Children's home run by Somerset Council in Somerset

Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 1 SC066055 Registered provider: Somerset County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to two children who may have learning and/or physical disabilities. Children and young people currently visit for short breaks and do not live permanently at the home. The home is owned and managed by a local government authority.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 22 February 2017

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

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Enforcement action since last inspection

None Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 2

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Key findings from this inspection

 This home is well managed. Children’s and young people’s needs are at the centre of the care that is provided. Children and young people are provided with nurturing, sensitive and highly personalised care.  Relationships between the children and young people and staff are positive. Staff have the required skills, knowledge and experience to meet the diverse and complex needs of the children and young people who visit this home for short breaks.  Children and young people enjoy their short-break visits. They have opportunities to mix with other children and young people and to join in with activities, both at the home and in the local area. These opportunities enhance their experiences and support their enjoyment and development.  Good attention to detail is given by staff when children and young people are new to the home. Transition planning is gradual and tailored to meet the needs of the individual.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Parents are very pleased with the care and support that is provided. They speak highly of the registered manager and staff team, and say that there is good communication between them and the staff.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 24/11/2016 Full Good 27/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 18/08/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

46: The review of premises The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises at least once in each calendar year taking into account the requirement in regulation 12(2)(c)(the protection of children standard). In particular, ensure information is gained in relation to the opening and response times of emergency services and public services inclusive of local events that may have the potential to present a risk to the children and young people. (Regulation 46(1)) 31 July 2017

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Recommendations

 Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. In particular, ensure that all children’s and young people’s care and support plans are up-to- date and provide critical information for care staff to enable them to identify and respond to their daily needs. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and young people receive good-quality, individualised care and support. As a result, they enjoy their short-break visits and make good progress. Examples include developing their communication skills, learning how to be more independent and engaging in a variety of new activities that they enjoy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use a variety of communication methods well to ensure that children and young people have opportunities to make choices and communicate their views. The registered manager has used the skills and experience of a member of staff who has extensive knowledge and experience in a wide range of communication methods. As a result, the member of staff has established good links with the children’s and young people’s education services and families. This means that children’s and young people’s communication methods are being maintained and developed during their short-break visit, as well as when they are at school and home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff team is committed to providing children and young people with good-quality care and support. A parent agreed, and told the inspector: ‘My daughter really looks forward to her stay, and the staff are brilliant. When she returns home she is often very tired, because she has engaged in lots of activities that she has enjoyed.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and young people have positive experiences, and they are learning and developing new skills. Individual targets are set for children and young people, and they are achieving them well. For example, one young person is learning to hold the shower and to wash herself. Another young person has extended the range of food that they will try, and has acquired a taste for spicy food. Children’s and young people’s achievements are shared and celebrated. In addition, staff record the activities that children and young people have joined in with so that parents and social workers can see the progress that they have made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children and young people have a bespoke care and support plan that is personalised. These plans are developed by using information gained from parents and other professionals. However, one care plan did not detail all of the information that staff have about the young person. For example, the plan did not include information about how the young person shows staff that they feel angry or sad. In addition, this same young person’s night-time profile lacked critical information about the use of a night-time monitor. Despite this weakness, the staff spoken to demonstrate an excellent knowledge of the children and young people and their individualised needs. They speak fondly of the children. One member of staff referred to a child as having ‘an infectious smile’ and said that he is a pleasure to look after. The children and young people experience care that is sensitive and responsive to their individual identity, ability and communication

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships between staff and children and young people are excellent. Staff know and understand the children’s and young people’s diverse needs really well. They plan effectively for their stays to ensure that they enjoy their experience. Prior to their arrival, Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 5 the staff ensure that their rooms are ready for their visit by displaying their favourite personal items.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the vulnerabilities of the children and young people in their care. Two parents spoken to say that the communication from the home to parents is exceptional. The care and attention that their children receive is valued and is reassuring for them.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children and young people are helped and protected effectively. One of the manager’s strengths is prioritising the individual needs of children and young people to ensure that when they visit they stay alongside other young people who have similar needs and whom they get along with. Children and young people benefit from the flexible and responsive approach to the introduction and transition to the home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children’s and young people’s safety is paramount. Individual risk assessments are regularly reviewed. These documents provide staff with clear strategies to manage and minimise risks. This practical awareness of risk helps the staff to keep young people safe, because incidents of concern are identified and responded to very quickly. There have not been any referrals made to the designated officer since the last inspection. There have been no recorded incidents of restraint, young people going missing from home or sanctions being imposed since the last inspection in February 2017.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff benefit from a combination of face-to-face and e-learning training opportunities that informs and supports their safe-working practices. Staff are aware of the vulnerabilities of the children and young people in their care, and are mindful of their safeguarding responsibilities. They know what to do if they have safeguarding concerns.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager has liaised well with the local police to gain an understanding of some of the risks in the home’s area. This information is recorded in the home’s locality risk assessment. However, the manager has not fully considered some well-used resources near the home that have the potential to present a risk to the children and young people, for example the events held at the local park and public houses in the locality. Neither has the manager considered the operational hours of the emergency services and public transport in the area that may impact on the health and well-being of the young people.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are carefully selected and vetted. The files of staff recently appointed are well organised and show that appropriate checks have been carried out. The manager who interviews and selects staff has not updated her training in safer recruitment since 2008. The registered manager took immediate action to source up-to-date training.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The environment is safe and well maintained. The manager ensures that there is regular servicing and testing of the home’s utilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is ambitious and manages this home effectively. She has been registered with Ofsted since 2014 and is currently completing a level 5 diploma in leadership and Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 6 management for residential childcare. The manager is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. She demonstrates tenacity and determination in wanting to expand and develop the services provided to children and young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager takes effective action to address and improve staff’s practice for the benefit of children and young people. She shares her knowledge and experiences with the staff team during supervision sessions and team meetings. Team meetings are well attended, and discussions are focused on the needs and behaviours of the children and young people. Staff share children’s and young people’s achievements, and review patterns and trends in behaviours. Staff speak highly of the manager. One member of staff said: ‘She is very supportive. Nothing is too much trouble. She leads by example, and has high expectations and aspirations for the young people.’ Collectively, the team creates a culture that is aspirational and positive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The care staff say that training opportunities are good, and help them to improve their skills and enhance their knowledge. As a result, they are better informed to meet the needs of the children and young people. Two new staff have been appointed since the last inspection. Both are undertaking their induction standards before being enrolled on a national qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Relationships with parents are good. One parent said: ‘My husband was resistant about leaving our child at the home, but his view has totally changed now. We are confident about leaving our child. She is safe and well looked after.’ Another parent said: ‘Communication is brilliant. They are only a phone call away, and there is nothing I think that they can improve upon. It is a fantastic place.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The statement of purpose provides an accurate reflection of the service provided at the home. There is also a simplified children’s version available, using symbols.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other, and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Hall, Taunton, Somerset TA1 4DY

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Inspector

Sharron Escott, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC066055 8 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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