John Greenwood Shipman Centre

Inspector Cathey Moriarty

Inspection date 12/01/2017 Previous inspection judgement Good Enforcement action since last inspection None

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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 effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This children’s home provides short breaks for children who have learning disabilities and children who have physical disabilities and associated health care needs. The home environment is comfortable, child friendly and safe. It is adapted to meet all the needs of all the children and has effective monitoring and maintenance systems in place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is organised to meet the needs of these two groups of children. Following consultation with children, these groups have recently been named Woodside and Lakeside. There has been progress in developing a cohesive staff team as more staff are working across the two groups. This supports the development of consistent practice. Staff benefit from sharing knowledge and skills, and children benefit from the opportunity to develop friendships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff liaise with the family and professionals involved in each child’s care. Staff attend care planning meetings and education planning meetings to contribute to assessments and inform planning. In one child’s file some essential information that was known had not been updated. This has not impacted on the child’s safety and welfare. However, a recommendation is made to ensure that children’s records are updated and information is effectively monitored.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the children have complex needs. Some have behavioural needs that mean they are vulnerable to risks as a result of their behaviours. There are detailed risk assessments and behaviour management plans for every child that are implemented well. There have been improvements in the recording of how children’s behaviour is managed. Staff recording is more consistent and the manager reviews all records. As a result there is an accurate picture of children’s behaviours. Incident reports are reviewed and any themes identified. Action is taken if there is an emerging need or concern. Staff liaise with family and professionals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff reinforce positive behaviours. One method that children respond to is a ‘star of the month’ award. Children and staff can vote for children, recognising their achievements and efforts made to overcome difficulties. The managers give careful consideration to referrals for the service and plan short breaks so that children’s needs and personalities are compatible. Views of children and families about preferences are listened to.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a high staffing ratio in order to meet children’s needs safely. This includes safe care through the night. As a result children are able to experience activities and enjoy interests with staff support. Since the last inspection children have enjoyed a well-planned Christmas party, and staff received very positive feedback from children and families. Leading up to the summer break there was consultation with children and families about preferences for activities. All children enjoyed at least one of their choices for activities and outings. These included visits to a farm, a trampoline park, a sea-life centre and the cinema, train rides and swimming.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parents feedback that they have confidence in the care that their children receive and that they have opportunities to enjoy a range of experiences and activities. A visitor has attended the home and shared with children information about healthy eating and gave them the opportunity to taste farm fresh food. Children have benefitted from improvements to the sensory room and garden.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have detailed information about children’s health needs. Some children have complex health needs and staff ensure that information is accurate and health care plans are updated at every stay.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One parent said: ’My son loves coming to [the home]. The staff are providing a range of opportunities for him to enjoy activities and meet with other children. I am confident he is being cared for well.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A social worker said: ‘Managers and staff have been brilliant. This child has benefitted so much from the service. They have appropriate staffing levels in order to keep him safe and reinforce positive behaviours. They have been able to share so much information about his needs and what works with him, in managing his behaviours. Staff are using a range of communication skills with him to meet his needs. Staff are also supportive and flexible with parents. The manager is excellent at communicating, at sharing her knowledge and skills. She is easy to work with and open to discussion.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The inspector observed staff preparing for a shift. There was a very clear handover of information and staff demonstrated knowledge about each child’s needs, likes and dislikes.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The inspector also observed staff interacting with children. Staff were responding to children’s individual needs. They were using different techniques to stimulate children using a range of communication skills, ensuring that children were comfortable and had opportunities to play and choose activities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A member of staff has become the lead for transitions of young people moving on from the home. This is supported by the staff team actively developing knowledge and practice to support transitions for young people moving into adult services. Some young people have moved on since the last inspection. When they move they are able to choose a favourite activity and there is a celebration within the home. One young person enjoyed a visit to a theme park which was one of his life goals. The managers and staff are proactive in supporting families at a time when they are anxious about change for their children. There is positive feedback to the managers about support during this time and about the care their child has received at this home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A small number of staff are completing qualifications. All other staff are qualified. All staff receive relevant training that is updated and refreshed. Staff are aware of the impact of the additional vulnerabilities of children who have disabilities. They receive appropriate training in safeguarding children who have disabilities. The home managers are confident and skilled in assessing safeguarding concerns and appropriately refer to case responsible social workers when needed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection there have been some concerns raised by parents about the reliability of transport, and the manager and staff have shared these concerns. The manager requested a meeting with the providers of the transport and the home’s commissioners about this issue, which is being addressed. Parents have said they now have improved confidence in transport arrangements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager reports that a new post, that is part clinical and part administrative, is proving valuable. The member of staff supports quality assurance mechanisms and works across both groups within the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are receiving regular supervision, training and team meetings. As a result staff have up-to-date information and opportunities to develop and refresh practice.

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Information about this children's home

This home is a 12-bed residential short break service for children who have learning disabilities and children who have physical disabilities and associated healthcare needs. The service is managed by a healthcare foundation trust and is registered with the Care Quality Commission, as care arrangements include regulated activities within the healthcare provision.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 17/08/2016 Full Good 25/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 20/10/2015 Full Good 12/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

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

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that any individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification. (Regulation 32 (4)) 28/04/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  All children's case records (regulation 36) must be kept up to date. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations, including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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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 that 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 whom 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, workbased 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

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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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