Children's Home run by North Yorkshire Council in North Yorkshire

Unique reference number SC034189 Inspection date 19/03/2012 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 23/11/2011 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

This local authority children's home offers care and accommodation for six children aged 13 to 17 years who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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 their last full inspection in November 2011, at which they were judged to be good. Four recommendations were raised, three of which have been fully met. The fourth has only been partially met and will be repeated as a result of this inspection.

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Progress

Young people do not identify bullying as being a problem and report that they feel safe in the home. A young person stated that 'staff watch out for us'. Significant events relating to the protection of young people are notified by the home to all appropriate authorities, including Ofsted. This provides a multi-agency approach for monitoring the care of young people, ensures that their well-being is promoted and they are effectively safeguarded.

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Progress

Comprehensive locally agreed policies are followed in the event of any young person being reported missing from the home. However, young people's reasons for being missing, written views or signatures are not always recorded on their return. Robust behaviour management policies, including an excellent sanctions policy which was developed together with the young people, are implemented by proactive and enthusiastic members of staff. These ensure that positive behaviours are promoted. Nevertheless young people do not record their views or signatures following the receipt of a sanction. These omissions mean that opportunities for capturing young people's views and for monitoring the effectiveness of interventions are being missed.

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Progress

Young people enjoy the benefits of living in a clean, well maintained home which has been fully redecorated. Young people are involved in staff recruitment and supervision. Positive relations are promoted and maintained within the local community, including the police and magistrates service. As a result of these measures young people feel valued while building their self-esteem and sense of security.

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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 that young people record their views in a log kept for the purpose following the receipt of any sanction (NMS 3.18)  ensure written records kept by the home when a child goes missing detail the reasons the child went missing and any action taken in light of those reasons. (NMS 5.10)

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