Children's home run by Northamptonshire County Council in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC035352 1 SC035352 Registered provider: Northamptonshire 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

The home accommodates up to seven children and young people between the ages of 12 and 17. It provides care for children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, who are unable to live with their family or carers. Upon admission each child or young person’s case is considered individually, attempting to match the needs of the child or young person with the services that the home provides.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 2012.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 30 April to 1 May 2019

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC035352 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/06/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/07/2017 Full Good 25/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/08/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC035352 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people have good experiences and begin to settle in this home. They make progress and their lives begin to improve and stabilise. Their individual needs are well met by a staff team, which is committed to ensuring that young people achieve positives outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people spoken to said that they like living in the home. There are no concerns about bullying. One young person said there was nothing that they would change. They rated the home 10 out of 10 saying, ‘I give it top marks.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most young people are in education or have alternative educational packages. These alternative packages are bespoke and tailored to young people’s needs, abilities and interests. In respect of one young person, a designated safeguarding lead said, ‘They have made brilliant progress. They are like a different child.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s general health and well-being are promoted. Their health needs are improved through regular health and dental checks. They are fully supported and encouraged to have a healthy, balanced diet. The home’s cook supports young people to make their own meals and take an interest in the foods that they are eating. This assists young people to make healthier choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and managers understand the importance of promoting and supporting contact between young people and their families. There is a designated family liaison worker in the home. Staff work exceptionally hard to arrange and facilitate good-quality contact that is child-centred. For several young people, this tenacity has resulted in them re- establishing relationships with their family, which had previously broken down. Additionally, for some young people this work has enabled plans to be put in place that will secure a return home to the care of their loved ones. This is a significant strength of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s independence skills are promoted. Tailored packages of intervention support young people to develop the necessary skills to live independently. When young people are leaving the home, staff understand the importance of planning and liaising with other agencies, to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible. They recognise the vulnerability of young people during this crucial period in their lives. One young person who has recently left the home has received an exceptional level of care and support from staff. This is to be highly commended.

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

Young people are safe and appropriately protected in this home. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. They speak with confidence about the actions they would take if a young person was at risk. Inspection report children’s home: SC035352 4 Staff ensure that once a safeguarding concern is identified they liaise with the appropriate agency to ensure that specialist help and support are available. Close partnership working and very good communication with external professionals ensure young people’s safety and protection.

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

All young people spoken to said that they feel safe living in the home. A young person said, ‘It’s great here. You get lots of support and staff are friendly and willing to talk if you need any help. I know I can trust them.’

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

Physical interventions are well managed. When they occur, they are only for very short periods of time. This is testament to the skills of the staff team in de-escalating challenging behaviours and helping young people to regulate their emotions.

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

Risk assessments set out individual risks, vulnerabilities and actions that should be taken to safeguard young people. An occupational therapist said, ‘The risk in relation to child sexual exploitation for this young person has reduced. Staff have been very proactive. Staff understand the young person’s complexities and they have been able to engage them and keep them safe.’

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

Staff respect and value young people. Young people’s views are continually sought, and young people feel listened to. Because of this, young people’s confidence and self- esteem grows.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and deputy manager work cohesively to ensure the smooth running of the home. They are a stable and consistent management team. Both are committed to ensuring that the lives of young people are improved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is good. Feedback from staff about the running of the home is positive. All staff spoken to were able to identify improvements that have been made over the last several months. Staff report that the home is now a calmer more pleasant place to work. Consequently, this assists in ensuring that they feel valued and supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager strongly advocates for all the young people. His attendance at meetings ensures effective multi-agency working and robust sharing of information. Challenge takes place on behalf of young people when necessary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home’s statement of purpose is fully up to date and provides clear and accurate information regarding the care, support and services that the home provides. Young people are also provided with relevant information so that they know what to expect when they arrive at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has now developed good monitoring and review systems. Any weaknesses in practice are quickly identified and addressed. This regular monitoring ensures good oversight of the home and the progress that young people are making. Inspection report children’s home: SC035352 5

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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: SC035352 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Northamptonshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: One Angel Square, Angel Street, Northampton NN1 1ED

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Inspector:

Davinia Lawton, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC035352 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:

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

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