Children's Home run by Action for Children Services Ltd in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC424089 1 SC424089

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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

A national children’s charity runs this home. It comprises two separate living areas: one specifically for children who may require additional support associated with their disability and one for children who require some degree of nursing care. According to its statement of purpose, this short-breaks service provides care for children with learning and physical disabilities and sensory impairments.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 2016.

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This monitoring visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions, this monitoring visit was undertaken by using off-site activities, including a video tour, telephone interviews and reviewing documents sent to the inspector by email.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted was concerned about the provider’s delay in making notifications to Ofsted about safeguarding events. Consequently, the focus of this visit was to review the home’s safeguarding policy and staff practices. The inspector also followed up on the progress of leaders in meeting the three requirements and two recommendations made from the last inspection. The recent changes in the leadership and management of the home were also explored.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have ensured continuity for the children and the staff team by appointing a temporary manager to cover the registered manager’s planned absence. The temporary manager was successfully registered in December 2020, and there are clear plans in place for the permanent registered manager’s return. The temporary registered manager has worked at the service for many years and has a good knowledge and understanding of the children and the families she Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC424089 2 supports. The staff said that she is approachable and child-focused and has helped them individually with their professional development.

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This monitoring visit

Through a virtual tour, which included the children’s bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and communal areas, the environment was seen to be clean, tidy and suitably furnished to meet the needs of the children. For example, there is a well-equipped sensory room, large open space soft play and lots of arts and craft materials. The staff have encouraged the children to buy individual bedding for their bedrooms, as well as other soft furnishings. This allows for a more comfortable and familiar setting when the children stay. As a result, the previous requirement in respect of the premises is met.

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This monitoring visit

The staff attend termly meetings with education providers to discuss the children’s individual communication tools and targets. Since the national lockdown restrictions, the staff continue to do this, albeit virtually. This continued liaison benefits the children, as it supports their continuity of care and increases the opportunity to achieve communication outcomes sooner. As a result, the previous recommendation with regards to working in partnership with associated professionals is met.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders have purchased some individual communication aids for the children, and they have installed a communication programme on one computer. This has enabled the staff to create social stories and convert important documents into symbol and easy-read formats. This helps the children to better understand processes, such as how to make a complaint or report a worry. Such improvements increase the children’s opportunities and ability to communicate with the adults who care for them.

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This monitoring visit

The temporary registered manager and the staff understand how to report and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns on most occasions. However, on one occasion, managers did not report or respond appropriately to an allegation made about a member of staff. As a result, safeguarding professionals were not immediately informed or consulted. This delay presented unnecessary risks for the children and the staff involved.

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This monitoring visit

This isolated example has driven leaders to take action to be reassured of the staff’s understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. This includes the completion of, and focus on, mandatory safeguarding training as part of the new staff’s induction process, which helps the staff to fully grasp the home’s safeguarding procedures early on. Staff spoken with were able to speak with the inspector convincingly about this. Leaders follow good safer recruitment practice guidance, and the staff training focuses on keeping the children safe in the context of the safeguarding risks that are posed by the children’s vulnerabilities.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, a significant incident occurred when the staff failed to recognise that a medication dispensing and administration error had been made. Consequently, the child received an incorrect dosage of medication on more than Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC424089 3 one occasion, until this was noticed by a staff member. Once alerted, managers took immediate action to safeguard the child and inform relevant people. Managers have since ensured that the learning outcomes have been actioned and focused in a way that reduces the risk of reoccurrence. All staff involved have had their competencies reassessed, and training has been adapted to include medication conversion factors. Managers are reassured about the impact of this learning and improved staff practice, due to no further such incidents over the 18 months that have since elapsed.

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This monitoring visit

Both these examples demonstrate the culture of learning that is evident in the practice of leadership. Consequently, the previous requirement in respect of monitoring and reviewing to drive improvements is met.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last full inspection in July 2019, there have been occasions when serious events have not been notified to Ofsted in a timely manner. The temporary registered manager demonstrated a clear understanding of regulatory time frames, however, and this omission has not occurred since her registration with Ofsted in December 2020.

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This monitoring visit

In response to the previous requirement about supplying Ofsted with any revisions to the statement of purpose, the most recent version was received in October 2020. This previous requirement is met. In response to the previous recommendation about the use of ‘safety beds’, clear written plans for such use are now in place. This guidance is followed in practice. Consequently, this previous recommendation is met and serves to prevent any potential misuse.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has successfully addressed all the previous requirements and recommendations. Leadership arrangements are sound, and the improvements identified from this inspection have had a positive impact on the experiences for the children during their stays. No requirements or recommendations are made from this inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/07/2019 Full Good 20/08/2018 Full Good 25/07/2017 Full Good 21/12/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC424089 4

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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.

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Shelagh Frankcom

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Children’s home details

Cinnamon Short, temporary registered manager

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Inspector

Kelly Monniot, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC424089 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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