Children's home run by Longboat Special Education Ltd

Inspection report children’s home: 2523030 1 Registered provider: Longboat Special Education Ltd

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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 provision is an independent day school with an attached children’s home providing residential care for those who attend the school. The children’s home provides a home for up to 16 children aged 11 to 19 years who have severe learning disabilities and associated needs, such as limited verbal communication. Children may be on the autism spectrum. The school offers residential term-time-only placements or 52-week placements. The home was registered in May 2019. This is the home’s first inspection.

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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: Not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: None Inspection report children’s home: 2523030 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

N/A Inspection report children’s home: 2523030 3

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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9). This specifically refers to intrusive sounds such as staff communicating through walkie talkies, as well as the fact that staff walk through the home unnecessarily as a route between school buildings. It also refers to the staff using language that is not child friendly when in the presence of children and in their documents.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Admissions into the home have taken place slowly so that children are given enough time to settle. Children are very well supported during the transition period into the home. For example, all staff have visited a child over a period of nearly three weeks to help him get to know them prior to his moving in. Children who are already in the home are supported to adapt to new residents through social stories. This helps them to gain a better understanding of what is happening in their home and reduces their anxieties.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make significant progress in a relatively short period of time. This is because staff are child centred and understand the importance of building warm and nurturing relationships with children. Children are happy and relaxed in the company of staff. A parent said: ‘There have been noticeable differences. Stimulatory behaviour has reduced, such as clapping. He gets a sensory-based diet which helps. His health and weight are much better.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The views, wishes and feelings of children are very important to the staff. They support children to express their views about everyday issues as well as to make choices about which clothes to wear, what activity they want to do or the food they want to eat. Effective electronic communication systems are used alongside signs, symbols and gestures.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to be healthy. They are kept active. Meals are healthy and nutritious. Staff eat with children to make it a more sociable experience. Good, safe procedures are followed when administering medication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are enrolled at the on-site school. This greatly supports regular attendance, particularly for children who have not attended school for some time before to moving to the home. Inspection report children’s home: 2523030 4 The environment is clean, well maintained and furnished to a high standard. Children’s bedrooms are highly personalised. However, intrusive sounds such as staff communicating through walkie talkies and the fact that staff walk through the home unnecessarily as a route between school buildings make the environment feel less homely. Furthermore, staff use language that is not child friendly when they are in the company of children and in the children’s documents. This also creates a less homely feel.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The cultural needs of children are highly respected. Children are supported to gain an understanding of their own culture and the culture of others. Staff work in partnership with parents, recognising that they know their child the best. A parent said: ‘Staff are responsive to me. They ask the questions but are also sensitive to my needs. They involve me.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children participate in lots of activities that help to develop their confidence and self- esteem. They have access to a sensory room and a soft play room. They go on trips to the seaside and enjoy shopping and bowling. They also carry out household tasks that help to develop their independent living skills.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the home’s child protection and whistle-blowing procedures. Vetting procedures help to protect children from unsuitable adults. Children are safe in this home.

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

Risk management plans are good. They ensure that staff understand children’s particular vulnerabilities. Staff have a good understanding of how to reduce children’s anxieties and ensure that children feel safe.

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

Positive behaviour is very well supported. As a result, incidents reduce over time. Most incidents do not result in a restraint. However, staff are well trained in de-escalation and restraint techniques. They are calm and manage incidents of aggression well. They have firm boundaries and create stable routines for each child. Staff help children to communicate well with those around them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is very experienced and qualified. She has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the service. She also has plans to improve the service further. There is a strong emphasis on ascertaining the views of children and using the views of children to develop the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are experienced, skilled and knowledgeable. The home has employed staff who have previous experience in a care role. However, managers still ensure that staff undertake a good induction programme. New starters receive two weeks’ training away from the home before working with children. They are very well supported by regular supervision and team meetings. As staff become established, they have access to a good Inspection report children’s home: 2523030 5 programme of ongoing training.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is good partnership working with external professionals. Social workers agree that communication with them is very good. Any concerns or emerging issues are shared promptly and are fully addressed. This ensures that children are safe and given every opportunity to flourish.

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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: 2523030 6

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Longboat Special Education Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hilltop Farm, Danethorpe Lane, Danethorpe, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 2PD

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Inspector

Joanne Vyas, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2523030 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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