Children's home run by Derbyshire County Council in Derbyshire Dales

Inspection report for children's home: SC441513 1 SC441513 Registered provider: Derbyshire 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 home provides care for up to six children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2022.

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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 outstanding

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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: 8 February 2022

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC441513 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/02/2022 Full Outstanding 21/01/2020 Full Good 13/06/2018 Full Outstanding 25/07/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC441513 3

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outstanding

The progress and experiences of children living in this home are exceptional. Most of the children have lived at the home for many years. This high level of stability creates a real sense of belonging. This has been critical to allowing the children to build secure and meaningful relationships with a team of staff who children know, trust and rely on.

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outstanding

Staff place a strong emphasis on supporting children to have fun, try new experiences and have a happy life. Staff go to great lengths to create pictures, positive booklets and ‘my journey files’ with collections of photos to provide happy memories for the children and their families for when they move on. Children’s participation in new experiences enables them to grow in self-esteem and become increasingly confident in their own abilities.

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outstanding

When children leave the home, the manager and staff ensure they are well prepared and have effective plans ready to move to their new home. Long-term planning means that the new home receives individual and detailed information about the child well in advance. This provides clarity for the new home to effectively meet the child’s individual needs. Also, children moving into the home benefit from very well- planned moves that provide them with the best chance of a successful transition. Prior to the move, staff visit the child and begin to build relationships with them. Staff plan well in advance for children to move positively into the home. This is because they understand the gravity of such life-changing moves.

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outstanding

Children’s contact with their families is encouraged where this is in their best interests. There is excellent communication between the managers and staff, family members and other external professionals. One external professional said: ‘Professional working relationships with professionals and families are inclusive; this provides the best possible holistic care for each child.’

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outstanding

Children have excellent school attendance. They make good progress in line with their education plan. The communication between school and the staff is highly effective. This ensures that children receive consistency in care and education. This assists children’s growth, development and the progress made in their education.

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outstanding

Staff support children to develop their independence. This includes taking age- appropriate and well-managed risks. Staff are confident in helping children to access community facilities and have new experiences. For example, one child recently went to London by train for the weekend and visited many of the popular sights. Inspection report for children's home: SC441513 4 The manager and staff understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities very well. Safeguarding training is thorough and planned to meet the children’s complex needs. Staff understand how to keep children safe. Staff have an in-depth knowledge of their risks and vulnerabilities. As a result, any potential hazards or risks are anticipated, and action is taken to ensure the safety of children.

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outstanding

Children have very trusting relationships with staff. The manager and staff provide children with a consistent daily routine. Children enjoy this and greatly benefit from this structure. Staff provide emotional warmth and understanding. Together, they create a family feel in the home. This supports children to feel safe and secure.

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outstanding

Children have excellent and individualised support plans. These plans are detailed and sensitive and provide staff with clarity on the actions they need to take to keep children safe. Staff know and understand the underlying causes to more difficult behaviours that children can present. Children are assured that staff will do everything to keep them safe.

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outstanding

Staff empower children to make choices and decisions about their day-to-day care and future plans. They support children to use a range of non-verbal communication methods. This means that children’s wishes and feelings are listened to and considered. As a result, children are able to have their say and be involved in their plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership and management are highly effective. The manager is aspirational and ambitious for children. He leads by example and has created a very positive culture in the home. When there are difficulties in the home, the manager makes sure these are addressed and resolved in a timely manner. This supports continuous development and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff are highly knowledgeable about the children. They demonstrate a high level of empathy and understanding toward each child. Staff focus on children’s strengths and abilities. Teamwork is fundamental in providing children with the best possible care and support. This is core to the outstanding care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Partnership work with external agencies is extensive. Multidisciplinary work means that the best interests of the children are met. A range of professionals contributed to this inspection and commended the work and commitment of the manager and staff. One professional said: ‘The manager is inspirational in his leadership of the team. This cascades to the inspirational team and inspirational care of the children.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The committed manager strives to promote the development of the staff team. Staff access a range of bespoke training essential to the individual needs of the children. They use their learning and apply it to how they care for children. This means that children receive care from a highly skilled, reflective and knowledgeable team. Inspection report for children's home: SC441513 5 Staff experience an excellent level of support through regular one-to-one meetings and team meetings. These are reflective and mean that staff can learn lessons and adapt their own practice. They also receive daily support and guidance from the management team and each other. Staff see managers as accessible, welcoming and keen to make sure they are supported, particularly through difficult issues. As a result, staff are highly motivated and feel they have a voice in influencing the high care provided to children.

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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 for children's home: SC441513 6

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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 DE4 3AG

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Inspector

Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC441513 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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