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

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

Children and young people continue to enjoy their short breaks and make progress with their self-care and independence, both socially and emotionally. Staff do their utmost to make children’s and young people’s experiences as positive as possible. The strong partnership working with families, health and education services underpins the excellent holistic care provided. Safeguarding is always a high priority and staff ensure that children and young people are both physically safe and that their emotional welfare is promoted. There is a comprehensive focus on children’s and young people’s successes and in promoting their views, wishes and feelings. Notable achievements are celebrated and on display for children and young people to see along with whoever is ‘star of the day’. Progress includes: better social skills and positive interaction with visitors, developing communication and being able to ask for things, helping each other,

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

using new aids and adaptations, successfully using the toilet and other personal care successes. Targets and care plans are bespoke, tailored to the individual, often quite complex, needs of the children and young people. Staff are sensitive and very thoughtful in following children’s and young people’s care plans. This starts with ensuring that the physical environment is set up at the beginning of a short break in line with their needs. Staff are skilled and competent and receive training to meet the specific needs of children and young people. Children and young people have a strong voice in their care and the running of the home. They are consulted regularly, provided with appropriate choices and have one-to-one time with staff to talk about what is important to them. Staff also keep records of day-to-day interactions and different ways children and young people communicate. This informs children’s and young people’s care plans and promotes

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

their inclusion. The manager reviews and evaluates this practice with regular participation reports. Parents are regularly consulted too, and make comments such as: ‘The service is excellent,’ ‘He is happy to go and has great relationships with staff,’ and ‘Staff are family-like but professional. I know my child is safe.’ There are plenty of toys, books and games for children and young people. There is a sensory room and outside are a sensory garden and a play area. Since the last inspection, new play equipment has been installed in the garden and a new touch- screen computer has been purchased. Children and young people are supported to make good use of all these facilities, enjoying their time at the home. Staff also organise trips out into the local town, shopping, visits to shows and a youth club, which promotes children’s and young people’s participation in the local community. Staff select carefully the mix of children and young people who come for each

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

short break. Close attention is given to balancing the needs of individuals and avoiding any potential disruption from a clash of personalities or behaviour triggers that would have a negative impact on the group. There are plenty of staff on duty to provide children and young people with high levels of support and supervision. There have been no missing from home incidents and staff keep the environment safe and secure. Staff know the children and young people well and utilise this knowledge to manage the environment positively. Bedrooms are personalised before each short break, and favourite toys, games and possessions are to hand, adding to the welcoming feel when children and young people arrive. Staff are caring and nurturing and have built up good relationships with children and young people. This contributes to their positive experiences of the home and promotes calm, happy behaviour. Any patterns of anxiety are responded to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

robustly, with reviews of care and input from relatives and professionals. For example, some children and young people also receive day care, and staff have utilised an additional resource away from the home. This distinguishes between day care and overnight stays and helps children and young people cope better with transitions as they recognise these differences. Poor behaviour is rare and there has only been one sanction as a result since the last full inspection. The use of physical intervention to manage behaviour is also infrequent and is only ever used as a last resort to prevent anyone from hurting themselves or others. This practice is monitored closely by the manager to make sure that staff use it appropriately. The manager undertakes an extensive review and evaluation of the service at six- monthly intervals. She uses this information to plan future service developments that focus on the needs of children and young people. This is underpinned by

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

monthly evaluations from an independent visitor. The quality of the independent visitor’s reports has improved since the last inspection. These reports now contribute more effectively to ensuring that the welfare and safety of children and young people are promoted.

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Information about this children’s home

The local authority has registered this children’s home to provide short breaks for children and young people with physical and learning disabilities. A maximum of six children and/or young people can stay overnight at any one time.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

14/3/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

27/3/2015 Interim Sustained 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, 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,

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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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