Children's home run by Nottingham City Council in Nottingham

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

Since the last full inspection, management arrangements have changed. The current manager successfully registered with Ofsted in November 2015. The new manager is highly qualified and has substantial professional experience within children’s social care. This knowledge has clearly contributed to the operation of this home. He works very effectively alongside his skilled deputy manager. As a team, they provide effective leadership to the dedicated residential care workers who ensure all young people receive high standards of individualised care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, one requirement related to ensuring case records are up-to- date. Since this time, the manager had delivered training to the staff team in regards to the recording and report writing standards. Additionally, the administrative officer has audited all case file records and amended where necessary. This means easier cross-referencing of records, which provides a complete picture of incidents and actions taken.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no young people admitted or discharged from the home since the last inspection. Young people remain settled in their placements. One young person described the home as, ‘awesome, good and happy’. All young people attend an educational provision that meets their needs. Attendance and attainment are very good. However, case records do no always have a copy of the latest statement of educational need or education health care plan. This means that staff do not always have current details about specialist support to promote educational progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from a range of extra-curricular activities that promote education, enjoyment and social engagement. Staff teams plan their shifts with meticulous detail to ensure that all activities and visits are well organised. Consequently, young people benefit from a well-rounded lifestyle that promotes both learning and leisure.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Care provision reflects a comfortable ‘family’ style of living. The home has a calm and well-ordered atmosphere. Young people personalise their bedrooms to their own tastes and preferences. The communal areas are light, bright and child focused. The home has a colourful conservatory area, which serves as a play room for creative and educational activities. Overall, the environment is very homely. However, there are some aspects which convey an institutional appearance. This includes the clearly identifiable council fence at the rear of the home, wall displays encased in plastic and an overuse of fire safety signs in the ground floor hall.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A management priority is ensuring that the staff team are well trained and knowledgeable. All staff participate in high levels of training. Training is relevant to the needs of young people, as well as including wider topics such as child sexual exploitation and radicalisation. This means that the staff have relevant skills, knowledge and support to provide high quality care. Regular supervision and annual professional appraisal mean the continuous assessment of individual staff competence. Arrangements for regular team meetings and daily ‘breakfast’ meetings ensure effective communication and sharing of knowledge. One social care practitioner said of the staff: ‘I have nothing but trust and faith in them.’

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Information about this children's home

This local authority home provides care for up to four children and/or young people who have learning disabilities and associated communication difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/03/2015 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

The registered person must maintain records, "case records", which includes the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child. This is with particular reference to any EHC plan or statement of educational needs in relation to the child. (Regulation 36 (1) (a)) 15/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations, however in doing so homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than institutional impression. With particular reference to the use of encased display boards, fencing at the rear of the property and fire signs/lighting. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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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