Children's home run by Wokingham Borough Council in Wokingham

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

At the full inspection in December 2016, one requirement was made. Immediate action taken by the registered manager to review all of the young people’s care plans, specifically in relation to evacuation in the event of a fire, now ensures that emergency plans are all in place and clearly titled. This requirement is now met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection in December 2016, two recommendations were also made. The independent visitor appointed to carry out a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home is now more engaging and questioning and as a result there is improved scrutiny of the home. This recommendation has been met. Having obtained designs and secured funding, plans are in place to refurbish the kitchen, however the work is yet to start. This recommendation remains in place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people accessing the home for short breaks continue to benefit from the range of services provided. For example, the recent introduction of themed cultural activities offers the young people opportunities to learn from new experiences and celebrate diversity. The most recent ‘Six Nations rugby’ theme gave the young people the opportunity to try new foods from the countries taking part. Visual displays of these activities, including photographs on the walls of the home, capture the young people having fun and contribute to the variety of methods used to communicate with the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Individualised care provided by the staff helps the young people to develop and progress. Recent examples of this include a young person who found it difficult to sit with the main group at mealtimes, choosing to eat small amounts of food alone. However, through encouragement and support from the staff team, the young person now sits with the group, eats more and will even pour a drink for the other young people. Another young person is also accessing the laundry room in order to develop life skills in preparation for adulthood.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Newsletter-style reports are gradually replacing monthly reports. The information is aimed at parents and includes photographs of the young people engaging in activities as well as a description of what they have done while staying at the home. Using this initiative, the registered manager aims to enhance communication between parents and hopes the information will be more useful and interesting. Feedback obtained from parents to date includes them liking the new format and feeling that it successfully communicates the young people’s experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The long-standing staff team has remained consistent and staff continue to develop their practice. Access to a wide range of training courses provides the staff with the knowledge to meet the individual needs of the young people. For example; training in medication theory and practice ensures that staff are competent to administer prescribed medications in accordance with the home’s policy. Using a colour-coded system to monitor the overall training needs of the staff team helps the registered manager to identify gaps early and ensure records are up to date. Recent updates and reviews of all of the internal policies and procedures that guide the staff include amendments to the safeguarding and missing protocols.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The excellent monitoring systems that are in place provide the registered manager with good oversight in relation to the day-to-day management of the home. However, in order to drive improvements, an audit carried out last year has led to the development of a system intended to review the quality of care against the regulations. Although it is yet to be embedded fully, managers and staff are working together to take forward actions arising from the audit. Comprehensive information is gleaned which captures the current situation, the improvement required and the benefit for the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No requirements have been made at this interim inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is a resource centre for children who have disabilities and their families, and is owned and managed by the local council. One of the services offered at the centre is residential short-break care for children who have disabilities. It is this aspect of the centre’s activity that is regulated under the Children’s Homes Regulations (England) 2105. The centre is registered for up to five young people who have learning and/or physical disabilities to be accommodated at a time. Many of the children also present challenging behaviour. Other services offered include day care, after-school care and outreach services.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/12/2016 Full Outstanding 18/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/11/2015 Full Outstanding 24/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  The design of the home should, where appropriate, enable children to develop independence skills within the supportive environment of the home, including through encouraging independent use of the kitchen and laundry areas. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 3.25)

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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 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

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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