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

Unique reference number SC034189 Inspection date 20/02/2013 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 26/09/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This local authority children's home offers care and accommodation for six children who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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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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Progress

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

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Progress

This home was judged as good at the previous full inspection in September 2012 and has successfully addressed four of the five recommendations made. The recommendation that the home is able to call on medical assistance as required following any episode of restraint is repeated and there is a further recommendation relating to fire evacuation procedures.

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Progress

Young people and staff report positively about the use of new methods to gather young people's views about their care and the day-to-day running of the home. This included assisting in the recruitment of a new staff member and writing the person specification. A young person's suggestion that they wanted ‘someone with spirit who doesn’t judge’, was used in the advertisement for the post. This improves communication and young people's investment in their home boosting their feelings of self-worth.

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Progress

Young people's house meetings, known as 'Community Meetings' are coupled with a 'take-away night' and are enthusiastically attended. In agreement with each other, young people also invite friends to these meetings. Young people's self-esteem and confidence in their abilities to negotiate, comment and make suggestions as to their care are effectively enhanced.

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Progress

Staff proactively encourage young people to read and comment on their individual care plans. In addition, the majority of young people comment upon and sign their contact sheets providing them with the opportunity to formally identify their achievements. A member of staff stated, 'Every week they challenge themselves and it is progress in the right direction.'

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Progress

Young people enjoy living in a home where there are no physical restrictions on their use of all shared spaces. They take evident pride in the photographs depicting their achievements and involvement in inclusive activities which now adorn the walls. This promotes young people's sense of belonging in their home and feelings of security.

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Progress

All significant events are notified to Ofsted in accordance with regulation. This provides a multi-agency approach to the care of young people ensuring they are safeguarded.

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Progress

A young person said, 'Things are better here. Calmer.' Young people learn how to reflect on their behaviours and respond positively to staff and each other through the use of effective behaviour management techniques and the successful re- introduction of restorative justice practices. This negates the need for any physical interventions. However, if there were to be a restraint, young people would not be fully safeguarded as no arrangements have been made for medical assistance.

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Progress

Young people further benefit from strong partnership arrangements with other agencies which allow them to understand and learn the possible consequences of their actions. For example, attending the 'Fire Starters' course with the local fire service. However, it is not clear whether all young people and staff have been involved in a full fire evacuation drill, therefore they may not be fully protected.

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Progress

Staff are ambitious for the future of the young people and work hard with them to progress from their starting points. They are genuinely delighted when young people succeed, which young people respond well to, for example, re-engaging successfully with parents and attending further education courses. A member of staff stated, 'I think we’ve definitely improved as a unit and making things better for the kids.'

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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 there is an emergency escape plan that all staff and children are familiar with and have practiced so they know what to do in an emergency (NMS 10.9)  ensure that where there has been physical restraint the home must be able to call on medical assistance as required and children are always given the opportunity to be examined by a registered nurse or medical practitioner. (NMS 3.16)

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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.

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