Children's home run by Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council in Wigan

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . The registered manager has made progress to meet the recommendations for improvements made at the last inspection. She has contacted all families accessing the short-breaks service and reinforced the medication procedures for the home, including the expectations that any medication brought to the home is in the correct packaging and clearly labelled. Furthermore, in-house training was undertaken with all staff to reiterate their responsibilities in seeking medical advice from an expert health professional when necessary and explained the importance of all children’s case records being signed and dated by the author of the records. These improvements were evident during this inspection. This short-breaks service for young people with additional needs, disabilities and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

complex health needs continues to provide excellent support for up to 44 families. This was recognised recently by the local authority that awarded a ‘confident council award’ in the category for the ‘unsung heroes’ for the hard work and commitment of the staff in improving the lives of young people. This was a significant achievement. Young people continue to enjoy their short-break stays in an extremely caring, nurturing and stimulating environment. Professionals and parents were particularly complimentary about the high-quality service provided and the ongoing support provided to young people. One parent said, ‘[name of young person] absolutely loves going to stay at the home. He can be challenging, but that is not a problem for any of the staff. They [the staff] are all very approachable and friendly and keep me updated on what he has been doing during his stay. He looks forward to going and I really think they are an excellent service.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s plans set out clear objectives for their stays. For example, increasing their independence skills or socialising with their peer group. However, their records do not always show in detail what needs to happen to help young people to achieve their goals or any overview of their progress. For example, the records show that a young person had helped to prepare a snack, but did not show how he had done this, which tasks he had completed and how much support he had needed. This is a missed opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of young people’s progress, as well as demonstrating how effectively the staff are meeting young people’s individual needs and the impact that this has on their lives. Exceptional, consistent care adds considerably to the experiences that young people have. This is achieved through the provision of a wide variety of new, exciting and fun experiences, which enrich young people’s lives. The activities are

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

interesting, stimulating, creative and meticulously planned. This enables all young people, irrespective of their abilities, to take part. Activities included arts and crafts, trips to the local parks and sensory play areas. These opportunities provide all young people with a chance to experience a sense of space and freedom within a safe, supervised environment. This allows them to take part in activities that build self-confidence, social skills and self-esteem. Many of the young people who use the service have significant barriers to communication. This means that they have limited capacity to express their wishes and feelings. Staff are able to use a variety of communication methods to help young people make choices. These include computerised communication devices, sign language or using pictures as prompts to explain things and help young people to indicate how they are feeling. When these methods cannot be used, staff are

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

alert to the subtle expressions that each young person may display to indicate their feelings. This includes watching the young person’s eye movements, facial expressions or body language. This means that all young people, irrespective of their abilities, can contribute to their short-break stay and influence the care that they receive. This helps them to feel valued and helps them to enjoy their stay. Exceptional safeguarding practice continues to ensure that extremely vulnerable young people feel emotionally secure and have a strong sense of safety. Staff work hard to ensure that all young people are protected from bullying, aggression, abuse and exploitation. Staff report any concerns around young people’s welfare to the appropriate safeguarding agencies. There have been no restraints since the last inspection. However, staff have received refresher training in how to manage and record any restraints that may be necessary. There have been no significant

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

incidents and no young people have gone missing. Staff continue to work collaboratively with families, social workers and education and health professionals to understand and reduce risk and protect young people. Overall, there has been an improvement in the management of medication on arrival and departure from the home. However, some records do not always include the exact amount received into the home. When brought to the attention of the manager, immediate action was taken to rectify the errors in recording. This has not had an impact on the welfare of young people and the manager acknowledged that this was a further area for improvement. The registered manager has created a culture of high aspirations and positivity. She has high expectations of the staff to continually review their practices and improve the lives of young people. Staff said, ‘She is extremely committed to her role and continually reinforces to us all [the staff team] that young people come

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

first and it’s our job to make sure they receive an excellent quality of care and ongoing support to achieve the best outcomes possible.’ Furthermore, research- informed practices have improved direct work with young people and increased staff’s knowledge base and understanding, particularly around autism and communication aids. This has made a difference to the lives and experiences of young people. Managers actively and regularly monitor the quality of care provided. The recent introduction of monthly monitoring audit tools clearly identify the strengths and areas for improvement. These systems are used to continually review and improve the service provided. In addition, an independent person carries out a detailed monthly assessment of the service’s effectiveness in promoting young people’s welfare and safety. The registered manager’s continued analysis and review of the quality of care clearly shows the service’s strengths and identifies priorities for the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

ongoing development and improvement of the service.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides short-break care and accommodation for up to five children who have learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. The home is operated by a local authority and is fully equipped to meet the needs of the children using this short- break service.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 01/11/2016 Full Outstanding 16/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 27/10/2015 Full Outstanding 26/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The home's records should make a significant contribution to understanding the child's needs and development. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 62, paragraph 14.5) In particular, ensure that the child's records show in detail the specific outcomes that the service is aiming to achieve for the child, how it intends to achieve them and the progress being made in achieving them.  During a short break, staff are responsible for maintaining a child's ongoing health treatment, including the management of medication on arrival and departure from the home and recording and sharing information about when medication was administered. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 36, paragraph 7.20) In particular, record the exact amount of medication received into the home.

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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

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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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