Children's Home run by Doncaster Children‟s Services Trust Limited in Doncaster

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The trusting relationships that children and young people develop with consistent staff members empower them to engage fully with their care plans.  Good care planning incorporates all aspects of children’s and young people’s individual needs.  Children and young people make good progress in developing social and life skills.  Consistent adherence to good behaviour management techniques means that there is no need for sanctions or physical intervention.  Staff morale and enthusiasm have much improved since the appointment of the new manager.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Good and improved collaborative working with partner agencies and parents provides children and young people with consistent care, leading to achievable outcomes.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered persons meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered persons must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person - if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires (Regulation 44 (2)(a)). 20 August

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff (Regulation 45 (5)). 20 August

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The children's home must produce a children's guide. The children's guide must be made available to all children when their placement in the home is agreed (or on arrival at the home if the placement is made in an emergency) and must be age appropriate, provided in an accessible format and explained to each child to make sure they understand it (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.2.1).  The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs, and should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11) In particular, that staff receive appropriate training on

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Recommendations

safeguarding children who have disabilities from child sexual exploitation.  Staff should be familiar with the home's policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4).

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Information about this children's home

A local authority runs this children’s home. It provides short breaks for up to 10 children or young people with physical and/or learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18 January 2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

11 March 2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Good

Children and young people enjoy their short breaks in a large building that is equipped to meet their needs. Careful planning ensures that their bedrooms are ready with all of their special items when they arrive. This sense of home promotes their identity and belonging, enabling them to start building important bonds with the staff team. A parent said, ‘I know from expressions and noises he loves it. Whoever opens that door, he loves it. He runs to his room.’ Children and young people are able to use the toys and games equipment both inside the building and in the spacious garden areas. This gives them the space that they may not have in their family homes to run in and explore. They sit together at the dining table to eat their chosen meals. For some children and young people, this is a major achievement. As a result, they learn new social and life skills and experiment with different food, thus expanding their tastes. A staff

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Good

member said, ‘There’s more room for him and he has more freedom to move around. He does come and sit at the table when he’s hungry and for his meals, whereas at home he just gets in to the cupboards.’ The newly decorated walls, and installation of new furniture and rugs, provide the setting with a homely feel. Children and young people benefit from the stimulating, yet nurturing, environment provided by the enthusiastic manager and staff team. Their subsequent growth in confidence in the home and staff allows them to try new things, thus building social and life skills. A parent said, ‘He’s made definite progress and he’s become more independent. When he came here, he wouldn’t even try to dress himself and now he does. He puts his shoes on and he’s making toast.’ Much-improved care plans carefully describe all of a child’s or young person’s individual and diverse needs. This attention to detail allows for matching of respite

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Good

placements. Children and young people get the best out of their time in the home. For example, two children now always come for their stays at the same time because of the close friendship that they have built with each other. They have the chance to spend fun times with friends while learning social and life skills. This bolsters children’s and young people’s sense of identity and reduces social isolation. Children and young people build trusting, productive relationships with the dedicated and enthusiastic staff team. The primary responsibility for children’s and young people’s health and educational needs remain with their parents and carers. Nevertheless, the good support provided by the staff team ensures that they receive consistent continuity of care. This allows for shared progress with schools, enhancing children’s and young people’s opportunities for success. A headteacher reported, ‘Some of the setting's staff have gone over and above to meet the needs

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Good

of one of our pupils who went through a challenging time with her behaviour. This involved them working closely with the child's mother as well as liaising with school staff.’

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Good

A good, clear medication protocol is effectively applied. This ensures that children and young people receive their medication appropriately. In addition, children and young people learn personal hygiene skills and benefit from the emphasis on healthy eating. These new skills, coupled with the opportunity to participate in exercise, for example, using the trampoline in the garden, promote children’s and young people’s health and well-being. A parent said, ‘Bathing him used to be a challenge, but now he can bath himself. He’s not splashing everywhere, he will wash his hair and he will brush his teeth. It’s reinforcing it for at home.’ The diligent staff team utilises a range of communication methods to achieve children’s and young people’s wishes and to take account of their feelings. The productive use of an iPad in regular house meetings empowers children and young people to make choices about, for example, menus, activities, new equipment for

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Good

the sensory room and where they would like to go on outings. This builds communications skills effectively and bolsters children’s and young people’s confidence in expressing their views. In addition, the regular visits from independent advocates ensure that the voices of children and young people without communication skills are still heard. The complaints system is known and readily available to children, young people, their parents and other interested parties. There have not been any complaints. Further information about contacting outside agencies to make a complaint and about the services provided in the home is available in the children’s guide. This document is informative but is not in a format that most of the children and young people in the home would understand. Children and young people are empowered to engage in a range of inclusive activities that they would not otherwise be able to. Not only does this enable them

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Good

to have fun with their friends and staff, but it promotes growth in independence skills and encourages social and life skills. These outings can include attendance at a youth club in a young person’s own neighbourhood, thus sustaining those cultural links. A parent said, ‘I live 45 minutes away. They take him in to his own area on a Monday and he goes to a youth club and that has made him part of his community as well. I think that’s a good idea. He never used to be a social person but now he tolerates people more.’ Judgement grade

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Good

A comprehensive range of generic and individual risk assessments empowers children and young people to take part in inclusive activities. As a result, they are able to participate in community activities that may not otherwise be available to them. This effectively broadens their horizons while keeping them safe. The manager said, ‘When he went to the seaside the other week, he asked for fish and chips and he’s usually a fussy eater, but he ate them. Being able to go out and do something in the community is a massive outcome for him.’

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Good

The proactive manager and staff team are aware of the potential for bullying behaviours. A clear floor plan maps out high risk areas within the home, increasing staff vigilance. In addition, staff know each child and young person well and work with those who may pose a risk to others to prevent such actions. For example, one young person likes to nip. These measures protect children and young people, and there are no bullying incidents. A parent said, It’s really reassuring. I’m one of the really picky parents. I phone up all the time and I listen out for (Name) in the background and there’s never been a problem. All I can hear is (Name) laughing.’ The home’s missing person policy links with locally agreed protocols. In addition, staff carry emergency information about individual children and young people when out in the community. These provide immediate actions to take if a child or young person were to wander off. A staff member said, ‘Everything, like out in the

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Good

community is risk assessed and staffed accordingly. Right from planning the rotas, it’s thought through so they are safe.’ High staffing levels and suitable electronic fob systems on doors in the home ensure that children and young people do not go missing. However, on one occasion last year, a young person left the home via an open bathroom window and went to play in a neighbour’s garden. He was swiftly located and returned safely and happily. As this is such a rare occurrence, there was insufficient recording of the incident, although risk assessments were updated appropriately. The manager is in the process of renewing templates to ensure the capture of all relevant information. New locking systems on the windows allow sufficient opening to provide fresh air, but not enough for anyone to climb through them. Children and young people are able to exit the home in to the garden, thereby providing them with the freedom to

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Good

explore whenever they wish, while keeping them safe. The nature of children’s and young people’s disabilities means that most negative behaviours are associated with their condition or previous lack of boundaries. Each has a daily-living plan which details how they may act and how to re-direct them to a positive activity. Consequently, there has been no need for any physical interventions or sanctions. The committed and nurturing staff team knows how to care individually for each child or young person in a way that enables them to learn and to respond to boundaries. A social worker said, ‘I’ve got one young person who’s only been coming about four months. At home he’s extremely dominating, but since he’s been coming here, he will keep his clothes on. He will eat at a table and he will use his Pecs symbols.’

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Good

Children’s and young people’s physical safety is assured by robust adherence to good health and safety procedures. In addition, regular fire drills and individual evacuation plans ensure that children, young people and staff know what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Good

The enthusiastic and motivated manager has been in post since January 2016. He has over 20 years’ experience in working with children and young people in a residential setting and holds appropriate qualifications. His application for registered manager status is in progress. Staff and professionals report very positively about the impact that he has had on building staff morale and promoting good outcomes for children and young people. A staff member said, ‘He is opening new doors for us and is like a breath of fresh air. I feel more empowered and his enthusiasm rubs off.’

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Good

The much-improved care planning documents are used effectively to demonstrate the continual development being made by children and young people. For some individuals progress may appear to be limited, but any steps may be significant for that child or young person, for example, being in the same room as their peers. Photographs of this growth allow each success to be recorded and celebrated. A social worker said, ‘I think it provides a very nurturing environment that helps that child or young person to develop and reach their full potential. It’s not about huge changes. It’s about steady changes, frequently, for example, using a knife and fork, making the sign to use the toilet. Even if they have an accident, the fact that they asked is a huge achievement.’

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Good

The stable and consistent staff team is extremely experienced with many members having worked in this home for a number of years. They state that they feel well supported by the manager and senior team and that their supervision provides them with good and effective support. A staff member said, ‘I feel that we are entrusted by parents and families to look after their children and it’s a privileged job that I do. There’s never a day when I get up and think I don’t want to come to work.’ A large number of the team have completed the level 5 qualification in caring for children and young people, such is their commitment to their role. As a result, skilled workers who can meet their needs care for children and young people. However, although staff have received training on child sexual exploitation from an e-learning package, they reported that they would appreciate more in-depth training in order to understand fully the impact for children and young people who

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Good

have disabilities. The manager’s much-improved internal monitoring processes clearly identify any actions needed to deliver better care for children and young people. This not only meets the one recommendation raised at the previous inspection, demonstrating the home’s capacity to improve, but also ensures that knowledge of the home’s developmental needs are current. The manager works hard to gather the views of children, young people, staff and all other interested parties in order to inform these actions. However, he has not included them in his report. Thus, they are not able to see where their views have been incorporated. External monitoring visits are within requisite timescales and effectively promote the well-being and safety of children and young people. They demonstrate the continued improvements in the home and identify how children and young people are achieving positive outcomes. However, the current system being utilised to

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Good

capture the views of parents and professionals is not sufficient to guarantee a consistent response. The home’s comprehensive statement of purpose affords parents and professionals with good clear information about the care to be provided. Children’s and young people’s progress in building nurturing relationships with staff that allow them to modulate their behaviours demonstrates that the home is meeting its statement of purpose. It states, ‘We will see beyond any negative behaviour to help young people to be empowered by gaining positive control over their behaviour and consequently their future. Also by assisting them to communicate their needs in a way that suits their understanding. We will aim to build positive relationships with every young person and will respect them for the unique person they are.’ Professionals report extremely positively about the increased levels of communication and good working relationships that they have with the home. This

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Good

ensures that effective challenge between professionals is possible and that children and young people receive consistent, targeted care to meet their needs. An independent reviewing officer said, ‘They have a very good relationship with mum and the social worker. Reviews are very well attended as well. (Name) himself has made a lot of progress with those consistent messages.’

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Good

The success of the monthly coffee mornings, instituted by the manager since January, has significantly improved relationships between parents and carers and the home. The committed staff team ensures that every parent who wants to attend can, by collecting them and bringing them to the event. Outside speakers are arranged, providing families with more information from which to gain support in their home location. Parents feel listened to and valued promoting more consistent outcomes for their children as they work in partnership with the home. A social work team leader said, ‘They have really demonstrated that the communication between (home’s name) and parents is happening and there is a sense of fun now. This is about offering positive activities for children.’

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against ‘Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection’.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm, or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 that 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after. 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

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Information about this inspection

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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