Children's home run by Sheffield City Council in Sheffield

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 effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendations made at the last inspection are met. There is a comprehensive location risk assessment in place which informs the safety of children and young people. Children and young people now have access to a clear guide about the home using their preferred systems of communication. Details of advocacy and support organisations are now included in the children’s guide. All relevant consent forms are now signed by placing authorities. There continues to be some delay in new staff accessing mandatory training from the local authority; however, the manager has been innovative in partnering with another local setting to get the necessary training.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three young people have stopped using the service since the last inspection and transitions for them were thoughtfully managed. Staff were involved extensively in the move of one young person, supporting her by visiting alternative placements with the social worker and providing practical support for the move.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Four young people have started to use the service. All have been introduced gradually with a flexible approach that takes into account their emotional needs. One young person has high-level medical needs, so one-to-one staff support has been introduced to ensure that the young person gets the maximum benefit from his stay.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people receive highly individualised care from an experienced staff team. Staff carefully consider the needs of children and young people and plan thoroughly to support their progress, however small the steps may be. For example, a member of staff attended specialist sleep training to assist one young person who finds it difficult to settle at night. Following this, the young person’s parent was supported to attend a sleep course to learn strategies to use at home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support families of children and young people exceptionally well, advocating for them where appropriate and providing them with equipment, emotional support or new knowledge to improve the well-being of both them and their children.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people are safeguarded effectively. There has been no use of physical intervention in the last year. The staff team knows the likes and dislikes of the children and young people very well and understands situations that make them feel anxious. Staff plan how to minimise these situations, and as a result children and young people enjoy their stays at the home. Where children and young people do become anxious, staff use effective deflection and calming measures.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager prepares a comprehensive quality of care audit every month which enables her to monitor standards of care and identify any developments required. Both the senior management and full staff team meet on a weekly basis and the team is further strengthened by designated team days. This ensures that practice is monitored effectively and improvements are progressed. For example, meetings with children and young people to gather their views were not effective. The manager introduced visually attractive feedback sheets which children and young people complete on an individual basis, supported by staff. The completed feedback sheets have ensured that meetings are now more effective.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people benefit from close working partnerships between the significant people in their lives and the staff team. For example, the epilepsy nurse undertakes annual training with all the staff team. One member of staff has approached the local sixth form college, who are now engaged in a project to develop electronic consultation for children and young people. There are also plans to develop a virtual tour for children and families to get to know the home before they visit.

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home provides short breaks for up to eight children who have learning and/or physical disabilities.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/10/2016 Full Outstanding 02/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/07/2015 Full Outstanding 12/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.4

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’.

p.5

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.

p.5

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 .

p.5

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,

p.6

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Text phone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.6