John Greenwood Shipman Centre

Unique reference number SC465257 Inspector Mary Timms Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Registered person address Sudborough House, St Mary's Hosptial 77 London Road Kettering Northamptonshire NN15 7PW Responsible individual Louise Mary Payne Registered manager Susan Lindsay Jameson Date of last inspection 20/02/2014 2 of 8 Inspection date 15/04/2014

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Registered person

Previous inspection inadequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness good

Outcomes for children and young people good Quality of care good Keeping children and young people safe good Leadership and management good

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Information about this children’s home

This home is a 12-bedded residential short break service for children with learning disabilities and children with physical disabilities and associated health care needs. The service is managed by a healthcare foundation trust and is also registered with the Care Quality Commission as care arrangements include regulated activities within the health care provision.

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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

4 (2001) compile in relation to the children's home a statement of purpose which shall consist of the matters set out in Schedule 1. In particular this relates to the need to set out the details of the experience and qualifications of staff working at the home. (Regulation 4 (1) and schedule 1) 29/05/2014 4 of 8

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Outcomes for children and young people good

The good quality of care provided ensures that children have a positive experience during their short breaks at JGS. Comments from parents show they have a positive view of the quality of care their children receive, for example 'my child always looks happy and healthy when collected to come home'.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Disability is not seen as a barrier to participation. Children enjoy a broad range of activities, including using the home's sensory room and engaging in the creative and stimulating play opportunities provided. Children also access appropriate opportunities within the community. A trip to the cinema, a walk to feed the ducks locally and a trip to a country/activity park are recent examples of activities children have taken part in. Comments from staff include 'we always ensure children have good fun, providing them with different opportunities which some may not have at home'.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Communication is seen as extremely important. Children benefit as staff are highly skilled and able to adopt a range of communication styles. Changing needs or concerns are identified swiftly by staff who understand that children also communicate through their behaviours. As a result children are able to make choices and to make their views and feelings known.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Children's views are proactively sought and used to influence care arrangements. For example, preferences about personal care are captured within care planning and implemented in practice. Children recently requested that satellite television is provided and this has been acted upon. Similarly a child has requested a specific trip to London which managers have authorised and which is currently being planned.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Each child is enabled to make progress within a supported environment in-line with their individual development needs and abilities. Staff endeavour to promote new experiences and opportunities for each child by setting goals which are agreed with parents. For some children this may be trying a new sensory experience or outside play. Goals for some children include developing independence skills, for example by making their own drinks or snacks. As a result children have opportunities to develop within a supportive environment.

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Quality of care good

The purpose-built premises service have recently been refurbished and are maintained to a high standard. Care for health and physical disabilities is led by nursing staff and is supported by a wide range of adaptations and facilities. As a result children are able to take full advantage of the services provided. 5 of 8 Children enjoy positive relationships with staff who are knowledgeable and competent. Staff understand children’s diverse needs and behaviours within the framework of their individual disabilities. As a result children experience well- managed and nurturing care arrangements.

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Quality of care good

Individual care needs are identified and reflected clearly in placement plans and risk assessments that are regularly reviewed. Plans support the full breadth of children's needs, including those relating to age, religion, ethnicity, faith and gender as well as primary individual needs. The service works very closely with both families and schools. One parent commented 'we are all singing from the same hymn sheet which is very important'. As a result children's needs are consistently met in line with current agreed short-break plans.

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Quality of care good

Children's complex and diverse health needs are well met by experienced nursing and care staff whose passion to deliver a high standard of care to children is tangible. The administration of medication is well-managed. Medication is stored securely and is administered appropriately within a system led and monitored by senior nursing staff. Parents are positive about the manner in which their child's health needs are met. Comments include 'my child has very complex health needs and I am very confident and relaxed about my child coming here'. Also 'I have always had complete confidence in the staff'.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Safeguarding arrangements are well-managed. Children are protected through the operation of recently improved, and now robust, staff recruitment procedures. The service has clear safeguarding procedures in place and staff show good awareness of their roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children. Since the last inspection the service has effectively identified and managed safeguarding referrals and staff have consulted appropriately with external agencies when necessary to ensure children's safety and well-being.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

This inspection confirms that children are looked after in a safe environment as was established during the recent full inspection. The home and facilities are maintained to a high standard and fire safety arrangements are prioritised.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

There continue to be high levels of support and monitoring afforded to children which promotes their protection and well-being. As a result there are no occasions where children have gone missing from the home.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Behaviour is well managed. Children have recently engaged in activities and discussion to raise their awareness of bullying behaviours. Posters created by children are on display in the home showing that bullying is not acceptable. The high level of supervision of children and the experience of the staff team ensure that any 6 of 8 unusual changes in behaviour are recognised quickly and appropriate responses are made. Encouraging a child to move away from a noisy area or using distraction are examples of the range of de-escalation techniques that staff use to calm escalating behaviours. Physical intervention has only been used once since the home opened and only then as a last resort and to prevent injury.

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Leadership and management good

The service is led by a suitably experienced and qualified Registered Manager who has been in post since the service was registered in August 2013. This same manager has worked at JGS since 1996 and was the manager at the time the current service was registered following a change in provider. There is also a service manager based at the home who is the lead nursing manager. This means that there is a wealth of management experience to guide service delivery and development.

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Leadership and management good

Staff are confident in each other and feel supported by the management team. Staff are well trained and receive regular one-to-one supervision, which they describe as being of good quality and supporting them in their work. The staff rota ensures that children's needs are met through the provision of appropriate numbers of staff on duty.

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Leadership and management good

A range of actions have been taken to improve specific areas of service delivery and to meet the requirements and recommendations made at that time of the last inspection. Safeguarding policies and procedures have been updated and introduced to the whole staff team. Flowcharts are now displayed in offices across the home and provide easy access to guidance on reporting safeguarding concerns. A two-day team event was held following the last inspection during which the management of safeguarding disabled children was prioritised. As a result staff are now knowledgeable and confident about their role in the reporting of safeguarding concerns should they arise. Staff recruitment procedures have been strengthened by the action taken by leaders and managers.

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Leadership and management good

The service is monitored closely through the required external management visits to the home. When areas for improvement are identified these are actioned without delay. The Registered Manager also monitors the quality of care provided. These processes have been strengthened since the last inspection. As a result the welfare and protection of children is effectively monitored.

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Leadership and management good

The service has recently updated its Statement of Purpose to bring it in line with amendments to the Children's Homes Regulations. However, the document lacks sufficient detail about the staff working at the home. As a result stakeholders are unable to clarify the qualifications and experience of staff caring for children.

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Leadership and management good

Parents are confident to raise issues or concerns with managers or staff. One complaint about the service has been received since the last inspection. This has 7 of 8 been addressed promptly and effectively. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management good

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Judgement Description

Outstanding A service of exceptional quality that significantly exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Good A service of high quality that exceeds minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Adequate A service that only meets minimum requirements.

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Judgement Description

Inadequate A service that does not meet minimum requirements.

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Information 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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Information 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 framework of inspection for children's homes.

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