Children's home run by Derbyshire County Council in Derbyshire Dales

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team have worked enthusiastically and tenaciously to improve practices in the home. Young people have clearly benefited. There is an ethos of ‘not standing still’ and a true commitment to improving the lives of young people. This was evident throughout this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Meeting young people’s health needs is top priority. Some young people have complex health needs that require careful monitoring. Staff work very closely with parents, carers and a range of health professionals. Staff are very good at partnership working which ensures young people’s health needs are met. Protocols for those young people with complex health needs have been updated. They now contain details of all health professionals involved, and details of who to contact in an emergency. This addresses a recommendation made at the previous inspection. Additionally, a young person who has complex health needs has had a wide range of health assessments to ensure they are getting the care and treatment they need.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements have been made to care plans to include details of prescribed medication. This also addresses a recommendation made at the previous inspection. To ensure records contain all the required information, and that information is up to date, the management team have recently introduced monthly audits of young people’s care files. This ensures that any recording shortfalls are identified. The management team discuss any shortfalls with key workers and in staff supervisions. This system helps to ensure young people’s records reflect their current needs, which promotes their well-being and safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has improved the system for notifying relevant people of any significant events. All notifications are now made promptly. This has addressed another recommendation made at the last inspection. A social worker commented that staff are very good at keeping them updated on the progress of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to receive an excellent standard of individualised care from a staff team who have high aspirations for them. Staff challenge any barriers to participation. This ensures that young people are not prevented from accessing activities and resources because of their disabilities. The excellent standard of care does not differ for those living at the home or for those using the home for short- break services. An independent reviewing officer confirmed that young people receive excellent care, make good progress given their starting points, and that staff are very committed to improving young people’s lives. He also told the inspector that staff are very good at representing young people’s views at review meetings. They also produce videos and a range of resources to demonstrate the experiences of young people and celebrate their achievements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The support given to young people when they are admitted to or transitioning from the home continues to be very good. This inspection identified excellent practice regarding the admission of a particular young person, and confirms partnership working is a key strength. As a result, the young person loves receiving short- breaks and has settled very well. The young person’s social worker confirmed that the planning of his admission was very good and that he really enjoys his stays at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to enjoy excellent relationships with staff. Most young people have very limited verbal communication but interactions with staff reflect trusting relationships. Young people present as relaxed and comfortable in the home. A parent commented that their son really enjoys going to the home, he gets on very well with staff, and gets many opportunities to go on trips.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s behaviours continue to improve. These improvements mean they have been able to access a range of different opportunities. For example, since the last inspection a young person regularly goes to an indoor activity centre where she has been able to make friends with other young people; she has invited them to her forthcoming birthday party. This reflects the improvement in behaviours and the young person’s ability to interact socially with others. Some young people have also gone on trips and stayed overnight which is tremendous progress, given their starting points. This is because of the commitment and skills of staff, and their tenacious approach.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people receive excellent support to pursue their interests and try new activities. Young people benefit tremendously from accessing a range of fun activities. For example, a young person who has complex health needs and physical disabilities recently went abseiling. Staff have also arranged for a young person to go and see a his favourite premier league football team. Some young people have started to go for overnight stays at different activity centres. This is real progress for those young people whose behaviours can be very challenging. As well as having fun, these experiences help to build up their confidence and increase their individual skills no matter how large or small. A parent sent an email to the staff team following an overnight stay at a local theme park. The email stated, ‘Thank you to the team for pushing the boundaries in order for our children to have the opportunities to experience new adventures and then the choice to do

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

them again in future! Thankyou everyone for doing such a wonderful job’. The management team act as positive role models to their team. They are good at developing staff. They have introduced additional management monitoring systems to ensure that staff have up-to-date knowledge, and fully understand policy and procedure. The agenda for staff supervision now includes discussion on the monthly independent visitor reports, and the monthly audits of young people’s files.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered provider has recently appointed a new independent visitor. She has extensive experience of working with children and young people with disabilities in a residential setting. Monthly reports demonstrate robust monitoring of practice and records. A number of good practice recommendations have been made. The management team have welcomed this and have responded by producing detailed action plans. For example, the visitor suggested inviting the IRO for tea to help young people get to know him better. The IRO was due to visit the young people the day after this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority children’s home which provides care and accommodation for up to six children and young people with learning disabilities. The home provides long-term care and short breaks. The design of the home ensures that the dual purpose of providing long-term care and short-break services does not impact on children and young people living at the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 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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