Children's home run by Action for Children Services Ltd

Inspection report for children's home: 1271380 1 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-break service for children that is run by a national charity. All children have a learning disability and additional complex social and emotional needs. Five children were accessing the service at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since March 2024.

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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: 1271380 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/07/2023 Full Good 14/03/2023 Full Inadequate 08/02/2022 Full Good 16/01/2020 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children's home: 1271380 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children stay in a home that is welcoming, vibrant and spacious. They benefit from good-quality accommodation that has ample room for communal living. Children enjoy a pleasant garden where they can plant flowers, enjoy the sandpit, swing and sensory structure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are cared for by a diverse and dedicated team of staff who know them well. Children enjoy their stays at the home, and are encouraged to enjoy activities, such as arts and crafts, trips to the parks, and walks. Photos are beautifully captured and displayed. This helps children to feel positive about themselves and enhances their self- esteem. However, there are missed opportunities to fully showcase children’s achievements and progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s social workers are positive about the quality of care provided at the home. One social worker said, ‘The team are very supportive of the children, giving them choices and hearing their voice.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are sensitively supported when they start staying at the home and staff work in close partnership with families and professionals. One child visited for tea on four occasions before successfully staying for their first overnight visit. The impact on other children staying at the home is considered and children are involved in welcoming any new child who comes to stay. This thoughtful planning means children settle quickly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children use communication aids to have their voices heard and to make choices. For example, children complete feedback forms following their stays, and have regular ‘chats’ with staff to choose their favourite foods and activities for their next visit. However, some staff engagement in arranging structured and purposeful activities is inconsistent and there is insufficient recording of children’s experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Parents value and praise the quality of care and attention that staff give to their children. One parent said, ‘My child is always happy to jump out of the car and run to the front door. They communicate very strongly they want to spend more time at the home.’

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

Safeguarding incidents are managed well. The registered manager reports concerns appropriately and works with professionals to keep the children safe. Furthermore, analysis of incidents supports staff learning.

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

There is a strong process for recording and administering medication. A clear recording and audit system has helped to streamline the procedures. This adds a layer of quality assurance to the process. Inspection report for children's home: 1271380 4 Children’s plans are child-centred and specific to their individual needs. Staff have a good understanding of how to protect children from harm, and the importance of teaching children how to keep themselves safe. Staff have attended safeguarding training and safeguarding is discussed in supervision and team meetings. This enables staff to respond to any concerns swiftly.

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

The staff use successful strategies to help children to understand and manage their behaviours. Robust placement plans support staff to better understand children’s behaviours and adapt their responses to meet their needs. Staff use strategies to a positive effect meaning incidents have significantly reduced.

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

Leaders and managers recruit new staff safely. Staff are thoroughly vetted and assessed before any appointment is confirmed. Health and safety systems are robust. This means children stay in a secure environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a suitably qualified and experienced registered manager. The registered manager is dedicated about the service and has a good understanding of strengths and areas for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported working at the home. They find the registered manager available and approachable. They are provided with regular supportive supervision and team meetings are used creatively to allow reflection on practice and understanding of children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are appropriately trained, including in relation to the specific needs of the children using the service. There is a clear process for supporting and reviewing progress for new staff. The registered manager understands the importance of staff well-being. They have been trained as a Mental Health First Aider in order to promote this, and now provide one to one mental health support sessions to staff if needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and staff team work positively with parents, carers, and professionals to promote a co-ordinated approach to meeting children’s needs. They are flexible to meet the changing needs of children and their families and are an active part of review meetings and communicate well with partner agencies. One professional described staff communication as ‘brilliant.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and senior leaders have good systems in place to monitor the effectiveness of the service. This includes clear systems to gather the views and experiences of children. Monthly visits by the independent person are completed, but they rarely visit unannounced and do not spend sufficient time in the home. This impacts on the level of scrutiny provided. Inspection report for children's home: 1271380 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should support staff to be ambitious for every child in the home and to gain skills and experience that enable them to actively support each child to achieve their potential through a range of activities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.5)  The registered person should ensure that staff fully recognise and celebrate the achievements of children by showcasing them throughout the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 31, paragraph 6.7)  The registered person should ensure that the independent person makes a rigorous assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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: 1271380 6

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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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Inspectors

Hannah Cox, Social Care Inspector Jacob Robson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1271380 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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