Children's Home run by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in North Northamptonshire

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

Children experiencing short stays in this children‘s home continue to receive nurturing and skilled care from trained, experienced staff. The overall progress and experience of children remains good. However, this inspection identifies that some areas of practice need to be strengthened. Managers have been asked to improve the recording of emergency action plans so that they are up to date and reflect current medication arrangements. In addition, a requirement is made to ensure that very vulnerable young people cannot access potentially hazardous external areas without staff knowledge.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is welcoming. It is furnished and equipped to meet the needs of the children. There has been a programme of refurbishment and improvement since the previous inspection. This includes a new garden path that makes the garden accessible to wheelchair users. The bedrooms have been redecorated. There are child friendly and personalised decorations to suit each child’s stay.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Admissions are carefully planned, so that children are familiar with the home and staff before they have an overnight stay. Information is shared across the child’s network, particularly with parents and carers. Care arrangements are informed by children’s views. In addition, the manager consults with parents, carers, and staff in order to match compatibility of children staying at the same time. This is a challenging task, given the different needs and ages of the children. However, because the manager prioritises this, children enjoy their stays. One social worker said: ‘I am confident of the care the children I am responsible for receive in this home. The children are positive about their stays. When I visit I am impressed by the staff care and I receive regular updates.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been development and improvement in child centred and child focussed recording. This captures the likes and dislikes of children, the activities they have experienced and enjoyed, and the people they like to spend time with. The information is used to plan their stays so that they develop relationships and have positive experiences. The manager has also improved mechanisms for consultation with the children. There is a consultation book for staff to immediately note any feedback or requests. This has resulted in improved play equipment, and the provision of activities requested by particular young people, such as a Mexican themed night. Some children enjoy a music and drama group. One of the group leaders said: ‘The staff were great at the session, supporting the children, joining in, enabling children to take part … it is always better for the children when the adults join in too, the children get a lot out of it.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have received training in meeting the communication needs of the children. Key workers have visited schools to observe children communicating during their school day. As a result, staff are developing their understanding of each child’s communication preferences. The home has created individualised mementos of each child’s time in the home, in a format that most suits their communication needs. This helps children to see and understand their progress and achievements. For example, a child who has been having short breaks at the home for a number of years has a power point presentation of her highlights. She enjoys watching this.

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Information about this children's home

This home, operated by a healthcare trust, is a six-bedded residential short breaks service for children and young people with learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/06/2014 Interim Sustained 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

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must:

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Requirement Due date

(2) (d) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. 29/02/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation: During a short break, staff are responsible for maintaining a child's ongoing health treatment including the management of medication. This is with specific reference to ensuring that records, prepared in the event of an emergency, have up to date details of each child’s medication. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 36, paragraph 7.20).

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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

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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