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

Inspection report children's home: SC439882 1 SC439882 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 children’s home provides care for up to six children with physical disabilities and learning difficulties. The home provides long-term care and short breaks.

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Information about this children's home

The home is led by an experienced and registered manager.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: Outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: SC439882 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/01/2022 Full Outstanding 18/09/2019 Full Good 10/10/2018 Full Outstanding 21/11/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report children's home: SC439882 3

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outstanding

The progress and experiences of children living and having short breaks in this home are exceptional. Those that live at the home, have lived there for many years. This high level of permeance creates a real sense of stability. All children are cared for by staff who understand their needs which supports children to be able to build trusting relationships. The staff have positive outstanding relationships with each child. Together, they create a family feel in the home.

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outstanding

Staff have very high aspirations for children. Staff support children to reach their full potential. They are encouraged to explore their interests and take part in fun, stimulating and new activities. Children excel regardless of their disabilities and health conditions. This is a result of the commitment and dedication of managers and staff.

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outstanding

Children’s health needs are extremely well considered and met by staff. Staff work very closely and proactively with health services. Health plans are detailed and very effective. Staff make sure that children experience the highest standards of personalised care possible. This exceptional high level of care ensures that health outcomes are prioritised.

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outstanding

Children communicate their wishes and feelings in a variety of ways. Staff have a detailed understanding of each child’s expressions and methods of communication. They involve children in all aspects of the home and always act on what they say, where possible. The skill of really listening to children is a core feature of this home.

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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 very 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

The manager and staff understand the children’s risks and vulnerabilities extremely well. The manager goes to great lengths to understand how best to protect and support children to grow and develop. For example, the manager has studied re- search-based approaches and adapted this for the practice in the home. As a result, plans for children are very supportive and effective.

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outstanding

Staff have received good quality safeguarding training. As a result, they have a clear understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Staff know how to re- port any concerns they may have. Safeguarding incidents are exceptionally rare. When they do occur, staff know how to respond and keep children safe. Inspection report children's home: SC439882 4 Staff are extremely diligent. This ensures that the potential risks to children are un- derstood and minimised. Risk assessments are extremely thorough. They provide clear and concise information about how children need to be supported. Staff know and understand the underlying causes to more difficult behaviours that children can present. As a result, children are assured that staff will do everything to keep them safe.

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outstanding

Childrens care planning is very effective. All care plans are well organised, regularly reviewed and up to date. The managers and staff have an excellent understanding of each child’s often very complex needs. Children are encouraged to contribute to their plans by sharing their views and expressing their feelings. This supports chil- dren to feel valued, respected and fully involved in decisions that are made about their lives.

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outstanding

Staff empower children to make choices and decisions about their care and future plans. Staff go to great lengths to create excellent pictures , positive events and ‘what I think matters’ books. This means that children’s wishes and feelings are listened to and considered. As a result, grow in self-esteem and become confident in their own abilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager enables and creates a culture of high expectations and creativity. She is highly ambitious for children and staff. The managers experience, knowledge and style produces a strong sense of commitment and loyalty from the staff team. She leads by example and has created a positive culture in the home. The staff team share the manager’s vision for this home. This is to ensure that all children have the best possible experiences and providing excellent child-centred care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Teamwork is fundamental in providing children with high quality care and support. Staff focus on children’s strengths and abilities. The team celebrate all successes of children. Staff are committed to ensuring that each child has the best chances and outcomes possible. They advocate for children’s rights and needs. The manager and staff see themselves as a family around the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff experience an excellent level of support through regular one to one meetings and team meetings. Staff could benefit from further discussions in their one-to-one meetings and team meetings on wider safeguarding issues. Staff also receive daily support and guidance from the management team and each other. As a result, staff feel they have a voice in influencing the high-quality care provided to 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 are supported to develop and grow. Staff access a range of bespoke training essential to the individual needs of the children. Research informed practice underpins the work with children in this home. This means that children receive care from a highly skilled, reflective and knowledgeable team. Inspection report children's home: SC439882 5 The monitoring by the manager is outstanding. Effective management systems are in place. Records are of a very high standard and provide detailed analysis of care provision. Regular audits take place , with actions to address any shortfalls or learnings. This means the manager has a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. As a result, detailed development plans are in place to ensure continual improvement.

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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. Professionals contributed to this inspection and commended the work and commitment of the manager and staff. One professional said, ‘Staff team know these children inside out, they really invest in each child, they invest in the families, they are always striving for the best for them.’ Inspection report children's home: SC439882 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the content and/or outcomes of supervision sessions reflect discussion on safeguarding issues which allows staff to reflect on their practice and the needs and risks of children assigned to their care and to be included in team meetings. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 61, paragraph 13.4)

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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: SC439882 7

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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 children's home: SC439882 8 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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