Children's Home run by Leicester City Council in Leicester

Unique reference number SC039056 Inspector Catherine Honey Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Leicester City Council Registered person address New Walk Centre Welford Place LEICESTER LE1 6ZG Responsible individual Michael David Evans Registered manager Susan Patricia Aldridge Date of last inspection 03/03/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 03/12/2014

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Previous inspection satisfactory progress Enforcement action since last inspection There has been no enforcement action since the last inspection.

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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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Overall effectiveness

The home gives care to children and young people with a range of placement plans. Some young people live in the home on a long term basis, others visit for short breaks and others receive day care. Children and young people who live or stay at this home make good progress in all areas of their lives with some making remarkable progress since coming to live at the home permanently. This is due to the good quality and well-planned individualised care the staff provide.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are looked after by a team of experienced and knowledgeable staff. Most children and young people staying in this home are totally dependent on others to ensure that their safety and well-being is assured. Staff provide care for each young person in an effective, sensitive and safe way. Communication processes are inclusive. The home meets the varied needs of the young people with complex learning and physical disabilities.

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Overall effectiveness

Strong communication with parents ensures young people develop and enjoy their stays at the home. Parents have a very positive view of the care provided to their children. The leadership and management team manage the home and staff effectively. They have a good understanding of the areas for development and drive improvements in the service. 3 of 10 One shortfall is identified as a result of this inspection which has not impacted negatively on the safety or welfare of children or young people. A recommendation is made in relation to the recording of informal complaints. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority owned children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to nine children and young people. The home caters for children with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, complex health needs and challenging behaviours allied to their learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to care for up to five children under short break arrangements and up to four children under other arrangements.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 09/10/2013 Full good 25/02/2013 Interim good progress 23/10/2012 Full good

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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 there are clear and effective procedures for monitoring and controlling the activities of the home. This relates to recording clear outcomes of any informal complaints about the provision. (NMS 21.1) 5 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Children and young people thrive as a result of staying at or living in this home. They make and sustain attachments to staff members and feel secure during their time away from their family. This means they become more confident in their abilities and their self-esteem increases. Young people make positive developments because they receive personalised care from a staff team that works in partnership with families and support agencies. Parents and families have a very positive view of the outcomes for their children. Comments include: ‘My child is happy there’, ‘It’s excellent.’

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Children and young people have opportunities to explore and develop their interests and access the wider community. They have the opportunity to try new activities on a regular basis, for example, seeing the Christmas lights or going swimming. Some children participate in holiday activities which are varied and include trips to the seaside. This develops their participation in the wider community and their self- confidence. Some young people increase their contact with their friendship groups and have their friends to visit or to celebrate their birthday. For some young people this the first time they have had this opportunity which benefits their emotional wellbeing.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Children and young people do as much as they can for themselves to increase independence skills. The home is well-resourced with a separate independence style flat. Young people have the opportunity to become involved in practical tasks such as assisting with their own personal care and making drinks and snacks allowing them to practice age-appropriate tasks and take pride in fulfilling these. Some young people's identity grows considerably. They are able to chose their own room furnishings, go shopping for their own clothes, help cook their own choice of food or drinks.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Children and young people staying in the home on a more permanent basis are able to grow in confidence and develop trusting long-term relationships with the adults around them. Children and young people give their views, regardless of their communication methods. They are consulted about various aspects of the home. The views and wishes of young people are valued. They are involved in their care planning and their views are well-represented at review meetings. Young people know who their key workers are and positively identify with them.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people benefit from good health and medical support. Staff advocate on behalf of young people in medical situations. Young people eat healthily from a home made and nutritious menu. Mealtimes give young people good opportunities to develop independence skills such as supported eating.

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Outcomes for children and young people good

Young people enjoy and benefit from staying and living at this service. Young people who permanently live at this home share accommodation with young people who use 6 of 10 the short break service. The manager and staff are mindful of the impact that such arrangements may have on the stability of young people living at the home and advocate on young people's behalf to ensure permanency planning remains the focus of all professionals involved in young people's care. Young people who live in the home have their own areas to use which are personalised with belongings and mementoes.

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Quality of care good

Staff know young people extremely well and are attuned to their moods and behaviour. Where young people are showing behaviour which is out of the ordinary, staff take action to find out why. Staff advocate strongly on behalf of young people when in professional settings such as in hospital to ensure that young people receive the best care possible.

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Quality of care good

Families feel fully involved in the care of their children and young people and are made welcome when they visit. Parents and carers confirm there are opportunities for them to give their views an opinions about their children's care through coffee mornings, through the booking in process at the start of short breaks and by speaking informally to staff. The majority of parents consulted during the inspection stated they felt confident at brining any concerns or issues to staff or the manager's attention and that it would be rectified as soon as possible. This feedback demonstrates the good quality consultation which underpins the quality of care young people receive. A parent stated, 'Staff are always extremely welcoming and friendly.'

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Quality of care good

Staff know young people well and understand what each individual child is communicating whatever their means of communication. Individualised care planning and behaviour management strategies ensure that young people's needs are met well and they are kept safe. Great care is taken to ensure that children and young people's wishes and feelings are gained and taken into account in the planning for their care and in the wider aspects of the operation of the home. Staff effectively challenging and addressing any barriers to children and young people's participation within the home and within the community thus promoting equality for young people.

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Quality of care good

Good partnership working with parents and other agencies and professionals ensure that a range of services are accessed, continuity of care is achieved and outcomes for each child or young person are positive. A visiting professional highlighted the skill staff have in developing relationships with families and supporting them to access services that will benefit their child. Clear procedures for the storage and administration of medication effectively safeguard young people’s medical needs. Complex medical and health needs are well-cared for with comprehensive staff training, clear medical protocols and detailed health care plans.

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Quality of care good

For most young people, parents are responsible for their child's education and health 7 of 10 but for some young people living at the home permanently the home has a significant input into supporting children and young people in these areas and has established links with education and health providers. For young people who the home provides care for on a full-time basis they are well supported in their health and education and are progressing well in both areas.

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Quality of care good

The home is situated in a suitable area close to all local amenities that are well used by the children and young people. There is a large garden that is well equipped with play apparatus that children and young people enjoy using.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Ensuring the safety of young people is a priority. This is achieved through high levels of staffing and close supervision of young people. Staff are fully aware of each child and young person’s areas of vulnerability and sound individualised risk assessments underpin this. Where vulnerabilities are identified such as young people understanding how to cross the road or what stranger danger is, specific work is undertaken with them to help them gain a greater awareness of risk.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people do not go missing from this home. They are supported by staff who through training, supervision and staff meetings have a good understanding of their responsibility to safeguard children and young people. Investigations into allegations of harm are handled effectively and the arrangements ensure that children and young people are protected while any investigation is on going. Where shortfalls are identified in the care of young people, the home reflects on these events to explore lessons learned and review and amend practice. This ensures high-quality care is provided and detailed guidance is given to all staff who support children and young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Physical interventions are rare and when they occur they are recorded appropriately. Where there has been an increase in the use of physical intervention, staff and managers debrief and consider the reasons for this ensuring there is a high level of oversight and scrutiny. Positive handling plans are effectively used to minimise incidents. Young people are protected from contact with unsuitable people through recruitment and vetting procedures.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Fire drills and health and safety checks are regularly carried out. Each child has a personal evacuation plan and staff are clear about their role during emergency fire procedures. The home tries to ensure all young people have an understanding of what a fire drill is and what to expect if the alarm sounds. This helps ensure young people and staff have a better sense of what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Leadership and management good

8 of 10 The home is managed by a well-experienced and committed Registered Manager. She is working towards a level 5 qualification in leadership and management to further enhance her skills. Professionals and parents consulted as part of the inspection were highly positive in their praise for the manager.

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Leadership and management good

The manager has addressed concerns that have arisen since the last inspection effectively. At the last inspection, two requirements and one recommendation were made. All have been met. The home uses agency staff to cover gaps in staffing numbers or at busy times like the school holidays. The same staff are used promoting better consistency for young people. Full information is now available in relation to agency workers' recruitment and training records. This ensures young people are cared for by appropriately checked staff. In addition, the majority of staff have now received specific training in safeguarding disabled children. This ensures staff have an up-to-date working knowledge of safeguarding processes.

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Leadership and management good

The manager and staff promote an open approach in the home. Families report a strong sense of involvement in the care of their children. A parent stated, ‘Staff are not patronising when they talk to me about my child, they do not act as though they know best. I’m reassured when my child is staying here. It’s like we’re in it together.' On occasion, parents or carers have cause to raise a concern with staff or the manager. All concerns are treated seriously and the manager determines whether the concern is an informal or formal complaint in line with the home's policy. Informal complaints are clearly recorded however, on one occasion the outcome record was not up-to-date and did not reflect the conclusion to the complaint. This is a recording issue rather than a practice issue as in practice feedback demonstrates the majority of parents are satisfied with how issues are resolved. The manager and staff team

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Leadership and management good

are open to feedback and using this to promote development and improvement.

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Leadership and management good

The home is staffed by sufficient numbers of staff who are suitably qualified and experienced. They benefit from regular supervision. Staff are well-supported in their roles and have access to good training opportunities meaning they are well-trained and competent in their work. A professional stated, 'Staff are extremely committed to the young people that they work with and have a good knowledge and understanding of their needs and disabilities. Their communication with social workers is extremely good and the management of the home is excellent.'

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Leadership and management good

Records for children and young people are securely stored and well-maintained. They provide a good overview about the young person's time in the home. Parents, families and supporting agencies have accurate information about the operation of the home in the Statement of Purpose. Young people are supported with good information about the service in accessible young people’s guides. Pictures, symbols and photographs are used to enable young people’s communication and understanding processes. Leaders and managers ensure that the home is monitored effectively, through internal and external independent monitoring, and this ensures that the manager and management team have a clear view of the strengths and areas for development. 9 of 10 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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