Children's Home run by Grace Care Limited in Nottingham

Unique reference number SC436818 Inspector Katarina Djordjevic Type of inspection Full Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Grace Care Limited Registered person address 27 Meadow Close NOTTINGHAM NG2 3HZ

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Responsible individual Robert Gardner Registered manager Beverley Jane Russell Date of last inspection 04/03/2014 2 of 10 Inspection date 07/01/2015

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Previous inspection good progress Enforcement action since last inspection None.

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Overall effectiveness good

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

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Overall effectiveness

This is a good home where young people are happy, feel safe and settled. They receive an excellent standard of care and make very good progress given their starting points.

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Overall effectiveness

Young people are cared for by a committed staff team who are clear about their roles and responsibilities and have high aspirations for young people. The Registered Manager and her deputy provide clear leadership and direction, promoting a culture of continual improvement.

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Overall effectiveness

Empowerment of young people, the promotion of individualised care and collaborative working with parents, carers and other professionals are particular strengths.

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Overall effectiveness

There have been a number of staff changes since the last inspection. Some of the changes can be attributed to the increase in the number of young people accommodated. There is no evidence that staff changes have impacted on the quality of care. The management team are fully aware of the importance of having a stable staff team.

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Overall effectiveness

Feedback from parents and placing authorities is positive and confirms that young 3 of 10 people are making good progress.

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Overall effectiveness

One recommendation is made regarding providing supervision training for staff with supervisory responsibilities. 4 of 10

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Information about this children’s home

The children's home is run by a private company. It can accommodate up to three children with learning disabilities.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/03/2014 Interim good progress 23/08/2013 Full adequate 18/02/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 27/09/2012 Interim satisfactory progress

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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

 provide supervision training for staff with supervisory responsibilities. (NMS 18.1) 5 of 10

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people really do benefit from living at the home and make very good progress given their starting points and based on their individual levels of understanding, abilities and disabilities. They are happy and settled in the home and feel safe. A professionals’ report stated that this is ‘a very positive placement’ and the young person’s behaviour has improved greatly. A parent commented that their child had coped really well with new young people moving into the home which reflects the progress their child has made.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people are encouraged to become as independent as possible and are provided with excellent practical and emotional support. Their personal care skills improve greatly which helps to improve their privacy and dignity. They become more confident as they are less reliant on staff to carry out certain tasks, such as help with their intimate care needs. A young person now cleans their own teeth without any support and recognises the need to do this. Another young person is now able to take their medication with very little support from staff; the young person now understands why they need the medication. This also increases self-confidence. A parent confirmed that their child has become more independent and confident; their child is now able to dress themselves which their child is very proud of.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people make really good progress in changing their complex behaviours which improves their safety as well as the safety of others. This is because staff implement consistent boundaries so young people know what is expected of them. A social worker commented how pleased they are in how staff are managing a young person’s behaviour consistently; and as a result, the young person is beginning to learn about the consequences of his behaviour. Improvements in young people’s behaviour has resulted in young people having increased and more positive contact with their families; access to a wider range of activities, including community resources.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people enjoy school and their attendance at school is very good. Some young people’s attendance at school has improved significantly; some young people rarely went to school prior to moving to the home. One young person who rarely went to school has received three awards from school since the start of the new school year in September for their attendance and attitude in school. As a result, young people are achieving educationally and developing their social and independence skills.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people are provided with a wide range of opportunities and experiences, based on their individual needs and interests, that they may not be able to otherwise access. As a result of improved behaviours, some young people are now accessing a wider range of community activities and go out regularly. For example, a young person now goes swimming weekly and attends a Special Olympics club; this demonstrates that young people are now able to socialise in a group situation. Young 6 of 10 people have fun at the same time as learning and are able to take an active part in the wider community. Some young people attend local youth clubs and other clubs, such as the local Girl Guides. One young person works as a volunteer at a farm on Saturdays, which they really enjoy, and demonstrates their commitment to helping others. Additionally, the young person’s social interaction and independence skills are improving. All young people went on holiday during the summer which they

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

thoroughly enjoyed. There were no incidents of poor or unsafe behaviour which demonstrates how well young people have progressed and is testament to the skills and commitment of the staff.

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Outcomes for children and young people outstanding

Young people’s relationships with their families improve significantly as a result of their improved behaviours. All young people also now have regular contact with their families which are positive experiences for both the young person and their families. Some young people are now having overnight stays with their family which wasn’t possible when they first moved into the home. An independent reviewing officer (IRO) commented that a young person is now having more contact with their family without staff having to be present, which is a big improvement.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people receive an excellent quality of individualised care which takes into account their identified needs, risks, previous histories and experiences. A specialist epilepsy nurse commented that a ‘child’s behaviour, learning, health & appearance has improved significantly’. Staff demonstrate a detailed and thorough knowledge of young people’s individual needs, wishes and preferences. This is because young people have very detailed placement plans (known as residential action plans), risk assessments and associated records. The quality and detail of care records is possible due to close and effective collaboration with parents, carers, schools and other relevant professionals. Records are regularly reviewed and updated when necessary which ensures staff are working to meet young people’s current needs. Feedback from social workers confirms staff communicate with them very well. A social worker commented about staff communication ‘they are really on the ball all

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Quality of care outstanding

the time’. This helps placing authorities monitor that young people’s needs are being met and monitor their progress.

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Quality of care outstanding

Staff are totally committed to ensuring young people’s physical, emotional and psychological health needs are met and healthy lifestyles are promoted. Staff work closely with parents, carers, the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) and a range of therapists to ensure young people’s health needs are met. Some young people need support with intimate personal care. Safety, comfort and a respect for the individual’s privacy and dignity are embedded in staff practice.

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Quality of care outstanding

The safe management of medication helps to further protect young people from the risk of harm and meet their health needs. The medication systems are monitored by the Registered Manager which helps to further protect young people and promote 7 of 10 their health and welfare.

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Quality of care outstanding

Empowerment and enablement of young people is at the forefront of practice; staff focus on what young people can and have the potential to do. Care and support provided takes into account individual’s communication needs; a range of systems are in place to ensure young people can contribute to the day-to-day running of the home and their futures. For example, key work sessions are used to obtain young people’s views in preparation for their looked after children review meetings. One young person expressed their views by drawing pictures.

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Quality of care outstanding

Young people receive excellent practical and emotional support to maintain contact and develop relationships with their families and friends where appropriate. Families also really appreciate the support they are given. An IRO commented that support young people receive to keep in contact with their family is ‘excellent as it is part of (young person’s) care plan to have weekly family contact unsupervised now, which is a progression from when they first came into LA care.’ The IRO also commented that staff have given good support to a family to understand and manage their child’s behaviour.

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Quality of care outstanding

The home is a detached house in a city suburb and is close to local amenities. Young people benefit from living in a home which is comfortable, and furnished and decorated to a very good standard. The décor, furnishings and physical restrictions take into account the disabilities and associated behaviours of young people which help to keep them safe. Young people are encouraged and supported to personalise their rooms and as a result, bedrooms reflect young people’s personalities, likes and interests.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Keeping young people safe is a priority at the home. Staff receive a range of safeguarding training which helps to inform their practice. They are very clear about their responsibilities in reporting any child protection concerns; this includes where young people have a history of making allegations. When allegations are made against staff, these are referred to the person in the local authority responsible for safeguarding and Ofsted is also notified. This practice helps to protect young people from the risk of harm and abuse.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people are enabled to take assessed risks in order to develop their skills and experiences. This is possible due to their detailed individual residential action plans, risk assessments and behaviour management plans. As a result they are able to improve their skills in a safe and nurturing environment.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Complaints from young people, parents, carers and other stakeholders are taken seriously and dealt with promptly. Where appropriate the Registered Manager works 8 of 10 closely with social workers. Records are kept of complaints.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Young people rarely go missing due to the high levels of staff supervision and the security of the premises. However, where this is a potential risk, young people’s risk assessments include details of what to do in the event of going missing. This helps to safeguard young people.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The management of young people’s behaviour is good. Staff work collaboratively with schools, parents and other professionals to ensure behaviour is managed consistently and safely. As a result, young people’s behaviour has improved since living at the home. Feedback from placing authorities and minutes of young people’s looked after children review meetings confirms these improvements in behaviours. Restraint is only used as a last resort and appropriate records are kept.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

The management of health and safety at the home is good and helps to keep young people safe and secure. Equipment and installations are serviced as required. Fire safety practices take into account the needs of the young people; regular fire drills are undertaken as are weekly fire alarm tests. Each young person has an individual personal emergency evacuation plan which gives clear details of the support they need if the fire alarm is activated.

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Keeping children and young people safe good

Robust recruitment practices help to protect young people from the risk of harm and abuse.

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Leadership and management good

The Registered Manager has worked at the home since it was registered. She has extensive experience of working with children and young people in residential settings. She is a qualified social worker.

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Leadership and management good

The home’s Statement of Purpose is updated whenever there are any changes. It contains all the required information as detailed in the Children’s Homes Regulations. It provides clear and detailed information to parents, carers and placing authorities about the services provided. Practice is in line with the Statement of Purpose. The children’s guide is produced in different formats to accommodate individual’s communication needs.

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Leadership and management good

Since the last inspection the staffing structure has been re-organised, which has resulted in improvements in the service provision. A deputy manager has been appointed along with a number of shift leaders. This enables more management time to develop and improve the services and ensures there is a senior member of staff on each shift.

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Leadership and management good

There have been a number of staff changes since the last inspection; some have been due to increase in occupancy levels. However, there is no evidence that staff 9 of 10 changes have impacted on the quality of care. New members of staff spoke very positively about the induction they have received and the support from the whole team. They demonstrated a good knowledge about young people’s needs. This is testament to the quality of the induction and support they have received, given the short amount of time they have worked at the home.

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Leadership and management good

Staff working at the home have a range of experiences and really enjoy working at the home. They present as committed, enthusiastic and want the best for young people. They feel well supported by the management team and feel listened to. They receive regular supervision and weekly staff meetings provide valuable opportunities to discuss young people’s needs, staffing issues and staff training.

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Leadership and management good

Staff receive a range of mandatory training, including safeguarding, first aid, food hygiene, behaviour management, fire safety, medication training, and equality and diversity training. Specialist training has also been sourced to ensure staff have a good understanding and awareness of different needs and disabilities. One area for development is a recommendation in regard to providing supervision training for staff with supervisory responsibilities.

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Leadership and management good

There is a range of internal monitoring systems within the home which help to ensure young people receive the care and support they need in a safe and secure environment. The Registered Manager is committed to continual improvement and this is reflected in some of the new monitoring tools introduced since the last inspection, for example, an individual outcomes tool for monitoring young people’s progress. Internal monitoring systems are complimented by the monthly visits undertaken by an independent visitor; copies of these reports are sent to Ofsted as required.

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Leadership and management good

There is a clear system in place to notify appropriate authorities of all significant events relating to the protection of young people living at the home. This helps to further promote young people's well-being and protect them from harm. 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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