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 last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has Improved Effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This short breaks service is providing good and, in some areas of practice, exceptional care for children with learning disabilities and additional needs. A carer said: ‘I would give this service 10 out of 10. We have benefitted enormously from the support of this home.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service demonstrates improved practice in the way it consults with children and families and responds to their views and wishes. There is a consultation book that staff use to capture children’s views. The registered manager reviews and responds to children’s wishes. As a result, children have influenced the choice of activities and the manager has co-ordinated stays for friendship groups.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The way that the home tracks and reviews children’s progress has improved. As a result, managers can better demonstrate the impact of short breaks on children, as well as their families. Children have developed independence skills and social skills. They now help to prepare meals with staff and have better interaction with peers. Children are also engaging in a range of social opportunities as a group. For example, they go out for meals and visit the museum. Staff maintain a record of each child’s stay for them to enjoy now and in the future. These include photographs of activities, achievements, celebrations and examples of art and craft work.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are planned admissions to the home, following a detailed referral process. To help inform this, the manager attends the local authority referral panels. Staff are sensitive to the needs of each child and their family. They ensure admission is a child centred and flexible process. Staff visit children at home and observe them in school in order to build an understanding of each child’s needs. Clear information about the service is provided. When the family are ready, a child can have an overnight stay. This ensures that, when children have their stays, they are familiar with the environment and routines.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff also support children and families to move on from the service. A social worker for a child who has transitioned to another service providing full time care said: ‘The staff were invaluable in sharing information and in supporting this child’s move to their new resource. They knew this child’s needs really well and have been very helpful in making this change work.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager leads an experienced staff group who ensure that shifts are well organised, so that they meet each child’s needs. Children have individualised placement plans. These include good, detailed heath care plans. Staff work closely with therapeutic services, such as CAMHS and the community nurse team, to ensure there is a seamless transition of services and information. There are robust systems in place for the administration of prescribed medication. Children’s stays are supported by a home to school to book, which is a crucial tool in handing over significant information. This book is well used by staff to ensure that they share all relevant information.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is excellent partnership working. Staff work closely with each child’s school, contributing to statutory meetings and ensuring they are aware of the progress towards targets set in school. Each child has an allocated keyworker, who takes the lead in liaison with school and any other involved agencies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is an ongoing programme for staff to receive training in communicating with children with learning disabilities. Each child’s placement plan includes an assessment of their communication needs. Staff use a range of tools and skills to promote good communication. The environment has been developed to support children to communicate. On arrival each child has a notice board with photographs of the staff on duty and an explanation of the plans for their stay. There are also pictures all over the home that help children to make choices.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have improved the home environment with displays representing the culture and heritage of the children and families using the service. In addition, children are offered activities to enhance their understanding of diversity in the community and amongst those using the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are very few safeguarding incidents due to diligent and skilled supervision by staff. Risk assessments and behaviour management plans inform levels of supervision. The manager is aware of the particular vulnerabilities of children with learning disabilities and communication difficulties. She is committed to all staff benefitting from additional safeguarding training specifically for staff working with children with additional needs. At the last inspection, a requirement was made in relation to keeping individual evacuation plans updated. This has been met. Senior staff now audit files each month to ensure risk assessments are fully reflective of changing needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is aware of the strengths of the service and areas of potential development. She ensures that the team respond to, and learn from, feedback from children and families. She also responds positively to any recommendations made by the service’s independent visitor.

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Information about this children's home

This home is a six-bedded residential short break service managed by a healthcare foundation trust for children with learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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

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

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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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