Children's Home, Residential special school run by Hesley Services Limited in Doncaster

Unique reference number SC035687 Inspection date 11/05/2012 Inspector Fiona Parker Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 06/03/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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Brief description of the service

This provision is a residential special school and is owned by a private organisation. The school can offer accommodation for up to 46 children and young people between the ages of eight years to 19 years. Children and young people have complex needs and severe learning difficulties, including autism. The residential accommodation is registered and inspected as a children's home by Ofsted.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service that exceeds minimum requirements Adequate : a service that only meets minimum requirements Inadequate : a service that does not meet minimum requirements

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Overall effectiveness

The overall effectiveness is judged to be good .

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Overall effectiveness

Overall this is a good service which supports young people to progress, maximise their educational potential and improve their independence skills. Individual care plans detail well young people's health and behavioural support. Young people enjoy and choose an excellent variety of activities to broaden their horizons and experiences. Staff provide good quality care by promoting positive and warm relationships to support young people to develop and keep safe. Safeguarding arrangements are thorough, records are clear and accountable, therefore offering protection for young people. Young people say they feel safe and cared for. Managers strive to improve practice and young people's outcomes. One parent comments 'the school offers brilliant care'.

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Overall effectiveness

There are two requirements to improve key information about the service and include the outcomes of consultations in internal monitoring. There are two recommendations to encourage learning and reflection on reducing the use of aids, where possible, and to continue to develop consistent practice, links and resources to further support young people's identity and heritage.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) compile a written statement (known as a 'Statement of Purpose') which shall consist of the matters listed in Schedule 1. In particular include the details specified in Schedule 1.5, 1.11 and 1.16 (Regulation 4 (1)) 29/06/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 provides for consultation with children accommodated in the home, their parents and placing authorities. (Regulation 34 (3)) 29/06/2012

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 each home regularly reviews incidents of challenging behaviour, examines trends or issues emerging from this, to enable staff to reflect and learn to inform future practice. In particular support staff in learning and reflecting on ways to further reduce the use of community safety aids, where possible (NMS 3.21)  further support all children to feel pride in their identity and heritage. In particular further develop the current good practice, resources and links to provide support consistently. (Children Act 1989: Volume 5: 2.35)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for children and young people are good .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make good progress in a number of key areas, notably; improving their social interactions and tolerance to new experiences; achieving in education and increasing their independence skills. Parents report good progress with their child's independent personal care, dressing skills, safety awareness and learning words or signs to express their needs. As a result of learning new skills young people's behaviour improves and levels of frustration reduce enabling young people to engage in community outings and benefit from a diverse range of stimulating activities. A social worker comments 'I am very happy with it, he has so many opportunities and he has experienced so many different things'. Where possible young people independently cook meals or assist staff to prepare foods to increase their skills and knowledge. During regular local shopping trips young people learn about healthy foods, cultural preferences, handling money and making choices.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people benefit from healthy outcomes and receive individual support to ensure they feel confident to overcome their fears and dislikes to maintain good health. For example, dental nurses visit to run a clinic and explain to young people, through pictures, what happens at a dentist and why. This prepares young people for future treatments by reducing anxieties and promoting familiarity. Where possible young people can self-administer medicines, subject to risk assessment, to increase their sense of independence and control over their lives.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people increasingly achieve in education and benefit from a varied and person-centred 24-hour curriculum. Excellent school attendance ensures young people can develop their potential and progress in line with their targets. Examples of personal achievements include young people progressing from individual sessions to learning in groups and feeling confident to attend assemblies. Young people undertaking their transition to adulthood gain confidence and reduce anxieties by attending summer schools. This prepares young people for moves to colleges and the next steps in their lives. Young people benefit from, and enjoy frequent family visits, in line with plans, which maintains their sense of identity and emotional stability.

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Quality of care

Young people benefit from a largely consistent staff and teaching team who work closely together in young people's best interests. As a result, young people can maximise regular attendance and enjoy learning in school. The school works effectively in the local community to form partnerships to benefit young people, for example, running a café, managing an allotment and developing a sensory garden. This develops and stretches young people's skills and talents in diverse areas. In addition young people are encouraged to learn about the needs of others through taking part in charitable events and fundraising in the local community. Some children and young people benefit from aids, such as harnesses to support safe access to community-based outings and activities. These are subject to appropriate risk assessment, agreements and periodic reviews, resulting in some young people ceasing the need for such support. This is very positive although some opportunities

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Quality of care

to further learn and reflect on ways to reduce the use of aids, where possible, are not fully embraced.

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Quality of care

Staff know individual young people very well and are vigilant to moods and triggers to implement strategies, recognise any distress and divert young people towards positive outcomes. Young people enjoy positive relationships and share humour with committed staff. Parents report staff keep them fully informed, they promote and support home visits and help them in times of crisis, such as when their child falls ill. Young people's health needs are regularly reviewed by a multi-disciplinary team. This ensures complex health needs are well monitored, medication levels are appropriate and young people maintain good health. A social worker comments 'they are excellent at communicating and working in partnership and keep me informed with everything'.

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Quality of care

Care plans are personal and tailored to each young person and inform staff well on individual strategies and risk assessments. A multi-disciplinary approach, fully including parents, ensures young people's needs are assessed and reviewed by those who understand them the best. Where young people's cultural needs are identified creative strategies to employ specific workers are undertaken, although some social workers view this as an area for ongoing discussion. Careful matching of needs and abilities ensures young people can benefit from positive relationships with their peers. Where young people are found not to be compatible there are varied options in the school community to support alternative successful living arrangements. Young people learn about their rights, how to complain and benefit from staff advocating their needs. An inclusive school council promotes young people's voices and representatives ensure they advocate for their peers' views and needs. Invited guest

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Quality of care

speakers enrich and broaden young people's experiences.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service is good at keeping children and young people safe and feeling safe.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people's safety and welfare is a priority and central to the quality of care. Young people say they feel safe and the majority of parents report they are highly satisfied with their child's care and progress. Young people who may place themselves at risk when in the community are clearly identified in assessments and care plans. Staffing levels, aids and individual strategies support young people to enjoy the community safely. Young people's dignity and independence is balanced carefully with the need to protect them.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Excellent safeguarding arrangements protect young people and clear protocols with local authorities and the Local Authority Designated Officer ensures decision making is open and transparent. Staff are knowledgeable on safeguarding procedures and any concerns are promptly reported, investigated and concluded. Equally staff are trained in physical interventions, however very few are undertaken. This demonstrates young people's care plans balance individual risks, where intervention is necessary and when young people can safely calm themselves. Managers effectively monitor any incidences for changes in individual behaviours to source and reduce triggers. Interventions from clinical services broaden the assessment and review of young people's safety, development and triggers to add clinical perspective.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Safeguards and compliance with checks and recruiting procedures ensures a suitable workforce. Where possible, young people assist in recruiting staff, for example, the activities coordinator. Good health and safety checks and regular maintenance ensures the properties remain safe, homely and appropriate to young people's needs.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are good .

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Leadership and management

Overall this is a well-managed service with managers taking responsibility for monitoring and improving the quality of care. The team of managers strive to improve the service and keep up-to-date with service changes to promote the best outcomes for each young person. Appropriate action has been taken to meet the previous recommendation. A report is now compiled to evidence internal monitoring, however, the report does not include and consider the outcomes of consulting with children, parents and the local authority. The independent person does, however consult and visit young people to observe their care, listen to their views and identify actions to improve.

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Leadership and management

A satisfactory Statement of Purpose suitably informs interested parties of what is on offer, however, further details are required on staffing arrangements, the agreed method for physical interventions and the use of aids in the community for some young people. The service operates in line with its statement and the suitably experienced Registered Manager diligently notifies relevant parties of required events and outcomes.

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Leadership and management

Good staffing levels ensure young people receive good quality care. Staff mainly feel well supported and report good informal and formal supervision arrangements which support their role and development. A comprehensive training programme and person-centred team meetings enhance staff skills and knowledge to care for young people. Staff have opportunity to regular refresh their core training, where gaps are identified in individual skills, action is taken to address this through yearly appraisals and tailored workshops.

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Leadership and management

The school is in the heart of the community enabling young people to frequently access and benefit from local resources. Local residents and guest speakers are regularly invited to school events to promote positive relationships. Complaints are very few but promptly and effectively responded to if they occur. To maintain healthy viability the service has undergone overall restructuring and review to some operations. This has caused some anxiety for staff but not impacted upon the good quality of care or resources for young people.

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Leadership and management

The managers and staff can consistently discuss the progress and outcomes young people have achieved which is supported by parents and social workers. Some young people have individual needs arising from their identity and culture. The school is committed to meeting a range of needs, for example, recruiting specific workers who speak young people's first languages and making links with young people's communities in the area. Training and advice in practical skills for staff such as hair and skin care support young people's daily routines. Young people are matched with core workers who are best placed to meet their cultural needs. An equality policy group is further developing ways to link with minority communities, groups and build resources to promote consistent support for young people and staff.

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the Inspections of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011) and the evaluation schedule for children's homes.

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