Children's Home run by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC465287 1 SC465287 Registered provider: Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a six-bedded short-break service for children 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

There were three children receiving a short break at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a manager who is registered with Ofsted.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC465287 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/03/2023 Full Good 23/11/2021 Full Good 11/02/2020 Full Good 19/02/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC465287 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy their stays at this home. There are good relationships between staff and children. Children are helped to have fun. One parent said, ‘He [child] loves going to [name of home] he’s very happy. He enjoys it and is looked after really well.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s plans are clear and detailed. They help staff to know the individual needs of each child. This is particularly important with regards to complex health and communication needs. As a result, staff plan and provide a good level of care and protection for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well met. Trained nursing staff know what medications are for and the specific ways to administer them to each child. Staff know the children well and can recognise when children are feeling unwell. There is close work between staff, health professionals, and parents to ensure consistent healthcare.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to enjoy their short stays. A range of activities are provided for them. Children who are able to access community activities are helped to do so. Children like spending time with the staff. Careful planning ensures that children stay with other children who they know. This helps them to feel settled and to make friends with other children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to attend their schools. There is good communication between staff and teachers. Children are supported on their journey to school by staff, when required. This ensures that those who find travelling difficult feel comfortable and start the day positively.

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

Staff understand risks to children. Children’s risk assessments are clear and detailed. Staff know the specific risks for each child, especially around complex health needs. There is clear recording of any additional risks linked to the children’s disabilities and communication needs.

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

Staff work well with children at times when their behaviour is difficult to manage. If required, a behaviour support plan is created. There is effective liaison with other significant people in the child’s life. This ensures that the child is responded to in the same way at this home as they are at school and their family home. As a result, behaviour is managed without the use of physical intervention.

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

There have been a small number of errors in staff’s administration of medication. Staff have been quick to report mistakes. They have been fully investigated by the manager. Work following these incidents has included debriefs, competency Inspection report for children’s home: SC465287 4 assessments, and learning reviews. Safeguarding professionals have been informed appropriately.

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

Accidents have been few and low level. They have been responded to well and recorded clearly. Family members and social workers are informed promptly. A social worker said, ‘Communication is really good, especially with the manager.’

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

The manager has ensured that safe recruitment processes are followed. This was a requirement at the previous inspection. The manager has worked closely with the human resources team to make the process more robust.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel well supported by a dedicated manager. They say they can go to her for anything. The manager knows the children very well and is an advocate for them. The manager also values the close support of the service manager and responsible individual. This includes regular supervision and the service manager working from the home for one day each week.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that all staff receive a comprehensive induction programme. This is tailored to each staff member. The induction is not limited to a set time. Therefore, staff feel confident and competent when they start their role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that all staff receive regular one-to-one supervision sessions. These are effective meetings. Staff say that they are helpful, and they feel listened to. This helps staff to feel valued and to improve how they do their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Four of the five requirements from the previous inspection have been met. The one recommendation has also been met. However, the manager has not sent updates of the statement of purpose to Ofsted within twenty-eight days, in line with regulation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good home development plans. Agreements have been made and funding sourced to make the required changes to the building and the garden. This aims to make areas of the building and the garden more accessible to children who use a wheelchair.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has thorough quality assurance and monitoring processes in place. This includes the manager’s regular observation of staff practice. Records have management oversight recorded to help staff to learn from her vast experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff like working at this home. One staff member said, ‘I love my job. I love it when I see children laughing and smiling.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC465287 5

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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

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to any revised statement of purpose being submitted to HMCI within 28 days. 29 February 2024

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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: SC465287 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sudborough House, St. Marys Hospital, 77 London Road, KETTERING, Northamptonshire NN15 7PW

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Inspector

Shaun Caplis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC465287 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 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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