Children's Home run by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in North Northamptonshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has ensured that requirements from the last inspection are being addressed. The bathroom that requires refurbishment in order to make it a safe and appropriate environment is being improved this month. This has not impacted on the safety and welfare of children, and in the meantime a robust risk assessment is in place and children have access to a second bathroom. Staff have also made progress in achieving relevant qualifications.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some children’s records do not have up-to-date children’s plans on them. Recommendations have been made about this in reports by the independent visitor since the last inspection. There are monitoring and audit systems in place, by the supervisors of key workers, to ensure that any gaps in information in children’s files, such as up-to-date children’s plans, are identified and followed up in a timely way. The manager has also introduced a process whereby staff record their own summary of information at planning meetings to add to the child’s record immediately, while awaiting the formal record. However, the manager is aware that practice has not been consistently good in either of the above, and has reviewed supervision and key-working arrangements. He has reconfigured staff responsibilities to ensure that supervision arrangements are more effective. This is in the process of being implemented. A recommendation is made to reinforce this

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

development and ensure that the manager monitors the impact.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Health information is recorded well, allowing staff to follow children’s healthcare plans easily during their short breaks. One child was recently admitted to hospital, as his health deteriorated. Staff ensured that his care plan was adhered to, supported his admission to hospital and contacted his family. Relevant notifications were also made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is improving evidence of consultation with children. Records demonstrated child-centred practice and the use of a range of communication tools and skills by staff to capture children’s views, wishes and feelings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff liaise regularly with family and health professionals to capture any relevant information, particularly any changes to medication. There are clear protocols in place regarding dispensing medication, and staff receive training that is regularly refreshed. There is currently an investigation into an incident involving a medication error. There was no impact to a child’s health or welfare. However, this has been responded to robustly, and the manager is satisfied that systems have been improved since the incident and that lessons will be learned, as necessary, following the outcome of the investigation. The recommendation in respect of improving systems for and the quality of supervision will also support the monitoring of practice, such as staff dispensing of medication.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is committed to ensuring that each group of children staying together are the best fit. He consults with children and families, and takes account of staff feedback about friendships, needs and abilities. Families and social workers continue to report that the manager is responsive and flexible to children’s and families’ needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Admissions for short breaks at the home are planned well, with the staff and manager liaising with family and the professionals involved to ensure a good transition. Staff visit the family home and school, and the family and child visit the children’s home. Staff ensure that they have as much information as possible from schools, home and relevant health professionals prior to admission. This includes information about communication needs and the preferred method of communication.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is positive evidence and feedback about the work of the manager and staff prior to children’s transitions from the home. Families report that the manager is ’proactive and supportive’ at a time when they are particularly anxious about changes to arrangements for their children. Staff ensure that moving on from this home is a positive experience. Children are consulted about how they want to celebrate this. Some children choose a party, and family and friends are invited, while others choose a favourite outing. They leave with their ‘journey’ book, a record which captures information about achievements, favourite activities and special occasions during their time staying at The Squirrels.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been some changes in the staff group since the last inspection. Recently two newly qualified nurses, with experience of working within short-break homes, have been appointed. The manager reports that they are ‘both creative and enthusiastic’ and are a positive addition to the skills of the experienced staff group. One member of staff reported that all staff have the opportunity to contribute to team meetings and team development, and to receive training. He said: ‘I believe that the experience that children have here makes a difference for them and their families. We are child focused. Some children want to go out and be sociable, and some want a quiet time when they come. We encourage and support new experiences. The best feedback is seeing the children enjoying their stay.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A parent reported that her daughter has complex needs and has been ill recently, but is ‘confident in the care she receives at The Squirrels’ and ‘confident that she will have a good time during her stays.’

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Information about this children's home

This home, operated by a healthcare trust, is a six-bedded residential short breaks service for children and young people with learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/09/2016 Full Good 26/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/08/2015 Full Good 06/01/2015 Full Good

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children in their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’ page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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 0300 123 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 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

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

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