Children's Home run by Bedford Borough Council in Bedford

Inspection report children's home: SC409502 1 SC409502 Registered provider: Bedford Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home, which is run by the local authority, provides short breaks and respite care, at any one time, for up to five children with physical and learning disabilities and complex health needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2016.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

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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: 12 February 2020

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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: SC409502 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/02/2020 Full Good 27/02/2019 Full Good 15/08/2017 Full Good 16/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children's home: SC409502 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children at this home have complex communication needs. Staff use creative ways to enable communication and to give the opportunity for children to make choices. Staff show understanding, kindness and patience when supporting the children. They build trusting relationships with the children. Children’s wishes and feelings are listened to and actioned. The children feel valued, respected and safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All the children attend education placements that meet their specific needs, or are in the process of moving into specialist schools. Children’s education targets are set out in their care plans. Staff help children to work towards their education targets. Staff support children while they are taken to and from school, which makes for smooth transitions. Children have good education outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager understands that families and children need to feel reassured before accessing respite. As part of the admission process, before visiting the home, children and their families are provided with a welcome pack in different formats. The pack provides good information about what they can expect from the service and the facilities that the home provides. This approach helps prepare children and their families and makes information accessible to children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff celebrate children’s achievements. The manager has created a handmade celebration tree. Children’s achievements are written on cards with photographs attached and are hung from the tree’s branches. Children feel proud of their achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff support children’s progress with independence skills. The manager has created a fun star system to engage children in independence skills. Children work towards one independence target at a time. The targets are appropriate and focus on the area that the child needs to develop. Encouraging children with independence skills helps them to be better prepared for the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is spacious, colourful and welcoming. There are photographs of children on display throughout the home. Children’s bedrooms have different themes that the children have chosen. The children benefit from a large garden, with a man-made wheelchair-accessible racetrack. There is a variety of play equipment for them to enjoy. Children benefit from an inclusive environment and are given choices of decor, which makes them feel part of the home.

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

The children are safeguarded. The manager has ensured that staff have the appropriate safeguarding training and that they understand safeguarding procedures. The staff are well equipped to manage safeguarding incidents. Inspection report children's home: SC409502 4 The staff have used a low-level physical intervention on one occasion. The physical intervention was appropriate and proportionate. The staff supported the child well during and after the physical intervention. The manager had good oversight of the physical intervention, which has helped prevent recurrence. The child has been supported to understand why the physical intervention was necessary.

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

Children’s individual care plans include behaviour support guidance with strategies for staff to help children to safely manage their emotions. The staff have recently attended refresher training in positive behaviour support from a specialist behaviour management trainer. Staff understand how to support children and what children need to manage their feelings.

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

Staff follow clear and effective medication administration routines. The manager provides comprehensive oversight and auditing of medication. There has been one medication error. When the error occurred, it was dealt with efficiently and effectively, reducing the risk of recurrence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced, has a suitable qualification in management and has managed the home for over five years. The manager dedicates time to the children and models a positive and nurturing approach. Staff benefit from the manager’s experience and they meet the needs of the children effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have regular, effective and good-quality supervisions. Staff said that managers are nurturing, supportive and easy to approach. The managers recognise the importance of staff well-being and are currently recruiting a mental health champion for the home. Staff also have access to good mental health resources including a confidential counselling service. Staff feel valued and respected.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are provided with good training that meets the children’s individual needs. Staff have specific training from health specialists. The staff are confident and capable in supporting children with complex needs. Staff are well skilled and knowledgeable and meet children’s health needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Two social workers were spoken with during the inspection. Both spoke positively about the relationship and communication that they have with the manager and staff. Social workers said that staff have positive relationships with the children and that children are happy and safe at the home. Building good relationships with professionals means that children are effectively supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective monitoring tools and understands the strengths and weaknesses of the home. These tools are used to review the home’s progress regularly. Good oversight of the home ensures that continual improvements are made. Inspection report children's home: SC409502 5

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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: SC409502 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bedford Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AP

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: SC409502 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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