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

Unique reference number SC034235 Inspection date 25/09/2013 Inspector Michael McCleave Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 15/05/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This local authority children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people, of either gender, who have emotional or 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 is a well managed children's home with a strong management team in place. One recommendation was made at the last inspection relating to the missing person's policy. This has been completed and demonstrates a capacity for change.

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Progress

The registered manager is currently working away from the home and is engaged in other tasks. This arrangement is likely to become permanent. The acting manager, with support from a senior who is acting up as deputy, ensure that there is a consistency in the management of the service. The acting manager has taken steps to become the registered manager. This process with Ofsted has commenced to ensure that the service is managed by a registered and approved manager.

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Progress

The acting manager of this home provides strong leadership coupled with a positive approach for continuing improvement in care practices. An enthusiastic staff team take pride in their work with young people to help them to make significant progress in their complex and troubled lives. This is positively enhanced through the strong commitment to inter-agency working arrangements in particular with health and education services. This multi-professional approach promotes the welfare of the young people.

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Progress

The care needs of the young people are at the forefront of the work of staff. They are provided with stability, consistency of care and safety throughout their time at this children's home. This supports them to achieve their potential and enhances their capacity to develop trust and respect for the adults who care for them.

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Progress

The current group of young people require skill and expertise to support and help them overcome their challenging behaviours and emotional problems. A strong feature of this setting is the high calibre of staff who have the ability to work consistently for the best interests of the young people. Staff challenge any barriers in order to support the young people to achieve their potential and to overcome their personal problems. The behaviour of some young people is currently placing themselves at risk of harm. The manager and staff are alert to the risks involved and through close monitoring and updating of risk assessments every effort is being made to keep these young people safe. Relationships between staff and the young people are good. For example one young person said, 'the staff here are ok they take good care of us even though we don't always deserve it.' The staff at this home positively support and nurture the young people as they progress through their

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Progress

journey towards adulthood. This is a very supportive environment for vulnerable young people who are able to achieve their best with strong support and guidance from a team of dedicated staff.

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Progress

There is a significant reduction in restraints used and the trend indicates that the restorative justice approach used by staff is working well. This diffuses challenging situations and involves the young people in a dialogue about the effect of their behaviour. This means that tensions are quickly reduced and young people are able to reflect on their actions.

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Progress

The building is being redecorated and this is giving a warmer and more comfortable feel to the environment. The old industrial kitchen is now modernised and completely refurbished. This means that the young people live in a home that offers them a warm homely and safe place to live.

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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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