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Unique reference number SC437069 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Derbyshire County Council Registered person address County Hall Matlock Derbyshire DE4 3AG

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Responsible individual Ian Johnson Registered manager Kevin Gardom Date of last inspection 20/03/2014 2 of 11 Inspection date 18/12/2014

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection none

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Overall effectiveness outstanding

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

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Overall effectiveness

This service provides exceptional standards of care for children and young people who have a wide range of complex learning and physical disabilities. It is a shining example of what care provision can be at its best.

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Overall effectiveness

The service is highly valued by parents and professionals. A parent stated ‘They are worth their weight in gold. I could not do without them!’ One professional said ‘Managers and staff are passionate about improving the lives of the children who they work with.’

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Overall effectiveness

Exemplary management and leadership ensure meticulous attention to detail. This means operational systems, monitoring and development planning are virtually flawless. The Registered Manager and his team strive for continual improvement. Their motto is ‘Better never stops!’

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Overall effectiveness

Children and young people benefit from highly individualised and well-planned care, based on a rigorous assessment of their unique needs. They experience excellent outcomes because staff support and encourage all children and young people to develop and progress. This means they are able to reach their full potential.

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Overall effectiveness

Safeguarding is paramount in this service. Families and social workers have high 3 of 11 levels of confidence about the service’s ability to keep children and young people safe.

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Overall effectiveness

Management and staff implement a proactive and strong commitment to promoting diversity and equality in the home. The celebration of ethnic, religious, social and cultural diversity is embedded within the operation of the provision. The service provision recognises children and young people as individuals, with their own unique talents and skills. The management and staff team are dedicated to promote a positive view of diversity and disability.

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Overall effectiveness

No statutory requirements or recommendations are set within this inspection. This is testament to the exceptional standards evident in this service. 4 of 11

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Information about this children’s home

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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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/03/2014 Interim good progress 03/01/2014 Full good 03/01/2013 Interim good progress 12/07/2012 Full good 5 of 11

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Children and young people make excellent progress in all aspects of their lives during their stays in this home. One parent said ‘My son has made so much progress because of this home. He adores going - he would go every day’

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Children and young people achieve excellent school attendance during their short break stays. The short breaks resource is proactive in liaising with schools and education providers to ensure consistency about the needs of the children and young people. Staff work with education providers to share knowledge and skills. This ensures cohesive approaches to communication and attaining educational targets. Education is further supported with the provision of a wide range of educational opportunities within the short breaks service and learning opportunities within the wider community. This means learning and educational development is maximised because the service commits to effective partnerships with education providers.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Children and young people receive a service where their health promotion is of paramount importance. Staff work diligently with a range of health professionals to support the complex physical, emotional and psychological health needs of all children and young people. This ensures that the global health needs of all children and young people are met at all times. Communication with parents promotes consistency of care in relation to health, medication, feeding, bathing, and mobility issues. This approach to healthcare therefore maximises health outcomes for all children and young people.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Children and young people access a wide range of stimulating social activities during their short break stays. Activities include, visiting Leicester to see the Diwali lights, seaside trips, visits to country manors and estates, funfairs, Halloween activities, crafts fairs, arts awards, picnics, camp outs, sports activities and musical workshops. One parent said ‘They do so much with him - he is hardly ever in.’ For some children and young people this means they experience activities, which they might not be able to do, without his service.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Participation of all children and young people is central to the operation of the home. Through a range of communication methods, children and young people routinely express their wishes and feelings about their care and contribute to the home. For example, menu planning has been fully inclusive of the children and young people, including their likes, dislikes and favourite meals. Following short break visits, children and young people complete a feedback from to express how the visit went and what could be better. This means regardless of communication difficulties, all children and young people are empowered and included within their own care provision.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

The positive outcomes and progress that children and young people make because of 6 of 11 their short break stays, underpin improved long-term outcomes for family stability. Parents describe how improvements in their children's overall development enable families to cope much better with the pressures that come with significant learning and physical disabilities. One parent said ‘He has made so much progress; his speech is much better, he is better in school, his behaviour is much improved. He used to be aggressive with other children, but he can now play gently with toddlers.’

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Transitions to adult services are planned well in advance of young people leaving the service. Families and young people are central to such planning. Consequently, young people are supported in contributing to choices made about their futures.

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Quality of care outstanding

The management and staff team have consistently high aspirations for all children and young people. They are innovative and enthusiastic in supporting all children and young people, regardless of disability, to achieve their optimum potential. They demonstrate commitment to continuous learning and strive to expand current knowledge and skills. This enables them to provide optimum care. Consequently, they are highly effective in supporting children and young people to progress and achieve.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff are proactive in collaborating with multi-disciplinary professionals to ensure holistic care provision. One professional commented ‘The staff work very closely with other agencies and parents to improve outcomes for the children and young people they support.’ A social worker said ‘We have excellent communication. We always know about the young person’s progress.’ These highly effective partnerships with external agencies and social work professionals ensure potential concerns identified; achievements celebrated and agreed plans followed.

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Quality of care outstanding

Relationships between staff, children and young people are genuinely caring and nurturing. One social worker said ‘Supporting the individual needs of the young people is uppermost in their minds.’ Another social worker said ‘All the children I work with who attend the Getaway speak of staff with fondness. The children clearly trust staff and this is shown in the children's responses.’ These relationships are central to children and young people feeling valued and secure.

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Quality of care outstanding

Meticulous attention to detail in planning, assessing, reviewing and working in partnership with parents and professionals ensures care delivery meets the specific needs of children and young people and maximises outcomes. Equality and diversity issues are embedded within the care planning process and individual needs are addressed. The views of children and young people are sought and their views built into how their care is delivered. Consequently, accurate, personalised planning provides clarity to the staff team, to ensure appropriate delivery of care.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff have an impressive knowledge of non-verbal communication techniques. 7 of 11 Creative and individualised communication strategies utilise a range of non-verbal communication methods including the use of electronic tablets and other media. Children and young people are empowered because they have individualised communication strategies that meet their individual needs. This commitment to inclusion means that all children and young people benefit from an approach that values their participation and promotes their views.

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Quality of care outstanding

Children and young people receive a children’s guide, which is available in a variety of formats to meet a range of communication needs. This contains comprehensive information on their care, advocacy, contacts, complaints and the details for Ofsted. Staff and parents advocate on behalf of young people to initiate complaints, wherever necessary. Children and young people benefit from independent advocacy services regularly visiting the home. Consequently, robust procedures ensure transparency in dealing with complaints and concerns.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff ensure that children and young people receive consistently high standards that clearly focuses on their clinical and medical health needs. The management of medication used within the home is rigorous and meticulous. Staff have relevant medication training; records are accurate and storage is pristine. The security and organisation of medication practice, protects against any potential maladministration, thereby safeguarding children and young people.

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Quality of care outstanding

Children and young people benefit from a diverse range of indoor and outdoor activities. The service has a beautiful, stimulating and colourful outdoor playground and play area. This includes a range of playground equipment accessible to young people who use wheelchairs or have mobility problems. Children and young people can cycle on adapted bikes, tri-cycles and scooters. The home has a range of creative and relaxing activities within the home, including its own sensory room. They are supported to attend and participate in outreach groups and local youth clubs. This enables them to widen their experiences, develop friendships achieve to their maximum potential.

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Quality of care outstanding

Children and young people benefit from an environment designed to meet the needs of people who have a diverse range of disabilities. However, despite the necessity to have equipment and adaptations essential for care of disabled people, the environment is not clinical or institutionalised. It is light, airy, spacious and a child- centred space. Children and young people benefit from high levels of privacy. They have their own bedroom and adjoining bathrooms. Bedrooms have wall paintings and themes. Upon arrival, bedrooms are personalised with children’s own possessions. The standard of décor and furnishings throughout the home is very good. The accommodation is spacious and offers space for communal and private time.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

8 of 11 Safeguarding practice is of utmost importance to this service, both within the home and in the community. Management and staff have a heightened awareness of the vulnerabilities of children and young people who have disabilities. Consequently, they consistently ensure vigilant safeguarding practice. Parents and professionals are confident that the service consistently safeguards and keeps their children and young people safe. One social worker said ‘The safety of the children and young people in their care appears to be paramount.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

A well-trained and competent staff team effectively implement robust safeguarding policies and procedures. When safeguarding incidents occur, the Registered Manager ensures that robust action to safeguard young people. This includes notifications to relevant bodies and safeguarding agencies. This ensures transparency in regards to the home’s response to incidents. Consequently, this ensures appropriate action is taken to follow procedures and protect children and young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Children and young people’s safety and well-being is promoted through implementation of highly detailed and regularly reviewed risk assessments. These provide skilled staff with clarity and ensure that risks and vulnerabilities are identified and managed. Risk assessments are proportionate and responsive to changing needs. This enables children and young people to experience new challenges and develop new skills while remaining safe. Staff are highly knowledgeable about young people and ensure that safety is the paramount consideration.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Staff have a robust understanding of bullying and aggressive behaviours, underpinned upon an appreciation of the reasons for such behaviours and individual levels of understanding. While there are no reports of bullying within the home, staff ensure children and young people learn about bullying through Anti-bullying workshops and raising awareness of cyber-bullying. A high staff ratio further ensures excellent monitoring which reduces the likelihood of bullying. The home provides an environment of care and support where bullying is not tolerated.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The home has ensured the implementation of updated missing from care procedures and protocols. This ensures effective safeguarding practice in the event of a child or young person going missing. Individual profiles of each child and young person further reinforce this robust practice. Excellent levels of staff understanding and high levels of supervision ensure young people are kept safe and do not go missing.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

Physical interventions are rarely used in this short break provision and only for protecting children and young people from serious harm. There have been minimal physical interventions within this home since the last inspection. Staff are suitably trained to undertake any physical intervention and recording of such incidents is in line with the legislative framework. Staff understand the behaviours of children and young people and are aware of the signs and triggers to unsafe behaviours. They are creative in behaviour management preferring diversion, distraction and de-escalation techniques. This ensures behaviour management is highly effective. 9 of 11 Children and young people are not at risk of harm during their short break stays. This is because of exceptional levels of staff knowledge about risks associated with individual children and young people's disabilities. Staff ensure methodical preparation for each child's stay. Extensive daily staff handover shifts incorporate a

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

thorough review of current information and risks. Consequently, each short break stay is well coordinated and focused on current needs.

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Keeping children and young people safe outstanding

The home is safe and well maintained. The home has a continual programme of maintenance, which ensures timely repair and remedial work. Health and safety checks, including fire equipment and drills, are current and environmental risks assessments are in place. All staff, children and young people regularly undertake a range of creative fire drills. Individualised personal emergency evacuation plans are in place for each child to support safe evacuations. Consequently, fire safety is a top priority in this service.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The manager became registered in this post in April October 2011. He has a National Vocational Qualification at level 4 in Health and Social Care Children and Young People. He has commenced his studies on the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership in Health and Social Care. This means the manager is ensuring he has suitable qualifications for the post of Registered Manager. He has substantial relevant childcare and managerial experience of residential childcare within this service.

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Leadership and management outstanding

There were no requirements or recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Leadership and management arrangements are effective because the Registered Manager has up to date knowledge of social care legislation, regulatory changes and reforms to social care. The Registered Manager is highly motivated and dedicated about delivering the highest standards to the children, young people and families who use the service.

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Leadership and management outstanding

The management team lead by example and stimulate the enthusiasm of staff. One staff member said ‘As a staff member I feel proud to work in such a positive forward thinking team.’ Another team member said ‘We have an excellent management team who work hard to develop great team working.’ Consequently, the motivation and dedication of staff ensure children and young people benefit from high standards of care.

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Leadership and management outstanding

A key strength of the Registered Manager is his dedication to ensuring the staff team have high quality professional development. All staff participate in a wide-ranging training programme that provide opportunities to develop upon their existing knowledge. Staff are conscientious in developing new knowledge and skills to improve the delivery of care. For example, several members of staff are currently studying social pedagogy at University. Consequently, a highly skilled and 10 of 11 knowledgeable workforce ensures children and young people enjoy exemplary standards of care and benefit from improved outcomes.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Staff benefit from exceptionally high levels of management support. They receive consistent and meaningful supervision and annual appraisals. Comments from staff include ‘Supervision is extremely productive and honest. It gives me the opportunity to discuss concerns appropriately and identify areas in which I need to improve or work on to become more effective’ and ‘I get very positive feedback and am often praised for individual achievements; I get direction and support on how to develop my skills.’ Additionally, regular team meetings provide a forum for meaningful team development and routine exchange of information. This ensures a cohesive and well- informed team. As a result, children and young people benefit from a team who have high levels of morale and are happy in their work.

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Leadership and management outstanding

Effective management and monitoring of the home ensures the pursuit for continual improvement. Extensive internal and external quality assurance processes act as monitoring systems to ensure the quality of service and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, the management team routinely scrutinise 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 outstanding

Development plans for the home outline an agenda of continual improvement and of high expectations. They include challenging goals and are inspirational in their attention to detail. The management team understand the strengths and weaknesses of the home and take action to tackle weakness and make improvements. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Leadership and management outstanding

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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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