Children's Home run by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC465287 1 SC465287 Registered provider: Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This service provides short breaks for children who have learning and physical disabilities. Young people all have associated health and/or personal care needs. The home is operated by a healthcare foundation trust. There is a registered manager in place.

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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

Date of last inspection: 19 February 2019

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC465287 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/02/2019 Full Good 17/05/2017 Full Good 05/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 28/09/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC465287 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy positive relationships with staff. Children are very content because the atmosphere in the home is one of kindness and nurture. The home is a happy place.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people’s complex health needs are addressed well. Nurses are always on duty to take responsibility for complex healthcare tasks such as tube feeding and oxygen therapy. Care plans are very clear. Staff are very knowledgeable about each child’s needs. As a result, children receive very high quality care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Medication procedures are safe. Any minor errors are discussed openly so that the procedure can be improved further. These minor errors are largely due to the complexity of the process rather than shortfalls in the procedures.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have a voice in their own care arrangements. Staff make sure that children can make choices whenever possible. Children are encouraged to participate in their community. For example, one child has been supported to write a letter to the local council to express their views about recycling facilities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have fun, stay with their friends and meet new people. They also have new experiences, such as going to the cinema, on walks, shopping and on trips to theme parks .

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

Children are safe during their short breaks. Risks are clearly documented and staff understand what they must do to protect the children. Staff know that disabled children are particularly vulnerable. Their training curriculum allows them to explore these issues and they put their knowledge into practice. They understand their responsibility to report any child protection concerns.

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

Young people are monitored for any marks or bruising from equipment such as straps, sleep systems and wheelchairs. Anything out of the ordinary is always explored within the staff team. This high level of vigilance helps to keep children safe. Specialised equipment is well maintained. The storage of medication and substances such as oxygen is also safe and well organised.

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

There is a positive safeguarding culture. Staff are the first to acknowledge if they have made a mistake. The open safeguarding culture helps to promote safety within the home.

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

The high staff ratio ensures that children are well supervised and receive the attention they need. Changes in children’s health are quickly identified and specialist advice is sought quickly. Inspection report children’s home: SC465287 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The service model has recently changed so that the home now looks after children with complex health and personal care needs. The manager’s hard work and dedication have ensured that the quality of care has remained good. Staff also have been very committed during this period of change. Even when things have been uncertain for them, they have remained positive and enthusiastic.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported. They speak highly of each other and their managers. They are experienced and well established. They provide stable and consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

One of the two recommendations made at the last inspection is met. Improved recruitment procedures mean that children are safer.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The other recommendation made at the last inspection, which relates to personalising bedrooms, is not yet met. The manager is aware of this outstanding recommendation. However, her focus has been on the change to the service model.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Scrutiny of the home takes place through monthly inspections by the organisation’s own independent inspectors. However, there is little evaluation of the impact of the service on the children. Children are not routinely asked for their opinions and are often not involved in these inspections. This is a missed opportunity to hear what young people have to say. Inspection report children’s home: SC465287 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires.

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Recommendations

 Ensure that children are given the choice about how their bedroom space is decorated in accordance with regulation 7(2)(a)(i). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.19)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC465287 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sudborough House, St Mary’s Hospital, 77 London Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire NN15 7PW

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Inspector

Caroline Brailsford, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC465287 7 to 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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