Children's home run by Action for Children Services Ltd in Watford

Inspection report for children's home: SC057804 1 SC057804 Registered provider: Action for Children Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home provides residential short breaks for children with learning and/or physical disabilities. Children attend for short breaks in small groups of up to five children. The service is operated by a charitable organisation in partnership with a local authority.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There is a permanent registered manager, who is suitably experienced and qualified.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 25 October 2022

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC057804 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/10/2022 Full Good 20/01/2022 Full Good 23/01/2020 Full Good 07/03/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC057804 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children thoroughly enjoy coming to the home for their short breaks. They receive well-planned and high-quality care to meet their individual needs. They enjoy a variety of activities both in the home and on trips out. The short breaks that this home offers widen children’s enjoyment and enhance their experiences.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a safe and welcoming environment for children. The indoor and outdoor features have all been designed in line with children’s needs. There is a focus on sensory experiences for children. For example, there is a new sensory path in the garden, which is very popular with the children. The home is fully accessible for all children. There is full wheelchair access and a raised sand table and flower beds. As a result, all children can enjoy the vast range of activities available.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff have excellent relationships with children’s families. Parents are very complimentary about the short-break service. One parent described it as a ‘lifeline’ and said staff go ‘above and beyond’, for example, keeping in touch and offering help when children are unwell. Parents are confident in the care and safety of their children during their child’s short breaks.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have clear targets, with a focus on maximising independence. Staff have a good understanding of children’s targets and actively support children to make progress. Children’s progress and achievements are celebrated enthusiastically.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff link with children’s wider network of family and professionals. This ensures that children have consistency of care across home and school and during their short breaks. For example, sharing targets and strategies to support children promotes their progress.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and managers plan bespoke introductions to the home, at a pace that is right for each child and their family. They also play an active role in children moving on from the home as they approach adulthood.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are skilled in understanding children’s preferred method of communication. They demonstrate confidence in communicating with children. As a result, children can express their feelings and make choices.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Consultation with children is strong. Staff use creative and varied approaches. Children are involved in planning and reviewing their short breaks. A children’s forum is well established. These innovative approaches provide a range of opportunities for feedback. Inspection report for children's home: SC057804 4

p.3

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

Children are relaxed and have fun because their needs are met and they feel safe. Children visit for their breaks in small groups. Careful planning takes place to ensure that children get on well together, and their risks and needs can be safely met in the group setting.

p.4

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

Staff review and update children’s care planning documents to reflect any changes in need. Staff get an update from children’s parents before each short break and follow up any queries. As a result, children’s current care needs and risks are known and understood by staff.

p.4

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

Staff provide clear guidance and boundaries to children. Children know what is expected of them. Staff are vigilant in monitoring children’s well-being. They take prompt and confident action to reduce children’s anxieties and de-escalate unwanted behaviours. Staff have a very calm approach to managing unwanted behaviours. As a result, there are few behavioural incidents.

p.4

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

Children receive a very high level of supervision, so the risk of them going missing is very low. However, where this is identified as a potential risk, children have clear plans. This reduces any risks and staff know what actions to take.

p.4

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

There have been three minor medication errors since the last inspection. These have not led to any serious consequences for children. Each one has been reported and investigated thoroughly. An action resulting from one investigation was for an external medication trainer to carry out a review of medication systems. This has not yet been completed, although it is planned. Staff report that they are well supported to become competent and confident in administering medication. Children are helped to understand their medication’s name and purpose. They are supported to administer medication as independently as possible.

p.4

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

There is a thorough approach to monitoring and maintaining health and safety at the home. Specialist equipment, such as hoists, is in place and monitored and serviced appropriately. There are plans for further development of the garden area, and there is a strong emphasis on the maintenance and upkeep of the outdoor spaces. As a result, the environment is safe for children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has a clear ethos of high aspiration for children to make significant progress. She inspires the staff to provide life-enhancing opportunities for children, for example, going on holiday with friends.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has been well supported by the wider organisation with her own development. She benefits from the peer support gained from being part of a wider team of managers. Management at the home is enhanced by a deputy manager and senior staff. The manager uses this support effectively in the operation of the home, placing trust in these staff and giving them appropriate responsibilities. Inspection report for children's home: SC057804 5 The manager has high expectations for the staff team to continuously develop and be skilled in their roles. She is very much a leader at the home, acting as a role model.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a well-planned and structured approach to staff training. Bespoke training is provided and delivered through team meetings to enhance staff knowledge. This equips them to meet children’s very specialist needs. Training is research-based and external professionals are invited to share their expertise. Managers have full oversight of the staff training and make timely arrangements to ensure staff are fully trained and up to date with training.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Well-planned induction and probation periods are in place for new starters. As a result, new staff feel very supported in their roles. Managers identify gaps in staff knowledge and skills. They provide support to bridge the gaps and upskill staff and increase their confidence. All staff receive supervision, which supports their development and well-being.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff provide an exemplary level of communication with children’s families and the professionals in their lives. External professionals speak highly of the home and say that communication in particular is excellent. As a result, managers and staff contribute to improving children’s lives and outcomes beyond the short-break setting. Inspection report for children's home: SC057804 6

p.5

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that during a short break, staff are responsible for maintaining a child’s ongoing health treatment, including the management of medication on arrival and departure from the home and recording and sharing information about when medicine was administered. This includes ensuring that medication is administered as prescribed and medication storage and systems are monitored. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.20)

p.6

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: SC057804 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Action for Children

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Action for Children, 3 The Boulevard, Ascot Road, Watford WD18 8AG

p.7

Inspector

Alison Snell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC057804 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 looked after children, 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 . 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