Children's home run by Wokingham Borough Council in Wokingham

Inspection report for children's home: SC030713 1 SC030713 Registered provider: Wokingham Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children's home

This home is run by a local authority and provides short breaks for children. The home is registered to provide care for up to 5 children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

There were 3 children staying at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since June 2023.

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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: 25 November 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC030713 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/11/2024 Full Good 09/08/2023 Full Good 14/03/2023 Full Good 30/06/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC030713 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are provided with exceptional care during their short breaks. They build secure and trusting relationships with staff who make them feel valued and cherished. Relationships between children and staff support the children to thrive because staff know and understand them extremely well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are excited to come to the home, and they settle well with their chosen staff. Staff are skilled in each child's individual communication style. Joint working with schools and therapists means staff learn how to use communication tools seamlessly, and children have the physical and emotional care they need when they visit.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy their stays at the home, and there is clear evidence of the positive impact that their time at the home has on their lives. Children make progress and learn a range of skills, such as personal care, sharing their space with others and enjoying new experiences in the home and in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are encouraged to participate in activities inside and outside of the home that promote their sense of achievement, confidence and self-worth. The consistent and good-quality care that children receive is critical to their experiences, progress and development. This is achieved through a wide range of additional experiences, including trips to local country parks, access to bespoke sessions at a local private swimming pool and enjoying on-site activities such as the soft-play and sensory room. All children can access the trampoline and other garden play equipment via bespoke access ramps that were made through joint ventures with a local charity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children who move on from the home are supported sensitively with careful and considered planning. For example, one child was shown an individualised 'let's look at your new place' booklet. Visits to their new home were supported by the child’s favoured staff, who helped the child meet and get to know their new carers. Support was also in place from the home following the move if required.

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

A skilled and well-trained team ensures that safeguarding is at the heart of everything at the home. Staff do exceptional work to embed learning about safeguarding into all aspects of children's lives. Staff understand each child's vulnerabilities and do all they can to keep children safe.

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

Safeguarding processes are clear and transparent. Safeguarding records are detailed and comprehensive. All concerns are acted on swiftly. The registered manager and staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and ensure that they work together with other key professionals. Inspection report for children's home: SC030713 4 Staff are vigilant, and their in-depth knowledge of every child enables them to spot concerns and take proactive steps to reduce risk whenever possible. Staff also work hard to keep families well informed, sharing any new or emerging concerns that could have an impact on the safety of the children. Staff understand that all behaviours are a form of communication and work with partner agencies to ensure that all who look after the children are consistent in their approach.

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

There is a robust process for managing and administering medication. A clear recording system helps to ensure safety when signing medicines in and out of the home. Errors are thoroughly investigated, and staff are supported when these happen to reduce the risk of these happening in the future.

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

Children are protected from unsuitable people through the meticulous and thoughtful application of safer recruitment practices.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is led by a highly motivated registered manager and a strong management team. They create an aspirational culture that is based on a shared commitment and dedication for children who come to stay at the home. This means that the care the children receive is of the highest standard, with staff skilfully providing guidance and support to each child and their individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive extensive training to meet the individualised needs of the children in the home. Training needs for staff are understood by leaders and managers, and specific training has been carried out to ensure that staff can meet the children's individual health, emotional and physical needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are positive about working in the home, their supervision, and the support provided by the team and leaders and managers. One member of staff described their work as one big family, who support each other and make sure new staff are welcomed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The management team monitors the quality of stays for children effectively through regular reviews of the care provided and experiences children enjoy when staying. They are constantly seeking ways to improve the care and service provided, and they focus on positive and enjoyable experiences for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children's families are grateful for the care the children receive when they stay at the home. They describe it as 'a lifeline', with 'truly dedicated staff' and an 'invaluable resource for children and their families'. Social workers are equally positive about the quality of care provided at the home. One social worker said, 'Parents feel that their children are safe, staff attend review meetings , and they help keep children in the care of their parents and at the service whilst allowing children a fun and valuable experience'.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children's home: SC030713 5

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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: SC030713 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider: Wokingham Borough Council

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN

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Inspector

Jennie Christopher, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC030713 7 regulates 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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Inspector

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