Children's Home run by Norfolk County Council in Norfolk

Inspection report for children’s home: SC068955 1 SC068955

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Registered provider: Norfolk County Council

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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 two children aged between eight and 17 years who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager of the home registered with Ofsted in June 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child 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 outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 11 December 2023

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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: SC068955 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/12/2023 Full Good 12/12/2022 Full Good 06/10/2021 Full Good 16/10/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC068955 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child was living at the home at the time of this inspection and was spoken to during the inspection. Two children have moved out of the home since the last inspection. When children move out of the home, they are supported by staff who know them well. Moving plans are thorough, with children consulted during each step of the move. This helps them to feel part of the process.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefits from care tailored to their needs by staff who show them love and compassion. When asked what they would change at the home, the child said, ‘There is nothing I would change. I really like it here; they just get me, they understand. I like all the staff.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of school attendance and engagement. The child is on a phased introduction back to mainstream school after a gap. The school and the manager are discussing a hybrid package of education that is designed to support the child and help them to prepare for college.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a large team around the child that includes all the professionals who support the child’s needs. An independent reviewing officer described the communication between the professionals as ‘excellent’. The child’s father said the team had taken away some of the people who were working with his child ‘and put the right ones in’. He said this is ‘massively helping [the child] in every way possible’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The therapeutic offer at the home is particularly good. Staff are trained in therapeutic models of care that help them to understand how adverse childhood experiences link to a child’s behavioural and emotional presentation. Staff respond with kindness and empathy. This has helped the child to settle at the home and begin to make trusting relationships. Another professional said, ‘The child has a sense of belonging and priority.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has recently been awarded a place in a nationally recognised youth academy football team. When talking to the child, it was clear that they are extremely proud of this achievement. They said that the staff had supported them in working towards this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is maintained to a good standard. It is child-friendly, with toys, games and books available. Recently the child has been enjoying a skills-based game with staff that has provided hours of entertainment for all. Bedrooms are highly personalised. Children can pick the colours they like before moving to the home, so they feel the room is specifically designed for them. When children move in, staff welcome them with a basket full of treats that reflect the likes of the child. This home mirrors a good family home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC068955 4

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

Children happily participate in regular key-work sessions that are well planned and child-focused. These one-to-one discussions take place with staff who understand how to engage children in topics that affect their lives. Staff are creative in working with the children and focus on increasing their emotional resilience. Children respond to staff who show warmth and empathy in their conversations. This adds to the trusting relationships they are building with staff.

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

Before children move to the home, staff ensure that they understand the behavioural expectations. Boundaries are clearly explained to children. If children struggle, staff provide consistent encouragement to help them make better choices in the future. Children know that staff are highly invested in supporting them.

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

Risk assessments are thorough and therapeutically informed. These are written by staff who understand the experiences that underpin a child’s responses. Staff consider the child’s past trauma and how this impacts on their behaviour and reactions. Staff know how to help children to understand their feelings and emotional responses and how these may affect not only themselves but the other children they live with.

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

There have been missing-from-home incidents. Staff understand the missing-from- care protocol and follow this appropriately. Staff talk to children about how they respond to missing incidents and who they will talk to when this happens. They show the children that they understand why they might leave the home and talk to them about how they can make better choices in the future. Staff always have conversations with the children when they return home, and there is always someone who comes to speak to the child independently about why they leave. This provides the child with additional support and the opportunity to reflect on their decisions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A suitably qualified and experienced manager leads the home. She is a highly knowledgeable manager who has worked for the local authority for many years. She strives to achieve good practice for her staff team without compromising the core values of providing excellent care for the children. The staff spoke highly of the manager and said that they feel supported both personally and professionally.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff said that they value the opportunity to have supervision sessions that are reflective and focused on getting the best from each member of the team. Staff have a clear pathway of career progression and complete a wide range of training to support their roles. The manager encourages staff to develop ideas that link research to practice. Leaders are highly supportive of staff contributing to the development of the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC068955 5 A highly committed staff team continues to provide excellent care to children. All staff and senior managers understand the children and show them how much they are valued. One staff member said, ‘We do everything we can to help children succeed.’ Staff show how they respect the manager. Another said, ‘It’s one of the best teams I have worked in.’ A member of the youth justice service said, ‘The care that is offered by the staff is exceptional.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have highly effective monthly quality assurance systems. They were praised for their attendance at multi-agency risk and safeguarding meetings. The team ensures that all members of the professional network use the same communication methods. A professional said they ‘communicate on a daily basis and excel at communication.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers encourage feedback from parents and families as this helps them to understand the children they care for and tailor how they strengthen those relationships to be more supportive to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children’s files are organised and evidence the volume of work completed throughout the child’s stay. Records are easy to read and provide a clear overview of the child. The language is child-friendly and jargon free. All staff contribute to the children’s memory books, which contain details of trips and activities that the children have enjoyed. These books help to make lasting memories for children that are treasured. Inspection report for children’s home: SC068955 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: SC068955 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Norfolk County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Martineau Lane, Norwich, Norfolk NR1 2DH

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Inspector

Trudy Potter, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC068955 8 and inspects 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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