Short breaks provision judged to be Good by Ofsted

A Knowsley Council children’s home has been judged to be “Good” in all areas by Ofsted.

The home provides short breaks for up to two children at a time. The staff also provide outreach support to children and their families or carers in the community.

The short breaks provision was judged to be “Good” for overall experiences and progress of children and young people, taking into account how well children and young people are helped and protected and also the effectiveness of leaders and managers.

Inspectors noted that:-

• Staff provide children and their families with a high level of individualised support, which includes short-break care and community-based support sessions in the evenings.
• Children are cared for by nurturing and dedicated staff who know them well and are committed to making a positive difference.
• Children benefit from intense and focused direct-work sessions, which are carried out during their short breaks. This work contributes directly to each family’s wider support plan.
• Staff regularly encourage children to express their wishes and feelings, including choosing menus and activities they wish to be involved in. They also support children to attend care meetings or advocate on their behalf to ensure their views are heard.
• Staff promote children’s skills and interests by providing opportunities to access activities they otherwise could not experience without this service such as go-karting, swimming, the driving range, snooker, music studio sessions and day trips. These opportunities broaden children’s life experiences.
• Staff support children to develop age-appropriate independence skills, such as cooking, doing their laundry and completing small tasks around the home. These experiences build children’s confidence in preparing for the future.
• Staff understand each child’s strengths, risks and vulnerabilities.
• The environment is warm, welcoming and has a relaxed atmosphere.
• The manager is child centred, caring and has an excellent knowledge about the children. She strives to ensure the best possible outcomes and is supported in her role by an equally experienced deputy manager. Together they provide consistency for both children and staff.