Children's home run by Action for Children Services Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2825384 1 Registered provider: Action For Children Services LTD

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is a charity organisation and provides care for up to four children who may experience emotional and social difficulties.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2825384 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This was the home’s first inspection. There are currently two children living at the home. The inspectors spent time with both of the children, and the children spoke to and engaged with the inspectors over the two days. There was a warm, friendly atmosphere, with fun and laughter shared between the children and the staff team.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are involved in all aspects of their care, and this has supported them to make some positive progress since moving in. Staff provide them with a genuine sense of emotional warmth and understanding. The team is committed to supporting the children to grow and develop in confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s contact with families is encouraged and supported. Good arrangements are in place for children to spend time with people that matter to them. There is good communication between the home, family members and professionals. Families spoken to said their child ‘absolutely loves’ being at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move into the home, the manager and staff ensure they are well prepared and, where possible, children have ‘settling-in sessions’. This involves children visiting the home and spending time with staff to begin to build relationships. This provides clarity for the home to meet the child’s individual needs effectively. This is because they understand the gravity of such life-changing moves, and this supports the child to settle when moving in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children’s environment is homely and welcoming. This supports children to believe this is their home. Staff are building and developing a sense of belonging and stability for the children. They see themselves as a family around them in a family home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are beginning to attend education daily. They are prepared for the school day, and this helps them to learn. When children are home schooled, they work hard with staff who motivate them to learn. Children receive consistency in care and education. As a result, children engage with learning and are making clear progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are registered with the appropriate health professionals and are actively encouraged to eat nutritious foods and engage in regular physical activity. They participate in a wide variety of stimulating activities while also having the opportunity to pursue their individual interests and hobbies. Emotional well-being is openly discussed and supported, fostering an environment where children feel confident to talk about their feelings. This holistic approach contributes to children developing a positive attitude toward both their emotional and physical health. Inspection report for children’s home: 2825384 3

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

Children enjoy the trusting relationships that are being built with the staff. They provide a strong and consistent routine, which children benefit from. This has been critical in enabling children to begin to build secure and meaningful relationships with a team of staff whom children know, trust and can rely on.

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

Staff complete the provider’s mandatory training. They also receive training that is tailored to the needs of the children. They also receive daily support and guidance from the management team and each other. While safeguarding is a specific agenda item in team meetings and in one-to-one meetings, discussions do not always take place. Staff could benefit from further discussions in their one-to-one meetings on wider safeguarding issues and different forms of discrimination.

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

When incidents occur, staff respond in a child-centred way by listening, reflecting and providing empathy. Staff complete direct work with children following any incident so children can share their feelings. Staff also complete debriefs, reflections and learnings. This approach helps to ensure continuous improvement of staff’s care and support for children in understanding and managing the child’s lived experiences.

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

There have been some incidents of children going missing from care. When this happens, staff have followed missing protocols and procedures well. Staff are quick to respond and go above and beyond to ensure that children return to the home safely and as soon as possible. Following incidents, the manager is proactive and reflects on these and works with other agencies effectively to ensure that strategies to reduce risks are carefully considered and highly effective.

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

Children are safer because their risk assessments and plans provide clarity and direction for staff. When there is an incident of concern, the manager and staff reflect on the plans and risks and adjust plans if required. Plans are also subject to regular updating, so they accurately reflect children’s risks and vulnerabilities. These plans provide staff with the direction they need to support and protect children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is dedicated to the children and team and is an integral part of the home. She has grown in her role and has begun to build solid foundations and strong leadership. Along with fostering an environment of respect and attentiveness, she has also begun to create a positive culture in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak with pride about the home and enjoy their work. They express pleasure in spending time with the children and enhancing their experiences. Staff commented on the positive support and development from managers and that they feel listened to. A culture of aspirations, reflections and positive outcomes is beginning to be embedded in staff practice. This supports children to thrive in a nurturing home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2825384 4 The manager has systems in place to monitor the quality of care. This ensures good management oversight of how children are being cared for. Children’s development and progress are communicated to external professionals, such as social workers, and families, who receive regular updates and reports. The professionals and family members who contributed to this inspection commended the care and communication of the manager and staff. This supports the progression and

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

achievement of children’s goals for the future.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, formal one-to-one meetings with their manager and have regular staff meetings. The team also has regular reflective practice sessions that are completed by a lead therapeutic practitioner. These offer appropriate time and space for staff to be reflective and develop their practice. The team is committed to ensuring that children have the best chances and outcomes possible while providing nurturing care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2825384 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the content and/or outcomes of one-to- one sessions and team meetings reflect discussion on safeguarding issues and different forms of discrimination which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs and external wider risks of children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.4)

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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: 2825384 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Action For Children Services LTD

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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

Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector John McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2825384 7 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 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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