Children's Home, Residential special school run by Staffordshire County Council in Staffordshire

Unique reference number SC415138 Inspection date 21/03/2013 Inspector Susan Mullin Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/11/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This resource centre provides short-break care for up to six young people who have learning and/or physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments. The service is managed by a local authority.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress .

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Progress

At the last full inspection in November 2012 the overall quality rating for the service was judged as outstanding. No statutory requirements or recommendations were made. The home has made good progress since the last inspection and continues to improve the quality of care practices within the centre.

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Progress

Young people continue to enjoy their short-breaks. Activities are varied and tailored to meet their needs and wishes. Young people's health and welfare needs are met, which provides good consistent care. Young people are supported and facilitated to attend school to ensure normal routines are maintained. Relationships with staff are positive and feedback from parents and social workers show they are happy with the progress that the young people make. Staff are pro-active in working with young people and parents to promote independence skills. Meaningful consultation takes place regularly to ascertain the views, thoughts and wishes of young people, parents and social workers. As a result, the Registered Manager and staff team are able to develop the home in a very child-focused way.

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Progress

Young people really benefit from a very competent, knowledgeable and experienced staff team. Staff training is excellent and staff have attended accredited training in autism and hearing and vision impairment. Senior staff have just completed a leadership and professional and ethical and sensitive practice course, which centres around equality and diversity. This ensures day-to-day childcare practice is underpinned by a sound theoretical knowledge base.

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Progress

Staff continue to develop ways young people are engaged and communicated with. The use of pictures and symbols really help young people who have verbal communication difficulties. Young people's achievements are celebrated to promote confidence and self-esteem and they are happily involved in the local community.

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Progress

The home continues developing its range of communication resources. For example, they have recently introduced an anti-bullying policy in a symbol format enabling young people greater opportunity to communicate any issues in relation to bullying. Young people have been encouraged to take responsibilities appropriate to their age and ability and stretch themselves to develop and learn new skills. Staff appropriately support young people's growing independence and provide opportunities for them to learn. These achievements have resulted in young people feeling greater confidence in their abilities and pride in what they can do.

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Progress

Young people continue to enjoy excellent relationships with staff and benefit from their dedicated support. Throughout the holiday periods young people have continued to enjoy the wide range of activities that the centre can offer. They have been on many trips and outings that have promoted their inclusion in their wider community. This has also provided them with experiences they may not ordinarily have been able to access without intensive support.

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Progress

Staff continue to firmly advocate on behalf of young people, to promote their rights. They make sure that young people receive appropriate transport to enable them to access activities in the community as well as contact with parents or carers. Consequently, young people do not miss out on opportunities because they have a disability.

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Progress

The Registered Manager and her staff team have demonstrated a commitment to working with professionals and parents to secure improvements for the young people who use this service. Robust systems of monitoring continue to ensure that the safety and well-being of young people are at the centre of practice in the home. There is a clear development plan in place that identifies progress already made and plans for the future of the service. The manager alongside her senior team communicates high expectations to her team to secure further development and improvement in the service. The home is operating in accordance with its conditions of registration and the registered persons remain fit for registration.

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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 progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection.

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