Ivory Villa

Children benefit from living in this home. The views and wishes of children are actively sought and promoted. Children feel listened to and are supported to make their own choices and decisions. Children review and discuss their progress and have input into their own care plans, being active partners in their care.

Staff are committed to building trusted relationships with children. New children settle quickly into the home. Staff make sure children have everything they need to help them develop a sense of safety and belonging. This creates stability and security for children.

Children make good progress in all areas of their development. Children appreciate the support and advocacy they receive from staff. Staff put incentives in place to encourage children’s attendance and engagement in school. Staff work alongside schools to share good practice and strategies that work for children. Encouragement and support from staff help children to develop the ability to manage their own emotional and mental health. One child said, ‘It feels good to live here.’

Children take part in a wide range of activities, including caravan holidays, baking, trips to theme parks and drama clubs. Children said that staff are ‘good fun, someone you can laugh with’. Staff also work closely with the children’s families and support regular family time for children. Significant people in the children’s lives said they receive weekly updates about their child’s progress. They describe staff as professional and are confident that staff respond to the needs of their child.

Children’s education is a priority. Staff encourage them to attend school daily. When barriers to learning occur, staff work with schools and teaching staff to address the issues and overcome the challenges. This means that children benefit from clear plans to support their education.

Children develop life skills as a result of living in this home. They are supported to practice budgeting, shopping, cooking and other general life skills. This means that children are better prepared for later life.

Children’s well-being and safety are promoted. Relevant policies and procedures are in place, and the manager and staff regularly update children’s risk assessments. Staff have a good understanding of risks to children’s safety and use the individual strategies in place to manage and reduce these. Incidents are reported and appropriately recorded. This approach helps staff to protect children from harm.

Staff help the children to stay in regular contact with their families and friends by providing both emotional and practical support. They appreciate how important these relationships are to children and how these enhance their positive identity.