Children's home run by Staffordshire County Council in Stafford

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 love coming here for short breaks. Dedicated and highly skilled staff welcome them into a spacious and colourful home, which is immaculately presented and maintained. As they leave, each young person can choose to press a large ‘Happy or Not’ button in reception and nearly 100% indicate that they have had a happy stay. Young people are also able to express their views wishes and feelings via the young persons’ questionnaire and directly to staff. Communication remains high on the service’s priorities and enables young people to express themselves using a wide range of communication aids. Parents and social workers say that young people develop the confidence to express themselves, and to say what they do and do not want. Young people also enjoy outings, activities and themed weekends. They recently loved a Super Hero weekend and enjoyed creating lots of artwork, which still decorates the walls and windows. Since the last

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

inspection, parents have held a fundraising event. Staff asked young people what they wanted to spend the money on and they voted for bikes. All of the young people can now have fun riding two brand new custom- built trikes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make progress in all areas of their development. They benefit from spending time with their peers, which supports their social skills and confidence. Young people also development practical skills for which they receive lots of praise from enthusiastic staff. Since the last inspection, a number of young people have completed their bronze certificates at the Children’s University. They enjoyed a celebration of their achievements with caps and gowns and a presentation to which family were invited. One young person has made such significant progress that the service is no longer necessary to meet his needs. Since accessing short breaks, he has become confident and independent. Skilled and insightful staff have identified that he is now at a stage where he can benefit significantly more from spending time with his family at weekends.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager holds a level 4 qualification in management and has over 25 years’ experience in child care. She has managed this service for over 5 years and also manages a similar provision, which is also judged outstanding. The registered manager and deputy manager are constantly making improvements in order to drive up standards. They robustly review the service, adjusting practice to meet the changing needs of the young people. The registered manager has now introduced a medication competency test for staff and staff training is relevant and ongoing. A team away day addressed child sexual exploitation and new job descriptions for staff to address changes in the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is innovative. She is extending her star chart system, which monitors the progress of young people in the centre, to include their progress within their families. She and staff are also in the early stages of devising a web site where young people and families can keep up with developments at the centre and services for children with disabilities. The registered manager regularly consults with other professionals, young people and families and uses the feedback to inform her ongoing review of the service. Staff receive regular and stimulating supervision and feel happy and supported here.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are few incidents and accidents, but when they occur, highly trained staff responded quickly and appropriately. If the registered manager feels an incident could have been avoided, she undertakes a thorough review in order to learn lessons, which she passes on to staff at team meetings. Young people continue to be kept safe with detailed and accurate risk assessments, behaviour management plans and a rigorous system of staff handovers.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work effectively with young people in anti-bullying workshops to help them understand how to keep themselves safe. Staff adjust these workshops to meet the needs of each group and include social stories and pictures that young people can look at and say if what they see is good or bad. March is anti-bullying month and staff are running one session for young people every week. No young person has disclosed that they feel bullied. In addition to the work and training undertaken by staff to ensure that they keep young people safe, the registered manager has commissioned a fire audit and independent review of health and safety. This included the administration of medication and emergency treatment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The highly proactive registered manager and staff work closely with other agencies. The registered manager promptly called a multi-agency risk management meeting for one young person, when he had been involved some incidents in the community. Staff invited social workers to the centre for an informal lunch, resulting in them establishing good working relationships and engaging in even more effective communication. Parents and professionals value the regular and prompt responses they receive from the staff and feel that they immediately address any issues regarding young people. Parents are now able to receive reminders via text, which speeds up communication and assists them to plan around their other family commitments.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This service does not stand still and constantly provides staff and young people with stimulation and new opportunities.

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Information about this children's home

The centre is managed by the local authority and provides residential short breaks for children and young people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and sensory impairment. The centre also provides outreach services to support children, young people and their families.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/03/2015 CH - 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

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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