John Greenwood Shipman Centre

Assurance visit report: SC465257 1 SC465257

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Information about this children’s home

This is an eight-bedded short-break service for children and young people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and associated healthcare needs. The service is managed by a healthcare foundation trust. It is also registered with the Care Quality Commission because staff carry out some healthcare tasks.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 17 September 2019

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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.

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Information about this visit

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: SC465257 2

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The care of children

Children are happy and settled. They say that they enjoy their short breaks and that there is nothing they would change. They have fun, make friends and develop their independence.

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The care of children

Staff help children whenever they can, and not just during their short break. One social worker said: ‘They are just so responsive.’ Professionals see staff as expert care providers.

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The care of children

Services have been extremely flexible to support children’s individual needs. One child has received day care to support them through a very difficult period in their life. Staff have helped another child when they have become anxious about moving to a new house, by offering practical support.

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The care of children

Staff were responsive to a child who struggled to get back into school after lockdown. Staff went over and above in their actions. They were regularly present to support the child as they transitioned from school to their home address. The child succeeded in going back to school due to the additional support of staff.

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The care of children

The support provided to children and their families is over and above what would be expected from a short-break children’s home. Pressures created by the pandemic have not got in the way of helping children at a time when they really need it.

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The safety of children

Safeguarding practice continues to be good. Staff have been vigilant in making sure that children are safe and protected.

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The safety of children

All safety concerns are very carefully recorded, however small the concern might be. A full picture of the child’s safety needs is built up and the attention to detail is very high. This helps to protect the children, who are particularly vulnerable due to their disabilities.

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The safety of children

Liaison with other professionals, parents and carers is good. Everyone has the most up-to-date information. Professionals can make very well-informed decisions about children’s safety.

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The safety of children

Lessons are learned when mistakes are made. The open safeguarding culture means that staff feel able to discuss their practice. A good example of this is, after a recent medication error, staff immediately came forward and the child was protected. Work has already taken place on lessons learned to make sure that this does not happen again.

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Leaders and managers

Assurance visit report: SC465257 3 Leaders have worked tirelessly to keep this essential service going during a time of national crisis.

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Leaders and managers

Excellent support to staff has enabled them to continue in their role at a time that has been worrying for them. Staff have been committed and their focus has remained on the children.

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Leaders and managers

The pandemic has had little impact on the running of this service. In fact, there have been several improvements during this very difficult time. Leaders have really risen to the challenge.

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Leaders and managers

There have been improvements to personnel records and to formal support for staff. The bedrooms are also improved. They now look more personal and less institutional.

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Leaders and managers

The organisation has arranged for an independent person to visit the home once a month. This independent person has checked on quality of care. However, they have not spoken to staff, other professionals or children to establish their views. Seeking the views of children and others is particularly important at a time when fewer professionals are visiting the home and seeing the children.

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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; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires. 16 January 2021 Assurance visit report: SC465257 4 A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit ("the independent person’s report") which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to obtaining the views of children, parents and carers, and other professionals as part of the independent visit.

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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 Assurance visit report: SC465257 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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Inspector

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