Children's Home run by John-Edwards Care Homes Limited in Swindon

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 judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people living in the home make good progress personally, socially and academically. Their physical needs are well supported. Children and young people, including those who come for short breaks, use this home for a long time. No children and young people have left the home since the time of the previous inspection. Children and young people have comprehensive care plans which are put in place before they are admitted to the home, and which are made in consultation with families, schools, health professionals, and placing social workers. These plans contain their assessed needs and clearly detail how these needs will be met. When necessary, these plans are reviewed and amended effectively. Before they arrive, children and young people have an assessment of their physical needs, and an occupational health assessment of the home takes place to make sure that these needs will be met. The home has appropriate

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

facilities in place for the personal care of children and young people who have physical disabilities. Key workers demonstrate a good awareness of individual needs of children and young people, and this ensures that the care they receive is targeted and appropriate. All children and young people are in full-time education, and good systems are in place to ensure that there is effective communication between the home, schools and parents. This means that there is good preparation and unity of thinking between professionals, and this helps to ensure that children and young people’s educational attainment is appropriate to their capacity to learn. A member of staff always attends a child’s educational review, which improves the home’s ability to identify where improvement can happen. This supports the children and young people’s good academic progress. Children and young people enjoy a wealth of resources and facilities within the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home which enhance their life experiences. These include a hot tub and a sensory room. Additionally, activity programmes are designed that treat each child as an individual. Activities include swimming, hydrotherapy spa, speedway and visits to faith services. Regular meetings with children and young people provide them with a forum in which to express their preferences for the activities they want to partake in, food choices and decisions about day-to-day living in the home. All staff are trained in alternative communication systems to maximise effective communication with the children and young people. An independent advocate visits the home on a weekly basis, and this provides children and young people with another avenue in which to express their opinions, or raise any concerns. In line with the requirement of the previous inspection, an independent visitor now conducts monthly visits and produces a monthly report. The registered manager

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

conducts a six-monthly review of the quality of care and reports on the review. Both of these reports contain recommendations for service improvement, and these recommendations have been seen to have been acted upon. Each child and young person has a behaviour support plan in place which is made in consultation with parents and fellow professionals, including health professionals. Behaviour support is enhanced by staff being effectively trained in this area of practice, and by systems being put in place which positively promote good behaviour, as recommended at the previous inspection. As a result, incidents of restraint are rarely necessary and sanctions are rarely used. Although a clearly written protocol is in place for necessary action when a child or young person goes missing, and there is good liaison with the local police, there have been no instances where children or young people have gone missing. A locality risk

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

assessment is in place which is reviewed annually, and which all staff have to read. All staff are trained in safeguarding children and young people, and this training is regularly updated. The home works closely with the local authority safeguarding teams, who raise no concerns about the home. Parents spoken to are confident that their children are kept safe and that they enjoy living in the home. One parent commented, ‘I give the home ten out of ten for the care they give my son. The care is excellent, the staff are wonderful and he loves it there.’ There are sufficient staffing levels, including waking night staff, to meet the needs of the children and young people placed. Staff receive regular supervision and there are regular team meetings. Although staff feel well managed, trained and supported, a larger number of staff need to obtain the necessary qualifications appropriate to their roles.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is registered to care for five children and young people who have learning difficulties and associated disabilities. The home offers full-time care and a short breaks service. The home is run by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 18/10/2016 Full Outstanding 28/10/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 27/05/2015 Full Good 13/11/2014 Interim Improved effectiveness 29/07/2014 Full Good

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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

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

The registered person is required to ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13(2)(c)) 31/07/2017

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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 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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