Children's home run by Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council in Wigan

Inspection report children’s home: SC040982 1 SC040982 Registered provider: Wigan Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a local authority. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people irrespective of gender. The home specialises in caring for young people who have complex needs, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

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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 staff at this 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: 12 September 2017

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC040982 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/09/2017 Full Outstanding 08/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 01/11/2016 Full Outstanding 16/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC040982 3

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Recommendations

 Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

This home continues to provide exceptional short-break care for young people who have complex needs and disabilities. This is underpinned by a consistent staff team, whose members are highly motivated and passionate about the care they provide. They speak with pride about the work they do and place a great focus on promoting young people’s outcomes and experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Enriching experiences contribute to young people’s growth and development. Making new friends, attending local festivals, enjoying days out at the seaside, shopping at retail centres and meals out at restaurants, are all massive achievements for young people. A charity event was recently organised by the staff to raise money for a sensory garden for young people to benefit from. This was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by the young people, their families and staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people’s complex health needs are met by skilled staff during their stay. A registered paediatric nurse provides training to the staff that is competence-assessed to ensure that each young person’s individual needs are met. Medication processes are safe, and the staff are trained in first aid. These practices, alongside consistent liaison with young people’s families, make sure that young people continue to receive high- quality care during their stay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The staff care deeply for young people and they are respectful of young people’s dignity. Each young person’s personal care and cultural needs are sensitively addressed and supported. For example, celebrations for Christmas are underway.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The staff have worked here for many years and know the needs of each young person exceptionally well. This continuity has led to young people and their families developing trusting relationships with the staff. One parent said, ‘I can’t fault it, my daughter thrives, she smiles when she is going to stay, the staff are so kind-hearted.’ Another parent said, ‘I am very happy with it, the staff are brilliant, they are fantastic.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people’s views are gained regularly through communication techniques that are individual to each young person. Pictorial exchange, electronic devices and the staff team’s deep understanding of each young person’s behaviour and mannerisms all Inspection report children’s home: SC040982 4 contribute to this. Although this consultation work is very good, details of what has changed or been promptly acted upon, because of young people raising their ideas, are not always captured.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Care planning processes centre on young people and their views and preferences. Care plans are detailed and highlight the specific needs and talents of each young person. Moreover, staff have forged excellent relationships with young people’s families and partner agencies. This creates a rounded understanding of young people and how best to enhance their experience and enjoyment during their stay.

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

Young people and their families have a strong sense of safety during their short break away from home. A parent commented: ‘I feel relieved that I know she is safe with the staff, it is a brilliant place.’ A culture of safety is prevalent within the fabric of the home.

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

The staff fully understand risk assessments and care plans. Furthermore, staff receive regular safeguarding training to enhance their understanding of their duties in safeguarding young people with disabilities. These practices help to protect children and young people.

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

The staff pride themselves on getting to know each young person. Detailed care plans guide staff in addressing any challenging behaviour in a consistent and positive way. As a result, behaviour is managed successfully and there are no physical restraints. The staff are trained in a recognised method of restraint should it be necessary to hold young people to keep them safe.

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

Young people live in a physically safe environment where they are protected by well- managed health and safety procedures. Trained experts within the local authority assess and review fire safety and health and safety matters. All young people have an evacuation plan that is fully explained and understood by them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

This is an exceptionally well-led short-break home. Two deputy managers support the experienced and qualified registered manager. Together they inspire a strong and nurturing child-centred culture. The management team motivates the staff, which has maintained a stable, consistent and committed staff team over many years. This is a notable strength of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There continues to be a strong emphasis on promoting and sustaining the standards already achieved here. Effective systems are in place to monitor the quality of care that young people receive. The management team continually strives to improve the service and their own practice. For example, they are currently developing more child-friendly recording practices and encouraging more reflective practice during supervision. Moreover, the one requirement and two recommendations at the previous inspection have been fully addressed by the management team. Inspection report children’s home: SC040982 5 The staff are highly complimentary of the management team and enjoy their work. They have regular training, supervisions, appraisals and team meetings to further ensure their competence in delivering a high standard of care. The staff are suitably qualified or working towards this. Together they have a wealth of experience in working with young

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff work proactively with young people’s families and partner agencies to secure a positive experience for young people. A social worker commented: ‘It is an excellent service, they work very well with us and parents are confident in the staff.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home’s written records are very good and provide a picture of young people’s daily living during their stays. Furthermore, the ‘memory lane’ books capture each young person’s journey during their stays, over the years. These are filled with photographs of young people enjoying life and are all meaningful memories for them to look back on.

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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: SC040982 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Town Hall, Library Street, Wigan WN1 1YN

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Inspector

Caroline Jones, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC040982 7 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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