, some of which are bespoke. The staff are skilled at providing tailored care and promoting education which is specific to the children’s needs. However, engagement in education for some children is not consistent. To improve educational engagement, the staff have created reward targets to increase the children’s motivation to regularly attend school and college.

p.2

The safety of children

Since 1 April 2020, there has been an increase in children’s risk-taking behaviours such as substance misuse and going missing from the home. The children’s complex histories and presenting behaviours mean that there are times when they are at very high risk of harm. There are concerns that some of the children have been Assurance visit report: SC400301 3 exposed to criminal and sexual exploitation. The management team works well with external professionals to reduce the risks. The risk management plans are clear, and the staff are aware of the children’s risk reduction strategies.

p.2

The safety of children

Several children engage in substance misuse. The staff have not received training in managing substance misuse, which means that they are not well equipped to respond effectively.

p.3

The safety of children

Restraint, when used, is reasonable and proportionate. However, one incident of restraint involving the manager was not monitored or reviewed by someone senior to him. This reduces objective oversight of practice. A previous requirement regarding staff being trained in restraint and de-escalation is restated as the staff have not received any training in restraint since before May 2019. Given the nature of some of the children’s volatile behaviour, this gap in training has the potential to affect the staff’s ability to ensure that children are kept safe, particularly when they are in crisis.

p.3

The safety of children

An allegation was made against staff by a child. In the absence of the manager, a senior manager failed to refer the allegation to the designated officer. Consequently, the referral was not made until 20 days later when the manager returned from leave. Failure to refer concerns promptly prevents effective safeguarding.

p.3

The safety of children

On one occasion, the staffing ratios were reduced due to poor staff practice. This led to a child being denied their medication as there were no suitably trained staff to administer it. Furthermore, the staff who remained on duty were both agency staff members. Failure to ensure that no more than half the staff on duty are agency staff means that children do not benefit from continuity of care.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The registered manager left on 30 June 2020. A new manager has been appointed and has applied to Ofsted to be registered.

p.3

Leaders and managers

External monitoring of the home by an independent visitor is robust. The independent visitor makes clear evaluations of incidents and how these are responded to by staff. Actions recommended by the visitor help to drive improvement.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The staff spoke highly of the new manager and the deputy manager. The staff noted positive changes and improved structure since the new manager’s appointment. The manager is very child focused. He has a clear vision for the home and the children.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Parents and external professionals also spoke highly of the new manager and the staff team. Professionals recognised that some of the children display high-risk behaviours and, at times, are extremely difficult to engage. However, those professionals also recognised that, despite a peak of concerning behaviours in September 2020, there has been a reduction overall in concerning behaviours. They attributed these positive changes to the creative ways in which the staff work with Assurance visit report: SC400301 4 the children and the positive relationships that the staff have established with the children.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Since the last inspection in November 2019, the provider has not undertaken internal monitoring as required by regulation. This shortfall means that there is a lack of managerial monitoring of practice. In addition, several significant incidents, including allegations against staff and children’s involvement in criminal activity, have not been notified to Ofsted. This reduces the effectiveness of the intended safeguards.

p.4

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (c)) This specifically relates to fitting a shower door in a child’s bathroom and removing an obscenity from a child’s bedroom door. 01/01/2021

p.4

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff— are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vii)) This specifically relates to ensuring prompt referral of safeguarding concerns and allegations to the designated officer. 21/12/2020

p.4

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— 21/12/2020 Assurance visit report: SC400301 5 that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b)) In particular, ensure that agreed staffing ratios are maintained and that staff understand their responsibilities when on shift. The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33 (4)) In particular, ensure that all staff have up-to-date training in de-escalation and physical intervention techniques. Furthermore, ensure that staff access training in substance misuse to enable them to support the children effectively. 29/01/2021

p.4

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that— within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)— has spoken to the user about the measure; has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii)) 21/12/2020

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious; there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(b)(c)(e)) 21/12/2020

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months. In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating— the quality of care provided for children; the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and any actions that the registered person considers 29/01/2021 Assurance visit report: SC400301 6 necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children. After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”). The registered person must—

p.5

Requirement Due date

supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home. The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5))

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that no more than half the staff on duty at any one time, by day or night at the home are from an external agency. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.17) Assurance visit report: SC400301 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hertfordshire County Council

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Lianne Bradford, Social Care Inspector Tom Anthony, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC400301 8 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.7

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 .

p.8

Inspector

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8