Children's home run by Derbyshire County Council in Derbyshire Dales

Inspection report for children’s home: SC441513 1 SC441513 Registered provider: Derbyshire County Council 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 six children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 2022.

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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: 20 February 2024

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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: SC441513 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2024 Full Outstanding 29/11/2022 Full Outstanding 08/02/2022 Full Outstanding 21/01/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC441513 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children continue to make outstanding progress. They are cared for by committed and nurturing staff who provide them with many opportunities to develop their emotional and practical skills to enhance their everyday life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have exceptional knowledge regarding the children, and this is reflected in the comprehensive records relating to the children. Records detail the specific approach required for each child's unique needs and provide staff with all the essential information they need to ensure that children receive optimal care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home captures children’s voice effectively in many ways. Children now work with staff to formulate their own care plans, which is a recent development in the home. The plans are devised by the children and contain information that is important to them. This provides staff with a greater understanding of the children and assists their ongoing excellent relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Moves out of the home are coordinated, with the child at the centre of everything. The planning and subsequent actions focus on the child’s needs and wishes. Staff consider any potential areas of concern for the child and seek to ensure that these are resolved. The outcome is that the process meets the child’s needs effectively, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition into their new home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy participating in activities locally and beyond. The staff firmly believe that every child in their care should have the same opportunities as their peers, with no barriers due to additional needs. If challenges arise, staff take a creative approach to find solutions, ensuring that no child misses out. As a result, all children have equal opportunities to engage in enriching experiences that enhance their well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff tirelessly strive to meet all the children’s health needs. Excellent multi-agency working allows for the full sharing of information between all who work with the child. This enables everyone to remain up to date and focused on supporting the child to the best of their abilities.

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

The staff ensure that each child’s risk assessment accurately reflects their unique needs. Risk assessments outline specific concerns and provide clear guidance on how staff should respond to keep children safe. They are regularly updated to reflect the children’s evolving needs. All staff remain up to date with any changes, which means that children receive consistent and effective care that assures their safety.

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

The staff adopt a proactive approach to behaviour management and acknowledge that the key is to ensure that their relationships with the children remain positive. It is based Inspection report for children’s home: SC441513 4 on the assumption that if staff engage children in positive activities, the children are less likely to engage in unwanted behaviour that could harm them or others. This approach has been key in supporting a reduction of incidents for the children.

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

Due to the children’s complex needs, they can exhibit some challenging behaviour that results in a need for staff to use physical intervention. Physical intervention is used as a last resort, and staff consider what can be done before children’s behaviour is heightened and use proactive strategies to respond. There is detailed management oversight that reflects on the incident and lessons learned, which is then shared with the staff.

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

The same level of excellent practice is evident in how staff respond to incidents involving children. They remain calm and nurturing, providing reassurance and support when a child becomes heightened. Rather than immediately ending the activity or taking the child home, staff patiently help them regulate their emotions, allowing them to continue participating. This demonstrates a truly child-focused approach.

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

There is a robust medication process in place. Staff receive training, and their competence is assessed before they administer medication. There have been some medication errors, and lessons learned have been shared with the team and implemented.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is deeply committed to his role. He is supported by two deputy managers. Together, they are highly supportive of the staff and continually focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Highly effective leadership promotes a strong ethos and culture of high aspiration and positivity. Staff are extremely passionate about their work and speak with immense pride and affection about children’s achievements. Staff work well together and look for new opportunities for children. Staff enjoy working at the home, some of whom have been working there for many years.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Reflective practice is a key strength in the home. It is embedded in daily routines to continually enhance staff’s approach and improve outcomes for children. Staff regularly reflect, share experiences, and discuss children’s progress, ensuring that their needs remain central to all decisions. This thoughtful and positive approach not only fosters growth and support, but is also evident in the records, which capture the children’s experiences and the team’s dedication to their well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff attend regular team meetings. The staff’s positive and caring attitude towards the children is evident in the meeting minutes. The meetings also provide an opportunity for staff to enhance their learning, skills and knowledge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a seamless approach to working in collaboration with other professionals. Professional advice is sought at appropriate times, and staff equally welcome any Inspection report for children’s home: SC441513 5 guidance or advice they receive. Professionals are overwhelmingly positive about the approach of the team towards the children. It is also recognised that staff consistently strive to enhance children’s daily experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership team works hard to develop and sustain commendable relationships with children’s families. Communication has been key in this area, and the manager ensures that everyone is regularly updated. Working this way allows families to feel valued and involved in children’s care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff are provided with a high level of training. This is in addition to mandatory training. Staff are keen to participate in any training that may help them improve their skills with the children they work with. Inspection report for children’s home: SC441513 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: SC441513 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Derbyshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: County Offices, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3AG

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Inspector

Lizette Watts, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC441513 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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