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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC424103 1 SC424103 Registered provider: Action for Children Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a short-breaks service run by a national charitable organisation. The home can care for up to eight children at any one time. The children’s needs range from moderate to severe learning disabilities, with associated physical, health and sensory impairment and/or complex multiple needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since August 2023.

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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 requires improvement to be 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

Date of last inspection: 22 February 2023

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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: SC424103 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/02/2023 Full Good 02/06/2021 Full Outstanding 18/09/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/11/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC424103 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy positive relationships with staff, who nurture and care for them. There is an established staff team who know the children very well. The home uses consistent agency staff who feel part of the team and are aware of children’s individual needs. Children have fun at the home and are encouraged by staff to expand their experiences and make memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has a generally homely feel for children. It has separate living and playroom areas and a sensory room. The garden is well equipped so children can enjoy swings and a large trampoline. The home has a range of books, toys and games that interest children. However, some areas of the home still require attention to make them cosier. This has been identified by the manager and plans are in place for all children’s bedrooms to be decorated.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are sought regularly and are valued. Children have access to an advocate who visits regularly. They said, ‘There is always a general buzz of activity and excitement from all young people.’ Children are encouraged to enjoy a range of physically and emotionally stimulating activities, such as playing board games and going to parks and restaurants. They are also happy listening to their favourite music, with sensory lights.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Photos throughout the home and in scrapbooks showcase memories of fun and enjoyment had by children. Staff speak with pride when they describe children’s progress, for example, when children take responsibility for their self-care and learn new independent living skills, such as stripping and making their beds. This builds children’s self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make progress. One parent said, ‘[Name of child] has learned to communicate more and has gained independent skills. They now make their own breakfast at home.’ However, there are missed opportunities to fully showcase children’s achievements and experiences.

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improvement to be good

Leaders and managers keep an overview of any safety concerns in the home and chase contractors to ensure that any improvement works are carried out. However, recommendations made following a legionella inspection have not been completed in a timely manner and the provider could not evidence if smoke detectors have been routinely inspected.

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improvement to be good

Staff understand the organisation’s safeguarding policies and practice. They know how to raise concerns and who to contact for immediate advice or support. Inspection report for children’s home: SC424103 4 Specialist equipment, for example hoists and beds, are regularly inspected, using external contractors when needed.

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improvement to be good

Physical intervention is only used when children or others are at significant risk of harm. Detailed positive behaviour plans for each child guide staff practice. Records include detailed information about how the staff provide support to the children when they are in distress. However, reflection for staff is not recorded. This reduces the registered manager’s ability to scrutinise any action needed to support staff following incidents.

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improvement to be good

Children’s health needs are met to a high standard. Staff have strong links with health professionals to support children’s ongoing health needs, which have informed their practice. There is a robust process for recording and administering medication. A strong auditing system has helped to improve the process for recording when medicines are brought into or taken out of the home.

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improvement to be good

Safe recruitment practices are understood and implemented by staff responsible for this. All necessary checks are in place to ensure that children are protected from unsuitable people working in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager was not available during the inspection and the inspection took place with the responsible individual and team leaders present.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home, and staff are involved in development plans to improve quality of care. The independent person provides a good level of external scrutiny and makes helpful suggestions regarding practice development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children are cared for by a long-standing staff team who know the children exceptionally well. Staff are skilled and knowledgeable about the individual needs of the children who visit the home. Staff receive appropriate support and training to meet children’s complex health needs, for example, epilepsy, gastrostomy feeding and manual handling.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers demonstrate a passionate commitment to ensuring high standards of care for children. Staff feel well supported in their roles and new staff complete a thorough induction. Staff receive supervision and annual appraisals and regular team meetings are held that enable them to reflect on their practice and identify their professional development needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has prioritised systems for monitoring children’s files. However, some children’s files have not been updated. This has not impacted on the care that children receive, but there is a risk that new or agency staff may not have the correct information about children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff work effectively in partnership with parents and external professionals. Inspection report for children’s home: SC424103 5 Feedback from parents and external professionals, such as social workers, is positive regarding communication and partnership working. One parent said, ‘Communication is A-star. They always write in his book and call if needed.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC424103 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, The 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure recommendations from legionella inspection are carried out in a timely manner and that smoke detectors have been checked by an external contractor. 16 February 2024

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure case records in relation to healthcare and care planning are updated. 16 February 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that accurate records of restraint are kept, specifically in relation to staff reflection. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should ensure that staff fully recognise and celebrate the achievements of children by showcasing them throughout the home for children to see. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.7) Inspection report for children’s home: SC424103 7

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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: SC424103 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Action for Children

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Hannah Cox, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC424103 9 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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