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

Unique reference number SC034746 Inspection date 20/01/2012 Inspector Lynne Busby Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/07/2011 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection (March 2011).

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Brief description of the service

The home is owned and run by a local authority and is registered to look after a maximum of six children. The aim of the home is to provide care and support for young people that may have needs arising from emotional and behavioural difficulties. The location of the home ensures accessibility to local amenities and public transport.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress.

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Progress

This interim inspection has focused on the progress made by the home since the last inspection. The home is judged as good overall and is making good progress. Young people say that they have good relationships with all staff and can talk to them if they have any concerns. They say they are listened to and feel safe.

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Progress

The recording of training has improved; senior staff have worked with the training department to complete a ‘training tower’, denoting essential and desirable training available for staff. Fire awareness training is in place for all staff to update their skills, and relevant staff have applied to complete basic food hygiene updates. Therefore, staff are appropriately trained to meet the young people's needs.

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Progress

The majority of the home’s records are now held on the computerised system and these are all signed and appropriately dated. Young people benefit from consistent boundaries and staff have introduced target setting with incentives which promotes positive behaviour. Young people say they think that sanctions are fair and they are consulted with regard to any sanctions imposed. The staff have developed a 'lets talk about it’ form which is completed with the young person to discuss behaviours and appropriate consequences. However, these are not consistently signed by young people and it is not recorded if they have refused to sign.

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Progress

Young people are safeguarded by adequate staffing levels. The change in the needs of the group of young people no longer requires waking night staff on duty. The manager continues to monitor staffing.

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Progress

The manager has implemented a system to monitor records and completes a six monthly report. This has not been forwarded to Ofsted. There has been a gap in external monitoring visits. The lack of the regular quality monitoring system does not provide for parents, children and others, an opportunity to comment on the day-to- day care and to identify any action to be taken if concerns are raised. This has not impacted on the outcomes for young people.

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Progress

Improvements in the environment continue, and the home is well decorated and furnished and provides a comfortable space for young people to relax. Recent changes include replacement radiators and refurbished bathrooms which have enhanced the facilities for the young people. The garden has been redesigned and includes an eating area with barbeque and gym equipment. Young people say that the gym equipment is quite hard to use but they will use it more in the summer.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that monitoring visits to the home take place at least once a month and that a copy of the written report is supplied to HMCI once completed (Regulation 33) 02/03/2012

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a copy of the monitoring report prepared under Schedule 6 is sent to HMCI within 28 days of completion. (Children's Act 1989 - Volume 5, Statutory Guidance, para 3.14) 02/03/2012

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure children are encouraged to sign their names in the records of the home when any disciplinary measures are used. (NMS 3.17)

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