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 2 managers who are registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

There were 5 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

18/03/2025 Full Outstanding 12/03/2024 Full Outstanding 10/10/2022 Full Outstanding 01/03/2022 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 continue to receive an exceptional standard of care. Relationships with staff are strong. Staff take pride in helping children grow and develop. Care plans are meticulously detailed and regularly adapted so that children exceed everyone’s expectations. Children thoroughly enjoy their stays because they can be themselves and their talents are valued. They pursue their own unique interests, such as learning new languages, cooking different foods or simply relaxing on the sofa to watch their favourite TV shows. Each child makes significant progress because of the unwavering diligence and attentive approaches from managers and staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Managers and staff consistently recognise children’s achievements. As a result, children grow in confidence and express their wishes and feelings. One child has been able to realise their dream of going to the coast and swimming in the sea. This took extensive planning to overcome some barriers which could have prevented this happening. Another child is now going out into the community after working on their fear of dogs and birds. Progress like this has increased children’s opportunities to enjoy their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children continue to have exciting group activities. There has been a camping trip, a day out to a visitor attraction, a local annual festival and lots of sensory activities. Another holiday is planned for this year. Children make friendships which are long-lasting. One young person who has moved on remains in touch with another child, which is a valuable relationship to them. Connections made at the home prevent children from feeling isolated and promote their self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The managers and staff ensure that children are well supported when they leave the service. Planning starts well in advance so that children have positive endings. One child received exceptional support in this situation. There was excellent follow-up work when the child experienced a bereavement shortly after they moved. The staff member went above and beyond their role to ensure that the child received this news in the most sensitive and empathic way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are introduced to the home through well-planned visits. The staff visit families and schools to ensure that children’s health and education routines are replicated during their stays. The managers and staff include parents and carers in all aspects of the service. There is a thriving parents’ group which is well attended. Parents reported that the home is ‘beautiful’ and that ‘We want the best for our children, and this is the best.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC034900 4

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

Children have comprehensive risk management plans. They are clear and provide excellent guidance for staff to keep children as safe as possible. Managers take a creative yet thorough approach to managing children’s vulnerabilities so they can relax and enjoy their stay. When new risks emerge, managers respond quickly. They work with families and other agencies to adapt the environment to meet children’s needs.

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

Staff have been required to manage some challenging incidents. Compassion and sensitivity are retained even at difficult times. Managers ensure that parents and relevant professionals are informed of any accidents or incidents of self-injury. This helps to reassure parents of actions taken to respond to their child’s behaviour. Managers and staff are always exploring changes to children’s behaviour. All possibilities are followed up thoroughly and with involvement from parents and professionals.

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

One child is going through some difficulties currently. They are being well supported along with their family to ensure that overnight stays can continue. Creative approaches are being used with good effect to help the child access positive emotions. The child has started to smile again.

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

Staff rarely use physical interventions to keep children safe. They are skilled and trained to use other methods to help children manage their feelings. Records of interventions are well recorded. There is excellent oversight from managers to ensure that practice always remains in children’s best interests.

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

One child has made 2 allegations of harm about staff. These were shared in a timely way with the child’s parent and relevant professionals. Processes were actioned to ensure that children were kept safe. Allegations were fully investigated and deemed to be unfounded. Managers keep detailed chronologies where children make allegations in different contexts so that information can be closely monitored. This demonstrates transparency and a commitment to keeping children as safe as possible.

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

Parents rarely have reason to complain about the home. However, when complaints arise, managers respond professionally and with compassion. If shortfalls are identified, these are addressed quickly and thoroughly. Letters of apology are written to children and their families. The managers and staff work hard to reach positive conclusions so that parents and children can continue to benefit from the service.

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

Staff are recruited safely with involvement from children. They devise questions and interview applicants as a routine part of the recruitment process. This inclusive approach helps to ensure that people with the right skills and values work at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The managers are confident, energetic and highly experienced. They continue to provide unique care to children who have very complex needs. The managers inspire their team Inspection report for children’s home: SC034900 5 and the professionals who work with them. The home is central to decision-making about all aspects of children’s lives. Families and children rely on the team for the knowledge and skills they bring.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The team works in a cohesive and compassionate way. Many of the staff have worked together for a long time and they are highly attuned to the children and one another. The staff are highly invested in the service and provide incredible safety and security for children. They regularly go above and beyond in their roles because they know how important they are to children and their families.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have regular reflective supervision and benefit from a wide variety of training and development opportunities. There is a real appetite for learning, which is very much encouraged by the managers. Staff undertake their own research projects, which keeps practice fresh and dynamic. Managers promote a culture of creativity so that problems and challenges are overcome in positive and constructive ways. They always focus on reducing barriers to children receiving the individualised care they deserve.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers carefully plan each child’s stay so that they can make connections with other children. This enhances children’s experiences. When children’s needs change, staffing ratios are adapted to ensure ongoing safety and harmony in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals hold the managers and staff in high regard. They describe the team as ‘amazing’, ‘fantastic’ and ‘brilliant’. Professionals reported that the support from the home has helped families stay together through very difficult times. Managers have created a remarkable place where there is an overarching sense of safety and openness. The home offers life-changing experiences for parents and children.

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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 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Nottingham City Council

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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 managers: Joanne Wright and Ella Lawrence-Cowling

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Inspector

Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC034900 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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