Children's home run by Warrington Borough Council

Inspection report for children's home: SC442777 1 SC442777 Registered provider: Warrington Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority children’s home. It offers short breaks to a maximum of three children at any one time.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection there were three children accessing the service.

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Information about this children's home

The provider states in their statement of purpose that they provide care for children with learning difficulties and physical disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since January 2021

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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 2023

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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: SC442777 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/02/2023 Full Outstanding 27/07/2021 Full Outstanding 28/01/2020 Full Outstanding 30/01/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC442777 3

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outstanding

Children are exceptionally well cared for. They form strong and positive relationships with staff and feel safe and secure. Staff treat the children with dignity and respect. Staff spoken to during the inspection spoke fondly and with pride about the children they support.

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outstanding

Staff make sure that the children’s views, wishes and feelings are heard and acted on. They actively seek children’s views on all aspects of their care, using the child’s preferred communication methods and the staff team’s understanding of each child’s behaviour and mannerisms. Children are encouraged to express their individual identities.

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outstanding

Children’s individual communication methods are used to make sure the children can express their wishes. Staff seek additional training from the speech and language specialist when needed to make sure they understand how each communication method works. They are also flexible in taking the child’s lead on what works for them.

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outstanding

Although children do not live permanently at the home, staff support children to attend education during their stay and help children to complete any homework they may bring with them. Staff actively take part in all school annual reviews and are fully aware of the educational needs of each child. This provides children with a consistent approach across their home and this setting.

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outstanding

Staff make sure that they provide children with opportunities which expand their life experiences. Staff provide opportunities for children to experience a wide range of stimulating and age-appropriate activities to meet their sensory needs and their hobbies and interests such as trips to zoos, going to local parks, sports, train rides, messy play and crafts in the home. Children benefit greatly from spending time at the home and have the opportunity to access different experiences with staff and other children.

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outstanding

Children benefit from well-planned stays. Children are introduced to the home through a series of visits initially. This helps children to grow in confidence in their new surroundings. Children are encouraged to share their preferences of who they would like to stay with, which means that they have opportunities to socialise and make new friends, which helps children build relationships.

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outstanding

The manager and staff are committed to working together with parents, placing authorities, specialist health advisers and schools. They attend child in need meetings and reviews. These positive and effective working relationships make sure that children consistently receive a high level of exceptional care and support children to make progress in-line with their individual targets. Inspection report for children's home: SC442777 4

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outstanding

All children have emotional well-being support plans. These plans provide clear guidance and strategies to care for individual children. Staff know the children well and can quickly identify if a child is unhappy or upset. Staff then use consistent strategies detailed in the plans to comfort and reassure the children.

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outstanding

Staff complete direct work sessions with the children. These are meaningful and relevant to targets set in children's plans. Staff, through this work, support children to make progress towards their individual goals.

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outstanding

There have been no allegations, disclosures or safeguarding concerns since the last inspection. Staff know and understand the processes they would follow should they be made aware of any concerns or allegations.

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outstanding

Children receive high levels of close care, support and supervision from staff. There have been no occasions where it has been necessary to physically hold a child to keep them safe. However, all staff are suitably trained in this, should it be necessary. Any significant events or incidents are recorded appropriately and include the manager’s oversight.

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outstanding

The physical environment for children is safe and secure and protects them from harm. There are photos of the children throughout the home. Specialist equipment makes sure that all areas of the home are inclusive for all the children who stay at the home. The manager has used research from the visual impairment team to influence the colour of some of the décor which helps some children to be able to see the layout of the home.

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outstanding

Children who stay at the home have a wide variety of complex needs. Staff have the appropriate skills and experience to support the individual children. When needed, external support is sought to provide staff with training specific to the children’s individual needs. Core staff and sessional staff all receive the same high level of training.

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outstanding

Staying at the home has had a positive impact on individual children. Staff work with families and schools to reduce the need for restrictive measures. For one child they supported them to no longer need a safe space bed, the child now sleeps in a standard bed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is an experienced manager who is supported by an assistant manager. They are positive role models for the children and the team. Staff spoken to describe the management team as available, approachable and always willing to offer support and guidance. Inspection report for children's home: SC442777 5 Leaders and managers know the children well and have an ambitious vision for what the children can achieve. The manager has successfully created a culture in which staff place the needs of children at the heart of their practice and aspire to improve the lives of the children who access the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager understands the homes strengths and has systems in place to quickly identify and respond to any areas for improvement. She is constantly looking for ways to improve the home and provide new opportunities for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff strive to understand the children who they care for, and they use research to inform their practice. This research is not only contributing to the exceptional care that the children receive but is also being used to inform and educate other professionals in the local area. For example, the assistant manager is providing workshops in the local authority to help people understand the complexities of supporting children with disabilities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a positive culture within the home and the staff team aspire to improve the lives of the children who access the service. Staff have clear roles and responsibilities and have a shared sense of ownership and accountability; they work well as a team and managers lead by example.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular supervision; the format has been influenced by training attended by the manager and assistant manager. It provides staff with a platform to share information and is also a development opportunity for staff. However, it could be strengthened by ensuring it is reflective and practice related.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Effective relationships with families are firmly in place. Feedback is actively encouraged from families and professionals. Social workers spoken to were extremely complimentary about the care provided. One parent said, ‘Staff offer support and kindness. They are amazing and a real lifeline for our family.’ Inspection report for children's home: SC442777 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision which allows them to reflect on their practice and how this impacts on the needs of the children assigned to their care. (Guide to The Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards', page 61, paragraph 13.2).

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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: SC442777 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Warrington Borough Council

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: 1 Time Square, Warrington WA1 2NT

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Inspector

Katie Tomlinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC442777 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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