Children's Home run by Nottinghamshire County Council in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC036737 1 SC036737 Registered provider: Nottinghamshire 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 home is managed by a local authority. It provides residential care and a short-break service for up to 16 children with disabilities and complex healthcare needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2025.

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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: SC036737 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/03/2024 Full Outstanding 04/10/2022 Full Outstanding 06/01/2022 Full Outstanding 15/05/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC036737 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Since the last inspection, three children have moved out and one child has moved in. Four children currently live at the home and three children were having a short break at the time of the inspection. All the children were present and most spoke to or engaged with inspectors during the two days.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The experiences and progress of children living in this home are exceptional. Most of the children have lived at the home for a long time. This level of stability creates a real sense of belonging. The stability of the staff team supports children who have short breaks coming in for their stay. They have positive relationships with those caring for them during their break. This has been significant in allowing children to build secure and meaningful relationships with a team of staff whom children know, trust and rely on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children spend meaningful and purposeful time with staff. Interactions are good- humoured, caring and respectful. Children trust staff and seek interaction and reassurance from them. Staff speak about children with enthusiasm, love and compassion. They demonstrate unwavering commitment to the children. This outstanding care gives children the confidence to achieve goals that are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff focus on supporting children to have fun, to try new things and have a happy life. Children enjoy living at the home or having a short break and are able to fulfil their dreams and wishes. For example, one child went abroad for a short break at an entertainment resort, and another went to London by train to watch the FA Cup Final. This practice encourages children to explore their interests and take part in fun, stimulating activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s confidence and self-esteem grow because they are so well supported by staff. The quality of care and nurture provided to children in this home is exceptional. Children live in a warm, loving home with a strong family feel. Staff know and understand these children as if they were their own. With support and guidance, children have a solid foundation from which they can grow and develop. This supports children to make continued progress and have sustained improvements throughout their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have a wide variety of opportunities to share their views, wishes and feelings using different communication methods. These are captured, for example, in children’s meetings via the use of ‘monster emotions’ and ‘theraplay’. There are regular visits by an independent advocacy service for children who wish to use this service. Staff have a detailed understanding of each child’s expressions and methods of communication. They involve children in all aspects of the care provided to them. This supports the high- quality wraparound care for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC036737 4 Children’s time with their families is planned, encouraged and supported where this is in their best interests. There is excellent communication between the manager, staff, family members and other external professionals. Staff are creative in adapting and ensuring time with families is positive and that children can experience new things together as a

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

family. Parents spoke very highly of the staff team, the exceptional communication and care shown to their child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children receive exceptional support and assistance when leaving the home. There is consideration and sensitive planning to prepare them in advance. Staff are dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition for children, especially during significant changes such as moving into their own home. They help minimise the stress and confusion that can often accompany such moves. The manager and staff demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the children and go above and beyond to continue to provide emotional support once children move. They do this because they understand the gravity of such life-changing experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s health needs are exceptionally well considered, with a comprehensive, proactive approach to meeting their needs. Staff work very closely and actively with health services. This helps to ensure that children’s existing and emerging health concerns are identified and addressed in a timely manner. There is a strong therapeutic approach. This is a key strength of the home. Staff are empathetic, understanding the complexities of children’s physical health and previous life experiences and how these may have an impact on the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s attendance and progress in education provisions are exceptional, and improvements are sustained. Staff support and motivate children to learn. They enjoy reading and learning using dynamic immersive experiences or inclusive, enabling play in the home as well as in educational settings. Children are also supported to become more independent. The consistent and positive attitude and approach encourage children to achieve, learn and make progress in all aspects of their lives.

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

Staff are extremely diligent. They are vigilant and responsive and their professional curiosity is strong. This ensures that any potential risks to children are understood and minimised. Risk assessment and care plan documents are extremely thorough. They provide clear, concise information to staff about how children need to be supported. Staff know and understand the underlying causes of concerns to more complex emotions that children can present. Children know that staff are genuinely invested in keeping them safe. This supports a sense of trust and belonging, which is essential for their emotional growth.

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

Staff receive good-quality safeguarding training. They have a clear understanding of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Staff discuss safeguarding issues in team meetings and in their one-to-one meetings. This provides opportunities for staff to Inspection report for children’s home: SC036737 5 discuss and reflect more about specific safeguarding issues. Training is developed by the management team and research-informed practice supports staff to be focused on sustained improvements in the care and support of children and in meeting their safeguarding needs.

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

Medication systems and processes are well structured and individualised to meet each child’s specific need. Staff receive the necessary training and competency assessments to ensure they are confident and competent in this area. They also receive bespoke training which is tailored to the needs of the children by a senior community nurse. The emphasis on providing staff with regular specialised training ensures that staff are both knowledgeable and confident in administering medication safely. This level of care and attention to detail helps create an environment where children’s physical health is closely monitored to support their well-being.

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

Children’s safety is a priority for staff. They are attuned and responsive to the risks that are present for children individually, and as a group. Effective safeguarding practice has created a safe and supportive environment where the children feel secure. The manager has fostered an open culture that prioritises transparency, accountability and continuous improvement. This assists in creating an environment where children are protected from harm and supported to thrive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is inspirational, nurturing and passionate about her role. She is highly ambitious for children and staff. Her leadership creates a positive, child-focused environment that supports staff and enhances the experiences of children in her care. She leads with a strong vision and creates a positive culture in the home. The staff team shares the manager’s vision for this home. This ensures that all children have the best possible experiences and receive excellent child-centred care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Management monitoring systems are robust. Clear and effective systems are in place. Children’s care records are of a very high standard. Care plans are dynamic in nature and change with the child. The child is involved in their care planning and sees their growth and the progress they are making. This is celebrated and children are rightly proud of their achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a stable, diverse staff team. Staff report being very happy at work. They are invested in the children’s care. Staff say they feel supported and have confidence in the manager. Staff are supported to develop and grow within their role. Weekly team meetings offer a variety of learning opportunities and reflections and are informative. This keeps staff up to date at all times with the children’s current needs and maintains the delivery of high-quality, consistent care. This solid foundation creates a strong, positive team whose members are all consistent and passionate about the care of children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC036737 6 Partnership work and collaboration with external agencies is a strength of this home. This approach promotes the full involvement of families and professional networks around each child. During this inspection, social workers, family members and health

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

clinicians commended the manager and staff on the good communication and the high quality of care provided. A common thread in the feedback provided is the positive communication, the progress children make and how happy they are living at the home or having a short break.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff are dedicated to the children regardless of their role and responsibility. For example, the cook takes time to understand and know each child’s eating and drinking needs. They all work tirelessly to provide a positive, nurturing environment. This high- quality care promotes excellent outcomes for the children. Children’s lives have been transformed due to the care they receive in the home. The staff use their knowledge, skills and experience to meet the needs of the children in a nurturing manner. Staff morale is high, and they enjoy being at the home. One staff member said: ‘I love my job. I am extremely happy here. We are like a family, I just love it.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC036737 7

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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: SC036737 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Nottinghamshire County Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 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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Inspectors

Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Linda Mason, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC036737 9 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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