Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Sheiling Special Education Trust in Dorset

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people continue to make very good progress because of the good quality of child centred support provided by the managers and staff at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff gently motivate young people to learn new skills and become as independent as they are able to be. Achievable targets are regularly set and reviewed. For example, young people learn how to dress themselves, sleep throughout the night, stay in their bedroom alone and use the toilet independently. One young person prior to their admission was unable to undertake any personal living tasks independently. They are now walking unaided, sleeping in a bed rather than on a bean bag on the floor and have improved communication skills. The young people are fully involved in their review meetings and are supported to present and celebrate their achievements to their parents and social workers. Young people benefit from being able to access work opportunities if they are able. An example of this is where young people were given the opportunity to apply to become the school re-cycling supervisor. They had to learn to write an application

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people continue to enjoy a wide variety of activities that are on offer to them inside and outside of the home. Photographs displayed in the houses show young people riding horses, visiting local beaches, shopping in the local town centre, visiting the hairdresser and local tourist attractions. Through engaging in these activities, young people learn to use money, gain new skills and learn how to buy items in the shops. These achievements increase young people’s self-esteem and confidence. One member of staff commented: ‘I love to see young people progressing and learning new skills’. Parents comment on how the skills young people learn at this home are transferred to their own home. For example, one parent commented: ‘my son is now able to sit quietly at home and has more contextual speech.’ Inside of the home young people are able to read books, engage in crafts and cook. The watching of television is discouraged but young

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people are able to watch films and use the computers at school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The use of social stories aids young people’s understanding of their world. A recent addition is a social story developed by staff for young people when they have to visit a hospital. In addition, staff visit the local general practitioner’s surgery to help medical staff understand the different ways the young people may communicate their needs. The staff also develop links with local police officers, who visit the home to speak with young people. They explain to young people about their role and how the police can help them, if for example they should ever need help or assistance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff promote the health of young people through encouraging healthy eating and physical exercise. Some young people who were overweight on arrival at the home are now a healthy weight. Young people enjoy a variety of exercise and sports including walking in the forest surrounding the home. One young person proudly announced: ‘I have lost 4 kilos by eating salad.’ All meals are carefully planned to ensure they offer a balanced diet for young people, who fully participate in choosing the menus.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people said they feel safe living at the home and parents commented that they were confident staff will keep their child safe at all times. Staff attend on-going training in safeguarding topics such as child sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation and ‘prevent’ anti-radicalisation training. Staff are vigilant and notice any different behaviours in non-verbal young people they look after, that may indicate that they are unhappy about something. The staff understand safeguarding policies and procedures and feel confident to implement them if necessary.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour is very well managed by staff through the use of motivators, which are strategies and objects that distract young people from displaying negative behaviours and focus them on more positive thoughts. Some young people respond to aromas, so have lavender in their motivator packs. Other young people respond to a certain touch on their arm or a certain story. The staff are skilled in understanding when to intervene or when a young person is becoming distressed and intervention is needed. The use of physical intervention is minimal due to effective de-escalation strategies. Records of restraint now fully document any de- escalation strategies used by staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people continue to enjoy living in houses that are well decorated and maintained. Staff help the young people to personalise their bedrooms with photographs of family and things young people enjoy, such as their favourite film characters or sensory equipment. Staff understand young people’s need for a calm, therapeutic environment. Routines run smoothly and there is space in the houses for young people to spend time quietly or alone if they need to. Unnecessary health and safety signage is prominently displayed throughout the houses and detracts from the otherwise homely environment. Some obscured bathroom windows do not yet have blinds or curtains fitted, but staff could evidence these are now ordered and will be fitted as soon as possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people benefit from the consistency and continuity of staff and young people living at the home. Since the previous inspection, no young people have left the home and there has been only one new admission. Staff turnover is minimal and new staff are robustly checked to ensure their suitability. The home continues to be robustly managed by the Registered Manager and senior teams in the houses. Progress and learning is made through rigorous monitoring of systems, care practice and regular review of records. Leaders and managers demonstrate a good understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses and areas for development. Placing social workers comment positively about the care provided at the home. One said ‘I would recommend this school and definitely place here again. It offers a fabulous environment and targets are achievable and done at the right pace. I can’t think of anything they could do better. My child has made very

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

good progress and this is the right place for him.’

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to 45 young people of either gender who have a complex learning disability and who may also have a physical disability. Accommodation is provided in four houses, all of which have their own staff team. Young people attend the school which is on site and may stay at the children’s home for respite care or full time 52 weeks a year care. The principles underpinning the care at the home are inspired by Rudolph Steiner.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/02/2015 CH - Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than 'institutional' impression; in particular with regard to the use of health and safety signs prominently and unnecessarily displayed in all of the houses. (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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