Eight successive years of ‘Outstanding’ reports for staff at Apple Trees’

A Council run short break service for children who have learning difficulties and disabilities has been praised for their ‘outstanding’ work by Ofsted.

This is the eighth year in a row where Apple Trees’ children’s home has received the accolade.

The service is recognised as being one of the best of its type in the country and provides care for children who may have learning difficulties and/or physical disabilities and other complex healthcare needs.

The report states:

Children receive excellent care when accessing the short-break service. They are offered a variety, and continually developing range, of opportunities and experiences that would not ordinarily be available to them. These experiences include access to hydro-pools, days out at theme and safari-parks, kayaking and game events provided by a local football team.

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.

Apple Trees’ provides short breaks for up to five children with complex needs at one time. The team provide a range of ‘home from home’ support and activity depending on the needs of the child, young person and carer.

Cllr Julie Gunn, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education said:

We are extremely proud to run such a unique service in Blackburn with Darwen. The staff at Apple Trees’ have proved their commitment once again and received an ‘Outstanding’ Oftsed report for the eighth time. Many congratulations to them for making sure there is a strong family feel to the service. As the report states the input of this service has a significant positive impact on children’s goals and the progress they make. This is ultimately our goal that both parents and children feel encouraged and supported.

The report also mentions how parents expressed an extremely high level of trust in the staff to offer their children the best possible care. Some described it as an extension of their own family and felt very connected to the service.

The Ofsted report continued with:

Parents consider that it is helping them with their own parenting and provides them with greater insight into children’s behaviours and how to respond in ways that are helpful to the child. This support and advice has enabled families to avert crisis and for children to remain being cared for by their families. Children’s families and individual circumstances are treated with the utmost respect and sensitivity. As part of the commitment to children, parents say staff go above and beyond in the support they give them as a family. For example, the flexibility of staff and managers in responding to home circumstances has enabled children to access additional stays when the family and child have needed it most.

Parents and social workers recognised that the input of the service has a significant positive impact on children’s goals and the progress that they make.

The short-break service offers both emotional and practical support to families. Staff are confident, committed and knowledgeable about the children. One of the points that the report made was also about staff going above and beyond. For example, although not a responsibility of the short-break service, staff and managers take an active and regular interest in children’s development at school.

To see inside the centre and hear more about their work watch the video below:

 

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Blackburn Rovers Community Trust partner with Apple Trees! | rovers.co.uk