Children's home run by Wokingham Borough Council in Wokingham

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

The manager continues to look for ways to develop the service for children and young people with complex needs despite having already received the top inspection judgment available. There were no requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection. One requirement was made after the inspection that did not have an adverse effect on children and young people. The previous responsible individual left the local authority and a new person is in post.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There continues to be no safeguarding concerns for children and young people whilst using the service. The staff were observed to display a high level of skill and patience as they interacted with young people during the inspection. They were able to create opportunities and understand those young people that have difficulties communicating their views. Children and young people clearly have developed trusting relationship with all the staff. ‘I like coming to the home, the staff listen to me’ were the words of a young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Individual care plans and planning for children and young people continues to be extremely detailed. Short-break care is offered to families specifically in emergencies. Relationships with professionals continues to flourish whilst supporting goals of children and young people. The staff are currently providing on-site advice and guidance to the local special needs school, further evidencing that they have highly valued insight into the behaviours of children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A number of highly skilled seasonal workers are no longer being used by the home as seasonal workers. They worked directly with the children and young people at school and have a great understanding of their needs and behaviours. The manager removed them from the schedule for fear of being in breach of regulations. This caused a slight strain on staff, as it no longer had this pool of workers available. The manager was able to evidence that it would be in the best interest of the children and young people to the fill future rotas with the unqualified workers rather than use unfamiliar agency workers. When considering the complex needs of the children and young people and their need for consistency, this minor breach of regulation will have no negative impact on them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Unfortunately, there was a delay in the renewal of the contracts for key some equipment that is used to the care of children and young people. This means they have not yet undertaken yearly test of suitability. The manager has scheduled appointments to have the matter rectified. A requirement is made to ensure this task was completed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The independent visitor suggested that the manager review the medication charts that are completed by staff when administering medication to children and young people. She believed that the forms could be simplified allowing them to be easily understood. The manager has taken on board the advice and made changes to the medical forms that do not compromise the record keeping.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is currently involved in the process to fill two independent visitors’ posts. Three professionals within the local authority have always undertaken the role. Now that two have left the manager is considering hiring someone externally. This new perspective will only add to the already rigorous monitoring service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff continue to undertake an array of comprehensive training that develops their practice of working with children and young people. Some of the specialist training undertaken are signs of safety, restorative practice, team-teach and sleep hygiene. A senior member of staff has become an advanced teacher of team- teach which allows him to show certain techniques to the parents. They will be able to apply some of the effective behaviour management strategies used by the staff, providing consistency for children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has been busy trying to further develop the outreach and social work aspects of the service. The aim is to focus more on prevention for children and young people. A social worker is currently working with a family in their home, examining the impact of a young person’s sleep on their behaviour. The process involves meeting with the family, keeping a sleep diary and looking at bedtime of routines. The manager believes that this service will assist children and young people who test boundaries with no additional cost.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A robust response is undertaken for all complaints no matter how big or small. Management ensures that they respond quickly to resolve any issue brought to their attention in timely manner. A parent was satisfied with how a recent complaint was promptly was addressed and continues to use the service.

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Information about this children's home

The children's home is a resource centre for children with disabilities and their families and is owned and managed by the local council. One of the services offered at the centre is residential short break care for children with a disability. It is this aspect of the centre's activity that is regulated under the Children's Homes Regulations 2001. The centre is registered for up to five young people to be accommodated at a time, who have a learning and/or physical disability; many of the children also present challenging behaviour. Other services offered include day care, after school care, outreach services and a social work team for low risk cases.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions that 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

‘6. In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, with a particular reference to equipment essential to the care of children and young people, the registered person must ensure that the premises: (2)(c)(i) used for the purpose of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. 04 April 2016

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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

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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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