Children's home run by Nottingham City Council in Nottingham

Inspection report children’s home: SC427165 1 SC427165 Registered provider: Nottingham City Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority children’s home. It provides care and accommodation for up to three children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The last full inspection identified some areas of practice which required further development. The registered manager has addressed all of the shortfalls.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Internal quality assurance reports fully comply with regulation. These reports are submitted to Ofsted at the required six-monthly intervals. This means that the regulator can monitor the quality of care provided by the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s engagement in education remains variable. However, staff persevere in order to address young people’s resistance to education. Staff ensure that young people take part in home learning. Young people meet with tutors and engage in individualised education plans. Engagement in education is an area which has been strengthened since the last inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Other improvements include regular bedroom checks to ensure that rooms are free of Inspection report children’s home: SC427165 2 hazards. Lastly, young people now take part in the recruitment of new staff.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Combined, these improvements demonstrate the home’s capacity to develop the quality of care that it provides.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has admitted and discharged several young people since the last inspection. The registered manager has ensured that young people who are newly referred to the home have their individual needs fully considered. This ensures that young people are compatible with current residents. This minimises disruption and promotes positive group dynamics within the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

From their starting points, young people make good progress in most areas of their lives. Staff implement personalised care plans effectively, and collaborate with a range of social care, health and education professionals. Consequently, following a sustained period of stable care, most young people make good progress in their education, health, emotional well-being and social development.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff have been especially resilient in managing some very challenging behaviours. They have persevered and shown commitment to working with young people who have risk-taking behaviours. One social worker said: ‘Staff engage with young people, even after distressing incidents, showing a high level of nurture and care.’ When placements are beyond the scope of the team to safely manage, managers and staff have provided positive and planned moves from the home. These arrangements enable young people to understand and participate in their care planning. In addition, staff continue to support young people in their new placements for a limited period of time. This provides stability and continuity of care for young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Partnership working arrangements are very strong, and are at the centre of all placement planning. Staff are proactive in working alongside families, and education, health and social care professionals. A social worker from the child and adolescent mental health team said: ‘I am happy to see that this home makes every attempt to be child focused.’ The designated police officer for children in care said: ‘They are brilliant, absolutely fabulous. They deal with anything that comes up, and they are creative. A great staff and management team.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is committed to continually improving the performance of the home for the benefit of young people. Managers routinely undertake detailed monitoring of the home. Additionally, comprehensive monthly reports from the home’s independent visitors support the quality assurance processes. Shortfalls identified in these reports are acted upon in a timely manner. There have been no requirements or recommendations set as a result of this inspection. Inspection report children’s home: SC427165 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/06/2017 Full Good 08/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 26/07/2016 Full Requires improvement 18/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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

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

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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Nottingham City Council, Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham NG2 3NG

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Inspector

Inspection report children’s home: SC427165 4 Amanda Ellis, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC427165 5 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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