Children's home run by The Norman Laud Association

Inspection report children’s home: 1252997 1 Registered provider: The Norman Laud Association Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is a short-break service for four children who have learning and/or physical disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorder. The home also provides a day- care service for another two children. The registered manager has been in post since 2017. The home is operated and managed by a charitable independent organisation. The organisation also operates a home registered with the Care Quality Commission for adults on the same site.

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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

Date of last inspection: 21 November 2018

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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: 1252997 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/11/2018 Full Good 06/03/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 31/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 1252997 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and young people experience joy and laughter during their short break. Children and young people access a variety of activities in and outside of the home. As a result, children and young people experience social inclusion that develops their social and emotional well-being. A parent told the inspector, ‘Staff go above and beyond. When he returns home, I can see how much he has liked it because he is so happy and vocal.’ Skilled staff meet the needs of children and young people well. A stable staff team works in close partnership with families, social workers, school staff and health workers to ensure that children and young people receive individualised care. This supports children’s progress. Children and young people build trusting and warm relationships with staff because staff invest time getting to know them. As a result, children and young people enjoy coming to stay overnight and can manage their stay with little or no disruption.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children and young people benefit enormously from their short breaks. They make friends, learn how to become more tolerant of difference, improve their life skills and access a range of social activities in and outside of the home. This promotes children’s and young people’s emotional and physical development. Children and young people benefit from staff who work closely with their teachers and health professionals. This means that their complex health needs are met competently by staff, and that their targets set in school are replicated in the short- break setting. Young people learn and progress because they receive coordinated care. Staff are skilled at interpreting the wishes and feelings of children and young people who have limited vocal capacity. Staff advocate for children and young people by interpreting their signs and vocal tones to ensure that they understand their needs and respond to their requests. As a result, children and young people inform the

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

staff about how they want their short-break stay to be managed. This empowers children and young people. Staff regularly encourage children and young people to contribute to developing life skills through active participation of household chores. For example, staff encourage children and young people to make their beds, cook and complete laundry tasks. A parent commented on the progress made by their child who now makes his bed independently and without prompting.

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

Children and young people are protected from harm and helped to stay safe during their short break. Staff understand the individual vulnerabilities that each child presents, and risk is managed exceptionally well. For example, staff training ensures that staff are skilled and competent to safely move and handle children and young people who require hoisting and lifting, and are skilled in medication administration Inspection report children’s home: 1252997 4 or use of specialist equipment such as suction or enteral feeding by invasive technique. As a result, children and young people’s medical needs are safely met during their stay regardless of level of need. Staff understand how vulnerable children and young people are, and when children or young people make an allegation staff take the right action and report incidents appropriately. There has been one allegation against staff since the last inspection.

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

The manager’s quick response and thorough investigation meant that the matter was concluded quickly. Decisive and effective action in response to safeguarding concerns protects children and young people. The manager pays meticulous attention to matching children and young people well. This means that children and young people enjoy their short-break experiences because they get on well with their peers who stay alongside them. Staff are consistent in their approach to managing behaviour. Risk is clearly identified through effective care planning. The manager uses monitoring tools that identify behaviour patterns and, together, staff work out how best to respond to these behaviours. In addition, staff set targets with children and young people which helps them to modify their behaviour. As a result, staff rarely need to use physical intervention to keep children safe from harm. One staff member has been safely recruited since the last inspection. Children and

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

young people take part in the recruitment process by giving the manager feedback about selected candidates. This feedback helps to inform the manager about the suitability of potential staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is excellently managed by an efficient and dedicated management team. The manager was registered in March 2017 and is suitably qualified. Almost all of the staff hold a suitable qualification in caring for children, or are expected to complete the level 3 diploma in caring for children within the required timescale.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has met the one requirement and two recommendations made at the last inspection. The behaviour management policy has been revised. This means that if the manager is involved in a restraint the director will oversee the records of the incident and undertake any debriefs. Staff have received safeguarding training specifically around children with disabilities. The manager now ensures that any outstanding care plans or minutes of meetings are chased and held on file. The manager and her team are highly thought of. A parent told the inspector, ‘The manager and staff are fabulous! They always keep me informed and share information to keep me updated.’ Communication between the manager, professionals and parents is commendable. This helps parents to feel relaxed, confident and reassured when leaving their child to have a short break. The manager creates a culture of high aspiration and positivity. She has high

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

expectations of staff to improve children’s lives and experiences. Staff feel well supported by the manager and are provided with excellent opportunities to develop Inspection report children’s home: 1252997 5 their skills and qualifications. As a result, staff retention is exceptionally high because staff are valued and invested in. Highly effective monitoring means that the manager regularly reflects on the home’s performance and is continually striving to improve practice. The manager knows and understands the strengths and weaknesses of the home because she seeks out and acts on feedback from staff, social workers, children and parents. Partnership working is exceptional. The manager goes the extra mile in working alongside parents. For example, the manager welcomes better ways of working when assessing the needs of children and young people. This helps parents to feel part of the process. Leaders and managers are outstanding role models. They lead by example. The

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

ethos of the statement of purpose is embedded in the staff’s delivery of care. Everyone is valued and treated equally. As a result, staff remain dedicated, passionate and committed to providing good standards of quality care. Inspection report children’s home: 1252997 6

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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: 1252997 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Norman Laud Association

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lime Grove House, Lime Grove, Sutton Coldfield B73 5JN

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Elaine Mountford

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Inspector

Michelle Spruce, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1252997 8 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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