Children's Home run by Derbyshire County Council in Derbyshire

Assurance visit report: SC035976 1 SC035976

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Information about this children’s home

A local authority operates the home, which provides care and accommodation for up to four children or young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership. This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC035976 2

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The care of children

Young people develop positive and secure relationships with staff. They learn that staff care about them and want the best for them. For some young people who have had several previous placements, this is significant progress.

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The care of children

Young people get to keep in touch with their family and friends. Staff have supported young people extremely well to rebuild relationships with family members. One young person now stays over at a family member’s home, following a long period of having no contact with them.

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The care of children

Young people feel confident in expressing their wishes, views and feelings. They feel integral to the running of the home. They influence the care and support provided to them. Young people have access to advocacy services. This enables them to receive independent support and help.

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The care of children

Young people’s health needs are very well met. Staff understand young people’s complex histories and the impact that previous experiences have had on their emotional well-being. Young people are offered a range of specialist health services.

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The care of children

Young people have access to specialist help and support. This includes working with local agencies and professionals in relation to mental health and the impact of domestic violence on children. The staff also receive regular consultations with a clinical psychologist. This supports them to care for young people in a therapeutic manner.

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The care of children

Young people have education or training in place. Staff understand the difficulties young people have faced in attending and engaging in education previously. They work sensitivity to ensure that young people’s education packages are tailored to their needs. Staff have worked hard to ensure that young people understand the value of education.

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The safety of children

Staff know and understand young people’s risks and vulnerabilities. Detailed risk assessments reflect the changing needs of each young person. Staff and managers review and update those assessments regularly. They work imaginatively as a team to reduce risks.

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The safety of children

Some excellent work has been done to support one young person to reduce risks that relate to going missing from home. Regular multi-agency meetings take place to review and agree how best to support the young person. Staff have worked closely and proactively with family members, local taxi firms and shops to ensure that clear strategies are in place if the young person goes missing. This has led to a significant reduction in the frequency and length of episodes of going missing from care. Assurance visit report: SC035976 3 Due to the skill of the staff team, the use of physical interventions is minimal. Triggers for risky or challenging behaviours are recognised by staff. They respond sensitively and therapeutically to such situations. They de-escalate situations very well.

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The safety of children

Staff and managers demonstrate a commendable knowledge and understanding of the impact of early childhood experiences on the young people they care for. The therapeutic training that staff receive makes them confident and competent in supporting young people. From their starting points, young people learn to trust adults again. This helps them to express their feelings in a safe and appropriate way.

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Leaders and managers

Managers and staff place young people at the centre of their practice. One involved professional said, ‘They have not given up on the young person despite the challenges they pose.’ The staff team understands the potential for young people to try to breakdown their placements. As a result, they are resilient. They have strategies in place to support children who find it difficult to sustain relationships.

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Leaders and managers

Care plans accurately set out the needs of each young person. Plans fully take into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clear guidance for both staff and young people sets out all the necessary actions to ensure the safety of young people and staff.

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Leaders and managers

Excellent multi-agency engagement takes place in the home. There is clear focus on working collaboratively to support and improve the life chances of young people. Feedback from the police, social workers, independent reviewing officers and education providers is consistently positive.

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Leaders and managers

There has been some adverse impact on the staffing because some staff have had to shield or self-isolate. However, managers have always ensured consistency of staff for young people. Staff continue to receive regular supervision and training.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager has the skills, qualifications and experience necessary for the role. She is a highly effective and dedicated manager. Management oversight and monitoring is excellent. The manager’s quality assurance reviews reflect a detailed knowledge of the progress made by young people.

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Leaders and managers

Two recommendations were made following the last full inspection of the home. At this assurance visit, it was established that both those recommendations have been fully met. No shortfalls were identified following this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC035976 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Derbyshire County Council

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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

Tracy Murty, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC035976 5 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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