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Unique reference number SC437069 Inspector Amanda Ellis Type of inspection Interim 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 18/12/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 26/03/2015

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Previous inspection outstanding Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

At the last full inspection of this service in December 2014, the home was judged as outstanding and there were no requirements or recommendations set. Since this time, the Registered Manager, deputy managers and dedicated staff team have successfully maintained exceptional standards of care. This means children and young people continue to benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities and improved outcomes in developing their skills and confidence.

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This inspection

This short break provision ensures all children and young people benefit from meticulously planned admissions. Staff implement effective systems to manage new referrals and discharges. The skilled staff team work closely with families, education, social and health care professionals to promote positive introductions to the service. Additionally, when young people make the transition to adult services, staff ensure well-planned departures. Young people are provided with colourful photographic journals and memorabilia that illustrate their time with the short-break service. This enables young people to look back on their enjoyable experiences and significant friends and carers.

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This inspection

A key strength of this service is the effectiveness of the cohesive management and staff team. A priority in service delivery is ensuring that the staff team are well trained, supported and supervised. All staff participate in high levels of training, which is up to date and relevant to the needs of young people. This means staff have relevant skills, knowledge and support to provide high quality care. Regular supervision and annual professional appraisals mean the continuous assessment of individual staff competence. Arrangements for team meetings ensure effective communication and sharing of knowledge. In summary, the management and staff team receive high levels of support. Consequently, young people can expect meticulous care provision. 3 of 5 Since the last inspection, the management team have worked hard to identify how the home can be further developed. Detailed development plans outline actions to

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This inspection

improve the home, including upgrading the physical environment; enhancing the professional skills of the staff team and establishing a diverse range of targets relating to improving outcomes for children and young people. The Registered Manager regularly reviews these plans and sets new targets.

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This inspection

The Registered Manager has been proactive in ensuring the staff team have a thorough understanding of children’s homes reforms and associated changes in regulations and quality standards, which are implemented in April 2015. Staff have benefited from attending consultation events, training workshops and provided with relevant literature. The management team are implementing new systems in the home to ensure they fully comply with the revised children’s homes regulations. Consequently, the home is well prepared to evidence how they continue to provide exceptional levels of care to all children and young people.

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This inspection

Medication and health care arrangements are scrupulous in this service. The management team have taken a lead role in the local authority to train social care staff in the safe administration, recording and storage of medications. Medication training is up to date for all staff. The storage and recording of medications is safe and clearly documented.

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This inspection

Robust quality assurance arrangements monitor and where necessary improve the quality of care provided. The Registered Manager undertakes monitoring processes directly. In addition, an external quality assurance person visits the home each month and reports on the quality of care provided. These dual processes demonstrate a focused commitment to drive forward service development by leaders and managers. 4 of 5

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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

18/12/2014 Full outstanding 20/03/2014 Interim good progress 03/01/2014 Full good 03/01/2013 Interim good progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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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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