Children's Home run by Milton Keynes City Council in Milton Keynes

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:

 Staff are enthusiastic and work hard to give young people positive experiences.  Staff have a good understanding of young people’s behaviours.  The young people benefit from their good relationships with a stable staff team.  Staff offer a wide variety of activities both in and out of the home.  The home has good links with outside health professionals.  There is good communication between the home and parents.  Young people say they like coming to the home.  Staff understand that transitions for young people can be difficult.  Staff recognise and celebrate different festivals and cultures with young people.  Young people are supported to build and maintain positive friendships.

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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

7. Children’s wishes and feelings standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the wishes and feelings standard the registered person must; (a) ensure that staff— (ii) help each child to express views, wishes and feelings; (iv) regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home’s care. (Regulation 7 (2)(a)(ii)(iv)) 31/1/16

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the fire precautions standard the registered person must (1)After consultation with the fire and rescue authorit (b) provide adequate means of escape from the home in event of in particular have personal emergency evacuation plans in place. ( (Regulation 25)(1)(b)) 31/1/16

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):   The home’s staff should recognise and celebrate the achievements of their children. (Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, Page 31, paragraph 6.7)  Children who cannot or choose not to verbalise, have the right to have their views and feelings heard and respected in the same way as other children. (Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, page 24, paragraph 4.24)  Children must be consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, page 22, paragraph 4.11)  

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides short term care for up to 10 young people who have a learning disability and/or physical disability. The home is owned and managed by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.5

good

Young people have developed good relationships with a stable staff team who know them well. Young people arriving from school are welcomed into the home and given a healthy snack and a drink and asked about their day.

p.5

good

Staff spend quality time with the young people. During this inspection one young person was observed to have her nails painted, another was watching a DVD with staff whilst others were occupying themselves. Staff understand that not all young people want to participate in an activity as soon as they get in and they are supported to manage their free time.

p.5

good

There are picture exchange communication system (PECS) boards around the home for young people to take to staff if they need anything. A young person was observed taken the PECS for a drink and giving it to a member of staff indicating that young people do use the boards.

p.5

good

There is a young person’s notice board depicting events coming up in the home and celebrating different religious festivals for that month. There is a complaints form in PECS for young people, this has recently been redesigned through a participation worker consulting the young people. The manager is in the process of having these printed and laminated to go on the notice board and in young people’s rooms.

p.5

good

Staff have made effective links with schools and attend reviews, a copy of the review is on the young people’s files. As part of the transition process the link workers will attend the school to observe the young person and talk to teachers. The staff also work with parents and school when setting targets.

p.6

good

The young people are actively supported to develop their self- care skills whilst taking into account their age and ability. One parent commented, ‘X is always well cared for stimulated and supported to become more independent.’

p.6

good

Staff ensure that the young people are in an appropriate group taking into account age, ability and friendships, and this helps them to enjoy their stay and build and maintain positive relationships.

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good

Parents say that they are kept updated, questionnaires are sent out every term giving parents the opportunity to comment on the service. The home also organises family days throughout the year giving parents the opportunity to meet each other and local county councillors who attend. There has been an Easter egg hunt which was very successful and a Christmas party will be held at the end of December.

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good

The home has plenty of toys and games for young people to use. Young people spoken to say that they like coming to the home, one young person commented ‘great fun like it lots’. Another put his thumb up. A parent commented, ‘I am happy bringing X here knowing that she feels happy and excited to be there.’ A social worker commented, ‘when I ask X about the home he always says that he likes going.’

p.6

good

Although young people spoken to and observed seemed happy and relaxed, they are not asked for their views about their stay. The manager is hoping that once the children’s participation worker starts this is something that they will be able to implement.

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good

Staff understand that transitions for young people can be difficult and work with parents and social workers to support the young person. Young people are allocated the same bedroom as far as possible during their stay. They have, with the use of a catalogue picked out their own bedding and can also bring things in from home ensuring that young people feel safe and secure.

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good

Staff also understand the importance of having positive endings for young people who have used the service for a number of years a parent sent a card stating, ‘X was so happy to come and stay which meant we have been relaxed and able to enjoy the respite care, we will all miss you, thank you.’

p.6

good

The home is bright and welcoming; there are photos of the young people along with art work displayed around the home. Young people have been making Christmas decorations and putting up the tree. The home is in good decorative order and a new bathroom has recently been installed.

p.7

good

There are three gardens with various play equipment, each has a raised vegetable patch where young people have planted a variety of fruit and vegetables. More recently, they have been making fat balls with staff for the birds and these are placed outside the lounge windows.

p.7

good

The environment is safe and there are appropriate security on the doors and windows. All Health and Safety checks have been completed and are up to date. The home uses listening devices and door alarm in bedrooms, these have been risk assessed and used with the consent of parents. If young people request private time in their rooms during the day or evening, listening devices are turned off in order to give young people privacy.

p.7

good

The Fire Brigade have recently completed a fire risk assessment and have recommended that all young people have a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan. The manager is in the process of completing these.

p.7

good

Young people have not gone missing for some considerable time. Staff are aware of the safeguarding and missing policy and know what action to take should this happen. There are effective risk assessments, which are reviewed every six months or sooner if necessary. A social worker commented, ‘X is safe in the home, the staff report any concerns, and communication is very good’. The service manager commented, ‘the home is effective at passing on any safeguarding concerns.’

p.7

good

The home has recently purchased IPads for young people to use during their stay; some young people also bring them from home. Staff are aware of the safeguarding issues around the use of the internet. The manager has produced guidelines for both staff and parents. There is information regarding staying safe on the internet in PECS form. This is new and the manager is in the process of introducing this to the young people. Staff monitor the young people when using IPads or computers in the home. The manager participates in the referral / admission process and takes into account the needs, abilities, vulnerabilities and friendships of the young people to provide the best group match ensuring that young people get the best experience from their stay and are kept safe. There is good evidence that when there is a need for a young person to change groups this is done in consultation with parents and social workers.

p.7

good

Young people’s behaviours and triggers are incorporated into their care plans. There have been three physical interventions since the last full report, these have been low level and used to guide young people away from situations which could harm them or others. These are recorded with what strategies staff had tried before the intervention. For young people who are non-verbal and cannot use PECS staff observe and record their behaviour after. However there is no record from verbal young people or those that can use PECS regarding their thought or feelings.

p.8

good

The home has a robust medication policy; staff were observed booking in medication. All staff have had refresher first aid training. The school nurses also train staff on health issues including specialist administration techniques. The local pharmacist also completes an annual medication audit, which includes the storage and administration of medication; she has completed medication training with staff.

p.8

good

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

p.8

good

The home has appropriate communication with the Local Authorities Designated officer, who commented, ‘I have very little to do with the home but I am kept in the loop by the manager, I have visited the home to talk to staff about what the process is if an allegation is made. ‘Staff work closely with the safeguarding board. They attend Child Protection meetings if requested and complete any requested tasks such as observations.

p.8

good

Recruitment is robust; all appropriate checks are carried out before staff can work in the home. Judgement grade

p.8

good

The registered manager has been in post since 1997. She holds a Diploma in Social Work, and certificate in professional management in health and social care. She understands the needs of the service and prioritises the needs of the young people. The service manager commented, ‘the manager is very responsive to fitting in emergencies at short notice; this is a high quality service which is very responsive to family needs.’

p.9

good

The statement of purpose has been recently updated and accurately describes the practice in the home. The young person’s guide informs young people about the home and how to complain if they are not happy.

p.9

good

There are robust monitoring systems in place to ensure young people are safeguarded and that they have a positive stay. Staff monitor and track young people’s progress and outcomes. These are reviewed every three months and a report completed for reviews. Staff praise young people verbally when they achieve their outcomes but they do not celebrate them as a whole. Staff spoken to recognise that the use of certificates and an achievements board would be a good way of recognising and celebrating achievements and are looking at how this can be implemented.

p.9

good

There have been eight complaints since the last full inspection. These are responded to in a timely way and recorded with outcomes. The manager regularly obtains feedback from parents and social workers and uses these to improve the service.

p.9

good

Staff receive monthly supervision which they report as being supportive and a valuable way of keeping updated regarding the young people they care for and their own development needs.

p.9

good

Appraisal have been completed and young people have started to become involved in this process giving feedback using PECS.

p.9

good

Induction for new staff is effective and all mandatory training is completed and updated. Staff complete work books on medication and health needs of individual young people. These comprise of both theory and practical assessments and are signed off by the school nurse.

p.9

good

There are clear guidelines for staff who are new to link working and the expectations and tasks that this involves.

p.9

good

Staff understand the importance of having good relationships with parents. One parent commented, ‘I am always kept updated’. A social worker commented, ‘we have recently had a review with the home and parents, communication is a strong point and mum reported that she has no issues.’

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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

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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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