Children's Home, Residential special school run by Overley Hall Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Unique reference number SC020558 Inspection date 20/02/2014 Inspector Julian Parker Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 20/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The privately owned school is registered as a children's home to accommodate 22 children and young people. The school provides education and care to children and young people who present with severe learning disabilities, challenging behaviours, autistic spectrum disorder and sensory impairment.

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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 2013, the overall rating for the service was judged as outstanding. There were no actions or recommendations made. Since the inspection this service continues to demonstrate with evidence its capacity to improve. The service is therefore judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

Young people continue to make exceptional progress living in this school. They are positive about their care and demonstrate this through their actions, behaviour and compliance and in written and verbal feedback. Young people thrive because they are treated as individuals, with the staff looking after them knowing their needs and how to best encourage achievement. Excellent progress in reducing challenging behaviour, improving educational achievement, and developing communication and social skills is evident.

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Progress

Young people actively enjoy their living environment and respond with pleasure when engaging with the broad variety of activities on offer both indoors and out. Staff are imaginative and aspirational helping young people encounter stimulating experiences and visits. Over the school half term young people could visit Liverpool landmarks, go bowling, enjoy the forest walk or engage in creative play with paint and clay. Observed practice confirms meaningful person centred and nurturing interaction between staff and young people encouraging communication while sharing in appropriate physical activities.

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Progress

Staff provide clear boundaries in a stimulating nurturing environment. The schools ethos and practice promotes individual identity and respects difference and equality. This embracing culture results in young people being fully supported by care that is based on identified need, assessed risks and that promotes each individuals potential to develop. Since the last inspection much has been achieved across all aspects of practice within the school. On-going renovation, refurbishment and redecoration ensures that young people continue to live in clean, homely and well personalised accommodation that promotes both educational and social achievement.

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Progress

Investment in staff training has invigorated staff involvement in the schools development through the introduction of comprehensive daily planning tools and improving the way in which young people’s progress is reported through statutory reviews. The school is active in supporting parents contact arrangements and in maintaining their children’s continued access to the specialist services they require to enhance the quality of their life. Parents comment positively about their child’s experience ‘I think there have been some significant changes in school which have been very positive . The ‘tailored approach is fab'. , 'massive improvements on the home side'. 'We feel much more confident in our child’s happiness.’

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Progress

Staff work closely with teachers and external professionals to ensure young people’s individual needs and views are listened to. Young people have regular access to independent advocates and their family for additional support.

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Progress

Effective monitoring systems both in the school and commissioned from an external provider help to improve outcomes for young people. Monitoring reports about the quality of the service demonstrate valuable involvement and consultation with all stakeholders and where possible young people about the service being provided.

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Progress

No requirements or recommendations arise from this interim inspection.

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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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