Children's home SC044963

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the acting manager has met the recommendations made. One requirement remains outstanding; this, however, is still within timescale.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Many of the staff have recently left. However, the team that remains is strong and focused on providing good care to the children. Comprehensive systems are in place for the manager and the staff team to monitor the children’s progress and to implement changes when required. The manager and staff team are passionate about ensuring that the future prospects of the children are at the centre of their planning and core to ensuring that the children are protected and safeguarded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff were very complimentary of the manager. One said, ‘He is a brilliant manager. He listens, he is supportive and he communicates all information to me and the team’. Equally, the manager commented that he has a ‘nice little core team’ and that ‘staff morale is good’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children’s case files are of a high standard, and they contain relevant and up- to-date information. The files include the children’s long-term development goals, which are monitored by the staff during team and handover meetings. Each child has a targeted goal which meets their individual strengths and is achievable. The files are very well written, legible and easy to understand. This enables new or agency staff to understand fully the needs of the children. The files are colourful, well laid out and child-friendly. The files are signed by all the staff members and the manager, who monitors them on a daily basis. They are updated regularly and taken to all meetings to discuss, monitor and update where and when required. Transitional plans are robust. They are supported by pictorial booklets designed to involve the children in the planning of their futures. They contain information on pre-planning meetings which are held between all professionals involved in the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

child’s day-to-day care. The plans include key points that enhance the long-term move, including tenancy agreements signed by the child and a picture of their new home. On occasion, the staff have worked at the new home with the child, to ease the process and support them through the transition. All health and safety checks, staff training and records, including supervision, are up to date and relevant to the well-being of both the children and the staff team. To ensure continuity of care, staff hand over and sign all information on a shift-by- shift basis. This ensures that information remains current and up to date at all times. There have been no new admissions since the last inspection. A number of the children are approaching their 18th birthdays and as such will move to an adult provision.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children make good progress while living at the home. This was evidenced by observations of the children taking part in activities in the home that take into consideration their individual needs, aims and goals. With staff support, the children can participate in tasks that, although they initially appear to be beyond their capability, enhance their learning and motor skills. Music playing around the home adds to a homely atmosphere, which has a positive impact on the children’s emotional well-being. This was evidenced in the children’s facial expressions and movements. A grandparent was complimentary about the service her granddaughter receives. She said, ‘ The progress made with my granddaughter has been amazing. She has come such a long way from when she started living here.’ Equally, a mother commented, ‘The staff team has worked miracles with him and I am so grateful for their help and support.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two incidents requiring physical restraint since the last inspection. However, these were of a low-level guidance nature only. There is a de-brief book in place for the children who witness a restraint. This bound book is very bright and child-friendly. There have been no sanctions or children missing from care since the last inspection. Daily records are up to date and informative. N otifications are infrequent but, when required, are appropriately recorded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection. However, there have been many compliments from family and professionals on the staff team’s ‘great work with the children’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Independent visitors undertake regular assessments of the arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in the home. The system in place ensures that visits are made and monitored by the quality assurance manager and that they are impartial. Measures are taken to ensure that the visitors have no connection to the children placed in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parts of the home are bright, warm and welcoming. However, a lot of the building remains empty and is unoccupied. The bathrooms remain dated. However, the staff have added pictures and accessories to improve them. The children’s bedrooms have been personalised, and there are pictures throughout the home of the children enjoying leisure activities. The impact of good practice and care given to the children living at the home enhances their chances of better outcomes and their future prospects.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is a local authority provision. The home is registered for up to 16 children accommodated in four separate flats. All the children have severe learning disabilities, and some have physical disabilities and complex behavioural, emotional and social needs.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 08/06/2016 Full Good 03/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 28/09/2015 Full Requires improvement 24/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirement

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

6: The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, the registered provider must:

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Requirement Due date

2 (c)(i) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished to meet the needs of each child. 20/07/2017

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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 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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