Children's home run by Northamptonshire County Council in West Northamptonshire

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Children living in this home have autistic spectrum disorder and associated learning and communication difficulties. Children benefit from living in a low arousal, sensory sensitive and visually clear home environment. All of the staff have received training in a range of communication skills and positive behaviour management. They build nurturing, enriching relationships with the children. As a result children are making good, and in some cases exceptional, progress from their starting points.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Admissions to the home are carefully planned and take into account the needs of all of the children living there. Staff ensure they have up to date assessments of need from professionals and personal, helpful information from family and carers. Staff visit children at home, in placements and in school, in order to build up a picture of each child. Children visit with family and carers and experience an overnight stay, if this is required. When children move to the home they are provided with a social story explaining their personal routines and clear, useful information about the home. Their room is prepared with personal items, taking into account their individual needs. They will meet their keyworker and the staff that are going to be working with them before they arrive. The management team will plan staffing very carefully, which may require an increase in staffing initially to ensure all children are safely supervised. In this way children are supported to

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

settle and their anxieties about change are sensitively managed and reduced.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There are detailed placement plans, including behaviour and risk management plans. Children’s progress is carefully tracked. Staff work closely with a range of agencies who provide a comprehensive network to meet each child’s needs. This includes family members, the case responsible social worker, CAMHS, community paediatrician, education links and occupational health staff. The manager encourages all of the staff to be active advocates for the children; they share information in a timely way, including monthly summaries with social workers. Staff ensure that they have up to date information and plans and request professionals meetings to review information. There is excellent evidence of the manager challenging partners constructively to ensure children’s plans are progressing in a timely way.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Children with a range of complex needs and behaviours have made excellent progress. One child was assessed by a paediatrician a month after admission and concluded he was noticeably calmer and healthier. As a result his medication was significantly decreased. Another child had difficulties with his school routines as he struggled to wear his uniform. Following admission, a structured, supported routine was put in place, including the use of photographs of him in his uniform and a clear schedule for him to follow. He now wears his uniform every day and enjoys his morning routine.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Children are able to make choices and are supported to enjoy a range of activities, including during school holiday periods. The manager is passionate about children having a range of opportunities to choose from. For example, they have experienced residential trips, days out to a snow dome, regular trips to a local hydro pool, swimming, and visits with a trained ‘pets as therapy’ dog. They are also supported to attend after school clubs. For some children, these are new experiences and represent significant progress in their social development.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There are a range of healthy, balanced meals prepared daily by a cook, from a menu that has been checked for nutritional value. Photo cards are used with children to support them to make menu choices. Staff report that children are eating a much wider and healthier range of foods as a result of encouragement, structured meal time routines and the consistent use of schedules and pictures.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Since the previous inspection two children have successfully returned to live at home and have services in place to support them to live at home. One parent said: ‘The staff and managers are amazing. We were kept involved in my son’s care; we were included in some of the activities. He was able to return to live at home because of progress he has made. I know that I can ask for advice if I need to.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

One young person has moved on to adult services provision and two children to longer term residential placements. These have been very positive transitions, due to careful planning and the commitment of Arnold House staff. This demonstrates that the managers and staff are successful in progressing children’s care plans, to enable them to have their needs met in stable, longer term placements.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Children are learning and developing life skills, as part of their routines and they are incorporated in their targets for progress. For example children are helping with setting the table at mealtimes and learning to change their bedlinen, with support. There has been the introduction of work stations, in an activity room and children are practising skills that they are learning in school and practical tasks such as learning to tie shoe laces.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Children are kept safe through high levels of supervision by skilled, knowledgeable staff. All staff have received safeguarding training, including training addressing the vulnerabilities of and safe care of disabled children. There have been no complaints, or allegations and there have been a very low number of interventions.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A member of staff said: ‘When a child joins us, we are often told about all the things they cannot do. However they respond so well to the environment and the care that we very quickly find there are lots more things they can achieve.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff support contact and have been asked to contribute to parenting assessments. Parents and social workers report that previously anxious children present as happy and relaxed. One social worker: ‘This child was very nervous when he arrived, now he is learning new skills, he is more socially aware and able. He is definitely responding positively to the care he is receiving.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Recommendations made at the previous inspection have been actioned. There has been a review of staffing and as a result there has been an increase of care staff and the appointment of a cook. This means that there is the staff capacity, particularly during school breaks, to provide the opportunities for a wider range of activities and more choices for children.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

With regard to safe parking arrangements, the managers consulted with the local council and reviewed the arrangements for the school transport. They are satisfied there are safe arrangements in place with detailed risk assessments, that are subject to review.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The management team complement each other with a combination of a range of experiences and passion and drive for continuous improvement to deliver better outcomes for children using their service. They continue to develop and review the effectiveness of a range of quality assurance mechanisms. These include feedback from children, parents and carers.

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Information about this children's home

 This local authority home is registered to provide residential placements for up to six children and young people under the category of learning disabilities. The children and young people each have autistic spectrum disorders in conjunction with a moderate or severe learning disability.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/03/2015 Interim Improved 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

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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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