Children's Home run by Nottingham City Council in Nottingham

Inspection report for children's home: SC034900 1 SC034900 Registered provider: Nottingham City 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 home is registered to provide short breaks for up to 11 children and young people at a time who have learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. It is owned and run by a local authority.

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Information about this children’s home

There are two managers who are registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

There were five children staying 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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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC034900 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/03/2024 Full Outstanding 10/10/2022 Full Outstanding 01/03/2022 Full Outstanding 05/02/2020 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC034900 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are nurtured and cherished. They have exceptionally strong relationships with staff as they have known them for years. Children thoroughly enjoy their stays because they can be themselves and their talents are valued. Staff take pride in children’s achievements. One child has taught themselves a new language which they can speak with a member of staff. Other children are learning new skills such as verbal communication and play. Children’s experiences are enhanced because of the care they receive. The staff offer children new opportunities such as going to the beach. Many children enjoy this sensory experience. They also travel on buses and trams which increases their sense of independence. One child is overcoming their anxiety about going out to parks through use of social stories. This child has made excellent progress despite their fear of dogs. The manager and staff create highly individualised care plans which are meticulously

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

written. All staff are highly committed to implementing the care plans so that children have a positive experience. Children make good friends and look forward to returning to see them. One parent said their child ‘jumps up and down’ with excitement when they know they are going to stay at the home. Children are well supported when they are preparing for their first stay. They gradually build up their time where necessary. This helps children to build trust and feel less anxious about being away from home. The level of compassion shown to children is exceptional. Parents and professionals place tremendous value on the service they receive. They provided unanimous positive feedback saying the manager and staff are ‘amazing’, ‘fantastic’ and ‘knights in shining armour’. The manager and staff provide an incredible amount of support to parents through helping them understand their child's behaviour, attending medical appointments and the parents’ group. This has improved the quality of

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

family life for children. Families stay in contact with the team when they leave and come back to visit. Staff provide excellent support to children and families with the transition into adult services. This enables families to navigate a complex time in their child’s life. Staff advocate strongly for children to ensure they receive the best options available.

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

The manager ensures that children are kept as safe as possible. The atmosphere in the home is relaxed and friendly. It is tailored to children’s specific needs and preferences which helps to minimise their anxieties. Children have the necessary equipment and Inspection report for children's home: SC034900 4 items which supports their physical and emotional needs. Careful and creative planning for every child helps them to feel safe and secure. Children's risks and vulnerabilities are well understood. Risk management plans are developed from exceptional attention to detail and yet easy to understand. As such, staff have a clear guide to work from. Staff have been required to manage some incidents where children have become overwhelmed by their feelings. They are responded to with compassion and care. The use of physical interventions is rare. Managers and staff always explore what might be causing changes to children's behaviour. They adapt their

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

practice to meet children’s changing needs. Children are supported to express their feelings through personalised communication books. This is important for children to share their thoughts about incidents and any other concerns. Two children have been able to share some worries which has enabled professionals to support and protect the children from harm. Managers stay ahead of emerging risks affecting disabled children. For example, through research and attention to media reports. Their awareness helps them devise training and development opportunities for staff. Manager regularly review practice to ensure that children’s safety is paramount. There have been no allegations about staff. Concerns raised by children about other areas of their lives are responded to quickly and the relevant processes are actioned to ensure children are safe. Complaints seldom happen but they are dealt with sensitively

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

and children receive responses in their preferred form of communication. Children are central to the recruitment process. They devise innovative questions for the applicants and take part in interview panels. Their views and choices are respected and valued by the managers. Staff are recruited safely through thorough vetting procedures. This helps children to be cared for by adults whom they feel comfortable and safe with.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The managers are articulate, confident and highly experienced. They are incredible advocates for children and set exceptional standards. Every child is made to feel special and valued. Any barriers to children achieving their potential are removed no matter how long this takes. The managers have achieved synergy and cohesion in the staff team because they have worked together for a significant time. Everyone invests in the service so that children have a sense of security and familiarity. Staff benefit from regular supervision and a huge variety of training and development opportunities. There is a genuine thirst for learning and people have the confidence to implement new ideas. Research is integral to day-day practice. It is ongoing and moves with what is happening in the context for disabled children. The managers rarely need to manage concerns about staff however on these occasions they go above and beyond their roles to ensure concerns are resolved so that children

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

are not impacted. Inspection report for children's home: SC034900 5 Professionals and parents have every confidence in the managers. There is a high level of trust within their relationships. Communication between children’s families, schools and the home is excellent which supports consistency of care for children. The manager has created very good links within the local community which children benefit from. Managers promote a culture of creativity in solving problems and making situations work for children. They seek opportunities to promote inclusion. Recent examples are creating a cinema experience for children which is often inaccessible and making links with international colleagues in similar short breaks services. There is also the annual festival which brings the families and community together in one event. Managers are fully committed to changing the lives of children in their care. Inspection report for children's home: SC034900 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: SC034900 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG2 3NG

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Joanne Wright Ella Lawrence-Cowling

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Inspector

Laura Walker, social care inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC034900 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted Inspection report for children's home: SC034900 9

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