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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the highly positive aspects noted at the last inspection remain firmly in place and the home continues to provide children and young people with short-term breaks of a very high standard.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The high regard in which all staff hold the vulnerable group of children and young people using this service is a key element of its success. While some young people can present with challenging behaviour and all have profound needs, staff at all times speak of each young person with a deep and sincere warmth. The home’s high levels of performance and quality stem from this very positive feature.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people visiting for short breaks evidently enjoy the extensive range of activities available to them. The home continues to offer a wide variety of things to do, either using the home’s excellent in-house facilities or on well-planned trips out. Staff are further developing the facilities available with the introduction of a box of sensory items incorporating different feels and textures, so that children and young people can learn and explore in a safe environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Strong partnership arrangements with parents and local schools are still in evidence. The links between the home and specialist health and social work services remains strong. For example, recent collaborative working was undertaken to safeguard vulnerable children and young people considered to be at risk from a known violent offender. Risk assessment and management in the context of children and young people additional needs continue to be a particularly strong feature of the home’s practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have recently introduced new young people to the home as others have now transitioned to adult services, a process that has been meticulously planned. Introductions have been handled sympathetically and in the timescale of children and young people. Because the home’s experienced and knowledgeable staff are perceptive and sensitive to young people’s individual needs, some young people have been introduced to the service quickly, while others are taking longer at their own pace. The home’s highly competent managers and staff provide a consistent and stable presence in children and young people’s lives. The established and well-trained nature of the workforce means that children and young people’s special needs are met well by staff in a calm and attentive manner. This means that there have been no notifiable incidents since the time of the last inspection, and close supervision means that children and young people do not go missing.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are no child protection concerns, including risk of sexual exploitation, and no child or young person has required restraint. Given the profound needs of young people who receive a short-term break at this home, this is an admirable achievement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Regular visits to the home by an independent visitor take place. The home’s approach to any issues raised by the visitor’s reports remains swift and responsive. For example, managers have reintroduced regular checks of fire safety equipment. This task is now routinely performed by the home’s handyman, whose appointment has also resulted in the redecoration of children and young people’s bedrooms to a high standard, and the outside play area is now cleaned up ready for lighter evenings and warmer weather.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recent improvement in menu planning means that food is now available that meets the individualised needs and preferences of specific children and young people at every meal time. Meals are planned each night around the particular requirements of the residents’ group. This ensures that personalised dietary needs are routinely catered for.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s comprehensive development plan appropriately prioritises further improvements in engagement with young people and their parents. Managers and staff have taken a critical look at their current method of obtaining feedback from parents through postal questionnaires, which is limited, and they are currently exploring more effective means such as the use of mobile phone apps.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Consultation with young people is now undertaken as part of regular individual sessions. Given that many of the children and young people are non-verbal due to their special needs, this means that consultation can now be tailored to their particular methods of communication.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The weekly children and young people’s meeting has taken on a themes-based approach, and this allows young people to play and learn together. For example, a recent topic on the Chinese New Year resulted in an appealing wall display in the home’s atrium. Attractive learning resources have been purchased to support this approach, and these promote learning appropriate to young people’s level of understanding.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority children’s home. It is registered to provide short breaks for children and young people who have complex needs.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/11/2016 Full Outstanding 29/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 28/10/2015 Full Outstanding 04/03/2015 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 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, work based 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

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

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