Children's Home run by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in East Riding of Yorkshire

Unique reference number SC035499 Inspection date 09/01/2014 Inspector Shaun Common Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 10/09/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is provided by a local authority and is registered to care for up to six young people with 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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in September 2013, the overall effectiveness of the children's home was judged as good. One requirement and three recommendations were made. The requirement and two recommendations have been fully addressed; however one recommendation remains outstanding.

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Progress

At the last inspection, the registered person was required to ensure that the sanction record includes the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. Records now include these matters. This demonstrates that measures used are effective in supporting young people to improve their behaviour and to develop positive social skills.

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Progress

Two recommendations made at the last inspection were that where physical restraint is used, young people are always given the opportunity to be examined by a registered nurse or a medical practitioner and young people always have the opportunity to have their views recorded about any physical restraint. These matters have been fully addressed. There has been no use of physical restraint at the home since the last inspection. The Registered Manager and deputy manager have fully briefed all staff on expectations for practice and recording in relation to both these matters. This will ensure young people's rights, health and wellbeing are promoted.

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Progress

One recommendation made at the last inspection has not been fully addressed. Staff have not yet completed training in self-harm. Discussion with the Registered Manager and records seen at the home shows the provider has had to commission this training and this has taken a period of time to complete. All staff are now booked onto training courses in February and March 2014.

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Progress

Other areas for improvement have been identified at this inspection. Young people have run away and gone missing from the home. A range of records examined pertaining to young people's care and the incidents were examined. These show that staff are working closely with relevant agencies and professionals to ensure young people are found and return to the home safely. Action is taken to prevent further incidents and care plans and risk assessments are reviewed in the light of any incidents. However, young people are not always seen by someone independent of the home within 72 hours of their return in order that they are offered support, advice and guidance.

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Progress

The Registered Manager undertakes regular monitoring of a range of processes, procedures and records at the home. This monitoring is thorough and helps to improve the quality of care provided to young people. However, the most recent six- monthly summary report of this monitoring has not been sent to Ofsted as required so that Ofsted can maintain oversight of the care provided to young people.

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Progress

The children's guide contains a range of information for young people about the home and what it is like. However, some of the language used in the guide is not young person friendly or written in plain English. The guide is also out of date. For example, the previous Registered Manager and some staff that have left the service are still cited in the document as working at the home and a local youth club no longer operates.

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Progress

There is one area where practice has improved since the last inspection. Staff have begun working more closely with local colleges and the local authority leaving care team. This provides more choice and improved opportunities for young with educational and vocational courses.

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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

5 revise the children's guide and on revision, supply a copy to 31/03/2014 (2001) each child accommodated in the children's home; specifically ensure the guide contains relevant and up-to-date information about the home and is produced in a format appropriate to the age and understanding of the children accommodated. (Regulations 4(4) and 5)

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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 young people who runaway or who go missing are protected in line with the home's written procedure; specifically, that every young person who runs away or who goes missing is seen by someone independent of the home within 72 hours of their return (NMS 5.4, Statutory guidance for local authorities on children who runaway or who go missing from home or care 2009, section 2.5)  ensure staff are equipped with the skills required to meet the needs of young people; specifically, that staff undertake formal training in self-harm. (NMS 18.1)

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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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