Children's Home run by Nottinghamshire County Council in Nottinghamshire

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

The registered manager and staff have met the two requirements and two recommendations made at the last inspection, resulting in improved recording in care plans and risk assessments and a more robust recruitment process. A social worker commented: ‘I can only sing their praises. I cannot find fault with their approach or care.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Short break care plans are detailed, providing clear routines and targets for the young people. Key worker updates and reviews of files are clearly recorded, identifying what has been updated, as well as being signed and dated. Some young people receive care for over 75 days and where this is the case, all relevant plans are held on file. This means there is clear and up to date information to enable staff to care for young people effectively.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Detailed risk assessments are updated regularly. They reflect any incidents, and record where progress has been made. Swimming is now included on each young person’s risk assessment, ensuring the activity is safely managed. This meets a previous recommendation.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The manager has devised an interview checklist ensuring all the required recruitment checks are performed. This means the system of recruitment is more robust and keeps young people safe.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The service has recently moved into a new build in the grounds of the previous home. The various facilities in the new home are being effectively utilised, promoting improved outcomes for young people. Young people are using the independence kitchen to make their own breakfast and drinks. Others make good use of the symbols and pictures available to ask staff for help in preparing a snack or drink. Some bedrooms have their own bathroom facilities. This helps young people manage their personal hygiene routines and encourages greater independence. The layout of the new home promotes a more inclusive environment and young people are interacting better as a result. Some have made good progress in their health, losing weight, and eating healthily. They are rightly proud of their achievements and are more confident in their appearance. The achievements of young people and progress they make is celebrated and recorded

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

in a visual way; ‘star comments’ are posted on a wall in the main lounge area. These include things like making their own breakfast, excelling at swimming and following their routines. This instantly reminds young people and staff of the progress they make. Progress is also identified during ‘young person centred meetings’. This gives the whole staff team an opportunity to discuss individual young people and their achievements, setting further targets and actions to help them achieve even more. One parent wrote to staff stating: ‘I want to thank you and your team for all the hard work that you have put in. We can see the improvement.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Incidents requiring physical intervention are rare with only one since the last inspection. Incidents are recorded with clarity providing a detailed description of events leading to the incident, the various interventions used and an evaluation by the manager. Debriefs with staff and the young person involved also provide good learning opportunities.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people move on from here to full time placements very effectively because moves are well planned, easing their anxieties. Staff offer continuous support helping them to make as smooth a transition as possible. One independent reviewing officer wrote to staff saying: ‘This home has been a constant for him at very difficult periods of transition. This has maintained a sense of security and stability for him. Staff have demonstrated excellent commitment to ensuring positive outcomes for him, and have gone above and beyond at times to do so.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people who are new to the service are made to feel very welcome. They are supported through family visits, tea visits and overnight stays, helping them to settle quickly.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A range of services such as a 24-hour telephone help line, resource library, and facilities hire, continue to be developed and embedded into the service. Rooms and facilities are used by other agencies, promoting good working relationships with agencies such as child and adolescent mental health services, (CAMHS) and increasing the service profile in the community. This good partnership work has facilitated an increase in training opportunities for staff. For example, recent training provided by CAMHS has included courses on attachment, anxiety, and sleep concerns. This training has been specifically tailored to help staff support the young people who use this short break service.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff continue to develop well as a team and they are a strong and confident workforce. Team meetings provide opportunities for staff to discuss young people, review changes in routines and the introduction of any new policies. Learning is promoted using team quizzes and activities. Senior staff clearly understand the strengths and areas for development for the home and are committed to ensuring continued improvement and progress. The assistant manager said: ‘The move to the new build has been a good springboard for us to up our game’. No requirements or recommendations are made following this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This home is run by the local authority and is registered to provide short breaks for a maximum of eight children with learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/02/2015 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

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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