Children's home run by The Percy Hedley Foundation in North Tyneside

Inspection report children’s home: 1234319 1 Registered provider: The Percy Hedley Foundation

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides short breaks for up to six children or young people who have a sensory impairment, learning disability and/or physical disability. It is operated by a charitable foundation.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 25 October 2016

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: Good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: None

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Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home is outstanding because: Inspection report children’s home: 1234319 2  Children benefit enormously as a result of their short breaks. They enjoy activities in the home, as well as in the local community. They develop confidence in social situations alongside friends and staff, enjoying new experiences.  Exceptional care helps children to express themselves with confidence in a consistent and caring environment.  Children’s short breaks are carefully planned to ensure that their wishes and those of their parents and carers are taken fully into consideration. Individual plans are precisely followed to ensure that everything is in place prior to the children’s arrival. This ensures that specific equipment to meet complex needs is available and fully functional.  The registered manager and staff team ensure that safeguarding of the children is paramount during their stay. Individual risk assessments and behaviour

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Key findings from this inspection

management plans are robust and very specific in detail. Effective collaboration with professionals from the adjacent school ensures that quality of care is enhanced by direct and available communication. Any issues of concern relating to the children’s current behaviour or well-being are discussed during the daily handovers at the commencement of school and at the end of the day, on collection.  The staff team is highly skilled and trained in individual aspects of the children’s complex health and social care needs. This ensures that the children and young people are provided with consistently safe care by familiar adults.  The home is very well managed. The registered manager is proactive in developing the service and consulting with parents and other professionals. She is well respected and ensures that she spends quality time with children during their shortbreak stays.  The registered manager and staff are exceptionally good at accessing the

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Key findings from this inspection

wishes and feelings of the children. Choices are provided and gained through a variety of communication aids, and the children are encouraged to express themselves. The knowledge and understanding of individual children, gained through attention to detail and observation, enable the staff team to recognise changes in presentation in order to respond accordingly.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 Internal monitoring requires improvement in relation to six-monthly reports. They require further evaluation with impact/outcome statements in order to see how the registered manager’s monitoring systems in place are driving the improvement and development of the service.  Individual supervisions would be improved by providing responses to actions and tasks agreed at the commencement of each supervision. This would help to improve monitoring and accountability, personal and professional. Inspection report children’s home: 1234319 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/10/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 1234319 4

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Recommendations

 It is good practice for a note of content and/or outcomes of supervision sessions to be kept and to ensure that both the person giving the supervision and staff member have a copy of the record. In particular, ensure that any tasks or requests by either party have an outcome at the next formal supervision session, which is recorded. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.4)  The registered person should undertake a review that focuses on the quality of the care provided by the home, the experiences of children receiving short-break stays and the impact that the care is having on outcomes and improvements for the children. The review should enable the registered person to identify areas of strength and possible weaknesses in the home’s care, which will be captured in the report. The report should clearly identify any actions required for the next six

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Recommendations

months of delivery in the home and how these actions will be addressed. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for continuous improvement in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64 and 65, paragraphs 15.2 and 15.4)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The staff ratio and the high levels of supervision at any one time ensure that children are provided with exceptional support from a dedicated and well-trained staff team. The staff are matched to children specifically to meet their individual complex needs, in relation to health and learning or physical disability. The relationships are significant, and there is a genuine warmth between the children and staff. Smiles and laughter were apparent throughout the inspection. The children that access the short-break stays quite frequently share the same class in school as children who stay in the residential setting, and it is not uncommon for them to share certain communal areas in the building at appropriate times. Friendships are encouraged and supported, and contact is facilitated when possible and with the appropriate levels of supervision. Importantly, given the complex needs of children with certain characteristics, planning in advance is essential. A

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

teaching professional said: ‘[Name] attends two nights per week. She at first had huge anxiety about coming. I walk across with her after school and the home and I share information prior to evening activities, and that enables me to share with [Name] at lunchtime. This proactive planning reduces any anxieties she may have about what is going to happen on her stays in advance. She also knows which staff will be with her. [Name] gets a lot from coming. She loves it.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children are enabled to attend Scout groups and Girl Guides with staff support. On Inspection report children’s home: 1234319 5 inspection, two children were attending ‘Junk Music’, a local community music group for children who have learning disabilities. The two children have very different needs but are equally happy to share the same experience. The staffing levels support them to attend regularly and the children know what to expect as they attend on the same nights. The staff team ensures that consistency is at the forefront of planning, which helps the children to feel calm, enhances their experience and enables them to participate in the community safely and confidently and with social interaction positively being promoted.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children are supported in all areas of their care due to the complexities of their needs. Supervision is top priority and generally one to one, ensuring that children enjoy every aspect of their stay in comfort and without anxieties. Support during mealtimes was observed, which was once more provided with extensive knowledge and understanding of each child’s abilities and dietary requirements as detailed in their individual plans. The children mainly find it difficult to be fully involved in their care plans. However, staff actively consult with the child’s ‘circle of support’ – parents and professionals who are involved with the child. This ensures that plans are as factual as possible in order to take into consideration the children’s wishes and feelings. The registered manager consistently sources new ways in which to access and promote the child’s voice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The proximity of the school and associated health professionals that are employed to meet a range of health and physical disabilities is a huge benefit to the home. Professional support is available during school hours each day, which assists with preparation and communication. Relationships between professionals are extremely proactive and efficient, ensuring that children’s needs are unquestionably addressed. The children are able to complete homework at the home and have access to iPads and information technology (IT) equipment. Wi-fi is also installed, and is protected by an appropriate firewall. The main lounge is upstairs and is accessible to children who have short breaks. It is resourced with a pool table, air hockey and sensory toys. In addition, there is now a new sensory room, which will provide a calm and relaxing environment for children individually or with other children who have been carefully matched. This

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

ensures that facilities provide entertainment as well as areas for children to be able to regulate their emotions in a controlled, sensory environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Support to parents is exceptional and this ensures that communication is maintained throughout short-break stays to relieve any anxieties. The registered manager has designed a ‘communication book’ for parents and carers that enables them to request information that they would like about their child’s stay and provides staff with an opportunity to share with them the child’s activities and experiences throughout their stay. This replaces home/school books and concentrates on the communication between parents and carers and the home. It will ensure that the child and their families are provided with precise support in many areas and will assist children’s development and create targets for them to achieve. Independence and self-care skills are an option for them to further enhance. The children are provided with unreserved support to develop skills and reach agreed targets, such as toileting and assisting with preparing the dining

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

table. These are small social tasks that promote confidence, well-being and dignity. Inspection report children’s home: 1234319 6

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

The staff team effectively safeguards children who have complex needs. The building and extensive play area to the rear are secure. The children are supervised in accordance with their individual care plans, ensuring that they cannot leave the building without supervision. To gain access to the home, visitors have to use the main intercom system. This ensures that no unauthorised person can gain entry without providing proof of identity.

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

Following the last full inspection, the management team and staff have responded by significantly improving the home’s behaviour management plans. They are now specifically set up for the home environment rather than the adjacent school. Strategies to support children in regulating their individual behaviours are now bespoke to the setting. ‘All about me’ documentation, completed by parents, provides specific detail about the children, which helps to ensure that the very individualised care provided during their short-break stays is stimulating and robust.

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

Preparation carried out by the manager and staff to enable the children to stay is of an unquestionably high standard. Firstly, communication with parents is maintained and supported before, during and directly after the children’s short-break stay. This ensures that any anxieties are reduced for both the child and the parent. The level of understanding of each child’s needs enables them to be supported by a dedicated and responsive team of care professionals. Individual risk assessments are regularly reviewed and are uncomplicated in their design. This means that staff are able to follow clear guidance and strategies to support safe care. The children benefit from being in an environment that enables them to be supervised during times of play, social activities and sleep, which further reassures parents and carers that they are in safe hands.

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

A number of staff have been recruited since the last inspection and vetting procedures are robust and compliant with regulations. Safeguarding practice is very good. The staff team is provided with regular safeguarding training and is able to demonstrate knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures.

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

The staff team is well trained to meet the specific health needs of children that stay. Training is provided by external and internal health professionals. The level of specific training identified by the registered manager ensures that the children are provided with the opportunity to stay at the home, despite the complexities of their individual healthcare needs. A specialist nurse said: ‘I was very encouraged in respect of the staff’s knowledge in relation to epilepsy and in terms of safety. The manager will contact me in relation to specific training, what that could be and always in a timely fashion. She is always on the ball.’

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

Medication systems and procedures are well monitored and reviewed. Procedures and systems in place have benefited from a recent review. One member of staff said: ‘Individual medication sheets are clearer and have more detail within.’ Further discussion with the deputy manager indicated that information is to be added about particular Inspection report children’s home: 1234319 7 drugs, providing further clarity to enhance staff’s knowledge and awareness. The regularity of audits and monitoring processes that are in place reduces the likelihood of errors and, if an error does arise, there is a robust response from the registered manager and her staff team that reduces the risk of harm to children.

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

The personal, intimate care needs of children are delivered with sensitively and with respect for dignity. Some children require specific aids to enable them to shower safely, and often these are at times when the children require reassurance to reduce any anxiety that may arise. A member of staff said: ‘We talk to [Name] throughout his time in the shower. He has great banter and loves it when we get wet. He finds it hilarious.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is very experienced and appropriately qualified. She is absolutely committed and dedicated to providing the best possible experiences and opportunities for children to enjoy their short-break stays. She is approachable and well respected by staff and other professionals. Importantly, parents and carers are approached with care and sensitivity. The registered manager shows compassion and respect at all times during her communication with others. One parent said: ‘The manager is very capable, attentive and puts you at ease.’ Another parent said: ‘She has been very supportive.’ The manager is supported by a strong and experienced management team, which is available on site.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The requirements and recommendations made at the last full inspection have been met. The manager is forward thinking and is consistently looking for and considering improvements to improve outcomes for children and young people. Importantly, she acknowledges and utilises the experience and knowledge of other professionals to support the ethos of the home. Collaboration with a range of associated professionals, parents and carers supports and identifies improvements. Coffee mornings are well attended by parents of children that access short-break stays and, when they are unable to attend, the manager ensures that questionnaires are routinely sent out to capture their views and opinions. As a result, key workers for their children are now identifiable to parents at the commencement of the children’s short-break stays, thus ensuring that the care provided is more personal and relationships are strengthened. This is a home

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

that works together at all times to ensure that the experiences of children are nothing but positive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The premises are of the highest quality and offer the children plenty of opportunities to explore the spacious facilities. The home has access to a wealth of resources, such as a ‘hydro pool’ in the adjacent school. All bedrooms are ensuite, each with a tracking hoist, which supports children who have severe mobility requirements, to transfer from bed to bath safely and with ease. This provides a high level of dignity to each child. Support from staff ensures that personal care is provided with extreme sensitivity and care. The bedrooms are individualised. Children are surrounded by the familiarity of possessions and toys that they either bring or have made themselves while staying. One young child was observed on many occasions during the visit, playing with a cardboard car he had designed. I was informed that he has many examples of items that he has had a major Inspection report children’s home: 1234319 8

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

role in making. This level of support and engagement in their living space promotes well- being and confidence. Levels of anxiety first witnessed on arrival diminish quite quickly due to the consistency of care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff and manager receive regular monthly formal supervision. The quality is very good and encourages staff to reflect on their practice. Praise is provided to staff, recognising exceptional work and due care to children. Tasks are routinely identified and opportunities to identify training requirements are recorded. However, outcomes and feedback are not always recorded at the commencement of the next supervision session. I am reassured that they are communicated, but recording such activity promotes accountability and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The statement of purpose outlines the ethos, philosophy and outcomes that the home seeks to achieve and its approach to achieving them. The registered manager ensures that these are fully met, in particular, demonstrating that all of the children are unique and that children who access the short-break stays are provided, as far as possible, with a very positive experience that promotes their potential and meets their needs regardless of their disability. The home is not only safe, but warm and nurturing. Children demonstrate significant progress and parents recognise the very positive changes in their general demeanour. The children develop confidence and resilience during their stay.

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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: 1234319 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Percy Hedley Foundation

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Forest Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8YY

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Inspector

Michael Dack, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1234319 10 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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