Children's home run by Central Bedfordshire Council in Central Bedfordshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last 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 previous inspection resulted in two requirements and five recommendations. The manager has met both of the requirements by supplying an updated copy of the statement of purpose and including the views of relevant people in the current location risk assessment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has met three of the five recommendations. He ensures that the staff notify Ofsted of any significant events within the expected timescales. The children‟s risk assessments now clearly specify the actions that the staff will take to minimise risks. The deputy manager reviews these on a monthly basis unless updates are required sooner. These improvements help to safeguard children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has redesigned aspects of the paperwork. He now conducts regular reviews of the children‟s daily logs and highlights any gaps in information to the relevant staff members. This has led to an improvement in the case records, which provide clear and detailed information.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two remaining recommendations relate to training and appraisals. The manager has arranged training for the staff in supporting children with their sexuality and identity. He has begun to collate the views of professionals and the children, which will contribute to the staff‟s annual appraisals. Although the manager has made progress in both of these areas, the recommendations remain as they are incomplete.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The interactions between the staff and the children are warm and caring. The staff have a good understanding of the children‟s differing needs and preferences, and this enables them to care for the children using personalised strategies. The group of children living at the home remains largely unchanged. One child, following a few initial stays, has ceased using the short-break service because, despite clear planning and individualised strategies, he continued to experience great difficulty settling back into his routines at home and at school following his stays.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One of the children is due to move into an adult provision in the coming months. The staff are supporting her to develop life skills and in her preparations for independence. The pending move is causing her to become increasingly anxious. The staff are managing her anxiety sensitively and they are helping her to use strategies such as writing down her worries and questions to assist her with voicing these concerns. The staff and her social worker then offer her reassurance by addressing the matters raised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff liaise closely with the adult social work team. This enables the staff to ensure that they are able to keep the children and their families informed of any decisions made about placements and transitions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the children attend school. The staff work closely with the schools and they conduct classroom observations of their key children. This assists the staff to ensure that the children are cared for in a consistent way. This is particularly important as the children have differing communication levels and learning disabilities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are positive about their work with the children. One member of staff said, „I am proud to be part of a team that helps the children to progress as well as they do.‟ The staff are working with one child to increase his use of signs. He has become more consistent in using one sign to communicate. A member of staff said, „He is making huge steps. He is using the “please” sign and he will now initiate the interactions.‟ This ability to communicate better coincides with a reduction in the child‟s number of incidents.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children do not go missing from this home. The use of physical intervention is low in frequency because the staff successfully utilise distraction and deflection techniques. The manager‟s audits highlighted that, on one occasion, the staff did not record the use of a physical intervention within the legislative timescale. The staff member recorded it as a late entry two days later. This did not have a direct impact on the child but is identified as an area for improvement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children‟s achievements, at home and school, are celebrated. There is an achievement tree, monthly achievement reports and personalised medals. A professional said, „The manager‟s focus on achievements has created a sense of celebration.‟ One child spoke of how she was „so happy‟ to win an award at the local authority‟s recent awards ceremony.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children participate in a range of activities in the home and in the community. Artwork, that the children created when asked to write/draw what the home means to them, has been grouped together to create a new letterhead for the home. The manager uses the logo on the monthly reports. This demonstrates the manager‟s desire to incorporate the children‟s work into communications shared internally and externally.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children contribute their ideas and views about decisions such as redecoration. The staff seek the children‟s views and suggestions about the use of rooms. This includes a former sensory room becoming a chill-out room. Although the home is warm and welcoming, there are some areas that show evidence of extensive use and would benefit from some improvement. This would further encourage children to feel valued in their surroundings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Feedback from professionals is very positive about the partnership working, the leadership offered by the managers and the care that the children receive from the staff. Professionals‟ comments include:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 „The staff are proactive in their thinking. On a number of occasions they have observed [the child‟s] behaviour and worked well with school and have had an equally high level of input.‟  „The manager is child-focused and we have seen a positive shift in the quality of the reports and care plans. The introduction of the short-break review report highlights any additional needs and targets and helps to measure what is working for the children.‟

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parents are equally as positive. They said:

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

 „I get good feedback. They do a lot with him and they [the children] definitely feel cared for and safe.‟  „It is fantastic. The staff are like family. I have absolutely no complaints. I wish he could stay there. He‟s safe, challenged, has fun and has learned. Absolutely everything is great.‟

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Information about this children’s home

A local authority owns and operates this setting. The service provides care and accommodation for up to eight children who have a learning difficulty and who may also have a physical disability. Premises are organised into three living areas: short breaks, permanent placements and a self-contained flat.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 20/09/2016 Full Good 02/03/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 28/10/2015 Full Good 12/03/2015 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 the matters set out in the regulation. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i-viii)) 11/02/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Provide a nurturing and supportive environment that is homely. In particular, maintain the upkeep of the decor. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff can access appropriate resources to support their training needs. This is with specific reference to disability and sexuality. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff appraisal takes into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and the children in the home‟s care. („Guide to the children‟s homes regulations including the quality standards‟, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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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 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 at 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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