Children's home run by Derbyshire County Council in Derbyshire Dales

Inspection report children’s home: SC036186 1 SC036186 Registered provider: Derbyshire County Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A local authority operates this children’s home under short-break arrangements. It provides care for up to eight children and young people who have learning and/or physical disabilities, including sensory impairment. The manager was registered by Ofsted for this service in February 2018.

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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 improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parents and carers value this service immensely. This is because it provides excellent care to their children. The service also provides parents and carers with a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities. A parent said, ‘I think it is brilliant.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

New children coming to the service receive very good help to settle quickly, make friends and enjoy their breaks. Staff make this possible through highly effective work with the child and their family. This introductory work is set at a pace right for the child and fully involves the family. This makes it successful.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children’s safeguarding and protection needs are the foremost priority for staff and managers. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping children safe. They work well with partner agencies and share information. Staff ensure that there is good Inspection report children’s home: SC036186 2 coordination of services to keep children safe. Staff and managers report any concerns immediately. They monitor children’s welfare closely and go above and beyond in working with families in the community.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff help children to manage and improve their behaviour. Staff implement behavioural boundaries effectively and consistently. This helps children to adopt more positive behaviours.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers are committed to service improvement and have driven forward a comprehensive overhaul of the service. These improvements have included:

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

 new quality assurance processes, including detailed audits taking place more regularly

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

 additional staffing on each shift and improved delegation of tasks. This results in staff having an improved understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

 the re-structuring of the manager’s duties on shift. Now managers can focus more on management tasks and they now have an improved oversight of the service.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

 the team enjoying regular team development opportunities, including a recent staff ‘fun day’. A further development day is planned.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

These developments have galvanised the team and improved day-to-day working practices. This service is on track to continue providing an excellent service to young people and their families.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/05/2018 Full Good 01/11/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/09/2017 Full Inadequate 23/02/2017 Interim Sustained 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 Inspection report children’s home: SC036186 3 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: County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3AG

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Inspector:

Phillip Morris, social care regulatory inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC036186 4 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:

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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