Seashell supports families by providing short breaks and respite care in our fully adapted home-from-home environment, where children can enjoy activities and trips both on-site and off site. We provide bespoke care to enable each child to achieve their outcomes, improve communication, and enhance independent living skills.
We’re delighted to announce that our Children’s Short Breaks service has been rated Ofsted Outstanding following the most recent inspection.
Jenny Ritchie, Registered Manager of Children’s Short Breaks said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have achieved an Outstanding judgement from Ofsted in our latest inspection.
Our team works incredibly hard to provide diverse, safe, and engaging activities for the children who access our short breaks home, and it means so much to see this recognised. Families consistently tell us how valued and supported they feel, and being able to demonstrate that children make significant progress and experience positive outcomes in our care is the greatest reward of all.
We operate with transparency and build strong, positive relationships with families so we can advocate effectively and deliver the standard of care their children deserve. Our staff team is committed, collaborative, and deeply invested in providing continuity of care. Their dedication enables us to lift the lid on what children can achieve and create an environment where every child can thrive.”
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.
Extracts from the report…
The report notes that the children’s overall experience, protection and support, and effectiveness of leaders and managers were all outstanding.
“Children’s introductions to the home are sensitively planned and at a pace that suits children and their families. Staff spend time getting to know the children through visits to the home before their first overnight stay. Children’s personalities, behaviours, and needs are carefully considered by the manager when visits are planned.”
“Children receive well-planned and individualised care during their stays. This significantly improves outcomes for them. Children are supported to flourish and know that staff care about them.”
“Staff are highly skilled in communicating with the children and have an excellent understanding of the children’s communication methods. Staff help children to develop their communication skills to support them to share their wishes and feelings and make choices.”
One family member said: “[Name of child]’s communication is coming on leaps and bounds since being there..”
“The manager and staff work hard to build trusting relationships with parents, so they feel confident leaving their children for their stay. Managers include parents in the care planning and service delivery for their children.”
One family member said: “I like that they tell me all of [name of child]’s day, including the not so good. They are open and honest about behaviours.”
