Children's Home, Residential special school run by The Senad Group Limited in Derbyshire

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

Young people continue to make excellent progress while living in this home. Leaders and managers work closely with the on-site school, ensuring that young people transition smoothly between the two settings, and that young people’s individual support needs are met. Young people benefit from specialist services on site, such as occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy. This provides staff with timely access to support and consultation, and direct support can be provided to young people as needed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people speak very positively about their experiences. One young person reflected on moving into the home and said that coming to the home ‘had surpassed my expectations’, and added, ‘I love it’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Another young person explained that the residential provision was a secondary consideration, and he chose to come here due to the curriculum on offer. However, he commented that this provision was ‘the best by far’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have a strong say in how the home is run. They manage their own meetings, take responsibility for arranging activities, and, to varying degrees, contribute to their own care plans. Staff encourage young people to develop confidence, particularly in making decisions independently. Examples of this are seen in encouraging independent living skills, which range from budgeting and food preparation to making decisions about activities and planning outings. Young people have access to a broad range of activities, both within the home and within the local area.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The residential accommodation is well maintained. Attempts are being made to create a more homely environment, but the home is well presented and very appropriate for young adults.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people have individualised care and behaviour plans. The multi- disciplinary teams around each young person are involved in setting targets and goals for young people. This target setting provides an effective measure of how well young people are progressing. Behaviour management strategies are effective. Staff are aware of the potential for difficult dynamics between young people, and keep a close eye on this. Young people are empowered by staff to manage relationships positively, and staff ensure that any difficulties that arise are addressed swiftly. Key-work sessions provide opportunities to discuss keeping safe. Risk assessments are in place for issues such as the use of social media and smart phones, and are reviewed every half term.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Complaints are responded to courteously, sensitively and in a timely manner. Young people can very clearly articulate processes for expressing a grumble or raising a complaint, and have a number of avenues to do this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff manage safeguarding concerns effectively. Recording and information sharing is clear and robustly managed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people receive consistent and dependable care as a result of good staff retention. Staff have appropriate training and support, and have opportunities to progress within the organisation. Staff say that they feel valued and well supported.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the full inspection, the home has seen a change of registered manager. The new manager’s appointment has been very positive and has been received well by young people and staff. The registered manager has a good grasp of the strengths and weaknesses of the home, and is developing this further through the introduction of internal auditing. Auditing, along with other monitoring processes, provides a systematic approach to improving the service. Young people have a strong voice within the home and are at the centre of plans and developments. Consultation with young people, parents and other stakeholders supports a continually improving, progressive service.

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned service forms part of a residential school. It accommodates up to 56 young people who have communication difficulties or are diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 12/07/2016 Full Outstanding 28/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 06/07/2015 Full Good 14/01/2015 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.

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Information about this inspection

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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