Children's Home run by North East Lincolnshire Council in North East Lincolnshire

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s registered manager is currently on extended sick leave. In her absence, the home is being extremely well managed by a suitably qualified deputy manager. She is being fully supported by the area manager. Both of these managers are well known to all of the children and young people and staff. As a result, consistency has been maintained. The home has demonstrated its capacity to improve. The requirement and recommendation from the last inspection have not only been met, they have been incorporated in to better working conditions for staff. The acting manager’s excellent internal auditing processes now fully incorporate the views of all interested parties, including the staff. The subsequent increase in morale has further enhanced the excellent care children and young people receive. The acting manager and senior staff team have fully embraced the introduction of the signs of safety and restorative practice models. This ensures that all staff are,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and feel, actively involved in the future developments in the home. This leads to the positive outcomes for children and young people. A staff member said, ‘They (the managers) are very approachable and I think I have learned so much. I like it that we are listened to and what we have to say is important.’ Since the last inspection, all staff have attended a workshop on incident reporting. This was developed and facilitated by senior members of staff. This proactive, reflective practice has enabled all staff to understand the importance of accurate recording. They recognise the impact records have for children and young people now, and in their future lives. The introduction of the ‘Signs of Safety’ model, as part of a local authority initiative, has been beneficial to both staff and young people. For example, staff report that supervision is now more productive. The standard of care in all sections of the home remains outstanding. Children and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

young people are thriving within the nurturing, yet stimulating, environment, which encourages them to achieve to the best of their ability. The introduction of a ‘Champions System’ allows staff with particular expertise to become more involved in leading specialist skill areas. This allows for recognition of their abilities and more in-depth knowledge for all on the health conditions and needs presented by children and young people. A parent said, ‘I couldn’t do what I do without them. Staff use their own time to care for parents so that we can care for our kids. I can’t praise them enough. It’s a Godsend for parents like me.’ Since the last inspection, one young person has stopped receiving a service. He has turned 18 and moved on to adult provision. He was prepared very carefully for his transition and celebrated his time at the home with a farewell party. The lessons he learnt in building social and life skills have prepared him well for his new

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

adult respite placement. One new young person has started to attend for short breaks. A comprehensive introduction process, taken at the child and families’ pace, has meant that she has settled in to overnights stays extremely well. In addition, the acting manager’s introduction of a review meeting after six week’s attendance, ensures that all concerned are clear on what is going well and if there are any changes needed. Consequently, children and young people’s on-going needs are consistently reviewed. This provides them with opportunities to make progress in all aspects of their development. A children’s nurse educator said, ‘I think they are offering a really bespoke service and treat each child as an individual. They work really closely with families and other professionals that work with them.’ Excellent care plans hold all appropriate information, in line with legislation. They are comprehensive, detailed and complemented by the addition of photographs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This enables children and young people, who may have limited reading abilities, to see what is planned for them and the progress they have made. A staff member said, ‘He looks at his ‘X Factor’ programme all the time and will smile and laugh and clap and show it to you. He has even been dancing.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Outstanding partnership working with health and specialist services ensure that children and young people with life limiting conditions are still able to receive a service. All of the staff are well trained to meet their needs and follow detailed and comprehensive medical care plans. As a result, children and young people’s lives are enriched as they have the opportunity to spend quality time with their peers and take part in activities that may otherwise be denied to them. A children’s nurse educator said, ‘Staff here are really good, really willing, really motivated and want to learn. I think they are offering a really high-level service. What they take on is admirable.’ Children and young people are safeguarded as a result of the high staffing levels and the thorough knowledge staff have of their individual vulnerabilities. There have not been any missing episodes, but the staff would know what to do if such

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

an event were to occur. In addition, staff carry information cards with them on outings in the community to assist with locating a child or young person if they were to wander off. This provides further protection. A parent said, ‘I can’t think of anything bad about them. I’ve got no worries about her safety.’ Given the sense of security and belonging children and young people have in the home, it is rare that restraint is needed. On occasion however, children and young people’s disabilities mean that they can react in such a way that physical intervention is necessary to safeguard all concerned. Much improved recording mechanisms ensure that all such incidents are documented. This allows staff to learn from the experience and aids the internal monitoring processes. However, it is not always possible to identify who has written the document from the signature. The committed and nurturing acting manager and staff team work tirelessly to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

empower children and young people to share their wishes and feelings. They fully understand each individuals’ communication methods. The recent introduction of new picture key fobs, detailing emotions and wishes, are providing further opportunities for feelings and requests to be conveyed. A young person reported, ‘(Home’s name) is so awesome and if I don’t know something I can ask.’ The sensitive use of suitable consequences is coupled with positive role modelling from staff. These enable children and young people to develop appropriate ways of expressing any frustrations or anger. This growth in social and life skills enhances children and young people’s lives. They are able to build friendships with each other now and use those positive lessons to enhance future adult placements. One young person said, ‘It’s good here and I like (Staff name)’ and another that she, ‘Likes my friends here.’

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Information about this children's home

This home is part of a local authority’s provision for children and young people with physical and learning difficulties. It provides short breaks, or shared care arrangements, for up to 11 children and young people. At present, 36 children and young people are receiving a service.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 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):  Case records must be kept up-to-date and signed and dated by the author of each entry. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62, paragraph 14.3) In particular, that signatures are legible.

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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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