Children's home run by CareTech Community Services Limited in Hertsmere

Inspection report children’s home: SC426719 1 SC426719 Registered provider: CareTech Community Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for six children with physical and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The current manager registered with Ofsted in December 2021 and is suitably qualified.

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Inspection date: 29 March 2022

Date of last inspection: 7 December 2021

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Inspection date: 29 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 29 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC426719 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No new children have moved into or on from the home since the last inspection. Children benefit from staff who demonstrate commitment to meeting their needs and keeping them safe. As a result, most children make good progress relative to their individual circumstances.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection in December 2021, six requirements and one recommendation were raised. Four of the requirements and the recommendation have been met. The quality of physical intervention records has improved. The manager now shares incident reports with children’s local authorities without delay. Staff receive regular supervision that supports and challenges their performance to improve. Improved safer recruitment measures ensure that staff are vetted and assessed as suitable before any appointment is made. Arrangements for children’s health appointments have been strengthened to include consultation with those who hold parental responsibility.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home environment has improved. For example, the lounge and bathroom areas have been painted. However, the home would benefit from further work. The manager has areas of development planned. This includes decorating children’s bedrooms and replacing damaged furniture.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Training records show that there has been an increase in the number of staff receiving training since the last inspection. At the home’s last inspection, the percentage of staff who had completed training was 40%. This number has now risen to 68%. Although this demonstrates some progress, this improvement work does not go far enough because not all staff’s training is up to date and some staff still have gaps in their knowledge and skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s individual plans identify any risks they may face and outline effective strategies to ensure that their welfare is protected. Staff have a clear understanding of children’s vulnerabilities relating to their level of disability. This enables staff to ensure that children are safe at home and while out in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All children are engaged in education. Staff continue to place a high value on education and work collaboratively with children and schools to overcome barriers and support learning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is now a core staff team. Some of the staff are still relatively new, but they are gradually gaining experience with the guidance and support of the manager. The Inspection report children’s home: SC426719 3 manager has improved the ethos of the home and emphasised the importance of spending time with children so that positive relationships are forged.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the home’s last inspection, the number of incidents requiring physical intervention has reduced. This is a consequence of positive interventions at an early stage and recognising and rewarding positive behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff advocate on behalf of the children, know them well and understand their needs. Staff promote contact between the children and their families and significant people. Inspection report children’s home: SC426719 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/12/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/10/2019 Full Outstanding 19/02/2019 Full Outstanding 07/03/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC426719 5

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s homes overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the home is maintained to a good standard throughout. 16 May 2022

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)) 31 May 2022 Inspection report children’s home: SC426719 6 In particular, ensure that children receive care from trained staff. In addition, ensure that managers monitor staff training effectively so that they can ensure that staff keep up to date with training as needed.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report children’s home: SC426719 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: CareTech Community Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: CareTech Community Services Limited, 5th Floor Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

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Inspector

Dave Carrigan, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC426719 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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