Children's home run by Branas Isaf (Holdings) Ltd in Hertsmere

Inspection report for children’s home: SC068032 1 SC068032 Registered provider: Branas Isaf (Holdings) Ltd

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company and is registered to provide care for up to seven children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is suitably qualified.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, five children were living in the home. All the children were spoken to during the inspection.

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 good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 23 January 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC068032 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/01/2024 Full Good 07/02/2023 Full Outstanding 10/08/2021 Full Good 11/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC068032 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive individualised daily care. Staff understand the children’s needs and the support they require to progress in all areas of their development. Children say that they enjoy living in their home and feel safe and supported by staff. Parents speak positively about how staff are supporting their children and keeping them updated about their progress.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is welcoming and homely. Each child’s bedroom has an en-suite bathroom. Children decorate their own bedrooms to reflect their individuality. The communal areas are relaxing and comfortable. Photos of children enjoying activities are displayed in the communal areas.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop their independence skills with support from staff. This includes learning practical skills, such as cooking, budgeting and keeping their bedrooms clean. An independence flat attached to the home provides an opportunity for children to live on their own before moving into the community. This means children are supported to live safely when they move into the community. Children keep in contact with staff when they move out. This reflects the positive relationships children have with staff.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children with their education and employment. Children attend college and school and have individual education plans. They are encouraged to participate in activities which support their wider education and build their confidence. One child works part time, and the children volunteer with local charities. The children enjoy sport, going on day trips and outdoor activities with staff.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive individual therapy. This means they are being supported by qualified therapists to explore their lived experiences. Children are provided with individual risk and support plans. Therapists support staff to implement these plans, through regular meetings and communication.

p.3

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

Managers and staff understand the children’s individual needs and the support they require. All children have detailed risk assessments and support plans. These plans are reviewed and updated by the multi-agency team to provide guidance for staff in supporting children. For example, staff are supporting one child to safely stay overnight with their family, and another child is being supported to move into the independence flat.

p.3

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

Staff work hard to be consistent in creating boundaries for children to feel safe in their home and in the community. Children said staff care about them and keep them safe. For example, children are supported to visit their families safely. Parents said staff Inspection report for children’s home: SC068032 4 understand their children’s needs and work hard to keep their children safe. One social worker said care provided by the staff is ‘excellent’.

p.3

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

Staff keep the professionals who support the children up to date with their progress. This means all professionals are updated regarding the children’s individual needs and any changes to their support plans. A headteacher said staff respond promptly to any queries and a college pastoral officer said children are supported by staff in college. This means all professionals are working together to support the children and keep them safe.

p.4

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

Staff recognise and understand when children require additional support. This means that staff advocate for children to receive the support they require. For example, one child needs to be living in a smaller home to support their needs. The managers are collaborating with the relevant local authority to identify and plan a transition for the child to move to an appropriate home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All staff have been safely recruited. The current manager is leaving and an experienced manager has been appointed. The new manager knows the children and staff team as they already work for the company. The new manager is spending time at the home and is collaborating with leaders to develop the long-term vision for the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive supervision and participate in team meetings, which develops their learning and practice. All new staff members receive a detailed induction and are supported by a senior member of staff. There is a detailed training plan for all staff to attain the required qualifications and to equip them with the skills to support the children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders have established clear monitoring and review systems. For example, all risk and support plans for children are reviewed and updated by the multidisciplinary team. And the records of physical interventions and use of restraint include reflective discussions with children and staff. This means there is detailed management oversight of the care and support being provided to children. This results in children receiving individualised care and support.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The system for monitoring the administration of medication requires updating. Two children did not receive their prescribed medication on three separate occasions in a seven-month period. This means the medication routines are not consistent. Leaders have arranged further training for staff in this area.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Communication with staff is not consistent regarding their roles and responsibilities and staff do not feel valued in their roles. Leaders have developed a support plan to address this. The new manager has been involved in this planning. Inspection report for children’s home: SC068032 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

p.5

Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b)(c)) 17 December 2024

p.5

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff consistently follow the home’s policies and procedures for the benefit of children in the home’s care. Everyone working at the home should understand their roles and responsibilities and communicate changes regarding children’s routines and care effectively. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)

p.5

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: SC068032 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Branas Isaf (Holdings) Ltd

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5th Floor, Metropolitan House, 3 Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 1AG

p.6

Inspector

Siân Heffey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC068032 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.

p.6

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.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7