Children's Home run by Leicester City Council in Leicester

Inspection report children's home: SC039038 1 SC039038 Registered provider: Leicester City Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is operated by a local authority and provides care for up to seven children who have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

Six children lived at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2020 and is suitably qualified and experienced.

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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: 30 January 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 children's home: SC039038 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/01/2023 Full Outstanding 28/07/2021 Full Good 15/10/2019 Full Outstanding 11/02/2019 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC039038 3

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outstanding

Children in this home are well cared for and make excellent progress. The service is child-focussed and makes a positive difference to children’s lives. Children receive good support to help them to be successful throughout their childhood, and as they prepare for adulthood. This support is provided by a committed staff team.

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outstanding

Staff build positive and purposeful relationships with children. They demonstrate excellent practice, having a significant knowledge and understanding of disabled children’s needs. Staff ensure that children are safe and that all their needs are met. Staff consistently act to ensure the best outcomes for the children in their care.

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outstanding

Children benefit from comprehensive care planning. Assessments consider everything that is important for the child. Children’s voices are heard and recorded in their plans. A range of multi-agency professionals contribute to such planning which results in children’s life experiences significantly improving. Children typically live here for years, developing a real sense of belonging and self-worth. Staff remain in contact with children and families, providing continuity of relationships, for as long as necessary.

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outstanding

Complex, long term health conditions are stabilised and well managed. Good diet, regular exercise, and prompt access to a range of specialist health care creates strong health outcomes. The home is very good at supporting children to develop improved self-care skills and grow their independence. For example, children become more able to eat independently, carry out personal hygiene tasks and manage their money.

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outstanding

Staff always place children at the heart of their practice. Much respect is given to family members who remain important people in the children’s lives. Many examples were shared with the inspector of carefully nurtured relationships between children, families, and staff. Several family members spoke to the inspector expressing their gratitude and admiration for the team. One relative said, ‘this home is the best, they have done things for us that we thought were impossible, nothing is too much trouble for them’.

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outstanding

Professional practice overtime results in sustained improvement to the lives of children. Highly effective planning manages and minimises risks inside and outside of the home. For children who have suffered significant harm and childhood trauma, arriving at the home is quite literally life changing. Inspection report children's home: SC039038 4 Disabled children are kept safe, but not to the detriment of their independence. When children are new to the home, any risks are well understood and are significantly reducing.

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outstanding

Proactive and creative safeguarding practice means that all children, including the most vulnerable, have a strong sense of safety and well-being. They are unlikely to be missing from the home because of constant adult care and supervision. Children are involved in creating ways to de-escalate situations and finding creative alternative strategies that are effective.

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outstanding

Research-informed practice continues to develop from a strong and confident leadership team. The professional use of resources specifically designed for disabled children make an exceptional difference to the lives and experiences of children. Important topics such as staying safe online, exploring gender and puberty, and growing up in care are sensitively explored with children. The inspector was shown a variety of story books, online resources, and high-quality life story work which enhances children’s understanding of their journey through care.

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outstanding

Measures of restraint that feature physical intervention are low in number. Staff are skilled in a wide range of de-escalation techniques which are effective. Several strategies are used to manage challenging behaviour which means physical intervention is only ever a last resort. All behaviour management strategies have excellent records and robust manager’s oversight. As children become more able to communicate their feelings and self-regulate, a distinct reduction in significant incidents occurs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a confident leader. Her management style is enhanced by years of experience working with children with learning disabilities. She is a strong and powerful advocate for the children in her care and makes every decision with the child at the centre. Her ambition and high expectations have been influential in the children’s sustained progress over many years.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Two qualified and experienced deputy managers enhance the leadership team. Individually they bring a wealth of knowledge to the service and have years of experience working with disabled children. They are excellent male role models to children who live here.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers know their strengths. They promote continuous professional development throughout the entire team. Opportunities for promotion and development within the local authority mean staff feel valued at work. Supervision discussions and team meetings are used effectively as opportunities to upskill staff both individually and collectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff talk positively about how much they enjoy working for this service. They speak of high-quality support they receive from managers. Staff who are new to the service or undertaking new roles receive effective induction and increased Inspection report children's home: SC039038 5 supervision. Supervision is regular for all members of staff and is both supportive and challenging, to develop both the staff team and the service. Staff have access to good levels of training specific to their role with disabled children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Stakeholders hold this service in high regard. It is referred to amongst professional networks as an example of good practice. The team are considered expert in their field. Professionals look forward to working with the service and value the knowledge and expertise of the staff team. Inspection report children's home: SC039038 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 children's home: SC039038 7

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: City Hall, 115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FZ

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Inspector

Rachael Sprigg, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC039038 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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