Children's Home, Residential special school run by Sheffield City Council in Sheffield

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceeds the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people succeed and make good progress. This is a result of highly effective and consistent care provided by a dedicated staff team who have the very best interests of young people at the fore of all that they do.  Young people benefit immensely from the specialist support services on site which includes a clinical psychologist, a learning disability nurse and a speech and language therapist.  Young people gain a range of invaluable daily life skills which gives them greater independence, prepares them for adulthood, as well as sustaining and supporting family life.  Young people have access to an independent advocate to ensure that their views and opinions are listened to.  Robust and effective monitoring of the service allows the quality of care to be constantly reviewed to maintain high standards and make sure young people continue to make progress and have good experiences.  The home has a creative and aspirational manager who leads by example,

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

putting the best interests of young people at the fore of all that the service does.

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Information about this children's home

This home is part of a special school, which provides education and residential care for children with autism and complex learning difficulties. As a maintained school providing over 295 days of residential care per year, the whole school is registered as a children's home. The school offers residential provision in two areas within the main house. One area provides accommodation for 52 weeks per year, the other offering a short-breaks service.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

09/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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outstanding

Young people have built exceedingly strong, trusting relationships with staff that enables young people to work willingly with them. Staff demonstrate great skills and understanding of each young person that they support and care for. They speak about the young people’s achievements with delight and pride. Staff focus is one that puts the young person at the heart of all that they do.

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outstanding

Young people benefit tremendously from the individualised care that they receive. Staff exhibit a wealth of knowledge about the goals and care needs of each young person. This is achieved by staff getting to know the young people well, responding to and planning how best to meet their needs. They promote their wellbeing and safety while they give them new experiences and build on their self- confidence, independence and life skills. A parent said, ‘The care is excellent, I am very pleased and impressed with the progress my son has made.’

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outstanding

There is a very sound focus on young people gaining life skills which gives them independence. Young people and their parents speak positively about this. They comment that they can now make their own bed, prepare drinks and snacks and use public transport independently. Both are proud of these achievements. A parent said, ‘He has learned a great number of skills to look after himself by staff,’ and another said, ‘She is trusting staff and communicating better. Her attitude with me has improved considerably, and is more tolerable at home. She is safe at the home. I’m kept informed and updated on her progress. She is better at following instructions and does not get so frustrated so easily and is more relaxed.’ This reduces pressures on family life, and gives young people a sense of identity and accomplishment as well as independence.

p.5

outstanding

Some young people have moved on to adult services. Staff have given immense thought into planning these moves. Every effort has been made to ensure that the young person’s needs are met in the new provision. This includes taking on board the young person’s personal wishes. Great attention has been given to the introduction to the new service to support and make sure these have occurred at the individual’s pace. This has brought about successful transitions for young people into adult services.

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outstanding

Young people’s health needs are given a high priority. They have access to all routine health checks. For those accessing the short break service, parents take responsibility for their health needs. Staff have good training on particular health conditions such as epilepsy. Young people further benefit from the on-site provision of a learning disability nurse, a speech and language therapist, a clinical psychologist and psychiatrist. These professionals work closely with the staff to provide great support and meet the young people’s emotional, mental health, communication and behavioural needs. As a result, young people have made progress in these areas.

p.5

outstanding

Staff work with the speech and language therapist to facilitate those young people who have limited or no speech to use suitable communication aides and methods. A staff member said, ‘X is now having a two way conversation through sign language, he has great interaction now and gets less frustrated.’ This improves young people’s communication abilities and enhances their day-to- day life and participation in making choices and decisions. The service has an independent advocate, who supports several young people. This demonstrates a very strong emphasis and approach within the home to make sure the voice of the child is heard.

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outstanding

The majority of young people have excellent attendance at school and this promotes their learning. The education provision for two young people had been withdrawn. The manager and staff team have worked tirelessly to address this and have liaised with the education authority. The home has put an alternative education timetable initially provided by staff to ensure that young people continue to learn. Solutions have been found but have taken some considerable time to address. Education providers speak highly of the service. They say, ‘Communication is very good and the staff are proactive. Staff attend parent’s evenings and have supported X to play football for the school team. X’s attendance is one hundred per cent. Staff take an interest in his education,’ another said, ‘ Communication is very good, we are working closely together, staff complete the home/school diary book and phone to keep us well informed.’ This demonstrates

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outstanding

that the staff recognise the importance of learning for young people and promote this whole heartedly.

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outstanding

Young people benefit tremendously from the wealth of social opportunities they have. They are fully supported by the staff to follow hobbies, interests and take part in a wide range of social activities. For example, youth clubs, eating out, swimming, cinema trips, cycling, football games, day trips, train travel and going on holiday to activity park. This involves them in their local community and brings them new and enjoyable experiences.

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outstanding

Contact with parents and carers is actively pursued. A parent said, ‘Staff phone me each morning after an overnight stay and update me. They are really helpful and make sure I know how the visit has gone,’ and ‘Communication with me is very good. I’m kept informed and updated on my son’s progress.’ Parents could not think of anything the service could improve upon. This indicated that staff support positive contact and keep parents well informed about the care of their children. Judgement grade

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outstanding

Young people are kept safe. Staff have a good understanding of their individual vulnerabilities and risk to their wellbeing. Staff follow the guidance within each young person’s written risk assessment. These assessments are frequently reviewed and updated to ensure that young people continue to be safeguarded.

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outstanding

Staff have a very strong focus on promoting the positive behaviour of young people, including good manners and considering others. They have a calm approach which young people respond to constructively. Young people receive a lot of praise for good behaviour and their achievements. With the additional support and input from the clinical team, young people are more able to manage their behaviour and emotions. A young person said, ‘My behaviour has improved since coming to the home. Although I am still not an angel, I do not lose my temper as easily now. I like the staff and my key worker.’ Young people who have presented difficult and challenging behaviour have made good progress as a result of this close partnership working.

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outstanding

All staff are trained in the use of de-escalation of challenging behaviour and physical intervention techniques. Staff only use physical intervention as a last resort to prevent a young person from hurting themselves or others. Sanctions are proportionate and relevant. The records show that these are appropriately used and close monitoring of such measures is regularly undertaken by the management team and the independent visitor.

p.7

outstanding

There have been no missing from care events and prompt action is taken on any child sexual exploitation concerns. Staff are aware of the procedures to follow in such an event and receive regular refresher training on safeguarding policies and procedures. Staffing levels ensure a high level of support and supervision in the home and when out in the community to protect and safeguard young people.

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outstanding

Health and safety audits are undertaken regularly on electrical, gas, fire safety and medication administration. The home is maintained to a high standard, clean and well furnished. This provides young people with a safe and homely environment in which to live.

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outstanding

The registered manager took up post in 2013 and holds a higher national diploma in Public Administration and chartered management institute level 5 in Management. Currently he is undertaking the level 5 diploma qualification. He has over 13 years’ experience of working children and young people and has a number of years’ experience working in a management position. The manager provides creative and effective leadership. He is clear on the strengths and weaknesses of the service. He plans to develop the service further while maintaining a high level of care for young people. Staff state that they work within a well-supported and cohesive team where they are valued and young people are their priority. Young people profit from being cared for by an experienced and skilled staff team. Staff are dedicated and highly committed to young people. They benefit from regular formal supervision which reflects on their practice and personal

p.8

outstanding

development. This is further enhanced with detailed shift handovers and weekly staff meetings to make sure that they are kept up-to-date with young people’s care needs and other service related matters. Staff report that communication in the home is very efficient. Staff have excellent training opportunities. The majority of staff hold the National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People or are undertaking the new level 3 Diploma. Core training includes first aid, food hygiene, behaviour management and safeguarding. In addition, other more specialist training is provided in such areas as epilepsy, mental health and communication. As a result, staff are confident and well equipped with a wide range of skills and knowledge to care for young people

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outstanding

A great importance is placed on collaborative working with other agencies and services. Professionals speak highly of the staff team. They state that staff communication is excellent, the progress and review reports are detailed and thorough. A social worker said, ‘I’m impressed with the standard of care,’ and ‘They listen to young people, and advocate for them.’ Professionals say that young people make good progress while accessing the short break service or living at the home permanently. They state that staff work exceptionally well with parents, giving additional support when needed. Consequently, young people receive a holistic service to ensure that their needs are exceptionally well met.

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outstanding

The manager and senior team have a wide range of tools and monitoring systems to ensure that the quality of care remains of a high standard. They reflect with staff and other professionals to scrutinise and review the care practices provided to young people. All young people have goals set to support their individual needs. These are regularly reviewed to make sure that they continue to make progress. The independent visitor undertakes robust monthly monitoring of the service which further enhances the level of auditing taking place. Shortfalls and deficits are quickly identified and addressed. This provides young people with first-rate care.

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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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