Children's home run by Derbyshire County Council in Derbyshire Dales

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who live in this home and those receiving short-breaks continue to receive thoughtful and high-quality care. They make very strong and sustained progress in many areas of their development because the managers and staff enable them to realise their full developmental potential. One parent stated, ‘We as a family look forward to our child spending time with you at the home, and feel it is such a blessing that she has access to such an outstanding provision where everyone we have met shows such care and skill in what they do.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff undertake carefully considered moves for young people new to the service. For example, one young person starting her short-breaks package had specific health needs. The manager ensured that staff received bespoke training to provide good and safe care. Additionally, advice from doctors and the family was fully taken into account so that staff were able to provide best care. The young person was given time to adjust to receiving short breaks through a staged introduction to the home. This process also enabled staff to become confident in meeting her needs. Consequently, the young person and her family receive valuable and rewarding short breaks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people become more confident and content as they settle and make progress. One young person receiving short breaks initially presented as unsettled, with numerous incidents occurring. This quickly changed because he experienced good, consistent and nurturing care from the staff team. His progress is remarkable: incidents of unsettled behaviour have decreased considerably, he is relaxed, he is now starting to wash and dress himself, and he copes well in social situations so that he can now enjoy day trips out with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager provides guidance and support to staff in completing individual behaviour management plans for young people. Young people’s known behaviours are recorded in plans alongside information about the frequency of behaviours. Strategies to support staff in managing behaviours are set out in plans and understood by staff. The manager and staff take a proactive approach to behaviour management. Physical interventions are rare in this home. Since the last full inspection, there has been one such incident. The intervention was proportionate to the situation and necessary. It was carefully reviewed by the manager and staff to identify any potential improvements. This practice helps keep young people safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An experienced and ambitious registered manager, well supported by deputy managers, leads the service. They have recently improved the service development plan. This plan is strong and seeks to improve the physical condition of the building and the outdoor spaces for the benefit of young people. In addition, it sets objectives to improve the way that young people learn independence skills, especially shopping and food preparation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff report feeling valued by managers. The managers ensure that they make themselves available to speak to staff at any time. Team meetings take place regularly and the contributions of all staff are important. Staff receive regular professional supervision and have their performance appraised regularly. Training or developmental deficits are addressed quickly. The staff are able to undertake specialist training in working with young people who have disabilities, and the organisation has recently developed a career pathway to enable staff to progress in the organisation in accordance with their experience, skills and knowledge. This has led to a settled, motivated and committed team providing excellent care to young people.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority children’s home, which provides care and accommodation for up to six children and young people who have physical and learning disabilities. The home provides long-term care and short breaks. The design of the home ensures that the dual purpose of providing long-term care and short-break services does not affect children and young people living at the home.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 12/10/2016 Full Outstanding 16/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 06/10/2015 Full Good 24/03/2015 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 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

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

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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