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 registered with Ofsted in 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: 29 November 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

29/11/2022 Full outstanding 08/02/2022 Full outstanding 21/01/2020 Full good 13/06/2018 Full outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC441513 3

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outstanding

Children receive outstanding care from dedicated and enthusiastic staff. Staff recognise children as unique individuals and tailor their approach to each of the children. Staff working in this manner provides children with the very best support and it creates a nurturing environment from where children thrive.

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outstanding

Children’s health needs are a key priority of the team. Some children have very complex health needs and staff strive to ensure that the children receive the right input from the most appropriate service. When necessary, staff have continually advocated for children to receive the right support. The staff have provided meticulous care and support to one child who has an ongoing health concern. A professional involved in the multi-agency working regarding this child commented that the team are ‘absolutely fantastic’.

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outstanding

Transitions into and out of the home are a real strength for the home. There is meticulous planning that results in a smooth transition for the children. Staff work very closely with all professionals involved in the child’s life to ensure that any move is the right one for the child. At times staff use creative approaches, such as making a video for a child so he could see where he was going to live next before visiting.

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outstanding

Staff have an in-depth understanding of the children. They develop this by using a variety of methods to capture specific details about how a child behaves over a period of time. The staff discuss the behaviours and what they mean for the child. If required, staff make changes to relevant documents to ensure that the children receive a consistent response.

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outstanding

Staff are always seeking ways in which they can involve children in daily living activities. Staff seek children’s input through a variety of communication approaches. The inspector saw one child writing a shopping list of ingredients as they wanted to make something later. The child took the list, made sure they had some money and went shopping with staff. This is a positive life skill to have. Staff make activities fun, so children do not realise that they are learning.

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outstanding

Children really enjoy spending time with their family. Staff have worked hard to show family members the best way to support the children. Working together in this way has allowed children’s relationships with their families to strengthen.

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outstanding

The staff take time to get to know the children in the home. This allows them to continually build on their knowledge of the children and the most individualised and appropriate way to support them. Children have highly detailed risk assessments Inspection report for children’s home: SC441513 4 and behaviour support plans. Staff regularly update them. These documents provide staff with the necessary guidance on how to meet the children’s needs to a high standard on a day-to-day basis.

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outstanding

When incidents occur, staff use de-escalation techniques to prevent them from escalating. In most instances, this approach works. Consequently, staff only use physical intervention as a last resort. Incidents have very detailed manager’s oversight and staff receive debriefs following incidents. Children are not able to receive a verbal debrief, so the staff use observation and a calm approach to gain insight into determining how children feel after an incident. Staff members empathise with the children’s experiences and emotions, responding to them in a sensitive and supportive manner.

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outstanding

There have been several medication errors and managers have been quick to respond to these. Managers have provided staff with extra training in this area and where necessary one-to-one support. The manager has also reviewed the medication protocol and extra safeguards have been added to it. This has provided staff with a robust process to follow that should limit medication errors in the future.

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outstanding

There has only been one missing incident and when this happened staff followed the correct process. Staff found the child quickly. Staff took time to understand his actions. This enabled learning that was shared with staff so that practice could be altered to reduce the possibility of it happening again.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager, supported by two deputies are deeply committed to improving children’s experiences. The manager and deputy managers are an inspiration to the staff team. They have inspired the team to provide an exceptional standard of care to the children. This has enabled children to flourish and achieve their goals. As a result of the care provided by staff children’s lives have been significantly and positively transformed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership team have developed and sustained commendable relationships with children’s families and external agencies. Communication has been key in this area. The manager keeps every important person in each child’s life updated as to their progress. Working this way allows individuals to feel valued and involved in the children’s care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have a good understanding of the strengths and areas for development in the home. They have aspirational yet realistic plans for developing the service and addressing shortfalls. The managers welcome the input from staff so that they can all work together in making any positive changes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular opportunities for further training and development. Training is relevant to the needs of the children. Team members benefit from regular high- quality supervision and appraisals, in which they feel able to discuss the impact of their work. This has helped to maintain a core team of stable staff who work Inspection report for children’s home: SC441513 5 cohesively and display exceptional energy and tenacity. This helps children develop and grow. Staff are overwhelmingly positive about working here with one member of staff summing up the views of others by saying, ‘it is an absolutely wonderful place, I love working here and the support is fantastic.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers hold team meetings on a regular basis. Managers encourage staff input into these meetings, and they respect and value staff contributions and feedback. Reflective practice supports the staff in exploring any issues and enables them to make sense of the children’s behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There are mechanisms in place that enable the managers to have exceptional oversight of all activities within the home. The manager knows what is happening in each child’s life and works with the key carers to ensure that all tasks are progressed to help ensure children continue to have exceptional experiences and continue to make great progress. Inspection report for children’s home: SC441513 6

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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 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

Lizette Watts, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC441513 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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