Children's Home run by West Berkshire Council - Social Care in West Berkshire

Good

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

p.2

The children's home provision is good because:

 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 young people a wide variety of activities both in the home and in the community.  Staff recognise and celebrate young people achievements.  Staff know the young people well and can interpret their individual communication styles and so meet the needs and wishes of young people.  There is good communication between the home and parents.  Staff listen to young people and act on their wishes and feelings.  There is good communication with education providers.

p.3

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.

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s)

p.4

Recommendations

The registered persons should take a key role in seeking to develop the homes effective working relationship in the local community, for example, with the local police officer. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations paragraph 10.3 page 52)

p.4

Information about this children's home

This home provides short breaks for children and young people who have a learning and/or physical disability and is registered to accommodate up to six children and young people. Other services offered include day care, after school care and support groups.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

17/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.5

Recent inspection history

0/4/02/2014 Interim Satisfactory progress

p.5

good

The young people have developed good relationships with a competent staff team that know and understand their individual needs. Young people arriving at the service were welcomed into the home; staff offer them a snack and plan with them the afternoon activities.

p.6

good

Staff spend quality time with the young people, a parent commented ‘X loves coming here, he likes using the computer the homes gym and spending time with his friends’. A social worker commented ‘X loves coming to the home, it’s not just a respite service for the parents, X gets a lot from coming here as well’.

p.6

good

The young people are involved in choosing from a wide variety of activities ensuring that they have a positive experience. Staff support and encourage young people to give feedback during their stay. These are in different communication styles so that all young people can have their views recorded. Staff use these to help support the young people during their future stays.

p.6

good

Staff also support the young people in completing an ‘all about me’ booklet which evidences things that they have achieved and what is important to them. These are completed every six months, they are child friendly and have photos of achievements and activities and are used in reviews. A copy is given to the parents and young people in order to build memories of their time in the home.

p.6

good

The young people have regular house meetings, staff use the picture exchange communication system (PECS) so that all young people can communicate their views. The minutes are in PECS form and displayed on a board, there is also an outcome board so that young people can see that their wishes and feelings have been listened to and acted upon. A young person recently chaired the house meeting and this is on the minute’s board along with photos.

p.6

good

Information is displayed in the home about events in the community as well as any religious and other celebrations such as Halloween coming up. Parents have signed to say they are in agreement with young people celebrating different religious festivals.

p.6

good

There is an achievement board which is updated monthly, parents are sent copies of certificates that young people obtain. Staff understand how important it is for young people to have their achievements recognised and celebrated. There are PECS boards around the home that young people can show staff if they are feeling worried or upset as well as how to complain, what to do if they feel bullied and information about contacting an advocate or Ofsted.

p.6

good

The regulation 44 visitor also speaks to young people, parents and social workers as part of the independent visit.

p.7

good

There have been two complaints since the last full inspection both from parents. These were resolved to parent’s satisfaction within an appropriate timescale and social workers were kept updated.

p.7

good

The staff have good links with education providers. Link workers visit the school on a regular basis and are involved in education reviews. The staff work closely with schools in looking at targets for young people, the home will draw up a plan which the school also confirms. This ensures that school and the home work together to support young people. A parent commented ‘staff come to all X’s school meetings’.

p.7

good

The young people are supported and encouraged with independence according to their age and ability. Staff ensure that young people are placed in appropriate groups taking into account their age, ability and vulnerability. This enables them to form and maintain friendships, which are important to them.

p.7

good

Staff understand that transitions for young people can be difficult; young people as part of their induction pick their own bedding and rugs to personalise their rooms during their stay which helps them to feel settled. A social worker commented, ‘the home understands that transitions can be difficult, one young person still cannot manage an overnight but comes in during the evening, staff are working with her at her pace to ensure that transition is successful.’

p.7

good

The home has recently been re decorated, young people were consulted in choosing colours. There are photos around the house of young people and staff on activities and canvases that young people have painted which give it a homely feel.

p.7

good

The environment is safe, there is appropriated security on the doors and windows, young people have accesses to a large garden, which contains swings, trampoline and other outdoor equipment as well as a sensory garden and the homes gym.

p.7

good

Young people have a personal evacuation plan and a copy of this is by the front door so that it assessable to staff in an emergency.

p.8

good

All health and safety checks are up to date and fire evacuations are completed with the young people. There are lockable cabinets in the bathrooms containing items staff need for personal care. Some bedrooms also contain lockable cabinets where emergency medication is placed during the night. This safeguards young people, as they are not left unattended.

p.8

good

Young people have not gone missing since the last full inspection, staff spoken to were aware of the missing policy and of the protocol between the home and police. Staff are very aware of the young people who would try and leave the home, these young people have one-to-one staff support in the home and two to one when out in the community. This enables young people to have the opportunity to go out and have the same experiences as their peers. A parent commented, ‘staff know that X will try and abscond, they know him well and I know he is safe here, I wouldn’t bring him if I didn’t think he would be safe.’

p.8

good

The home does not have any links with the local police officer in order that the staff and young people can build a positive relationship with them.

p.8

good

There have been eight physical interventions since the last full inspection. These have all been appropriate and used to safeguard young people. Staff support young people to comment on these. Parents and social workers are notified.

p.8

good

There are clear behaviour management plans in place for young people that display challenging behaviours. These are reviewed and monitored regularly and parents have an input and sign. There are comprehensive risk assessments in place which parents help complete and which ensure staff know young people in sufficient detail... It also ensures that parents are aware of how young people are safeguarded during their stay.

p.8

good

There is a robust medication policy in place, a new member of staff was able to show how medication was booked in and out, administered and recorded. All staff have recently updated their medication training. Young people GPs have signed to confirm what medication young people are receiving with the dose.

p.8

good

Recruitment is robust, all checks are completed before staff start work. A record of these are kept in the home. Judgement grade

p.8

good

The registered manager has been in post since March 2015 and has the relevant qualifications and experience to run the home.

p.9

good

There have been several changes in managers over the last year. Staff spoken to say that they feel that the manager is working with them to develop the home and care practice and feel that she is supportive. A member of staff spoken to reported, ‘there have been some new staff which is good as we complement each other with experiences’.’

p.9

good

Staff receive monthly supervision, and annual appraisals are on file. There is a good induction for new staff and probation meetings are completed at three and six months.

p.9

good

There are regular staff meetings where young people and care practice are discussed to support staff in keeping young people safe. There are good concise care plans on file which parents are involved in completing. A social worker commented, ‘there is good access to information, care plans are updated by staff and they do good reports and feedback.’ Another said, ‘the home works well with parents and young people, we have regular meetings.’

p.9

good

There are positive relationships between parents and staff, the manager has recently e-mailed parents about the stake holders meetings and the benefits of these for parents and young people, and as a result there has been an increase in parents attending.

p.9

good

The manager has also set up a confidential e-mailing system through which she informs parents of plans for developing the home, another is sent six months later informing parents of the progress made and asks for feedback regarding what impact it has had for them.

p.9

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.

p.10

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

p.10

What the inspection judgements mean

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

p.10

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

p.11

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 .

p.11

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,

p.12

Information about this inspection

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

p.12

Information about this inspection

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

p.12

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

p.12