Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Senad Group Limited in Derbyshire

Outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

p.2

The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

 The progress young people make in all aspects of their lives is exceptional.  High-quality, individualised care, provided by a committed and enthusiastic staff team, makes a significant difference to young people’s lives. Young people enjoy new experiences and many achieve things beyond their expectations. Consequently, their self-confidence and self-esteem significantly improve.  Young people speak extremely positively about their experiences of living in the home. They develop trusting and positive relationships with caring and committed staff who know them well, and who provide them with high levels of praise and encouragement to achieve to the very best of their abilities.  Young people feel respected and valued. Their views fully contribute to the running and design of the home. They are also fully involved in the preparation and review of their own placements and behaviour management plans.  Comprehensive risk and behaviour management plans, implemented by

p.3

The children’s home provision is outstanding because:

staff, provide young people with high levels of safety. Excellent multi- disciplinary packages of help and support, provided by care staff, education staff and in-house therapists, have resulted in significant reductions in risky behaviours, such as aggression and self-harm.  Excellent programmes of independence work help young people to develop valuable life and social skills that will assist them greatly when they move into their adult lives.  The management team is creative, aspirational and motivational. They have made significant improvements to the service since the last inspection and they continue to strive to make further improvements to ensure that young people receive optimum experiences and standards of care.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned service forms part of a residential school. It accommodates up to 56 young people who have communication difficulties or are diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

28 January 2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

Recent inspection history

14 January 2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

Outstanding

From their starting points, young people make outstanding progress. A parent said: ‘My son’s progress has zoomed and it has been so exciting to watch. The progress is across the board. Educationally he is very focused, socially he is thriving, his confidence is growing, he is taking better care of himself and he is just so much more engaged in the world.’ Young people thrive and their life chances significantly improve as a result.

p.5

Outstanding

Young people also speak extremely positively about their progress and experiences. One young person who is due to move on shortly reflected: ‘It has been amazing living here. It has strengthened me as a person. I have stepped out of my comfort zone and into an amazing new world. It has made me believe in myself and it has prepared me well for a very happy future.’ Another young person described how staff had assisted him to participate in a new experience. He said: ‘I have been to Auschwitz. It was an amazing experience and very harrowing. I was helped hugely to achieve going. I struggle with noise and touch and so it was hard. The staff helped me stay calm and prepared me for the flight by flying to Edinburgh.’ Staff have high aspirations for young people and go above and beyond their duties to make things happen for them. As a result, young people achieve and experience things way beyond their own expectations.

p.5

Outstanding

Young people enjoy extremely positive relationships with staff who know them well and who have a good understanding of their individual complex needs. With the support of on-site experts, staff provide highly individualised care to a high standard. A parent said: ‘I am exceedingly happy. Staff put a great deal of time and effort into putting together an individualised programme that works for my son. The staff are very creative in meeting his complex needs.’

p.5

Outstanding

Staff support young people extremely well to become healthier, both physically and emotionally. A dedicated on-site health professional promotes healthy living and helps young people to develop greater independence in meeting their own health needs, such as administering their own medication. Staff are well trained in relation to specific complex health conditions, such as Prader-Willi syndrome. This training, as well as joint working practices between the staff and the on-site occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and psychotherapists, helps to ensure that young people’s health needs are consistently met to a high standard. One parent commented: ‘The minute there is a problem, the different experts talk to each other and to me and we sort it out. I believe that it is as a result of fantastic partnership working that my daughter is doing so well.’ From their starting points, young people make excellent educational progress. The

p.5

Outstanding

majority attend the on-site college and engage in creative programmes of education that reflect their talents and interests. A parent said: ‘They have enabled my son’s intelligence and have gone out of their way to accommodate his needs, promote his skills and encourage.’ Some young people attend college in the community. One who does this was particularly impressed with the help and support he has received over the last year from staff. He said: ‘I have done really well here. I get lots of help with my college work. The occupational therapist and speech and language therapist have helped me deal with exam stress and to complete university application forms. Living here prepares you to go to university.’ As a result of young people’s educational achievements, their future training or employment choices significantly increase.

p.6

Outstanding

Young people develop life, social and practical skills in preparation for adulthood. They develop increasing levels of confidence from the skills they learn. They become proud of their increasing levels of independence. One young person commented: ‘I am now very independent. I now cook, wash and clean and I travel to college on my own by train. I can now also go to appointments on my own.’ Transitions into adulthood are well planned. Of those who have left since the last inspection, those who have not returned home have successfully transitioned into independent or semi-independent accommodation. All have successfully transitioned into further or higher education or training.

p.6

Outstanding

Young people are at the centre of all that takes place in the home. Their views are instrumental to the decor and running of the home. House meetings chaired by and recorded by young people, young person involvement in recruitment, suggestion boxes and feedback questionnaires ensure that young people’s views are heard and acted upon. Young people are also fully involved in the preparation and review of their placement plans, behaviour management plans and risk management plans. Some write their own plans and contribute to their own daily records. This gives young people a sense of control over their lives. They feel empowered and this helps to motivate them to work towards goals that they have set themselves.

p.6

Outstanding

Young people say they feel safe and have become much safer living in this home. A young person said: ‘It feels safe here just knowing staff are always here to protect me and talk to me. It is also safe because the staff know me so well and all my little ways. They know when I am tired, if I am upset or worried and they know how to help me get over my difficulties. They are just great.’ The emotionally safe environment, created by the extremely positive relationships young people have with staff, provides young people with a strong sense of safety and well-being.

p.6

Outstanding

Although there are occasionally tensions between young people, these are managed exceptionally well. Bullying is not tolerated. If young people are not getting along, staff intervene and mediate. Individual and group work in respect of relationships helps young people to develop an understanding and respect for one another. With the support of staff, young people have recently formulated new house rules and a new anti-bullying policy and all have signed up to this. Young people understand what is expected of them and this helps to create a safe, calm and harmonious environment. One young person summed up his views by saying: ‘I feel 100% safe here. The constant balance of staff’s and friends’ input in a surrounding that is stable is like sitting in the middle of a seesaw, calm.’

p.7

Outstanding

Comprehensive and regularly updated risk management plans implemented by staff provide young people with a high level of protection. Those young people assessed as being at high levels of risk are carefully monitored. This does not, however, prohibit these young people from participating in activities which help develop their life and social skills. Rather, robust and regularly reviewed risk management plans enable young people to enjoy new experiences and take reasonable risks as part of their growth and development, without their safety being compromised.

p.7

Outstanding

Multi-professional packages of help and support also provide young people with high levels of protection. Not only this, they facilitate significant reductions in risk- taking behaviours. For example, one young person’s package of support includes direct key work from staff, weekly individual and group therapy sessions, an activity programme and regular input from an occupational, and speech and language therapist. This has been extremely effective. Her parent said: ‘My daughter used to frequently self-harm but this has now stopped. It is fantastic. She is so much safer due to the actions of staff. They know her triggers and manage and support her so well.’

p.7

Outstanding

Although some young people have a history of going missing, there have been no incidents of this occurring since before the last full inspection. Robust risk management plans provide young people with a high level of protection. Staff fully understand what actions to take in order to safeguard and prevent young people from going missing. For example, during a recent incident when a young person left the home without permission, staff followed. They did not lose sight of her and successfully negotiated her safe and prompt return. Staff practice and the positive relationship staff have with young people reduce the risk of young people going missing.

p.7

Outstanding

Staff have a very positive and proactive approach to managing potentially challenging behaviours. The excellently formatted behaviour management plans highlight protective factors, triggers and warning signs. They provide clear and concise written guidance for staff in respect of how to help and support young people to manage their behaviours and regulate their emotions. The implementation of these plans has been highly effective as there have been no physical interventions since the last full inspection. The implementation of strategies outlined in plans, alongside robust management monitoring of each young person’s behaviours, has contributed to significant reductions in challenging behaviours.

p.7

Outstanding

Recruitment practices are highly effective. Excellent monitoring and oversight and a clear understanding of safeguarding in relation to recruitment ensure, as far as possible, that only suitable people are recruited to work in the home.

p.8

Outstanding

The management team is extremely well established. The registered manager is well supported by the head of care and a team of senior staff. He is suitably qualified and experienced. He is aspirational and ambitious for young people and demands high standards from staff. Leaders and managers motivate staff, who share their vision and commitment to improve young people’s lives. Morale has become high and a cohesive staff team, who feel highly valued, ensure that young people are exceptionally well supported. One member of staff commented: ‘Morale is 100 times better. Staff now really support each other. We have moved away from a blame culture and we feel really well supported by management.’

p.8

Outstanding

Strong and impressive leadership has driven improvements to the service. A requirement set at the last inspection in respect of the statement of purpose has been met. This document is now comprehensive, and it clearly and accurately describes the uniqueness of this service and what it has to offer. A recommendation in relation to case recording has also been met. Monthly file audits have helped to ensure that all plans and records are up to date and detailed. Case records now provide a fully coherent picture of the care being provided.

p.8

Outstanding

Leaders and managers are extremely child-focused. This is reflected in their decision-making and meticulous planning for new admissions. Before any admission is made, thorough, multi-professional, pre-placement assessments consider whether staff have the skill and experience to meet the individual needs of a potential new young person, and whether they would be an appropriate mix with the existing young people. If assessments are positive, a carefully thought out transition plan is implemented, taking into account the new and existing young people’s ability to adapt to the changes in dynamics. A parent said: ‘My son had a very gradual transition in. It was at his pace. It was done really well. At first he would just watch the others but then he started to join in but now he has settled.’

p.8

Outstanding

Staff are exceptionally well trained. All those not in their probationary period hold the required professional qualifications stipulated in the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. In addition to mandatory training, staff also receive training in respect of all issues that affect the young people they are caring for. Excellent monitoring and oversight of all training undertaken ensure that staff have the right training within good timescales. Leaders and managers constantly reassess and adjust training programmes to include new messages from research and changing or emerging issues. For example, all staff have recently received training in relation to radicalisation and some have attended training on forced marriage and transgender issues. This promotes staff development and helps to ensure that staff continue to be equipped to meet the specific and sometimes changing needs of young people to a high standard.

p.9

Outstanding

Staff attend monthly team meetings, which are reflective in nature and consider the values which shape the culture of the service. Staff also have regular supervision and feel very well supported by their managers. They have further opportunities for reflective practice during meetings with in-house experts and key team meetings. Good and regular supervision and team meetings, alongside further opportunities for staff reflection, ensure that practice is monitored and adapted in line with young people’s changing or emerging needs.

p.9

Outstanding

Monitoring systems are excellent. Data collected daily in respect of all aspects of young people’s lives enables managers and leaders to analyse patterns and trends in young people’s behaviours and their progress against their individual targets. This also helps to ensure that all plans are relevant and up to date. Through these monitoring systems, the manager is able to demonstrate clearly what impact living in the home is having on young people’s lives.

p.9

Outstanding

Quality assurance systems, internally and externally, are comprehensive. This, as well as leaders and managers taking complaints seriously, and seeking continual feedback from young people, parents, professionals and staff, has helped to drive improvements that make this an outstanding children’s home.

p.9

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’.

p.10

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

p.10

What the inspection judgements mean

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

p.10

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 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

p.11

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 .

p.11

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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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,

p.12

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.12

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.12

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

p.12