Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Sheiling Special Education Trust in Dorset

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

At this inspection the inspector evaluated the action leaders and managers have taken in response to the six requirements made at the full inspection in November 2016.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has successfully addressed all of the requirements, and no further requirements are made as a result of this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s individual risk assessments now demonstrate how different plans link together across the home’s services. For example, these documents signpost to health and/or education plans, and are updated by the lead professional with responsibility for that area. This avoids information being duplicated and reduces the likelihood of an error occurring as details are only updated in one place. Young people’s risk assessments now include references to e-safety awareness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have not been reported as going missing from the home since the previous inspection. The procedure for responding to such an event has been revised to ensure that records detail all of the actions taken and the required responses from other agencies. The procedure also reminds staff to arrange an independent return-to-home interview for the young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager thoroughly monitors the incidents of restraint and the methods of restraint used. She identifies which young people have the highest number of incidents and physical interventions. As a result, the manager is able to identify patterns and take action to reduce the need for restraint. Young people have individual behaviour risk assessments and behaviour management plans. Significantly these plans provide staff with strategies about how to respond to young people to avoid using restraint. When a measure is necessary, the plan gives them guidelines on how to do it safely. The manager can identify the reason for increases and decreases in the use of restraint. Overall, there is a commitment to further reduce its use. The restraints used by staff have been proportionate and do not involve taking young people to the ground in a hold.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager’s response to the errors identified in the recording of medication is good. The seriousness of the need for improvement in this area has also been reinforced to the senior care staff in each house. Medication stock checks and weekly audits are carried out by trained staff. In addition, the manager and nurse conduct ad-hoc spot checks. There have been some further recording errors since the previous inspection, but these had no impact on the students. This is being monitored closely by the manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All night-time staff now have regular formal professional supervision. Staff provided by an agency who work at the home on a regular basis also now receive supervision.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has responded appropriately to a number of ‘causes of concern’ about young people’s welfare or the practice of members of staff. She involves the designated officer and social workers when required. Matters concerning the practice of members of staff are addressed formally in supervision. Staff are given clear expectations and timeframes to develop their practice and demonstrate improvements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people were on their half-term holiday from school during this inspection. They enjoyed a good morning out to a swimming pool and were looking forward to a ‘welly walk’ in the afternoon. Young people are happy and well cared for. They can make choices about what they would like for lunch and what they would like to do for the day.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to 31 young people, irrespective of gender, who have complex learning disabilities and who may also have a physical disability. Accommodation is provided in four houses, all of which have their own staff team. Young people attend the school, which is on the same site, and may stay at the children’s home for respite care or 52 weeks’ care a year. The principles underpinning the care at the home are inspired by Rudolf Steiner.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/11/2016 Full Good 15/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 15/12/2015 Full Good 16/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 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, 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: 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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