Children's home run by Norfolk County Council in Norwich

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 improved in effectiveness . The registered manager’s skilful and considered monitoring of the service identifies areas for development and improvement. Consequently, the children who attend this home for short breaks are making substantial progress. No regulatory requirements or recommendations were raised at the last inspection. There have been no notifications made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The manager reviews all incidents and highlights any learning points. The manager and the staff understand the type of events that they are required to report. Since the last inspection, there have been four incidents when trained staff have intervened physically to prevent children from harming themselves or others. The records of these events highlight the efforts that staff make to de-escalate

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

situations before using physical intervention as a final resort. The manager and staff have reviewed these incidents and discussed alternative methods of managing children’s behaviour without the need to restrain. The review also considered the appropriateness of the methods, to assure the manager and staff that the action that they had taken was proportionate and justified. There have been no complaints about the services provided since the last inspection. Parents contacted through the home’s own consultation documents report that they are more than happy with the services. One parent described the home as, ‘The jewel in the crown.’ Other parents comment:  ‘There have been a great deal of positive changes, with a big improvement in his personal hygiene.’  ‘He has been developing his interaction, vocalising more and this has helped to relieve his frustrations.’  ‘I have no complaints at all. She [child] is more than excited to be going to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the home and she enjoys playing the computer gaming console. She also loves the interaction with the other children.’  ‘Stays have been going well. She [child] seems happier since starting her short stays.’  ‘Enjoys his time at [the home], he feels safe and accepted.  He loves the trips out.’ Careful and considered planning takes place with multi-agency professionals to ensure that risk assessments and care plans are up to date. This supports the staff working with the children, as they have the most recent information readily available. Some children have developed their verbal communication because of this care planning. This has involved the staff using social interaction theories and skills with children. In one example, the staff take turns working with a child closely, monitoring his interactions and encouraging further development of vocal communication. As a result, staff are building an understanding of this child’s

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

needs. Since using this approach, this child has been able to participate in more activities and their involvement in the community has increased. The child’s parent commented, ‘They [the child] enjoy the time away from home. There is a lot more for them to do and this has helped with their social interaction.’ This home provides activity-based short breaks so that children can relax and enjoy their time with friends, with whom they may not otherwise have the chance to socialise outside of the school day. Careful attention is paid to match children who get on with each other, and to ensure that the staff have the skills to meet the specific needs of the children. There is strong communication and joint working with the schools that the children attend. This ensures that there is positive sharing of relevant information. Because of this, staff understand the children’s needs and look to duplicate the methods used in school that promote children’s skills. This

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

supports the positive relationships between the staff and the children. Observation of the children engaging with the staff highlights the understanding that the staff have about the children. The staff show a great deal of warmth to the children. They greet the children enthusiastically on their arrival, and start to plan the activities that the children want to participate in during the evening. Discussion with staff identifies that they all clearly know the children’s individual and unique needs. As a result, the children receive exceptional personalised care. New staff receive induction training, which provides the basic skills that they need. All eligible staff have completed the level 3 diploma. The staff engage in a wide range of training, which maximises the staff’s ability to meet the complex needs of the children. Good-quality supervision offers the staff time to reflect on the care that they provide to the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The assessed needs of these children identify that they would be at significant risk if they were to go missing from care. Staff consistently monitor and observe the children to ensure that they do not go out without appropriate supervision and guidance. Consequently, children do not go missing from this home. Each child has a missing-from-care assessment for the staff to follow in the event of an incident. Staff confirm that they would take immediate action to locate the child if an incident occurred. Placing social workers speak highly of the services provided in this home. One commented, ‘It is a home from home. The home has lots of sensory equipment and space for them [children] to play and enjoy. There are highly trained staff who always help the children to settle in. Some families would struggle without the short breaks and the achievements that staff make in managing children’s intensive behaviour.’

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Information about this children’s home

This service provides short breaks for up to four children who have a learning disability, physical disability and/or sensory impairment. The local authority owns and operates this provision.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

11/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

04/03/2015 Interim Sustained 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 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 0300 123 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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