Children's home run by Warrington Borough Council

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

A competent and successful registered and deputy manager lead this home. They demonstrate a commitment to achieving exceptional care for children and to continually improving the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff who know and value children provide thoughtful and kind care. A member of staff said, ‘The children are a joy to work with, I love coming to work.’ Staff enjoy being with the children in their care and have the understanding and skills to meet their individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand that children’s emotions can be communicated through their behaviour. Staff take great pains to ensure that trigger points are avoided through the effective and patient use of diversion techniques. For example, training on de- escalation and diffusion techniques is shared and is now delivered in line with the children’s school. This ensures continuity of care for young people, both in their school environment and in the short break service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parents speak highly of the service. One parent said, ‘I could not do without this service. My child is so happy going there, and I know he is happy because he sometimes packs his bag in anticipation, even when it is not his day to go there.’ Parents speak of excellent communication with staff. They feel that they are well informed and feel listened to.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home provides children with a multitude of experiences that enrich their lives, both in the home and in the community. For example, children baked cakes and made invitation cards for a coffee morning they hosted for McMillan Cancer Support. Children enjoyed the coffee morning in the company of their parents, carers, social workers and elected members. Another example is when children made a card for the Queen’s birthday celebrations, which they sent to Buckingham Palace. The children were delighted when they received a thank you card from the Queen.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have created photograph journals for all children; these show activities, day- to-day achievements and celebrations that children have attended. The journals are not only a lasting memory for the children, but are also used very effectively to show progress young people have made. For example, one child who struggled with eating in public is captured in photographs, smiling and enjoying a meal in a local restaurant.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children, including those who do not communicate verbally, are listened to and given choices. Visual prompts around communal areas of the home and in bedrooms provide reminders that the young people are at the centre of this home. Tailored support plans, created in consultation with parents and carers, mean that young people are in a routine which mirrors their home routine. A child who uses the service has produced a DVD version of the children’s guide. He has written and starred in the DVD, which shows him on a walking tour of the building describing to other children what to expect when they go to stay there. This is an excellent example of engaging not just this young person in a very meaningful project, but also creating a very good way of communicating with all children and their parents who are referred to the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff understand the needs of the children. They are enthusiastic about their work and committed to providing an inclusive service to overcome the difficulties associated with additional needs and disability. Communication with schools and parents is very productive. A communication book is used, which not only expresses concerns or difficulties, but also identifies young people’s strengths in order to promote progress. A parent commented, ‘The new communication book is excellent. Not only does it give me an insight into all the activities he has enjoyed, but also lets me know what achievements, no matter how small, he has made.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff working in the home are of a high calibre. They are child centred and well trained in caring for young people who have complex needs. They are supported well to carry out their caring tasks through training, supervision and annual appraisals. Staff commented, ‘We are a close team and work well together’, ‘We now talk about individual young people for half an hour each at every team meeting to make sure we are all working the same way.’ This ensures that staff are consistent and provide a continuity of care to young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff ensure that the home is well maintained and decorated to a very good standard. The display of the children’s memorabilia throughout the home creates a homely, relaxed environment for the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Areas for improvement include ensuring that all staff, including sessional workers, have supervision within the timescales set out in the home’s policies and procedures.

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Information about this children’s home

This registered children’s home is run by a local authority. It offers short residential stays for a maximum of three young people who have learning and/or physical disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

23/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure that a record of supervision is kept for staff which provides evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.3)

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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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