Children's home run by Hertfordshire County Council in Dacorum

Inspection report for children’s home: SC458141 1 SC458141 Registered provider: Hertfordshire County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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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 require a period of residential care.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC458141 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/08/2021 Full Good 09/05/2019 Full Good 16/05/2018 Full Good 02/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC458141 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of this inspection, six children were living at the home. The children have been living together harmoniously for a long period of time and benefit from a stable home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have complex communication needs. Staff use creative ways to help children to communicate and express their views. Staff show understanding, kindness and patience to support the children. The children have good relationships with the staff which help the children to feel valued, respected and safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have good relationships with children’s parents. They encourage children to spend time with their families. The staff supported one child to see their family after a period of time without contact. The staff listened to the child’s wishes and planned for him to see his family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff provide consistent care. The children benefit from an established staff team. Parents said that the staff and managers are excellent and provide good care for their children. Parents have confidence in the staff. One parent said that she knows how happy her child is because the child responds positively to staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children all attend education placements that meet their specific needs. Staff support children to attend school. One child has a complex medical condition that can make him tired. Staff go to the school daily to support the child to have a rest and help him manage a longer school day. Children are prepared to return to school after the school holidays, which makes the adjustment easier.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the children’s complex health needs. One child has a condition that means, at times, he needs hospital treatment. The manager has worked with qualified health specialists to ensure there is a clear protocol for staff to follow. Working closely with health specialists ensures that staff respond quickly and effectively to children’s health concerns.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to choose a range of new and enriching activities. One child is part of a music club and is due to perform in a concert. Another child performed at her dance club. Children enjoy swimming, day trips and holidays to the seaside. A therapy dog visits the home. These opportunities improve children’s self-esteem and their social and emotional development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is spacious, colourful and welcoming. There are photos of children displayed throughout the home. Children’s bedrooms have different themes that the children have chosen. There is a playroom for them to enjoy and a sensory room to relax in. The children benefit from an inclusive environment and they are given a choice of decor, which makes them feel part of the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC458141 4

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The children do not leave the home without permission. The staff rarely use physical interventions and, when these are used, they are appropriate, necessary and proportionate. Staff are supportive and nurturing to children during any incidents. Staff encourage the children to reflect after incidents and help them to manage their emotions in a safe way. Supporting children in this way has resulted in a reduction in the number of physical interventions.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Risk assessments are regularly updated, clear and individualised. These guide the staff well. Clear guidance helps the staff to minimise risks to children.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children’s individual care plans include behaviour support guidance. The plans provide strategies for staff to help children to safely manage their emotions. Children contribute to care plans, and this helps the staff know how children want to be cared for. Staff understand how to support children and what children need to manage their feelings.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager has a detailed location risk assessment. The assessment includes potential risks to children in the local area and how the risks are minimised. The manager has also shared the assessment with relevant professionals. Risks to children are carefully considered and reviewed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and qualified for the role. She has a level 5 diploma in management. The manager has high aspirations for children. She is a good role model for the staff, who benefit from her guidance and knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have regular, good-quality supervisions. Staff said that the managers are supportive and easy to approach. The managers recognise the importance of staff well-being. The staff benefit from a monthly group supported by a psychotherapist. This guides the staff and helps them to feel valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager understands the importance of advocating on behalf of children. One child who required hospital treatment was admitted to an adult hospital ward. The child found this overwhelming. The manager held a meeting with hospital staff and the children’s nurse. As a result of the meeting, the child was allocated to a children’s ward.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that there are high ratios of staff supporting the children. There is a stable core team of staff. When agency staff work at the home, they work with experienced core staff. Some of the agency workers have previously worked at the home and know the children. The manager ensures children have consistent care and staff who can meet their needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC458141 5 Most of the staff have the relevant level 3 diploma or are working towards this. However, one member of staff has not finished the diploma within the agreed time frame. Some of the staff have not had specific training in safeguarding children with disabilities. This does not ensure that all staff have the knowledge and skills for their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s record-keeping is generally good. However, part of the training matrix does not reflect the staff’s current training. On one occasion, the manager has failed to record a debrief with staff following an incident. The training records are confusing, and some aspects of children’s records are not accurate.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has recently updated the home’s statement of purpose. However, the manager has not sent an updated version to Ofsted. This does not provide Ofsted with current and relevant information. Inspection report for children’s home: SC458141 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s updated statement of purpose is sent to Ofsted following review. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.5)  The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate training and resources to support their training needs. In particular, they should have training in safeguarding disabled children and should complete the level 3 qualification within agreed time frames. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, they should keep clear records of training and incident debriefs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the

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Recommendations

quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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 for children’s home: SC458141 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hertfordshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford SG13 8DQ

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC458141 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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