Children's home run by Nottingham City Council in Nottingham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . This home has experienced a settled period since the full inspection and continues to provide a good service to young people. Staffing has remained consistent. This provides young people with dependable and familiar care, and supports them to build trusting relationships with staff. Young people are supported to communicate their views, wishes and feelings, primarily through staff knowing them very well, but additionally through use of pictures, signs and symbols. Effective communication reduces frustration and anxiety for young people, and ensures that they have a voice in the home. Pictures and symbols are very accessible in the home for young people. Staff are appropriately skilled and experienced in working with young people who have communication difficulties. Staff advocate strongly for young people and have high expectations that, with

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

support, young people will fulfil their potential. All young people are in education that is tailored to their individual needs. They access community resources and have opportunities to take part in a range of activities outside the home, including local youth clubs. The home is welcoming and homely, while providing a safe environment for young people. They are encouraged to be part of the home and contribute to how the home is run. Photographs are visible throughout the home, and add to a homely environment. Young people are supported to develop skills to help them to become as independent as possible in preparation for adulthood. They contribute to their care plans, including goal setting. This enables young people, carers, professionals and families to measure progress and celebrate success, however small. Some young people present with challenging behaviour, particularly at times of anxiety such as transition points through the day, or when visitors come to the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home. Staff demonstrate exceptional skill in reducing anxiety and diverting potentially harmful behaviour. There have been no incidents of physical restraint to manage behaviour in this period. Physical intervention would only be used as a last resort to ensure the young person’s safety, or that of others. There have been no incidents of missing from the home. Each young person has a comprehensive risk assessment which reflects their individual needs and vulnerabilities. Staff utilise risk assessments effectively, ensuring that young people are cared for as safely as possible. High-quality, individualised care plans underpin the care provided. Care plans and risk assessments are reviewed regularly. Planning for new admissions is robust, and has recently demonstrated innovation through close work with outreach services, or specifically commissioned bridging arrangements. Staff try to make the care experience as positive as possible for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transition planning for young people leaving the home is equally well planned, with staff actively involved in supporting young people into new placements or care arrangements. Direct work with families is positive, with staff working hard to develop inclusive and constructive relationships. The involvement of family in life story work is excellent. The registered manager strives to create a positive and supportive environment where staff feel valued. Staff speak highly of the supervision and support provided, and have access to a broad range of training opportunities. Monitoring systems are sufficient to enable managers and staff to oversee and evaluate the quality of care provided. Managers are continuing to develop these systems, changing paperwork and revisiting how information is managed. The two requirements and three recommendations made at the full inspection have been met, demonstrating the registered manager’s determination and capacity to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

continually improve the service provided.

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides care and accommodation for up to four children and/or young people who have learning disabilities and associated communication difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

11/03/2015 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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