Children's home run by Norfolk County Council in Norwich

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has continued to provide short breaks but has widened the scope to include breaks for children who have a learning disability. Some staff in the home have previous experience of working with children who have a learning disability. All of the staff have had training to help them to provide appropriate, sensitive care for the children who use the service. This has included training in providing personal care, working with children who have autistic spectrum disorder and managing epilepsy. A social worker for a child who had been using the service said that all of the staff and the manager demonstrated a good understanding of the child’s individual needs, including their learning disability. Because of this, more children are able to use the service and have their needs met appropriately.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met the two requirements raised at the last inspection. Some of the children’s risk assessments and other records were not full, clear and consistent. The registered manager and staff have worked on this and now the children’s records do provide clear, consistent information to inform staff about the children’s needs and how to meet them. This includes informing staff about how to reduce the risks for children. However, records of restraint and sanctions are not recorded fully.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Restraint is very rarely used. There have been two instances of restraint since the last inspection and before that none since November 2014. However, the records of these restraints do not include all of the required information. One does not make it clear why the restraint was used but the registered manager was able to explain the reasons. Neither record includes details to show that the registered manager has spoken with the staff who undertook the restraint before signing the record to show that it is accurate. On one occasion, the registered manager was involved in the restraint and also signed the record. This does not give those using restraint the opportunity to consider if they could have done anything differently to avoid or reduce the length of the restraint, or to confirm if they took the most effective action.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a very low use of sanctions and when they are used they are appropriate. However, the manager does not always evaluate and sign the records within 24 hours. In one case, the record was not signed until eight days later and was not evaluated until 20 days after that. It can be difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of a sanction fully if the child does not visit the home again for a month or more, but quicker initial oversight would allow the manager to identify the suitability of sanctions. Due to the very low use of restraint and sanctions, this has had limited impact on children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers identify safeguarding issues and pass on their concerns appropriately, so that the children who use the service receive the help and protection that they need.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a very child-centred process for children to begin using the service. Introductions take place at the child’s pace and if they are not ready for overnight stays the introduction is extended. A social worker said that the child and their parent were made to feel welcome at the introductory visit. They said that although the plan was for overnight stays these did not happen until the child was ready and asked for them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children stop using the service when there is no longer a need for it. Sometimes it is the children themselves who recognise this and their views are taken into account. Staff always try to mark the occasion when children stop using the service, with, for example, a meal out or an activity of the child’s choice. Children can contact staff even after their visits to the service have stopped. These clear and celebrated endings help the children to manage the changes in a positive way. On one occasion, a child stopped using the service suddenly when they were taken into care and placed a long way from the home. In this case the managers and staff provided support and advice for the out-of-hours service, supported the child in his family home over a weekend and drove him the considerable distance to his new placement. The social worker described this work as making the transition ‘extremely smooth’ for the child and going ‘above and beyond’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has a good understanding about the way the home functions. She monitors the operation of the home through her own processes as well as using the independent visitor’s reports. She also seeks feedback from children, their families and social workers. This feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Children commented in their surveys for the home:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 ‘I love it [the home]. It is fun and the best choice I could have had is coming here.’  ‘I like [a member of staff’s] flapjacks. I love girls’ nights, I like the pool table. I enjoy the activities that get planned. I love [the home].’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 ‘I would just like to say a big thank you to yourself and staff for supporting [the child] and us when we needed it. It made a huge difference to her confidence coming to your place.’  ‘With your help we have been able to move on to better things.’  ‘[The child] has benefited from coming here and it has helped her in many ways.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

These comments show that the home continues to have a positive impact on the experiences and outcomes for children.

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home provides short-term breaks for young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties or learning disabilities. Up to four young people can stay at the home at any one time.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 23/02/2016 Full Good 07/12/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 19/03/2015 Full Good 09/07/2014 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person(s) 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 person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes all of the information required under this regulation. This relates in particular to the effectiveness of any consequences of the use of the measure. Further, that the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so, has spoken to the user about the measure and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(ii)(vii)(b)(i)(ii)) 27/01/2017

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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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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