Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Senad Group Limited in Derbyshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make very good progress and there is evidence of improvements in many aspects of the service. However, shortfalls in relation to recording and the home’s statement of purpose have been identified, resulting in the sustained effectiveness judgement. These shortfalls have not had an impact on the safety and well-being of young people or on the standard of practical care provided by staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new management team is now established. They provide strong leadership with high levels of support and guidance to staff. They have good monitoring systems, resulting in a number of improvements to the service. A parent said: ‘I have seen improvements in the service over the last six months and the staff team should feel very proud of themselves. My daughter is so much happier.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s views are central to the running of the home and, with their input and guidance, great improvements are evident in the home environment. A young person said: ‘The manager has made a big difference to the home. He has got students involved in improving the home. We have created a chill out room and our next job is to choose a new sofa.’ Young people feel listened too. They feel proud of their role in creating a more welcoming and homely environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s progress and experiences continue to be very good. A young person said: ‘I have become more independent. I have developed social skills. I have made friends and I have learnt how to be patient and how to negotiate with others.’ One parent commented: ‘My son would not be where he is today if he had not come to live here.’ Another said: ‘I have seen massive progress. My daughter’s confidence has grown no end. She is now part of a friendship group, she is doing more activities and she is doing well educationally.’ As a result, their life chances are improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to be very supportive. Through high levels of praise and encouragement young people develop confidence, an improved sense of identity, and raised self-esteem. A young person said: ‘Coming here has made an enormous difference to my life. In my previous school I was misunderstood and bullied. Now I have learnt to feel good about myself. I am accepted here, I have fun and I have become proud of who I am. I am so much happier, I am now content.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Coordinated working practices between care staff, parents, educational staff and the home’s therapy team are effective. They provide young people will a good level of help and protection. For some young people, this has resulted in significant reductions in risky behaviours. As a result, young people with specific vulnerabilities or difficulties are much safer. A parent commented: ‘Staff listen to our views and we feel really supported as parents. There is a real partnership between the care staff, the education staff, the therapy team, and us. Potential risks are pre-empted and risks have reduced massively. My daughter has gone from frequent self-harming to incidents now being rare.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions into the home continue to be very well planned. A parent said: ‘I have been really pleased with how the transition has gone. My daughter has very strict preferences and the staff considered very fine details to make her transition easier. They provided her with pictures of the staff, her timetable and the home’s menus. Everything that makes her anxious was thought about in advance.’ As a result, young people are given the best opportunity to successfully settle into their new home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Preparation for adulthood is a key feature of this service. Staff support young people well in this area. Some move from the main home to a smaller, more independent home in the local town as part of their journey to independence. Here, greater freedom is balanced with good levels of support so that they can develop practical skills and emotional resilience in preparation for moving on. A young person said: ‘I like the independence living here gives me. I meet up with friends, I cook, shop and do my own washing.’ A parent said, ‘The support in this smaller home is fantastic. My son now wants to be independent and has developed the confidence for this plan to progress.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite having such a valuable resource, the homes statement of purpose provides little information about this aspect of the service. There is no description of this smaller satellite home. There is no information about how young people have the opportunity to progress to live in this semi-independent facility as part of their progression to adulthood. This detail is required to fulfil the requirements of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and to more clearly demonstrate to parents and placing authorities the uniqueness and expertise of the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A shortfall in relation to case recording has been identified during this inspection. Although regular multi-agency meetings take place, the content and outcomes of these are not consistently recorded. In addition, although staff are informed via electronic means when significant incidents occur, and of resulting changes to practice, young people’s risk assessments are not always updated promptly. While not impacting on the safety of young people at this time, it has the potential to do so should new staff commence work and need quick reference to the major risk factors associated with each young person.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned service forms part of a residential school. It accommodates up to 56 young people who have communication difficulties or are diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

14/01/2015 Interim improved effectiveness

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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

The registered person must compile in relation to the children's home a statement ('the statement of purpose') which covers the matters listed in Schedule one (Regulation 16(1)). 25/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  All records must be kept up to date and signed and dated by the author, with particular reference to the recording of key team meetings and young people's risk assessments being updated immediately following any significant incidents. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

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 focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

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 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

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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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