Children's Home run by Hertfordshire County Council in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC444176 1 SC444176 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 home is run by a local authority and provides care for up to four children. It aims to provide high-quality care that makes children feel safe and enables them to reach their full potential.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager since June 2022. The new manager has been in post since June 2022 and is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 6 September 2022

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC444176 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/09/2022 Full Inadequate 15/02/2022 Full Good 27/07/2018 Full Outstanding 08/09/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC444176 3

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, no children have moved into the home, and one child has moved on from the home. There was one child living at the home at the time of this inspection. The dynamics at the home have stabilised.

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improvement to be good

The home does not have a homely or welcoming feel. A lot of the carpets are stained and some of the walls need redecoration or cleaning. There are no photos and minimal pictures around the home. There is paint on the patio in the garden.

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improvement to be good

Staff do not consistently listen to the child’s views. The child attends children’s meetings and, on one occasion, raised concerns. The manager did not acknowledge or address the issues. The manager is not consistently recording discussions with the child to capture the child’s views. The child said that the staff do not always ask how she is feeling and that they do not always respond promptly to her requests. The child does not always feel heard, and her feelings are not always validated.

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improvement to be good

The child does not have an education placement. The child attends alternative education provisions twice a week and volunteers once a week. Staff have helped the child with an application to the army. However, there is not always a consistent structure to the child’s day. The manager could not provide information about the period in which the child has been out of education. There is not an up-to-date personal education plan for the child on file. The manager has not challenged the virtual school to ensure that the child’s educational needs are met. The child has not been helped to learn informally and has been at a disadvantage with her education.

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improvement to be good

The child has a clear health care plan. The child has recently been referred to children’s mental health services and is engaging well. The child is also attending equine therapy. The child’s physical and mental health needs are being met.

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improvement to be good

The child was observed with staff baking and putting Christmas decorations up. The child was happy and relaxed with staff. Staff are working hard to build positive relationships with the child.

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improvement to be good

The child is starting to explore hobbies and interests. The child said that they are looking forward to a first horse riding lesson. The child has enjoyed a driving experience and been on holiday to the seaside. Staff and the child have arranged a cream tea morning and invited the local community. The child is being offered enjoyable and enriching experiences.

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improvement to be good

The child has a personalised reward system. The system encourages and promotes positive behaviour. Targets are broken down and manageable. The child is reducing unwanted behaviours and increasing their independence skills. Inspection report for children’s home: SC444176 4 One child was moved on from the home. The manager recognised that the child’s needs were not being met. The manager worked with the social worker to manage the move in a way that was agreed to be in the best interests of the child. The manager and staff settled the child into the child’s new home and plan to visit them again soon. The child has been able to keep in touch with people who are important to them.

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

Since the last inspection, there have been no missing-from-home episodes. Staff have safeguarding training and understand how to follow safeguarding procedures.

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

There has been one allegation. The manager informed the local authority designated officer and social worker. The manager dealt with the allegation promptly and took appropriate action to ensure that the child was safeguarded effectively.

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

The child’s risk assessment is detailed and clear. The assessment provides staff with good guidance on how to manage and reduce risks to the child.

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

The child’s behaviour support plan has relevant information about how to help the child manage behaviours safely. The child has had input into the plan and benefits from staff support, which they respond well to.

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

Since the last inspection, there has been some use of physical intervention and the use of police to help manage children’s behaviour. These interventions have been appropriate and necessary. The child has been spoken to following the incidents. However, the manager has not always debriefed staff or evaluated the incidents for effectiveness. The lack of monitoring could lead to learning opportunities being missed.

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good

The registered manager left in June 2022. The new manager has been in post since that time. The manager is experienced and qualified and is in the process of applying to register with Ofsted. The manager has had support from different managers in the organisation. However, shortfalls remain in the leadership and management of the home.

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good

The child’s records are disorganised and staff training records are confusing. The home’s statement of purpose is not up to date. Disorganised, out-of-date and confusing records make it difficult to understand relevant information.

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good

On one occasion, the manager investigated concerns regarding staff practice and took appropriate action. However, she did not record the conversations that she had with all the staff involved or record the rationale for the decisions made. This does not provide a clear audit trail of actions or ensure that comprehensive information is available if needed in the future. Inspection report for children’s home: SC444176 5 The manager has notified Ofsted of significant incidents. However, there have been three occasions when there have been delays in notifying Ofsted. This reduces Ofsted’s ability to monitor the home effectively.

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good

The quality of the monthly independent person’s review report could not be evaluated due to the short time since the last inspection. The related requirement will be restated and reviewed at the next inspection.

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good

Since the last inspection, two staff have left the home. The managers have focused on recruitment, and staff are due to start working at the home imminently. The manager has been using staff from sister homes and regular agency staff. The child has benefited from more consistent care.

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good

Training is of a good quality. The local authority has developed a six-month training academy programme to induct staff. The programme includes extensive face-to-face training and two work placements. The staff benefit from a training mentor who models providing therapeutic care. The programme is helping to ensure that staff have the appropriate skills and experience before working at the home. The mentor helps to monitor the care provided to children.

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good

Staff have regular supervision sessions and feel supported by the manager. The manager and staff benefit from monthly group meetings with a clinical psychologist. Staff morale is improving.

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good

Two social workers spoken with said that they are happy with the care provided to children. The managers work closely with social workers. Communication between the manager and social workers is good.

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good

At this inspection, five of the 11 requirements raised at the last inspection have been met, and six requirements are restated. These requirements include leadership and management shortfalls, concerns with the environment and children’s wishes and feelings. One new requirement is raised at this inspection, in relation to education. Inspection report for children’s home: SC444176 6

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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 home’s 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 stained carpets are cleaned or replaced, walls throughout the home are cleaned or painted where needed and that the home provides a homely environment for children.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 31 January 2023

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Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. 31 January 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC444176 7 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ascertain and consider each child’s views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child’s best interest when making decisions about the child’s care and welfare. (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the child’s wishes are listened to and responded to accordingly and that consultations with the child are recorded.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(v)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that children are supported to access further education and informal opportunities to learn. 31 January 2023

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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— 31 January 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC444176 8 lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that investigation records have all relevant information recorded, training records are clear, children’s files are well organised and the statement of purpose is reviewed and sent to Ofsted.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

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")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

staff have debriefs following the use of physical intervention;

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Requirement Due date

the manager reviews and evaluates the physical interventions for the effectiveness of use;

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Requirement Due date

the duration of the physical intervention is clearly recorded.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 31 December

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. 31 December Inspection report for children’s home: SC444176 9 (Regulation 40 (4)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 31 January 2023

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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: SC444176 10

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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: SC444176 11 regulates and inspects 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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