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 outstanding 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 are happy and safe. They continue to make good progress given their starting points. This is because they receive an excellent standard of individualised care from a skilled staff team. There is a clear commitment to improving the quality of care provided. A number of new systems have been implemented which essentially give a stronger voice to young people. There have been changes to the management team since last inspection. It is testament to their abilities that they have been able to maintain the excellent standard of care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, all communal areas have been decorated in colours chosen by the young people. New sofas have been ordered. These developments ensure that the environment remains comfortable and pleasant.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s behaviours improve because staff know them very well and understand their individual needs and triggers. Staff are good at reviewing behaviour management strategies and working closely with parents, carers and other professionals. Improvements in young people’s behaviour not only mean that they and others are safer, but that they have benefited in many other ways. For example, a young person has recently accessed routine health appointments at the doctor’s surgery. The same young person is now spending more time out of their bedroom, which is increasing their social skills. Young people have been able to attend the Christmas pantomime. This is real progress for some of them. The registered manager takes robust action when behavioural incidents have taken place in the wider community. He fully recognises the importance of young people with learning disabilities being able to access everyday services. For example, he

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

has had meetings with the manager of a local supermarket after an incident. This is good practice. It gives the general public the opportunity to have a better understanding of the needs and behaviours of young people with learning disabilities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The voice of young people remains central to the care provided. All young people contribute to decisions about their lives and the running of the home, no matter how limited their verbal communication skills may be. This is because staff are skilled at communicating, interpreting their behaviours, and ‘thinking outside the box’ to find ways for young people to express their wishes. Quality surveys have recently been introduced to obtain their views. The registered manager has responded to each young person’s survey, which included giving explanations where requests cannot be granted. This is good practice and gives young people confidence that their views are listened to.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transition procedures, to and from the home, are very good and take into account individual needs. Close partnership working with parents, carers and a range of stakeholders is central to decision making. Relevant information is obtained and exchanged which helps to inform young people’s care plans and risk assessments. Clear plans and timetables are produced for the introduction of young people to the home. This is also the case for those young people moving into adult services. In these instances staff work closely with staff from the young person’s new placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working continues to be a key strength. Feedback from social workers and an independent reviewing officer confirms that staff are very good at communicating with them. They also commented that staff work very well with young people’s schools. The management team have recently produced a home- school diary that ensures care and education staff share all relevant information promptly.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management of complaints is good. Young people are actively encouraged to raise their concerns and use the complaints procedure. Records demonstrate that the registered manager deals with complaints effectively. The open and transparent response to complaints helps young people to trust staff and feel safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was made to obtain copies of all the required recruitment checks for agency staff. The registered manager confirmed that he fully understands this; no agency staff have been used since the last inspection. This recommendation has been addressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team has produced a new file relating to young people going missing. Staff have produced new individual profiles of each young person. Although it is rare that young people go missing, the profiles demonstrate that staff fully understand their vulnerabilities. The profiles give important information to key agencies who may be involved in looking for a young person. This helps to safeguard them.

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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.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2015 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 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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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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