Children's home run by Nottinghamshire County Council

Inspection report for children's home: SC044692 1 SC044692 Registered provider: Nottinghamshire County Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a local authority. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with emotional and social difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

There is an experienced manager leading the home, who registered with Ofsted in August 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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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: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

A restriction of accommodation notice and compliance notices were issued at the last full inspection, on 21 and 22 May 2024, following a judgement of inadequate. The notices were lifted following a monitoring visit on 23 July 2024, due to improvements in practice. All requirements set at the last full inspection were met at the monitoring visit. Inspection report for children's home: SC044692 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/05/2024 Full Inadequate 11/03/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 26/07/2022 Full Good 24/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children's home: SC044692 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The management team has worked at pace since the last inspection to make the required improvements. One of the children at the home has lived there for a considerable period. She is receiving individualised care which has helped her to make good progress. Another child has recently moved in and has settled quickly. The children get along well and have recently enjoyed a holiday together. Records about children’s lives are written in a sensitive way. They are easily accessible if a child wished to read them now or in the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have strong relationships with the manager and staff. They can share their worries and celebrate their achievements. When children have problems, they know staff will listen to them and provide reassurance. This helps children to build trust and reduce their anxieties. The therapeutic social worker provides children with good emotional support. One child has regular time with her, which has been very helpful in developing strategies to cope with difficult situations and feelings. The child said that she feels able to talk ‘without being judged’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to attend health appointments. Children have a healthy diet and take an interest in their own well-being. They are encouraged to exercise as part of their day. For example, where possible, children walk instead of travelling in the car. Children have good routines and attend school. One child has passed her GCSEs and has gone on to further education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children feel comfortable inviting family and friends to the home and enjoy meals and barbecues. This means children stay connected to their families. Children also enjoy activities with staff and their interests are very much encouraged. Children’s families are confident in the care that the home is providing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager is currently working on improving practice for children when they leave home to live more independently. Children are consulted about what could help them with this important transition. When children are ready, they are encouraged to develop their independence. This is done in a supportive and empathic way. Children stay in touch with the staff even when they have left under difficult circumstances. This demonstrates that children are valued and important to staff.

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

The manager and staff know the risks posed to and from children well. This is reflected in detailed risk management and safety plans. Staff include children in the development of their plans, which helps them trust staff and invest in their own safety. One child is supported well with self-injurious behaviour. As a result, the frequency and severity of these incidents has significantly reduced. This has improved her quality of life. Another child has feelings which sometimes overwhelm her, and she leaves the home for brief Inspection report for children's home: SC044692 4 periods. Staff ensure she is safe and help her to return as quickly as possible. This minimises her risk of coming to harm from exploitation.

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

Staff are skilled in supporting children with their difficult feelings. There has been an improvement in behaviour management since the last inspection. Staff have received training in therapeutic parenting strategies, which has helped them to support children more effectively. There have been no serious incidents requiring physical intervention. The home is now calmer, and this has reduced children’s anxiety.

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

There have been no allegations of harm or complaints made by children. Complaint forms are easily available if children need them.

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

The manager takes her safeguarding responsibilities seriously and has good links with relevant professionals. Overall, staff are recruited safely, however, there were some gaps in the information required. For example, reasons for leaving previous roles working with children and vulnerable adults had not been established for all new employees. One member of staff’s employment history did not have the full dates and years of employment, so gaps would be more difficult to identify. This has not impacted on the safety of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has a new registered manager, who is supported by an assistant manager. Both are experienced, knowledgeable and assertive. They have worked quickly and effectively to improve children’s care over the last three months. Their focus has been staff development and establishing new ways of working. This has benefited children, who say they like the new manager and regularly spend time with her.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager takes great care before accepting children into the home. Her recent decision to care for a child was a positive one. The child has settled well due to a child- centred transition into the home. The staff can meet the child’s needs safely. The manager understands the importance of assessing new children’s needs against those of the children already living at the home. She has implemented learning from the children’s previous experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they are happy at work. They have welcomed the changes implemented by the new managers. Staff commented on the clear direction and good support, which is very much valued. The managers praise staff for good practice and have good lines of communication. This has been effective in improving staff morale.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The team benefits from regular supervision, training and development. Training reflects the needs of children. Supervision focuses on discussions about children but also on staff’s professional and personal development. The manager is confident to address performance issues, making use of disciplinary procedures when required. Actions taken are proportionate and supportive, while keeping a focus on the safety of children. Inspection report for children's home: SC044692 5 External professionals have confidence in the managers and staff and provided positive accounts of how children are making progress. They appreciate the manager’s flexibility when plans are being made to move children to the home. The manager has positive relationships with a range of professionals and can influence care planning in a positive way. Inspection report for children's home: SC044692 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure ongoing good employment practice. They should ensure that recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. This includes verifying where possible why applicants left employment working with children or vulnerable adults and ensuring dates of employment include months as well as years. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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: SC044692 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Nottinghamshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Nottinghamshire County Council, County Hall, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jennifer Whiston

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Inspector

Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC044692 8 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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