Children's Home run by Nottinghamshire County Council in Nottinghamshire

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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and leaders not only continue to deliver a standard of service that is expected of an outstanding provision, but have also introduced a raft of improvements since the last inspection. These are already having a positive impact on the care provided and the progress of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been a complete overhaul of the home’s documentation, including care plans and risk assessments, which affords simplicity while retaining detail. Each care plan provides clarity on how to achieve the young person’s goals and objectives. Detailed and regular reviews indicate the progress that has been made towards these targets. Risk assessments specify how to prevent and reduce risks. Paper records are kept up to date along with the electronic versions; this meets the recommendation made at the last inspection. A new communication passport specifies the communication methods used by the young person. It also details the most effective strategies for working with the individual. This is useful not just for new staff, but for other adults who are introduced to the young people, such as social workers and medical professionals. This reworking of the documentation means that staff have a clear understanding of the care and support that the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A detailed induction booklet for new staff has been implemented successfully. This enables new staff to undertake extensive reflection on and evaluation of their role, rather than a tick-box exercise, when they commence work at the home. The positive effect of this is evident from the quick settling-in period for new staff and the excellent relationships that they have already established with young people and with their colleagues.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people now access a community-based youth club. This provides opportunities for young people to meet up with friends from school and to meet new people, which broadens their social networks and develops their interaction skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make excellent progress, especially in their communication, developing their confidence, making choices, and improving their behaviour. For some, the support of staff in arranging and supervising contact means that young people get to see their families more. The role of staff in enabling progress and in the excellent care given to young people is recognised by parents and professionals. A parent commented that staff are, ‘Constantly striving to improve his quality of life through new innovative ways of learning and challenging him.’ One professional, talking of a key worker, stated: ‘He epitomises what the representation of a corporate parent should look like.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work closely with a range of other professionals, including school staff. There is a sharing of strategies to help young people to achieve their objectives. This ensures that there is consistency in the development of young people’s skills. For example, when a young person improved their eating skills due to the introduction of a specific plate and a particular type of cutlery, these implements were shared with the school so that the achievement was replicated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transitions into the home and from short breaks to the residential provision are well planned. Parents and young people have the opportunity to meet staff, have a tour of the provision and stay for tea. This helps them to get to know the staff and the other young people. The move from this service to adult services is also well planned and is assisted by the fact that staff identify the needs of young people at an early stage. The improved relationship with the transitions team and the regular communication that results from this ensure that young people receive as smooth a transition as possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The number of incidents of negative or risky behaviour has dramatically reduced since the last inspection. One physical intervention was used to prevent a young person from seriously injuring himself. The record of this incident was detailed and all of those involved were debriefed in order to ascertain what had been learned. Sanctions are rarely used. When they are used, they prove to be effective in helping the young person to understand the consequences of their behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring is highly effective. The progress of young people is recorded in monthly key-work reports that include displays of work, scrapbooks, and achievement folders. These records provide reams of evidence of young people’s achievements. Regular visits by the independent visitor, the manager’s review of the home and feedback from young people and parents enables the manager to identify the home’s strengths and further areas for development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff training continues to be of high quality. Staff who recently attended training in child resilience are preparing to disseminate their learning to the rest of the team. Regular team meetings provide a forum for sharing updated information on young people. This helps staff to care more effectively. In addition, meetings provide an opportunity for group development and team building.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to investigate new initiatives, such as pet therapy. This shows a commitment to improving the lives and experiences of young people. There are no shortfalls identified from this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by the local authority. It provides a residential service for six young people, and a short-break service for six young people. All the young people have severe learning disabilities and challenging behaviours.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 01/09/2016 Full Outstanding 17/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 18/11/2015 Full Good 24/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/12/2014 Full Adequate

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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 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 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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