Children's Home run by St Elizabeth’s Centre in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2842278 1 Registered provider: St. Elizabeth's Centre

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children's home

This home is run by a large charitable organisation. It provides care for up to 6 children with autism and learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children's home

There is a separately registered independent school on the same site as the home. The inspector only inspected the social care provision.

p.1

Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2025 but is currently on maternity leave. An interim manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

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: not previously inspected

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2842278 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making good progress at this home. They have positive relationships with staff, who know them well. Staff spend time with children, show an interest and build positive relationships. Children's day-to-day experiences are bespoke and tailored to them.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The medical needs of the children are prioritised by staff and the on-site registered nurses. Nurses are available at all times. They work collaboratively with external consultants and local primary healthcare services to ensure that children's health needs are regularly reviewed. For one child, this input has resulted in her no longer being at risk of needing an invasive procedure.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There have been several medication errors, including misadministration and recording errors that have led to medication being missed, which could compromise the health and wellbeing of children. Although leaders and managers have identified contributory factors, the plans and actions to address them are not yet embedded or effective.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff communicate effectively with children in ways that meet their individual needs. Staff use tools, such as social stories, to further aid communication. Children have access to advocacy when needed.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in education and have good attendance. There is good collaboration between staff and teachers. This means that children are supported and encouraged to engage well in school and make progress with their learning. Two children have returned to education after a significant period of time not attending.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

A warm and homely environment has been created for children to enjoy. This includes the necessary medical equipment to support children's complex health needs. Children's rooms are personalised. Photographs of the children and pieces of their artwork are on display, contributing to children's sense of belonging.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy many activities, both at the home and away from the home. The majority of activities have taken place on site, utilising the extensive grounds and play areas. Leaders and managers have identified that children need to be out in the community, and are supporting and upskilling staff in their individual areas of concern.

p.2

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

Risk assessments and care plans clearly identify children's known and emerging vulnerabilities. Plans are reviewed regularly and implemented consistently to help keep children safe. Staff understand children's complex health needs. Specialist support, advice and training for staff are sought when needed. Inspection report for children's home: 2842278 3 One child is at increased risk because of self-injurious behaviour. Specialised equipment assists the staff to manage this. The equipment is used proportionately and as a last resort. Overall, there has been a decrease in the number of times these measures have been used. The staff understand the needs, risks and vulnerabilities of the child. They remain vigilant and take quick action to keep children safe.

p.2

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

At times, the staff use mechanical restraints to ensure children's safety. These include harnesses for travelling. When these are needed, the manager has ensured that their use is reviewed.

p.3

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

Safer recruitment practice is thorough. This means that staff are suitable to work with children, ensuring the safety of children at the home. Permanent and temporary staff receive a comprehensive induction and ongoing training to strengthen their knowledge and skills.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has an interim manager to provide cover while the permanent registered manager is on maternity leave. The interim manager knows the children well and is actively involved in their care.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is positive, with a good culture of team working. Staff said that they feel well supported by managers and describe the home as having a family-like atmosphere. Professional feedback consistently highlights good communication and partnership working.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Minimum staffing levels have not always been maintained. This occurred 9 times during the first 3 months of registration. Recent improvements in recruitment have contributed to a more consistent staff team.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

External monitoring by the independent person lacks feedback from families and professionals. Additionally, the timing of the visits does not always enable meaningful observations or time with the children. This minimises the impact of this external safeguard.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

When temporary staff are used, supervision sessions have not previously been provided for them. However, leaders and managers have started to address this shortfall.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are committed to continuous improvement. The shortfalls that have been identified at this inspection are acknowledged and work has begun to address them. Inspection report for children's home: 2842278 4

p.3

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.4

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.4

Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

p.4

Requirement Due date

medicines kept in the home are stored in a secure place so as to prevent any child from having unsupervised access to them;

p.4

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.4

Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)) 30 June 2026

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that no more than half the staff on duty at any one time, by day or night, at the home should be from an external agency. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,' page 54, paragraph 10.17)  The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including agency staff, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,' page 61, paragraph 13.2)  The registered person should make best use of information from independent monitoring to ensure continuous improvement. The independent person's consultations with children, their families and professional network should be more frequent. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality

p.4

Recommendations

standards', page 55, paragraph 10.24) Inspection report for children's home: 2842278 5

p.4

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: 2842278 6

p.5

Children's home details

Registered provider: St. Elizabeth's Centre

p.6

Children's home details

Registered provider address: St Elizabeths Centre, South End, Much Hadham SG10 6EW

p.6

Children's home details

Registered manager: Grace Cant /Lisa Pagliarulo

p.6

Inspector

Naomi Starbuck, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2842278 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