Children's Home run by Action for Children Services Ltd in Buckinghamshire

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people are making good progress. Staff know the young people well. They can interpret their individual communication styles and so meet the needs and wishes of young people.  Young people have built good relationships with a stable staff team.  Staff are enthusiastic and work hard to give young people positive experiences.  Staff offer a wide range of activities both in the home and community.  The home has good communication with education providers.  The home recognises that transitions can be difficult for young people and work closely with families and social workers.  There is good communication between the home and parents.  The home promotes independence skills in accordance with each young person’s understanding and ability.

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

To meet the quality and purpose of care standard the registered person must ensure they: Provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably; this is in relation to the changing tables not working. (Regulation 6(2)(vii) 1/9/15

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Requirement Due date

To meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure: That the premises used for the purpose of the home are designed, furnished and maintained…this is in relation to the personalisation of bedrooms. (Regulation 12)(2)(d) 30/9/15

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Develop a policy in relation to young people bringing in their own internet devices. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, 9.19 p 44)

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Information about this children's home

This is a short break service for young people with learning disabilities, sensory impairment and physical disabilities. It is run by a national children’s charity and can accommodate up to 14 young people. There are 42 young people on the register. Young people may have challenging behaviours associated with their disability and complex health needs that require nursing input.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

good

The young people have positive relationships with an enthusiastic staff team who want young people to have positive experiences whilst staying in the home. One parent commented, ‘staff are always lively and pleased to see X’.

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good

The young people are encouraged and supported to attend activities in both the home and community. Young people observed were going on an activity to the cinema and then to McDonald’s for lunch. One parent commented ‘X is always doing something’; another commented ‘X always has fun when he stays here’.

p.6

good

There is a clear policy for young people who wish to make a complaint and information is available in alternative communication methods. There is also an advocate who visits the home approximately every six weeks and spends time with the young people. Young people are encouraged to make choices in their day-to- day living according to their preferred communication methods.

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good

Staff have made effective links with schools and attend reviews. One parent commented ‘the home has visited X in school to see how they work with him’. A social worker commented ‘communication between the home and school is good, they have joint meetings and are working closely with X’s school to build relationships to make sure they are all doing the same thing’.

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good

The young people are actively supported to develop their self-care skills whilst taking into account their age and ability. One parent commented ‘I noticed that X was feeding himself here but struggling at home, I spoke to staff and realised that his spoon and bowl at home were different, I am now using the same utensils as the home and he is feeding himself now’. A social worker commented ‘X has increased his independence skills as well as his social skills giving him new skills and opportunities, X helps staff cook when he’s here’.

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good

The staff understand the importance of transitions and how some young people can find this difficult. One parent commented ‘staff were very supportive when X started his visits, he started with a tea visit where we stayed, his next tea visit we stayed an hour and the third time he had an overnight, this helped X adjust to surroundings. A social worker commented ‘staff are very good at understanding the difficulties some young people have with transition and will work at the child’s and family’s pace’. Staff ensure that the young people are in an appropriate group taking into account their age and ability. One social worker commented ‘it’s good that the young people are matched and then stay with this group for all their stays as it helps build relationships’. A parent commented ‘the home informed me that they thought X had outgrown the group he was in and felt he wasn’t getting the best from his stay, they moved him and he’s a lot happier’.

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good

Parents said staff keep them fully updated. One parent commented ‘staff always let me know how he has been and I know that I can always phone’, another commented ‘Staff always give me a good handover when I collect X I feel comfortable leaving him here, it’s like leaving him with friends’.

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good

The home has two large gardens containing swings, trampolines and stimulating play equipment.

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good

The reception area is bright and welcoming with photos of the staff. The corridors have been decorated; one social worker commented ‘the corridors do not look as clinical now’.

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good

The young people have their own bedrooms; they are able to choose their own bedding for their stay and can bring personal items from home. Some of the bedrooms are in need of decoration and still lack personalisation.

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good

There is an adequate number of bathrooms for the young people to use, however none of the changing tables in one of the units are working and staff commented that this can make it difficult when providing personal care for some of the young people. One shower was also not working.

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good

The environment is safe and there are appropriate security on doors and windows. There are Personal Emergency Evacuation plans in place for each young person. All health and safety checks are up to date.

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good

Young people rarely go missing. Staff are aware of the safeguarding and missing policies and know what action to take should this happen. There are effective risk assessments in place which staff review and amend if necessary. When young people attend activities in the community the staffing ratio is one to one. A social worker commented that ‘safeguarding is good, staff are very vigilant. Any concerns are assessed and acted upon’. A parent commented ‘I feel very comfortable leaving X here, I know he is safe’.

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good

The home has an iPad which young people use, there is a policy on the use of this device and staff monitor young people when they are using it. Young people can also bring their own devices into the home. There is no protocol for this, which has the potential to leave young people vulnerable in their use of the internet.

p.8

good

The home ensures that as part of the referral process all risks are taken into account. The manager assesses the needs, abilities and vulnerabilities of each young person. She will then look at which group provides the best match for the young person to ensure that they get the best experience from their stay and are kept safe. One social worker commented ‘the home works hard to make sure the mix of young people is right and take compatibility into account; the young people are safeguarded well’.

p.8

good

The home has clear behaviour management strategies, which staff are familiar with and implement effectively. Young people know and respond positively to calm verbal instruction and signing, for example staff say ‘safe hands’ and model this to good effect. Staff were observed safely moving a young person appropriately to the other side of the table to protect others in the vicinity whilst explaining to him why he was being moved.

p.8

good

The home has a robust medication policy. Staff were observed giving medication in line with the policy. Staff ensure medication is recorded and stored correctly. Staff respect the dignity of young people, for example, they ensure that medication is given privately.

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good

The home has good links with the local Police Community Support Officer who comes to visit the young people.

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good

The home has appropriate communication with the Local Authorities Designated Officer who reported that ‘the home reports appropriately and will follow up any action that I recommend and keeps me updated, I have facilitated some safeguarding training, I have no concerns with this home’.

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good

Recruitment is robust; all the appropriate checks are carried out.

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good

The registered manager has been in post since November 2014. She has the relevant experience and actively prioritises the needs of the young people. She holds the NVQ 3 and is currently undertaking the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and management in residential childcare.

p.9

good

The statement of purpose has been recently updated in the light of the new regulations. This accurately describes the practice in the home. The manager is in the process of updating the young people’s guide.

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good

There are monitoring systems in place to ensure young people’s needs are met and they experience a positive stay. She is in the process of introducing a new system enabling staff to monitor and track young people’s progress and outcomes. This will then form part of the young person’s review. Staff spoken to said that this would be a valuable way of monitoring outcomes.

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good

There have been no complaints since the last full inspection; the manager regularly obtains feedback from parents, social workers and young people.

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good

Staff receive monthly supervision where progress of children and safeguarding are discussed. Staff reported that they find supervision a valuable way of keeping updated regarding the young people they care for.

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good

Staff meetings take place monthly; the separate units also have meetings once a month.

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good

Induction for new staff is effective and all mandatory training is in place and updated. Three qualified Nurses work in the home and train the staff regarding health needs.

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good

Good concise placement plans are in place and reviewed monthly, these are in line with the local authorities care plans. Parents sign to say that they are in agreement with the plans.

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good

Daily recordings are comprehensive and outline the progression and achievements of the young people during their stay.

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good

There are positive relationships between the home and families. One parent commented ‘there is good communication with the home and I feel very comfortable leaving X here’.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This 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 Children's

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Information about this inspection

Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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