What is the secret to getting three Outstanding ratings from Ofsted in four years?
At Foxgloves Children's Home in Bromham Road they put it down to fantastic staff who have a great relationship with their families and young people.
Registered Homes Manager, Alex Milligan said; “We just aim to do the best we can, all the time.
“It’s the young people that make all the difference to us, and we take pride in making sure they get to enjoy experiences that they otherwise wouldn’t get. A big highlight is when we get to take them away on holiday and other trips, to places like Legoland, Norfolk, or on the train to Brighton.
“Over the years our cohort of children have become more complex in their needs, with some of them non-verbal and non-signing. But they’ll still let us and their families know what they want, such as by starting to pack their suitcases at home to show how they want to come to Foxgloves!”
Foxgloves is a respite care home that provides short breaks for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
It aims to support and develop each young person’s individual needs, by ensuring life and educational targets support development and aiming high for best outcomes for children. The voice of the child shapes service delivery, and staff’s role is to listen to what children want and who they want to share their experiences with whilst still learning and developing.
There is a pool of around 20 young people, with up to six at a time staying at Foxgloves as well as enjoying a wide range of outings and activities throughout the year, with the children actively involved in helping to decide where they go and what to do.
It has been rated Outstanding in each of its last three Ofsted visits, with inspectors lauding the “highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good,” adding “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.”
Alex said; “There’s not many short-break homes that consistently receive Outstanding ratings, but it’s a fantastic job and I couldn’t ask for more from our dedicated team.
“It’s a role where you need compassion, you need an awareness of children with disabilities and meeting their needs, and you need to be able to understand children who are non-verbal and non-signing and the systems that support being heard.”
Councillor Jane Walker, Portfolio Holder for Valuing Families: Children’s Services said; “Time and time again I visit Foxgloves and I’m impressed by how much they do and how much they care.
“I’m delighted that what’s so obvious to me, and to the young people and their families, has been evident to Ofsted too.
“Congratulations to them all.”