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

Unique reference number SC415138 Inspection date 08/01/2014 Inspector Elaine Cray Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 21/03/2013 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 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

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 outstanding .

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Overall effectiveness

Children, young people and their families receive an excellent service and outcomes for children are outstanding. Parents comments such as ‘very impressed’, ‘just brilliant’ and ‘it has been my lifeline. I can trust people to care for my child. They motivate, stimulate, comfort – a holistic approach, the whole package. I truly trust them.’ are true testament to the outstanding nature of this service

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Overall effectiveness

Social workers say children and young people’s experiences ‘are greatly enriched. Parents in turn are encouraged by what their children can achieve and then replicate this at home – so has a double impact.’

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Overall effectiveness

Children and young people make exceptional progress because they are supported with a comprehensive and in-depth care planning framework. Care, health, risk, safety and behaviour plans are individually tailored. The care planning framework is extremely effective in assessing and meeting all aspects of children and young people’s needs. Children and young people’s welfare, respect and individual communication processes are placed firmly at the centre of all staff practice.

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Overall effectiveness

The energetic and extremely effective management of the home is an outstanding strength. Leadership is strong and exemplifies skills in building effective relationships. Positive relationship building results in excellent working partnerships between staff, young people, families, social workers and external agencies.

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Overall effectiveness

Safeguarding children and young people is held in the highest regard throughout this service. Families and social workers have high levels of confidence about the service’s ability to keep children and young people safe. Extensive assessment is used to effectively manage the compatibility of placements. This means children and young people are safe and can embrace a sensitive, challenging and exciting environment.

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Overall effectiveness

The service fully embraces the concept of participation and consultation. The collaborative approach of the service is much appreciated by projects. This is exemplified by comments such as, ‘children and young people’s input has shaped services both within the actual service and in the community. For example a lot of the activities were sports orientated and the children and young people provided feedback that not all of them like sport. This led to different activities such as more music, arts and crafts. Also different types of sports like trampolining, bikes and a bike ramp.’

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Overall effectiveness

Outstanding quality of care and safeguarding is the result of clear and robust quality assurance. Children and young people's views are an integral part in the development of this excellent service. The existing standards are consistently maintained and strategic management promotes further improvement.

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Overall effectiveness

There is one recommendation made as a result of this inspection.

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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 children in the home are regularly involved in contributing to monitoring the operation of the home, and their views and any concerns are seriously taken into account. (NMS 21.1)

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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

Children and young people make significant and exceptional progress at this service. They emotionally and physically thrive due to effective care planning, partnership working and robust safeguarding.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Parents and social workers are extremely positive about how the children and young people develop meaningful communication skills and become more independent. They forge positive behaviours and identities. Social workers’ comments include, ‘consistency of approach has had such a good impact. Outcomes are so much better.’ and ‘the service is excellent at moving children forward, which is what parents want.’

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children and young people thoroughly enjoy their breaks because they stay in a highly interactive environment. Children and young people enjoy extremely positive relationships with staff because their communication and sensory needs are an integral part to all staff practice. They grow in self-esteem because staff have an in- depth understanding of the individual profiles of all the children and young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children, young people and their families experience a strong sense of security because the staff team is cohesive and extremely knowledgeable. Social workers observe and say, ‘there is a stable team, some staff have been there for a long time. This gives consistency for families and a sense of stability for the children and young people.’

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children and young people benefit from improved health due to the competency and knowledge of the staff. The team ensures children and young people’s health plans are effectively implemented. Children and young people feel reassured because changes and developments in health are quickly identified. Children and young people’s medical needs are met because staff make effective checks and useful connections between behaviour and health issues.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children and young people’s health is also promoted with healthy eating and exercise. They enjoy mealtimes because they like the food, have good choice and can socialise with each other and the staff. Children and young people have developed a range of different choices and improved social skills as a result of staying and eating at the short break service.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children and young people are enabled to develop independence skills and excellent self-confidence. These positive outcomes make a significant contribution to young people in their transition to young adulthood. For example children and young people are supported to learn about cooking, explore their creative and cognitive skills and enjoy a range of adventurous and new opportunities on trips away from the centre.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Some children and young people enjoy short breaks and holidays away from the service. Other children and young people enjoy after-school and shorter visits. They enjoy a range of activities such as using the soft play and sensory rooms within the centre and a range of trips out. Parents are keen to celebrate the new things their children try and achieve. For example, going bowling and eating popcorn for the first time and learning how to wash and dress.

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Outcomes for children and young people

Children and young people maintain strong identities because staff are able to respond to the individual needs, including cultural, language and dietary requirements. Examples such as developing communication processes to combine English and Punjabi words alongside symbols exemplify the staff’s commitment to respond to the multi-cultural and disability needs of children and young people.

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Quality of care

The quality of the care is outstanding .

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Quality of care

The care planning framework is effective and is tailored to the individual needs of children and young people. Their needs are consistently met due to their day-to-day routines, personalities and preferences being reflected in their individualised care, health, safety and behaviour plans.

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Quality of care

The care planning framework is effective due to close liaison between staff, families and social workers. They work together to identify need and strategies to meaningfully support children and young people. Social workers and parents say, ‘staff are approachable, provide time to support assessments and nothing is too much trouble.’ and ‘the staff received information with interest and a very caring approach.’

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Quality of care

Care plans are written from the children and young people’s perspectives. The plans inform the reader about why certain strategies are preferred. The children and young people are empowered because they can determine how they would like to be looked after. Parents’ comments include, ‘the records are really good – when I read them the information lifts from the page. I can really visualise what my child is doing. The staff are very good with parents but the child is the core of what they do.’

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Quality of care

Strong emphasis on monitoring children and young people’s progress is key to the care framework. Regular review and updates are individually tailored, include families and ensure care plans are contemporary and meaningful.

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Quality of care

Children and young people stay in a highly interactive environment. Their communication and sensory needs are integral to the care framework and individualised care packages. Staff are extremely skilled in individualising communication and information processes. As a result staff are able to maintain extremely positive relationships with children and young people.

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Quality of care

Children and young people’s health and medical needs are excellently supported with comprehensive and closely monitored health care plans. Children and young people’s medical needs are well-met because plans identify practical and essential strategies and protocols. Children and young people are kept safe with rigorous and robust procedures for medication.

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Quality of care

Health is also effectively promoted via the catering arrangements at the service. Liaison with families, children, young people and effective communication between care and catering staff are a key aspect to this part of the care framework. The catering staff have an excellent knowledge of the children and young people’s needs. Parents are very pleased with how their children’s dietary needs are promoted.

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Quality of care

Children and young people do not stay over at this service during the week and during school term time. However they are suitably supported to attend school after a weekend stay at the service. Daily routines include facilitating transport to and from education, the safe transfer of medication and completion of communication diaries.

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Quality of care

Children and young people are positively encouraged to improve attendance and enjoy school more as a result of the support provided by staff. For example staff support parents at home with daily routines such as transport to school, setting up incentives schemes and also providing behavioural support.

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Quality of care

Children and young people stay in high quality, vibrant and stimulating accommodation. The physical environment is maintained to a high standard and designed to meet the needs all children and young people using this service.

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Safeguarding children and young people

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

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Safeguarding children and young people

The security and safety of children and young people is held in the highest priority. Children and young people are protected with robust and comprehensive safeguarding procedures and practices.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Robust staff recruitment procedures promote the safety of children and young people. Safeguarding is excellently promoted with staff training and by staff having an in-depth knowledge of the needs of the children and young people.

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Safeguarding children and young people

A key strength of the service is how staff and supporting agencies understand the complexities of young people’s disabilities, behaviours and communication processes. Children and young people are treated with high levels of respect. As a result risk management procedures place dignity, respect and independence at the centre of intimate care. Risk assessment and management processes maintain excellent levels of safety, while encouraging children and young people to grow, develop and try new opportunities.

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Safeguarding children and young people

There are clear protocols and procedures in place, For example what to do if a child goes missing and how to manage emergency medical protocols.

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Safeguarding children and young people

The service places a strong emphasis on positive reinforcement of behaviour. Children and young people make exceptional progress at this service and feel great about their achievements. They are supported with meaningful and achievable targets.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Children and young people’s behaviour is excellently supported. They grow in confidence and benefit because staff are exceptionally patient, committed and proactive. Children and young people are more able to manage their behaviour because they feel more comfortable in expressing how they feel and identifying what they want.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Staff use patterns and trends to gain an effective understanding of how children and young people express their needs. Staff are intuitive and responsive to the children and young people. As a result of consistent use of the strategies identified in behaviour support plans children and young people are less anxious. Children and young people are able to take part in a wide range of activities because their anxieties and behaviours are proactively and creatively managed. Children and young people are protected from bullying. High levels of staff supervision promotes systematic observation of group dynamics. YP are also supported with meaningful information about what bullying might be like and who they should talk to. There is an anti-bullying booklet in symbol form, visual displays and regular workshops that facilitate the communication needs of the children and young people staying at the service.

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Safeguarding children and young people

Young people live in a safe environment. Health and safety checks are an integral part of the daily running of the service.

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Leadership and management

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

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Leadership and management

Strong and strategic management promotes a safe, child-centred and self-improving service. Children and young people are supported by highly motivated staff placing the needs of children and young people at the heart of their practice. Children and young people thrive and staff develop in this positive environment.

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Leadership and management

Staffing arrangements are effectively managed in order to meet the service’s Statement of Purpose. Children and young people receive excellent care because staff development and training is held in the highest priority. Children and young people are looked after by well trained staff. Comments such as, ‘I think very highly of the staff at the service.’ and ‘so very impressed with the professionalism of the staff.’ are testament to how parents and professionals value the highly skilled staff team.

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Leadership and management

A key strength is the ability to consistently meet the changing needs of the children, young people and families using the service. Staff have informed and meaningful knowledge of the socio-economic make up and personal circumstances of the service users. Knowledge and skills are transferred throughout the staff team to support a flexible service that includes overnight stays, day care, outreach, inter-agency liaison and a service where parents can ring for advice. As a result children, young people and families greatly appreciate and receive a responsive service.

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Leadership and management

The service is effectively managed and developed because the management team keep abreast of developments in social care and the regulatory framework. The service’s Statement of Purpose is regularly reviewed. As a result families, social workers and Ofsted are provided with contemporary information about the service.

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Leadership and management

Children and young people are also provided with meaningful information. They know what to expect when they stay because the children and young people’s guide is informative and presented in a variety of formats. This information also lets children and young people know about how they can complain.

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Leadership and management

The service is procedurally sound. Staff maintain excellent recording processes. Patterns and trends in behaviour are monitored in order to promote a better understanding of young people’s activities, behaviours and outcomes. These processes also ensure the service can provide projects and funding agencies with meaningful information about the impact of the service. This connectivity promotes excellent partnership working and ensures the service continues to receive important funding and continues to develop.

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Leadership and management

This service continuously develops and evolves in order to meet the service’s Statement of Purpose and the diverse needs of the children, young people and families. Regular parent liaison meetings are complemented with the ‘Sahara Group’. This project is run by the service, engaging children, young people and families from diverse, and sometimes more isolated, sections of the community. This strong ethos of participation, inclusion and consultation is exemplified by staff comments such as, ‘the Sahara Group is about trying to connect with families who are more isolated – no social circle and also their awareness of services for children with disabilities may be limited. We attempt to inform, share information and empower parents.’

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Leadership and management

The centre has a children and young people’s council and effectively represents their views to the staff and wider line management for the centre. Participation of and consultation with children and young people clearly impacts on the quality of the service. For example young people felt frustrated about their adapted min-busses not being able to access some of the barriers in local parks. The children and young people wrote a letter to the local council and this has resulted in a universal park key being issued to the centre. They have also been recently involved in budgetary decisions and have chosen new swings for the outdoor play area. The creative and routine canvassing of children and young people views is further exemplified by a panel of children and young people being an integral part in the staff recruitment process.

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Leadership and management

The extremely effective internal monitoring process are complemented with monthly checks by an independent visitor. This Regulation 33 process ensures a comprehensive audit against the requirements and standards set down for registered children’s homes. However consultation with children, young people and their families is intermittent. As a result the Regulation 33 visits do not always maximise the opportunities to tap into feedback from the individuals who actually use and experience this excellent service.

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Leadership and management

There are good systems in place for staff to report and monitor incidents within the home. The manager and staff understand their roles and responsibilities with regards to notifying appropriate individuals and agencies. This knowledge promotes good inter-agency protection and safety of young people at the service.

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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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