The care and support offered by residential children’s home Dovedale House is helping children improve their emotional health and well-being as well as make academic and social progress.
The home, which opened in August last year, recently had its first full Ofsted inspection and has been graded as Good in all areas. Inspectors said the team at Dovedale had created a “warm and welcoming” home where children like to live and feel settled.
Dovedale House supports up to five children with social, emotional and mental health needs. Its team, inspectors said, is led by an ‘experienced and skilled manager’ who sets high standards and has high expectations for the quality of care provided for children.
Inspectors also found children living at Dovedale are “supported very well” to engage in education and increase their independence, with some young people now travelling independently to their education placement. This, inspectors said, is a “big step forward” in their independence skills.
The report also noted that children at Dovedale are supported to develop confidence in themselves and take pride in their own individualities. They also have fun exploring and appreciating other cultures and traditions.
Where appropriate, staff at Dovedale work closely with family members to help improve relationships. A parent said: “They have helped me understand how to protect my child and how to set boundaries. I know they will keep supporting me as time goes on.”
There was also praise for Dovedale from a professional who had placed a child at the home who said: ‘The transition in to the home has been brilliant. One thing [my child] really liked was that they were treated age-appropriately. [My child] felt as though they were listened to and respected.”
Gillian Miele, Kedleston Group Head of Social Care and Responsible Individual, said: “We are delighted that the dedication and hard work of the team at Dovedale House has been highlighted in this report. Although the home has been open for less than a year, it is already having a significantly positive impact on the lives of the children and young people who live there and their families and carers. They should be rightly proud.”