Children's home SC016732

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the 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

This short-break service for children with learning and physical disabilities has established an outstanding quality of care at successive inspections. This quality of care continues.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Currently the service meets the needs of 46 children from four neighbouring local authorities, the majority as, ‘children in need.’ Individualised assessments by staff, lead to tailored packages of person-centred care, drawn up and reviewed with parents, school and social workers. Staff work closely with schools and with family support workers and the local authority.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective leadership keeps this service strong. A long-standing, skilled, energetic management team is led by the registered manager and the responsible individual, supported by an active board of directors. Efficient development planning, monitoring and review maintains high standards within a contracting local authority funding landscape. Charitable fundraising is essential to maintain the service with the excellent range of resources, equipment, and children’s toys and activities. The organisation plans a move in Spring 2017, to smaller premises and reduce the service from 12 to 4 beds.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s care planning, target and review systems are up to date, clear and effective. Progress is easily measurable. Smooth management systems ensure that the plan is delivered in practice at each short break. That the service can do this so well for 46 children, while maintaining and intensely individualised service, is a significant achievement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Care prioritises children’s independence and opportunities to widen their social experience, make friendships and learn new skills. A wide range of resources and skilled staff help children to maximise communication and choice. Children learn to move with more confidence, use cutlery, feed themselves, sleep better, and become continent. They do things that are sometimes not possible at home; they eat out at restaurants, they go to the cinema for the first time, and they go out and about in the community and have an annual holiday. Parents report their children show improved concentration, better eye contact, and greater self-reliance after they stay.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Excellent staffing levels mean that many children have individual attention and staff really know the children well. There is a lovely focus on play, fun, happiness and fulfilment. Conscientious staff prepare the environment well to meet children’s needs, for example, when they come home from school. Consequently, staff are ready to play, stimulate and spend quality time with them. Children’s delighted faces when they first arrive, show that they are used to a great welcome from familiar staff and plenty of play opportunities. Children said they enjoyed coming for the peace and activities. One child was very pleased that staff had bought a special game for him to play during his visit. Another said, ‘I like to relax here.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are very safe during their short breaks. There have been no safeguarding concerns. Rigorous risk assessments address health, behavioural, environmental and mobility hazards. Staff are very clear about their responsibilities to protect children while delivering intimate personal care. They are alert to the particular vulnerabilities of children with disabilities, having been trained specially in this aspect of safeguarding.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are well trained and enthusiastic about their professional development. They say they feel very well supported by management, through regular supervision and good communication at lively, staff meetings. They value their colleagues. They clearly love their jobs and get great satisfaction from their relationships with children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Internal and external monitoring regularly reviews all aspects of the operation of the home. The manager has taken action to meet a previous recommendation to provide an additional layer of challenge through the monthly independent visitor’s report. This now has a clearer focus on safeguarding and wellbeing. Consequently, this community service maintains its reputation for providing excellent holistic care and support for children and consequently to their parents.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is operated by a local charitable organisation. It offers care and accommodation to 12 children with learning and physical disabilities. Children stay for short breaks only. Some young people may continue to use the service after their 18th birthday.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 12/05/2016 Full Outstanding 02/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 25/11/2015 Full Outstanding 25/03/2015 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, 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

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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