Children's home run by Norfolk County Council

Inspection report children's home: 2652383 1 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 offers crisis and emergency placements. The home provides care for children with complex needs associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and behaviours that are difficult to manage. The home offers short- to medium-term placements for children between the ages of five and 17 years. At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2024.

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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

Date of last inspection: 1 November 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 2652383 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/11/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/11/2022 Full Good 19/01/2022 Full Good Inspection report children's home: 2652383 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved in to the home and one child has moved on. During the inspection, the child living in the home spent time with the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are gentle and nurturing towards the child. Staff were observed giving the child lots of choices. They use creative ways to communicate with the child and gain their views. The child feels listened to and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child was proud to show the inspector the home. The child pointed out photos of themself and the staff doing different activities together. The child enjoyed sharing their photo journey book of their time at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making good progress at school. The manager and staff have good communication with school staff. Staff work closely with the school to agree and work towards the same small achievable targets to ensure consistency for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s parents are happy with the care provided by the staff. They have confidence in the staff. Parents are invited to activities with the child. Parents feel welcome at the home. Staff encourage the child to have time with their with family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has taken part in lots of activities at and outside of the home. Staff take photos showing the child’s experiences. The child has enjoyed day trips to science exhibitions, Gay Pride and funfairs. The child enjoyed a holiday away from the home that their parents were able to take part in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff support the child’s complex health needs and keep health plans updated. Managers and health professionals work together and make instructions clear for staff to ensure that they are carrying out healthcare tasks in line with their training.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is spacious and well decorated. The child’s bedroom is personalised. The child has access to a spacious garden with play equipment. They child benefit from a well- kept environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There have been three medication errors. The manager followed these up with staff. Staff receive regular refresher training on medication processes and have their competency to administer medication monitored. The manager has improved some medication processes. Inspection report children's home: 2652383 4

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

Staff have appropriate safeguarding training. The child said that they feel safe. A social worker and parents said that they are impressed with how the child is safeguarded.

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

There have been three safeguarding incidents. The manager has taken prompt and appropriate actions to safeguard the child.

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

The child’s behaviour plan is creative and individualised. The plans include the child’s input on how they want to be supported. The plans guide the staff effectively. The child is developing good coping strategies to manage their feelings and emotions safely.

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

There has been a high number of physical interventions. When they are used, they are appropriate, necessary and proportionate. Staff encourage the child to reflect after incidents and help them to manage their emotions in a safe way. The manager has had guidance from a physical intervention trainer and psychologist. The guidance has been incorporated into the child’s physical intervention reduction plan. Supporting the child in this way has resulted in a reduction of physical interventions.

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

The manager and staff have supported the child, who has had previous negative experiences with police, to help build trusting relationships with the local police officer. The child engaged well with the officer and asked for another visit. The child has been helped to feel comfortable and confident to engage with authority figures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The experienced manager is a qualified social worker and holds a relevant level 5 diploma. She is an excellent model to the staff and provides excellent care for children. Staff are enthusiastic and caring and provide child-centred care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff said that the manager is supportive and approachable and that supervisions are good quality. The manager holds staff well-being in high regard. One staff member has accessed counselling sessions. Staff feel well equipped and resilient to help children with complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

One social worker was spoken with during the inspection. They spoke positively about the relationships and communication that they have with the manager and staff. They said that staff have positive relationships with the child and that the child is happy and safe at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent person’s reports are of good quality and make appropriate recommendations. These help the manager to make continuous improvements to the quality of care that children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager’s review of care is detailed. The report includes feedback from professionals and parents. However, an action plan is not included in the report. Inspection report children's home: 2652383 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that an action plan is included in the manager's review of the quality of the care and that actions are measured for progress and impact. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 65, paragraph 15.2)

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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 children's home: 2652383 6

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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

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 2652383 7 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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