Children's home run by Worcestershire County Council in Worcester

Inspection report children’s home: SC037471 1 SC037471 Registered provider: Worcestershire County Council

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home offers short breaks to children and young people. It is run by the local authority. It provides regular planned short breaks for children and young people of school age who have moderate to severe learning disabilities and/or who present challenging behaviour.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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Outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC037471 2

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Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home is outstanding because:

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Key findings from this inspection

 Children and young people benefit from trusting and exceptionally nurturing relationships with committed, highly trained staff.  Children and young people make significant progress from their starting points.  Managers and staff go above and beyond to make sure that children and young people make remarkable improvements in their independence skills, behaviour and communication skills.  The registered manager is aspirational. She works tirelessly to make sure that children and young people are afforded all of the opportunities possible, irrespective of their disability.  Staff have excellent working relationships with parents.  The highly skilled, passionate and dynamic registered manager drives improvement. She is constantly seeking new and innovative ways to develop the service.  Staff make sure that the safety of children and young people is their top priority.  Risk assessments and behaviour management plans are effective and

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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

 The registered manager needs to make sure that all staff are confident in their knowledge of child protection processes, including the role of the local authority designated officer.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 02/08/2016 Full Outstanding 15/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 08/12/2015 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC037471 3

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Recommendations

 Supervision of staff practice should ensure that individual adults in the home are engaged in the safeguarding culture of the home so they understand what they would need to do if they found other staff misusing or abusing their position to the detriment of the safety of a child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.14)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The quality of care provided to children and young people is exceptional. Managers and staff make sure that the home is bright, welcoming and homely. There are many toys and interactive games for children and young people to enjoy. This home is spotlessly clean and tidy. When children and young people arrive, staff make sure that their photograph is on their bedroom door and that their favourite bedding, soft toys and posters decorate their rooms. The soft play area and sensory rooms are well equipped and encourage children and young people to have fun or relax. There is a new and well- equipped kitchen that children and young people use, such as helping staff to prepare meals. As a consequence, young people are happy and excited to visit this short break home. Managers make sure that care plans are superbly well written and comprehensive. This means that the individual, health and behavioural needs of young people are met to the

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

highest standard. Details such as likes and dislikes, allergies, routines, sleeping patterns, communication and sensory needs, mobility issues and risk-taking behaviours are all well documented. As a result, young people benefit from well-planned care that meets their specific needs. Parents and carers speak highly of the service and how it makes a difference to their lives and their children’s lives. One parent told the inspector, ‘They are brilliant, they do so much. I need to book a bed. My son goes swimming, bowling, eating out, they are all for the kids. He really likes it. I have visited and this has changed my view about what respite is like. I am so happy and the home has done wonders for my family. The staff really are perfect. I cannot say any more.’ Staff have meaningful and regular communication with other professionals, including teachers and health professionals. For example, staff share updates via communication

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

books to make sure that there is a smooth transition from school into the short breaks service. Staff consult and meet with teachers on a regular basis to share best practice and to talk about positive behaviour approaches and new opportunities for children and young people. The deputy manager has also been offering short breaks and outreach work to one young person who has been out of education for a year. The plan is to build his confidence with the aim of a return back to education. This is proving a positive experience for the young person. Managers are forward thinking and have high Inspection report children’s home: SC037471 4 aspirations to improve the service. Since the last inspection, a new transition form has been created to help record key areas of improvement, to highlight needs and to prepare and support young people with disabilities into adulthood. The registered manager is rigorous in her challenge of other professionals when this is required in order

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

to get the best outcomes for children and young people. One young person who has cerebral palsy and limited verbal communication was observed interacting excitedly and was highly responsive to staff during this inspection. Through hand gestures, some signing and body language, staff were able to understand the young person’s needs fully. The young person signalled a thumbs up sign and told the inspector, ‘It is good.’ Staff make sure that children’s and young people’s wishes and feelings are at the forefront of the work that they do. Children and young people have their own individual communication profile with their preferred method of interaction. Staff repeatedly encourage children and young people to share their views through drawing pictures, writing how they feel, or asking somebody to help them. Objects of reference, pictures, symbols, signing, electronic tablets, body language and sounds are just some of the

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

ways that staff help children and young people to participate. This means that staff enable young people to have a voice about the food that they wish to eat, the activities that they do, and about what matters to them. During the inspection, a child who has Down’s syndrome was communicating with the registered manager through some signs and speech. The child was able to state her wishes and feelings and the manager acted consistently and kindly. The manager evidently has a bond with the child and was observed dressing up in a Cinderella dress with her, bathing her and painting her nails. The child was observed to be relaxed and very happy. The registered manager offers support and information to parents about healthy eating. Coffee mornings are held at the home to discuss updates or new opportunities with parents and carers. The registered manager works with the community to develop awareness about disability, which has had positive results. For example, a local garden

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

centre that children and young people visit has donated items to help children and young people with their own allotment area at the home. A local chef has also donated desserts to the home for children and young people to enjoy. A social worker told the inspector about a young person she is working with, ‘He has attended the home for a number of years and is settled with staff in the unit. He displays very obsessive thinking and language and staff manage this well, directing him into activities and supporting him to calm while he is staying. He is offered appropriate activities and has some choice in this, attending things that he likes and chooses. He is supported to express his opinions and choices.’ Managers make sure that children and young people are provided with the food that they like and cater for lots of different food requests, intolerances and allergies. Staff are enthusiastic and positive about making sure that children and young people are afforded

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

the same opportunities as any other children. For example, there is a takeaway night every weekend, and children and young people enjoy eating out in local restaurants. This means that children and young people learn new skills and socialise with their peers. Staff actively encourage children and young people to help cook and tidy away. Staff also creatively support children and young people to meet their own personal Inspection report children’s home: SC037471 5 hygiene needs when this is appropriate. As a result, young people become more independent. Managers listen to what children and young people would like to do and what activities they enjoy. For example, children and young people enjoy relaxing in the wooden sensory garden, or playing on the games console. Staff support children and young people to use the internet safely, an activity that children and young people relish. One young person told the inspector, ‘It is fun, fun, always fun. The food is

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

Managers and staff make sure that safety is the highest priority for children and young people in their care. Extensive risk assessments inform the basis of staff practice. Behaviour management plans are thoroughly written and demonstrate the exceptional knowledge that staff have of young people in their care. Staff are extremely keen for children and young people to experience new opportunities. Staff take positive risks in the best interests of young people. For example, since the last inspection, staff supported three young people to attend the Download Festival and to watch wrestling. Staff planned ahead, talked with young people about their safety, risk assessed all eventualities and allowed some young people time alone to visit the stalls. As a consequence, this social event was a highlight for the young people involved and they had a fantastic time. Managers and staff are highly motivated and make sure that children and young people

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

can access the local community. This is a strength and an inspiring element of the service. The majority of activities such as going to the cinema, bowling, shopping and swimming are all undertaken outside of specialist settings or groups whenever possible. Staff strive to develop children’s and young people’s social awareness and understanding. Staff teach children and young people how to behave, and how to be safe and care for themselves in the community. Staff are exceptionally passionate about equality and ensuring that the children and young people in their care are afforded the best opportunities possible. There are no limitations in terms of the chances and experiences that are provided. Thorough, well-written behaviour management plans enable staff to avoid episodes of aggressive and challenging behaviour. Since the last inspection, there have only been three incidents when physical restraint was required. This is because staff use physical

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

restraint as an absolute last resort. When restraint is used, reports are thoroughly written, children and young people provide feedback after the incident, and managers review the records within timescales. Staff also make sure that children and young people sign the records. This means that children and young people are involved in the care that they receive and feel enabled to have their say. Children and young people are generally very well behaved and have fun. Staff help children and young people to feel secure by following detailed and clear schedules and routines. All staff receive advanced safeguarding training. Staff have also received additional training about how to respond to allegations. Managers diligently discuss issues relating to safeguarding in team meetings. Managers are exceptionally organised and make sure that safeguarding processes are clear. Managers make sure that any concerns are

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

Inspection report children’s home: SC037471 6 shared with social workers and professionals and that they are recorded on the same day. During this inspection, staff were confident in the referral processes and safeguarding procedures within the local authority. However, one staff member was not fully confident in some of his responses to the inspector about child protection processes. This is an isolated case and the registered manager took immediate action to address this. This has not had a negative impact on children or young people. A recommendation has been made about this issue. Children and young people do not go missing and there have been no significant issues relating to self-harm. Nonetheless, managers are rigorous in making sure that all children who visit the home have individual profiles and photographs to share with police. One young person receiving a short break at the home is at risk of child sexual

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

exploitation. Staff have worked tirelessly with his family and his social worker to help keep him safe. Staff discuss issues such as peer pressure, bullying and drugs misuse with the young person. Staff hold in-depth key-working sessions around these topics and ensure that records of these sessions are extremely well written. Staff consider research, conferences and information days that would be of benefit to the young person. For example, staff identified a bullying workshop for the young person to attend that highlighted risks he may be exposed to within the community. This creative approach helps to keep children and young people safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has a wealth of knowledge and experience. She is exceptionally passionate about providing children and young people with the best care. The registered manager’s priority is that children feel relaxed and enjoy their short break experience. The registered manager is supported by a nurturing, experienced deputy manager. The staff team is very consistent, and no new care staff have been recruited since the last inspection. All staff have excellent specialist knowledge and understanding of the children and young people that they care for. The registered manager has exceptional communication skills. She is kind and approachable, but also assertive when needed. A staff member told the inspector, ‘The opportunities that young people are afforded is amazing. The manager is awesome, if I have an issue I can go to her. She is so supportive and she listens. It is such a great place to work.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is very progressive in her thinking. She is highly motivated, enthusiastic and innovative about how to build on and expand the service. For example, she has started to offer advice and support to parents about healthy eating. The registered manager works collaboratively with health professionals, parents, teachers and social workers to gather all vital information about children and young people. Staff diligently make sure that communication with parents and professionals via email, telephone, communication books and face-to-face meetings is effective. As a consequence, children’s and young people’s experiences and behaviours are accurately monitored. This helps staff to track children’s and young people’s progress and development. All children and young people have individual key workers who build trusting and caring relationships with them and their families to provide the best possible

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Inspection report children’s home: SC037471 7 experience. A parent told the inspector, ‘He goes happy, his personal help skills are developing. He is excited and happy to go. Staff are fantastic, they are willing to help. Staff go above and beyond, it is not just a job.’ Medication systems and procedures are thorough. They are well monitored and reviewed and there have been no medication errors since the last inspection. This is because staff are very knowledgeable and diligent when it comes to administering medication. Staff are meticulous in their recording and work together to make sure that young people’s health needs are met. Since the last inspection, a new secretary and bursar has commenced in role. The registered manager makes sure that all necessary identity, qualification and disclosure and barring checks are in place. She verifies all references and ensures that inductions are tailor-made for new staff. As a result, children and young people are kept safe and

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

new staff feel welcomed and part of the team. The registered manager and staff receive regular formal supervision. The quality of these sessions is excellent and they encourage staff to reflect on and develop their practice. The registered manager feels well supported by her supervisor and finds her specialist knowledge a strength. Any issues with staff performance are swiftly addressed. The staff training matrix is exceptionally well organised and enables the deputy manager to track when updates are required or when additional training has been completed by staff. All staff are up to date with their mandatory training. In addition, staff also receive additional training in subjects including autistic spectrum disorder, signing, radicalisation, nurturing and attachment, and child sexual exploitation. This means that staff are well equipped and very knowledgeable, enabling them to provide care to children and young

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

people with diverse needs. Staff appraisals take place twice annually and target the training needs and interests of staff. This means that children and young people receive care from highly trained and skilled staff. A staff member told the inspector, ‘Children are the centre of what we do. The manager is really good, she is really energetic. She is not afraid to say if things are not working. She is easy to work for.’ The registered manager has completed a superb review of the quality of care provided to children and young people. She updates this on a monthly basis and scrutinises areas for development and action. The review highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the service and identifies areas for growth and improvement. The report includes overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents and professionals. In addition, children’s and young people’s views are included and are detailed. They share their wishes and

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

feelings about the exceptional quality of care that they receive at the home. The statement of purpose is regularly updated. It clearly defines the aims and objectives of the service, which are well met. A social work team manager told the inspector, ‘The unit offers stimulation, care, supervision and opportunities to have access to activities. The young people are supported to develop in line with their needs and the unit works with school and with other professionals to tailor care plans to outcomes.’ The registered manager makes sure that team meetings take place every month. The minutes are extensive, capturing topics of conversation and follow-up actions. The registered manager invites guest speakers to talk about relevant and meaningful topics to expand on staff knowledge. For example, since the last inspection, staff have received Inspection report children’s home: SC037471 8 a talk from an educational specialist about education healthcare plans. Staff are working

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

in collaboration with education professionals and families to gain copies of these plans. As a result, this means that the care that children and young people receive is in line with their statutory plans. This united and thorough approach demonstrates the commitment that staff have to meeting children’s and young people’s needs.

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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 differences 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: SC037471 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Worcester WR5 2NP

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Inspector

Anna Gravelle, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC037471 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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