Children's home run by Staffordshire County Council in Stafford

Inspection report children’s home: SC375911 1 SC375911 Registered provider: Staffordshire County Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority-managed resource centre provides short-break care for up to six young people who have learning and/or physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 12 to 13 February 2020

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 28 February 2019

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC375911 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/02/2019 Full Outstanding 08/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/11/2016 Full Outstanding 09/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC375911 3

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Recommendations

 Records of restraint must be kept and should enable the registered person and staff to review the use of control, discipline and restraint to identify effective practice and respond promptly where any issues or trends of concern emerge. The review should provide the opportunity for amending practice to ensure that it meets the needs of each child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5) In particular, ensure that children’s risk assessments are up to date. Inspection report children’s home: SC375911 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children receive exceptional care that meets their complex needs well. They really enjoy their short breaks in this spacious, bright and welcoming home. Passionate and caring staff greet children with warmth and enthusiasm. Parents told the inspector that the service is a ‘home from home’ for their children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

An attentive and knowledgeable staff team provides children with highly individualised care. Staff take the time to get to know children and their families. They visit each child’s home and school to gather important information. Comprehensive, ongoing assessment ensures that children receive support in line with their needs. As a result, children make significant progress in a range of areas.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support children to play a significant role in their care. Staff use a range of innovative communication tools to help children express their views, and are highly skilled and perceptive in understanding the communication methods for each child. Children also take part in a young people’s ‘council’. This regular forum encourages them to make important decisions, such as regarding the purchasing of new equipment for their home. In addition, staff consult with children weekly. This inclusive ethos supports children to take ownership of their care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy a range of enjoyable experiences and activities. For example, the centre is decorated each month in a child-friendly theme. Children enjoy baking, arts and crafts and offsite visits to various attractions. This encourages them to try new experiences and develop new skills. Children also form new friendships with their peers. As a result, children become more independent and feel increasingly confident. A parent told the inspector, ‘She [child] is much more confident. She used to be really anxious and frightened. Now she gets to go out and try new things. It’s been life-changing for our family.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s education and complex health needs are met very well. Staff work closely with teachers to understand the approaches that work best for children. Staff also regularly consult parents and healthcare professionals to ensure that children’s health needs are known and reviewed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Carefully planned transitions help to reduce anxiety for children and their families. Staff use a calm and patient approach to gently encourage children. Each transition is unique and focuses on children’s individual needs. For example, some children visit for the day initially until they feel confident to stay overnight. Staff work well with families and professionals to gather key information about children. This considered planning helps children to settle and enjoy their short breaks.

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

Children are kept safe during their short breaks. The vigilant staff team understands all risks and manages them effectively. Staff provide children with a high level of Inspection report children’s home: SC375911 5 supervision and support, and strike a good balance between keeping children safe and promoting their independence.

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

The service is well equipped to meet the complex needs of children. For example, high- dependency bedrooms contain specialist equipment that enables staff to provide children with dignified and sensitive care. The living environment is open-plan, which means that wheelchair users can easily access all areas. Staff regularly review and update all appropriate health and safety risk assessments.

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

Staff encourage children to behave positively and learn about socially acceptable behaviours. The registered manager has recently introduced a new reward scheme which links to each child’s targets. Children thrive in this positive environment and take pride in their achievements.

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

Effective communication and a proactive approach help staff to recognise the triggers to children’s challenging behaviour. Detailed handovers ensure that staff discuss children’s needs and vulnerabilities. As a result, children are matched appropriately with their peers. This helps to minimise risk while also promoting an enjoyable and enriching experience.

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

Staff support children to take appropriate risks to develop their social and independence skills. For example, some children become increasingly confident when they are out in the community. Other children learn to tolerate noisy environments. This is significant progress from their starting points.

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

Staff recruitment procedures are safe. Robust vetting of potential employees helps to protect children from unsafe adults working with them.

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

The inspection identified some shortfalls in staff practice. A child’s risk assessment was out of date and did not reflect a significant incident of challenging behaviour. Furthermore, one record of restraint was incomplete.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

An experienced and knowledgeable registered manager leads by example by providing highly effective leadership. Her innovative approach means that children’s care continues to evolve and improve. This ethos inspires staff to provide exceptional care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Well-planned staffing arrangements ensure that children have access to knowledgeable, experienced and qualified staff. For example, some children have a core staff team in place to meet their complex health and behavioural needs. This highly personalised approach helps children to make significant progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A healthy learning environment ensures that staff continue to reflect upon and develop their practice. A comprehensive training programme equips staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to meet children’s needs. The registered manager and staff are single-minded in their determination to provide children with exceptional experiences Inspection report children’s home: SC375911 6 and care. Comprehensive and detailed staff team meetings, supervision and appraisal are symbolic of this ethos.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager has effective monitoring systems in place. This allows her to address areas for development and to consolidate what staff already do well. The registered manager compiles detailed monthly and six-monthly reports to scrutinise the quality of care. She uses learning to improve aspects of staff practice and introduce innovative ideas. For example, a new children’s consultation programme and staff recognition scheme have been launched.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children make exceptional progress in a range of areas. Detailed and personalised planning is the foundation of this success. For example, each child has a ‘passport’ plan on file. This captures the child’s personality, health needs and behaviour support strategies. Staff use this information to set and review targets. As a result, children develop their personal care, communication, confidence and independence skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and staff have built highly effective working relationships with families and a range of agencies. Parents and carers are integral to this service. They feel involved in their children’s care. Staff continually update families about children’s progress. Overall, feedback from professionals is very positive, praising staff commitment, communication, children’s progress and the quality of care. Inspection report children’s home: SC375911 7

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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: SC375911 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Staffordshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Staffordshire County Council, Wedgwood Buildings, Tipping Street, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 2DH

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Inspector

Gareth Leckey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC375911 9 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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