Children's Home, Residential special school run by Thornleigh Camphill Communities Limited in South Gloucestershire

Inspection report children’s home: 1226971 1 Registered provider: Thornleigh Camphill Communities Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

 The home provides care for up to 12 children aged between six and 17 years old. Some young people stay until they are 19, as part of their care plan.  All of the children and young people have a wide range of special educational needs diagnoses.  Care is provided in two homes which are on the same site as the school.  The home provides a therapeutic programme which is delivered by a therapy team that works across the home and the school.  The registered manager has been registered since 2017.

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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

Relationships between children, young people and staff are exceptionally good because staff have developed a good understanding of children and young people’s needs. Communication between staff and the children and young people is excellent and enables meaningful consultation and choice. These positive approaches mean that children and young people receive individualised care that enhances their experiences of living in this home. Inspection report children’s home: 1226971 2 Children and young people continue to make good progress. Targets and goals in their care plans link to their education, health and care plans effectively. The frequent review of children and young people’s care increases their chances of succeeding. Examples of the progress they are making include:

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

 improved communication skills  improved responses to structure and routines  an increased ability to complete everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning and self-care  improved attendance at school.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers carefully consider the impact any new children and young people may have on the group that already lives in the home. Plans for introducing new children and young people to the home are well thought out, and are proving to be successful. Children and young people make good progress from their starting points.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Opportunities available to children and young people are excellent. The support that staff provide for children, young people and their families enhances their experiences. Examples of activities that children and young people benefit from and enjoy include musical festivals and concerts, family holidays, days out and work experience.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people are safeguarded effectively. Good joint working with safeguarding professionals takes place. Frequent good-quality monitoring of behavioural incidents informs how staff work with children and young people, and improves the care provided. The use of restraint continues to decrease.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers recognise the strengths and weaknesses of the home effectively, and are implementing their improvement plan at a steady pace. Since the last inspection, a new electronic recording system has been developed. This is providing leaders and managers with increased oversight of the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The quality of the environment remains an ongoing challenge. Leaders and managers understand this weakness and the renovation of the two houses and some bathrooms is continuing.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff generally receive regular supervision. However, during the inspection leaders and managers were unable to provide evidence of all supervision records and actions.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/06/2018 Full Good 21/03/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 21/06/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 1226971 3 18/01/2017 Full Requires improvement

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Recommendations

 Ensure leaders and managers continue with the home’s improvement plan in respect of improving the quality of the homes; for them to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  A record of supervision should be kept for staff, including the manager. The record should provide evidence that supervision is being delivered in line with regulation 33(4)(b). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.3)

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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

Provision sub-type: Residential special school Inspection report children’s home: 1226971 4 Registered provider: Thornleigh Camphill Communities Ltd

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nicolas Sialelli

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Inspector

Nicola Lownds, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1226971 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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Inspector

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