Children's Home run by Derbyshire County Council in Derbyshire

Inspection report children’s home: 2508344 1 Registered provider: Derbyshire 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

A local authority operates this home. The home provides care and accommodation for up to two children who have emotional, behavioural and social difficulties. This is the home’s first inspection, since registration on 21 March 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 31 July to 1 August 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 outstanding

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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: Not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: None Inspection report children’s home: 2508344 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

This is the home’s first inspection since registration. Inspection report children’s home: 2508344 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is currently only one child living at this home. His admission was well thought out and implemented at the child’s pace. Staff spent time getting to know the child prior to his first visit to the home, by taking him out on trips. He then gradually increased his visits and started to stay overnight. On his first day, a member of staff wrote a letter to him saying: ‘We are so glad you’re here … and so happy to have you.’ Such detailed and caring practice helps children to settle quickly and to feel safe and secure with the adults around them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The environment is very homely. Staff have gone to some lengths to ensure that the child feels at home. There are photos of the child with staff, as well as pictures that the child and staff have drawn. These have been framed and hung on the wall. Staff clearly value the child’s artwork. The child’s suite of rooms is highly personalised. He enjoys healthy, home-cooked meals. Staff wear slippers and change into more comfortable clothing during the evening, which all adds to the family feel of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Care planning focuses on reducing self-harming behaviour. Good progress has been made because self-harming incidents have reduced in frequency and severity. The child is starting to express emotions through letters. An external professional said: ‘The home works hard to create a real family atmosphere, and all staff are enthusiastic in seeking to create an environment which builds real relationships.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The letters that staff write to the child clearly demonstrate their affection for him and how much they value and respect him. They provide a lovely story of his life in the home and help him to reflect on his day. Staff are loving towards him. This boosts his confidence and esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide good opportunities for the child to explore his identity. He enjoys his visits to the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group and has made some good friends. He has also taken part in, and thoroughly enjoyed, local Pride festivals. Family visits are facilitated and supported, and friends are encouraged to visit.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide a tailor-made package of education that the child is engaging with well. The education package is gradually being progressed to support the child with work appropriate for his age. Furthermore, he is enjoying work experience. This work will give him valuable skills to help him successfully transition into adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child’s emotional health very well. There is close partnership working with mental health professionals. Staff understand that collaborative working is critical to the child’s emotional health. The warm and supportive relationships staff have with the child are also supportive of his emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff value the child’s views and opinions. They continually seek these out. Staff have written the care plan with the child, and he has a good understanding of the care and Inspection report children’s home: 2508344 4 support that is planned for him. Staff know the child really well and how to support him using the therapeutic models that the home has adopted.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The hobbies and interests of the child are very well supported. Staff enjoy spending time with the child, offering him rich and varied opportunities.

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

Staff know how to keep children safe. The child said that he feels safe in their care. The uncompromising high regard staff have for the child helps him to feel safe and secure. Consequently, he does not participate in risk-taking behaviours such as going missing from the home or taking illegal substances. A member of staff said that they are determined to provide a ‘relaxed and friendly atmosphere, making a fun, safe and loving home for the young people who stay with us’.

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

Staff recognise the triggers that cause children to engage in self-harm. They are skilled and experienced in direct work with children, including those whose behaviours are potentially life threatening. This means that incidents are reducing in frequency and intensity.

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

Staff work therapeutically with children and, therefore, they do not use sanctions or physical intervention. Instead, they gently encourage and nurture children to help them to develop confidence and self-esteem.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and his deputy are both qualified and form a particularly strong management team. They have an in-depth understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. They have a clear vision to continually improve the home. They are ambitious for the child and their staff team. An external professional said that a key strength of the home is the managers’ ‘innovative leadership and capacity to think creatively’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are highly motivated and passionate about providing the best care. They are qualified or completing a qualification. They feel very well supported by the strong team around them and the management team. These highly skilled and experienced team members provide exemplary support and emotional warmth for the child in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The environment has been very well considered to reduce risks while maintaining a warm and welcoming home. For example, one suite is specifically designed to reduce ligature points. Each child has their own suite of rooms in the home. This includes a lounge and ensuite bathroom, as well as a bedroom. Communal areas are furnished to a high level of comfort. The child has been involved in the planning of the garden and has planted some vegetables. He has also been involved in creating the sensory room. Inspection report children’s home: 2508344 5 Staff have excellent close working relationships with partner agencies. An external professional praised the staff’s ‘proactive engagement with partners and their ability to listen and adapt plans following feedback’.

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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: 2508344 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Derbyshire County Council, County Offices, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3AG

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Inspector

Joanne Vyas, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2508344 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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