Children's Home, Residential special school run by Overley Hall Limited in Telford and Wrekin

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Outstanding at the last 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 continue to make excellent progress in all areas of their development. They benefit from good levels of individualised care and support from a caring and motivated staff team. Young people continue to develop emotional security as relationships with the consistent staff team remain very positive. Young people remain safe at the home. Staff regularly review and update risk assessments in response to young people’s changing needs. Regular health and safety checks are completed in the home and surrounding environment. Families and professionals have confidence in staff ability to care for their young people safely. One parent commented,’ I know she is safe. It is a great school, with very caring staff’. Young people benefit as care and school staff continue to work closely together to meet their needs. Excellent communication between care and school staff mean that teams work as one with individual young people at the forefront of practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s progress is carefully monitored and areas for development identified. For example, enhancing young people’s self-care or communication skills. Young people progress as regular meetings ensure that all assistance and support is in place and considers whether additional resources are necessary. Improving communication with young people remains a core aim of the service. Staff strive to ensure that they involve young people in the life of the home, including understanding daily routines, activities, and forthcoming events. Innovative examples were seen, for example, a social story for one young person having dental treatment. He was prepared for the treatment as staff worked with him using the picture story as a medium to explain the process. Consequently, his anxiety and distress were considerably reduced as he knew what was happening and was able to complete the treatment with associated positive health outcomes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New young people are welcomed to the home, and their introductions continue to be carefully planned. Young people become familiar with the environment, peers and staff and have a positive start to their placement. Families are fully involved and one commented,’ it has been a relief she has settled so well.’ Where young people are preparing to leave, staff continue to work tirelessly with families, young people and professionals to identify suitable placements. The registered manager facilitates monthly transition meetings meaning that delays are minimised, and placements identified as soon as possible. Young people’s stress and anxiety reduces as staff work with them to prepare them and plan their moves when a new placement is identified. Partnership working remains a great strength of the home. Staff develop firm working relationships with parents and professionals. Reciprocal communication means that school and families remain updated about young people’s strengths or

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

difficulties. Social Workers commented, ‘The staff communicate very well with me. I receive regular updates and reports about her progress’. Since the last inspection, various enhancements have been made to the environment including the completion of a sensory hub. All young people have the opportunity to use these facilities enhancing their emotional and physical wellbeing. Young people continue to enjoy an array of interesting and stimulating activities commensurate with their interests and abilities. Young people’s self-esteem and enjoyment of life is enhanced and they play a part in community life wherever possible. The registered manager remains proactive and forward thinking about the development of the service, including updating staff training and development as well as partnership working with professionals and families. She continues to have a clear focus on the development of the service ensuring this continues to meet

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the needs of young people in her care. At the last inspection in December 2015, one requirement and two recommendations were made. The recording of physical interventions has improved although a new system for monitoring these does not always ensure that the registered manager or authorised person has signed the record within timescale. Consequently, it is not always clear whether the record has been reviewed to ensure that all information is correctly recorded.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned school is registered as a children’s home to accommodate 22 children and young people. The school provides education and care to children and young people who present with severe learning disabilities, challenging behaviours, autism spectrum disorder and sensory impairment.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/02/2015 CH - Interim Sustained 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):  ensure best use of information from internal monitoring to ensure continuous improvement, with particular reference to recording physical intervention records. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 55, paragraph 10.24).

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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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