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Unique reference number SC437069 Inspection date 03/01/2014 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 03/01/2013 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 local authority service exists to provide a range of short break services for 6 children who have learning and physical disabilities. An outreach service is also provided by the staff team. The service is also registered with the Care Quality Commission.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding : a service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements Good : a service of high quality 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

Young people make progress, develop and enjoy themselves because of staying at this home. A dedicated and highly skilled staff team ensure that individual needs are identified and young people receive holistic, personalised care.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people take part in a wide range of activities during their stay, which promotes positive social, cultural and emotional opportunities. They attend their educational provisions during their stays, which further promote continuity of care and routine.

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Overall effectiveness

The management team provides leadership that ensures high standards are maintained. They strive for continual improvement and can identify areas of further development needed to secure improved outcomes for all young people.

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Overall effectiveness

One requirement and one recommendation have been raised because of shortfalls relating to fire drills and staff training. These shortfalls have not adversely affected the outcomes for young people.

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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) ensure, by means of fire drills and practices at suitable intervals, that the persons working at the home and, so far as practicable, children accommodated there, are aware of the procedure to be followed in the case of fire. (Regulation 32 (1)(e)) 03/02/2014

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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

 ensure staff receive guidance and training to provide appropriate care if looking after children with complex health needs, with specific reference to ensuring all staff receive recent training in the safe handling and administration of medicines. (NMS 6.8)

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Outcomes for children and young people

Outcomes for young people are outstanding .

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people make excellent progress in achieving positive outcomes. They benefit from service provision, which values young people who have diverse individual needs. One social worker commented ‘The young people I support appear to really enjoy attending the Getaway. This I feel helps to improve their emotional wellbeing and self-esteem in an environment where they are cared for and feel safe and secure.’ As a result, they make exceptional progress towards developing a positive self-view and increased confidence.

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Outcomes for children and young people

The service provision effectively meets the needs of young people who have a learning disability, significant health needs, associated physical disabilities and sensory impairment. A professional said ‘Children and young people who attend the Getaway receive continuity of support with other professionals from social care, education and health.’ Consequently, young people benefit from improved overall outcomes due to the collaborative approach that the service takes in meeting the diverse and complex needs of the young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people receive a service where their health promotion is of paramount importance. They benefit from a varied and healthy menu that provides a balanced diet and takes into account their medical dietary needs and their preferences. Outdoor activities and exercise are encouraged in order to promote healthy living. Young people also benefit from the promotion of daily personal hygiene routines. Consequently, young people make significant progress in achieving responsibility for their own hygiene and health needs. Young people access to a wide range of stimulating activities that provide new and challenging experiences. One professional commented ‘I feel staff at the Getaway give our disabled young people the opportunity to reach their full potential by encouraging them to access new opportunities and experiences.’ Young people integrate into the local community during their stays at the home. The young people

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Outcomes for children and young people

thrive because of the stimulating activities and the high level of attention provided.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people achieve excellent outcomes in their education. They are supported in maintaining excellent attendance. Effective communication between education providers and the home ensure any concerns are swiftly resolved. Staff praise young people's progress and this encourages them to achieve their educational potential.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Excellent relationships with families form the foundation of young people making exceptional progress in all areas of their lives. Effective communication ensures that parents and other family members are reassured that their child is being well cared for and that all of their complex needs are being met. One parent said ‘My child is cared for very well, by a highly trained staff team who genuinely care.’ Young people develop and gain self-esteem because they and their parents are fully consulted in all aspects of care provision and service delivery.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Young people develop appropriate age and ability related independence skills. A parent commented that the home, ‘It is a good place for my child to meet new friends and try different activities and learn independence skills.’ Staff devise transition plans for those young people approaching eighteen years of age, who will be leaving the provision. This plan contains detailed and individualised information about each young person, which is then passed on to the relevant adult service provision. This ensures that young people make a smooth transition to their new services, and that new staff can meet their individual needs with confidence.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

Young people receive outstanding quality of care from a dedicated and experienced team of staff who have high aspirations for all the young people. A professional said ‘Staff are always very keen to listen to me to improve the young person's potential and give them opportunities that will encourage their life chances and give them a brighter future.’ The team are committed, cohesive and motivated. Young people enjoy excellent relationships with staff and each other.

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Quality of care

Young people are cared for in an environment where they can develop socially and emotionally. They are encouraged to develop positive behaviours within clear boundaries. Young people thrive and develop because of the consistency of care and relationships with the staff team.

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Quality of care

Young people are valued as individuals with unique needs. This is reflected in their care planning which is fully inclusive of needs relating to young people’s cultural background and personal identity. Care plans, placement plans, risk assessments and behaviour management plans are exceptionally comprehensive, detailed and up to date. Regular reviews of plans ensure young people receive consistent care and the staff team has clarity to provide effective support to children.

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Quality of care

Young people engage in decision-making and make choices about their care. The specialist team have a commitment to inclusion and participation and ensure all young people communicate through a range of formats and communication strategies. This means young people are able to participate in making choices about routines, activities and life in the home. Consequently young people benefit from an approach, which values their participation and promotes their views.

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Quality of care

The home ensures that health promotion is of paramount importance. Young people who use this service can have a high level of clinical need; disability and associated learning difficulties. Health care plans provide clear, up to date guidance for staff and the provision of specialist equipment and adaptations ensure the specific medical and physical needs of young people are addressed. This means young people’s holistic health care needs are consistently met.

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Quality of care

Staff are proactive in supporting educational attendance and achievement. Communication between education providers and staff is excellent. The home supports young people with their schoolwork and undertakes a range of educational activities. Young people learn and develop because the service is committed to multi- disciplinary partnerships and work effectively alongside education providers.

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Quality of care

Young people can engage in a diverse range of indoor and outdoor activities. This includes active play in a secure and stimulating outdoor play area and a range of creative and relaxing activities within the home. As a result, young people experience a wide range of leisure and learning activities, which promote their development, health and enjoyment. In addition to the short break provision, young people can attend and participate in outreach groups and youth clubs. The range of service provision widens the experiences of young people and allows them to enjoy and achieve to their maximum potential.

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Quality of care

Excellent relationships with a range of external agencies ensure that the needs of young people are the staff’s priority. The staff team maintain highly effective dialogue with parents, carers, schools and a range of professionals. Consequently, concerns are identified; achievements celebrated and agreed plans are followed. One professional commented ‘Staff are interactive with both parents and other professionals, they take on board programmes from other settings for a rounded approach and also share their own findings to enable others the follow suit.’

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Quality of care

Young people benefit from an environment that has been specifically designed to meet the needs of the young people who have a diverse range of disabilities and specific needs. The building quality is of a high specification and provides an ideal space to meet the needs of the young people. The provision is secure, safe, and maintained to a high standard. The standard of décor and furnishings throughout the home is exceptionally high. Young people have their own personalised bedroom and en-suite bathrooms. Young people benefit from a building, which provides space for play and exploration, and areas that offer privacy and quiet time.

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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 are safe and say unequivocally that they feel safe. A committed and skilled staff team keep young people safe from harm in the home and when out on trips or activities. Young people present as feeling safe and happy during their short break stay. Stringent work practices and comprehensive, regularly updated risk assessments ensure that young people are safe. Staff have a solid understanding of safeguarding issues and consistently review safe working practices. This ensures safeguarding practice meets the individual needs of young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff promote positive behaviour for young people at all times. They promote an approach which encourages praise to reward positive behaviours. The use of sanctions is not regularly used. Positive relationships between young people and staff encourage young people to behave positively. Consequently, young people learn what is accepted and not accepted and can manage their own behaviour.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Physical intervention is not a method of behaviour management often used in the home. When used it is only used in accordance with the legislative framework. Staff who undertake physical interventions are suitably trained, and equipped with the skills to de-escalate situations. The recording of such incidents is in line with regulatory requirements

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home has recruited new staff members since the last inspection. Staff recruitment practices ensure that staff employed to work in the home undergo a rigorous selection process prior to taking up their positions.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There have been no allegations made since the last inspection and young people report no incidents of bullying within the home.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The home environment is safe and adapted to meet the differing and often complex needs of young people. Maintenance within the home is of an extremely high standard, with staff implementing consistent monitoring and security to ensure the safety of children. The home environment is safely maintained and any defects are identified and quickly resolved. All required checks on fire safety equipment, electrical and gas appliances are up to date. Fire drills are regularly conducted, however not all young people or staff have participated in recent drills. This does not ensure that all young people and staff are fully practised in emergency escape procedures that would ensure safe evacuation skills.

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Leadership and management

The leadership and management of the children's home are good . Leadership and management arrangements for the home place paramount importance on improving the outcomes for young people. One professional said ‘The Registered Manager is committed to develop a person-centred outcome focused approach to supporting children and young people.’ Young people benefit from a home that demonstrates capacity for continuing improvement. There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last inspection. However, the home continues to develop which ensures all young people achieve good outcomes.

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Leadership and management

There is a clear, well-written Statement of Purpose which accurately reflects the aims, ethos and facilities offered to young people. The young person's guides are in a range of formats to meet the individual needs of young people. They are informative and contain all the information specified in the national minimum standards to give young people all the relevant information they might need.

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Leadership and management

Effective management and monitoring of the home ensures that safeguarding is prioritised and the delivery of consistently high quality of care. Internal and external quality assurance processes ensure the quality of service and the welfare of young people are monitored. The management team monitor records kept by the home to identify any concerns, patterns or trends. Consequently, service delivery is informed by rigorous critical analysis.

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Leadership and management

The development plan reflects proposals for continued improvement, with plans for staff development, training and emphasis on child-centred practice. This ensures that the short and longer terms goals and objectives for the home are identified and reviewed. The management team understand the strengths and weaknesses of the home and takes action to tackle weakness and make improvements.

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Leadership and management

Leadership is supportive and instructive. Staff feel enabled to progress their own professional skills and knowledge. They receive consistent and regular supervision and undertake a training programme that provides opportunities to develop upon their existing knowledge. All staff hold a recognised qualification, or are working towards one, to enable them to support young people effectively and improve the quality of care provided. However, not all staff have had recent training in the safe handling and administration of medicines. While the staff team ensure a rigorous approach in relation to medication practices, regular generic medication training further ensures that young people’s health outcomes are maximised.

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Leadership and management

Young people's records are up to date, comprehensive and stored securely. They contribute to a thorough understanding of the young person's life, experiences and plans for the future. Young people benefit from staff completing memory books in which ensure they leave the home with a record of their experiences of their time in the home.

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Leadership and management

The Registered Manager has systems in place to notify relevant agencies, including Ofsted, of significant events to ensure the protection of young people by multi- agency decision-making. As a result, the quality of care and the welfare and protection of young people is monitored. There is one requirement and one recommendations made at this inspection. The staff and management team continue to demonstrate a high commitment to delivering high standards of care to children and young people.

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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 and the evaluation schedule for the inspection of children's homes.

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