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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC004429 1 SC004429 Registered provider: Action For Children Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This short-break service is registered to provide care for up to four children. Children who receive care may have a physical or learning disability along with a sensory impairment. The service is owned by a private organisation.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 2015, and she holds a level 5 diploma in leadership and management.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was having a short break at the time of the inspection. The inspector spent time with this child.

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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: 11 February 2025

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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: SC004429 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/02/2025 Full Good 12/03/2024 Full Good 15/03/2023 Full Good 12/10/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC004429 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children form good relationships with staff and with their peers. Staff understand children’s needs and support them well. Due to effective assessment, children are grouped with peers they get on with. As a result, children enjoy their experiences during short breaks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff plan a range of activities for children. Leaders and staff encourage children to say which activities they enjoy. Children experience regular meals out, trips to a pumpkin patch and in-house fitness and well-being activities. One parent told the inspector, ‘They get out and about and do things they may not have done before.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and staff understand children’s health needs. Leaders work well with health professionals to form clear plans for children with specific health needs. Regular overnight checks take place on children in line with bespoke plans. In addition, staff have a good understanding of children’s medication and the reasons for its use. This contributes to children’s health needs being well supported.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop their independence skills. Leaders have changed systems to reflect individual outcomes for children. Staff have a clear understanding of each child’s target areas. These include completing activities, cooking and choosing clothing. Children are more successful in meeting goals due to their goals being more bespoke.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and staff have good relationships with families and professionals. Families are well consulted prior to children’s first stay to gain the most up-to-date information. Staff regularly share updates about children’s stays, as well as any changes in behaviour. Staff also share progress areas and how they supported children to achieve this progress, supporting consistency at home. One professional said to the inspector, ‘I am absolutely delighted to say that the team there is amazing. Parents consistently praise the staff for their excellent communication and for going above and beyond in the care they provide. I also really appreciate the way the team make the effort to attend child in need meetings whenever.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The environment is child focused and welcoming. Photos of children are regularly changed, and children are encouraged to bring items from home to help them feel settled. Each month staff introduce a different theme; most recently this was Halloween. This supports children to have a wider cultural experience.

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

Staff promote positive behaviour during short breaks. When challenges occur, staff use their knowledge of children and relationships to de-escalate situations quickly. This supports children and staff to maintain positive relationships. Inspection report for children’s home: SC004429 4 Children enjoy their short breaks. Therefore, unwanted behaviours are rare. However, when they occur, staff are quick to notice signs of escalation. Staff ensure that physical interventions take place for the least amount of time. Following an intervention, children and staff share their reflections about the incident. This allows the manager to ensure that staff practice is appropriate.

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

Health and safety checks are carried out regularly. The deputy manager has good oversight of all checks. Where shortfalls are identified, these are promptly responded to. Children are supported through regular discussion to understand how to keep safe in the event of fires and emergencies. As a result, children are more confident when engaging in evacuation tests.

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

No complaints or allegations have been made since the last inspection. Leaders ensure that children understand how to share concerns using their bespoke communication methods. As a result, children are confident in sharing how they feel.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a long-standing and child-focused registered manager. Due to this consistency and commitment, the staff team has remained consistent. The manager has a good understanding of the service. To support her understanding, she occasionally works a shift. This helps maintain the high quality of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about the manager. One staff member said that she ‘is really good’ and that they ‘are able to approach her with anything. She will give sound advice and opportunity to self-reflect if needed.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are happy with the support they receive from managers. Leaders promote an open-door policy, which means that staff share any concerns they have. Leaders encourage staff to think about practice and develop their skills. As a result, staff develop the relevant knowledge to carry out their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager regularly reviews the quality of care for children. She has good systems to identify areas for development. This contributes to consistency and progress across the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders provide staff with a range of learning opportunities. The manager is proactive in sourcing training that staff require. This helps ensure that staff are confident in their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations have been made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC004429 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: SC004429 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: 3 The Boulevard, Ascot Road, Watford WD18 8AG

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Inspector

Chanel Bryant, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC004429 7 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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