Children's home run by Northamptonshire County Council in West Northamptonshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last 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

Children in this home experience outstanding care from skilled, committed staff and are making exceptional progress from their starting points.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the members of the management team have developed their quality assurance mechanisms. Senior care workers monitor files in supervision to ensure that there is a consistent review and updating of information. There is an effective auditing system, which the registered manager oversees. Staff have received training to improve the quality of recording. Records are well organised and incorporate evaluation of the progress made by children in all areas. Information includes what works and does not work at any one time with young people in the management of their behaviour and risk. Staff receive regular supervision, and there are full team meetings and senior management meetings on a monthly basis. Team meeting records evidence that all staff share information about children’s needs and progress. The manager often leads on discussions to enhance skills and knowledge, and staff have the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

opportunity to contribute creative ideas and solve problems. In this way, staff practice is continuously developed. The inspector observed an informed discussion in a meeting of seniors and managers, regarding the planning and preparation for a new admission of a child to the home. The discussion demonstrated the careful consideration given to the child’s complex needs. The registered manager demonstrated expert knowledge and skills in working with children subject to autistic spectrum disorder. She also listened and was receptive to exploring new ideas. For example, a new member of staff had shared some information from his previous experience about meeting a particular child’s needs. It was agreed that this will be further explored. This staff group is very good at planning to prevent incidents or concerning behaviours. There have been two admissions to the home since the last inspection. Both were

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

planned admissions. The records demonstrate that all relevant information about the children was sought prior to admission, with meticulous preparation by the staff to ensure that they were aware of the children’s needs and that risk assessments and appropriate staffing levels were in place. A professional said: ‘The impact for children living at Arnold House is that they make exceptional progress. Their care plans are progressed and they have more care options to move on to. There is a very careful matching process. The home has a clear remit, which it meets effectively. The manager and staff have developed knowledge, skills and expertise in working with children with autism and learning disabilities.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have developed nurturing and trusting relationships with children at the home. This is informed by staff having detailed knowledge of each child’s communication needs, likes and dislikes. The home is designed to be a low arousal environment. It is well maintained, safe and secure. The staff provide structured care with clear routines. Children respond to daily schedules and the use of symbols. The combination of the safe, structured environment and the skilled interventions by staff means that there has been exceptional progress in a relatively short time for children. For one child, he has made sufficient progress to increase his care options when he moves on to adult services care. Since the last inspection, children have made progress in their eating habits, increasing the range of foods that they will tolerate and learn to enjoy. This is supported by advice from a nutritionist. Children have also improved their sleep

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

patterns. They have reduced anxiety and reduced challenging behaviours due to improved routines and the impact of positive reinforcement. As a result, children are better able to participate in the school environment and in the home environment. For example, some children have been swimming and to the trampoline park for the first time. One child was able to wear shoes and start learning to self-manage them for the first time. One child no longer wears pads as a result of responding to toilet training; this was a significant improvement. A parent said: ‘I am happy with how my child has settled and believe she is definitely making progress. She is benefiting from this environment, she is relaxed and she is developing skills.’ Another commented: ‘I am very happy with communication with the home staff and manager. I receive regular updates and lovely photos.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team work in partnership with parents and professionals. They work closely with school staff and specialist health resources. As a result of good information sharing with families and the building of positive relationships, there has been an improvement in the quality of contact between families and children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers contribute to children’s assessment and planning. They have identified for one child that not all of his needs are being met at this home. Planning meetings have taken place, with recommendations for additional specialist assessments and that an alternative appropriate placement be explored. Staff respond to a range of complex behaviours and needs. Records demonstrate that risk assessments and risk management plans are reviewed and updated to ensure the safety of the child and the safety of staff. When staff use interventions with children they use low level touch intervention. These interventions are only used to prevent a child from harming themselves or harming others. Appropriate procedures are followed and the manager reviews the records. There have been a number of incidents associated with one child; this has prompted a review of his care plan. There are no concerns about the inappropriate use of interventions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have received training in the safeguarding of children who have disabilities. The manager and staff at this home are very aware of the vulnerabilities of the children they are caring for. The manager has made two referrals to the designated officer and one is currently subject to assessment. There are no concerns about the safety and welfare of children. Careful consideration is given to managing children’s personal care needs and to matching key workers. Staff are trained in dispensing medication and in responding to self-injurious behaviours. Risk assessments cover a range of behaviours and concerns. Staff are able to clearly identify and assess emerging risks and new behaviours. Staff are conscientious about capturing the voice of the child, encouraging choices, and assessing and noting the way in which children are presenting, to inform their care. An advocacy group, specialising in representing the views of children with

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

disabilities, visits the home. Staff consider the need for a child to be allocated an independent visitor and proactively raise this in planning meetings. This home provides a calm environment. Staff practice is informed by thoughtful planning and the development of positive relationships with children with a range of complex needs. The manager is experienced and knowledgeable. She responds to the recommendations from the independent person’s reports in a timely way. The visits would be more robust by ensuring that these visits take place when young people are present in the home. A recommendation is made to address this.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority home is registered to provide residential placements for up to six children and young people under the category of learning disabilities. The children and young people each have autistic spectrum disorders in conjunction with a moderate or severe learning disability .

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/09/16 Full Good 04/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 09/07/2015 Full Good 03/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home's arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home's care. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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 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 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

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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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