A short breaks provision for children and young people has been given a ‘Good’ rating by Ofsted after parents shared their positive experiences of this ‘vital’ support.
Ofsted visited Canon’s House in Devizes which provides a short break service for up to four children at a time and is run by Wiltshire Council. Children may have physical disabilities, learning disabilities and/or sensory impairment.
The resulting report said parents and professionals were happy with the service and felt ‘staff contribute to the progress their children are making. For example, one parent said their child has made progress with their communication and now has increased social experiences.’
Another parent said the staff use their knowledge to create care plans and risk assessments which reflect the child’s needs well. They work with parents and education providers to support children and reduce risk. One professional said their child no longer needs to use a wheelchair to go out in the community or wear a protective helmet due to this joint working by families and professionals.
Other points highlighted in the report include:
- Good communication systems mean parents and professional are kept informed of their child’s stay.
- Staff upload information and photos of children’s stays to a secure online platform which both parents and professionals can use and contribute to. Many children enjoy looking at this and creating their own records. This helps children’s involvement in the care and contributes to records of their time at the home.
- Staff adapt their communications to suit the needs of each child. This helps improve communication and helps children make choices.
- Activities and days out are planned following requests from children.
- There are good relationships between staff and children, and care plans and risk assessments reflect the child’s needs well.
- Staff adapt children’s stays so they consider the group of children staying together. Some children enjoy more social time and others who prefer a quieter environment also get those opportunities.
- Children’s safety and wellbeing are at the heart of staff practice.
- Work with parents and education providers helps support children and reduce risk.
Inspectors have said to improve further, the leadership and management needs to ensure children have achievable targets to help fulfil their potential and reviewing current processes to promote welfare.