Children's Home run by Hull City Council in Kingston upon Hull

SC034313 Unique reference number 3 December 2009 Inspection date Simon Morley Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 5 Inspection Report: SC034313

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Brief description of the service

The local authority own and manage this children's home. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people of either gender from ages 15 to 17. The aim of the home is to support young people to become independent and help them with the transition to adulthood. The home also offers an outreach service to young people who have left care and may need additional support.

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Brief description of the service

The home is a detached house with front and rear gardens. Downstairs there is a lounge, dining room, kitchen, laundry, computer/contact room, shower room, private telephone for young people, and staff offices. Upstairs there are six single bedrooms, bathroom and staff sleep-in rooms.

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Brief description of the service

The home is close to local health services, shops, leisure facilities and bus routes.

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Summary

This was an unannounced inspection looking at how well young people are kept safe from harm.

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Summary

There has been a number of young people living at the home with quite challenging behaviour though staff have coped with this and there is good support for young people to ensure their welfare and safety is promoted well and protected.

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Summary

No improvements have been identified as a result of this inspection. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no required actions or good practice recommendations made at the last inspection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. There are good arrangements for helping to keep young people who live at the home safe. Staff are trained about child protection issues and there are good procedures, known by staff, about what to do if they suspect any young people are at risk of harm. This includes when young people go missing from the home to ensure they are returned safely and kept free from exploitation. The frequency young people are missing is monitored well and a range of individual strategies with support from other agencies are used to try and reduce how often this happens to keep young people safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are safe, free from bullying, their privacy is respected and their personal belongings are safe. They know how to make formal complaints and there is a good response to any grumbles they have about the home. 4 of 5 Inspection Report: SC034313 Staff ensure that good behaviour is encouraged and any poor behaviour is dealt with professionally and sensitively. The accepted standards of behaviour are clear to young people and staff remind young people of this. Some sanctions are used when young people have behaved poorly, this is mainly financial reparation for damage or misuse of money. The home also uses restorative justice to resolve disputes and help promote good behaviour. Rarely, and only as a safety necessity, would staff physically intervene. The manager and an independent visitor checks the use of physical intervention and sanctions to ensure they are safe and appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Significant events regarding the safety and welfare of young people have been notified to the appropriate authorities to help ensure young people are protected. The assessment of potential risks to young people is well managed on an individual basis and this is evident in the progress and achievements some young people have been able to make since coming to live in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Health and safety responsibilities are fulfilled ensuring the home is physically safe and well maintained. Equally there are good recruitment procedures to make sure that staff who get to work in the home are suitable and safe. Visitors are monitored to ensure the safety of young people.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 5 of 5 Inspection Report: SC034313

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