The team at Buttons, our residential service for children in Wiltshire, are celebrating a positive outcome following their latest Ofsted inspection, which took place on the 15th and 16th October 2024. The report awarded the home a “Good” rating for both the overall experiences and progress of the children, as well as how well they are helped and protected.
The home, which provides care for children with learning and physical disabilities and offers both long-term and short-term placements. Inspectors commended the staff for their warm, compassionate approach and their ability to build meaningful relationships with the children. The report highlighted that children in the home are happy and well-supported to express their views, even through non-verbal communication methods.
A positive and nurturing environment
Buttons was recognised for their person-centred care. Activities like pumpkin picking, attending speedway events, and enjoying sensory play were celebrated as examples of how the staff ensure children have enriching and enjoyable experiences. The home’s facilities, including a cinema room and waterplay station, were noted as key contributors to the children’s positive environment.
Inspectors were particularly impressed by the progress children have made, noting improvements in personal hygiene, budgeting, and expressing emotions in healthy ways. The dedication of the staff to creating personalised memory books for the children also received praise.
Safeguarding and leadership
Inspectors recognised the strides made by Buttons under its current leadership, which has been in place since July 2022.
Key aspects of the safeguarding measures were also acknowledged. Staff interactions with children were described as non-judgmental and patient, fostering a safe and supportive atmosphere.
Alicia Khusal, Service Manager at Buttons, said, “I am incredibly proud of the dedication and resilience shown by our entire team, as well as the children and young people, who have helped to bring our values to life. Throughout this process, everyone has gone above and beyond to demonstrate their commitment to creating a nurturing and supportive environment. The guidance and resources we’ve received from ACG have played a key role in enabling us to deliver on our promise of making Buttons a place where everyone feels valued and empowered.
“While we celebrate this achievement, we recognise that our journey towards excellence is ongoing. We are driven by the goal of continuous growth and will keep pushing ourselves to enhance the experiences we offer to our young people. With the unwavering dedication of our team, I’m confident that we will continue to build on our successes and work toward earning the ‘outstanding’ rating we aspire to.”
As a cornerstone of the local community, Buttons continues to provide exceptional care for children with complex needs. The latest Ofsted report underscores the dedication of the team to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Congratulations to the team at Buttons on this achievement!
For more information on Buttons, please visit their webpage.
