Children's Home run by North East Lincolnshire Council in North East Lincolnshire

Unique reference number SC367802 Inspector Ann-Marie Born Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person North East Lincolnshire Council Registered person address Vulnerable Children Management Team Western Site, Cambridge Road Grimsby Lincolnshire DN34 5TD Responsible individual Daren Russell Hale Registered manager Shelley McLoughlin Date of last inspection 07/05/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 10/03/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

This home has demonstrated its capacity to improve. Both of the recommendations made at the previous inspection have been met. Positive arrangements are now in place to ensure that following any physical intervention young people, if necessary, would be offered appropriate medical assistance. The consistent and nurturing messages and care provided by the staff team mean that positive behaviours are promoted and there have not been any restraints with these young people. A young person said, ‘The staff team are ace; there is no-one I don’t like or don't trust. I feel really safe here because I am safe with people to talk to when I’m at home and always someone on the end of a phone, like there should be, when I’m out.’

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This inspection

Much improved monitoring processes ensure that the views of young people and other interested parties are routinely captured. These in turn are used effectively to influence and improve the quality of care young people receive. This enhances self- confidence and feelings of self-worth empowering young people to make positive progress in other aspects of their lives, for example, full time attendance at school. A teacher said, ‘I have found the manager and the other staff to be very supportive of everything we ask for.’

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This inspection

The group of young people has completely changed since the last inspection. Extensive and careful planning supported a long-term young person to move on to an adult provision. Following his departure the emphasis within the home shifted to accommodate young people who are more able. The home’s registration was appropriately changed to reflect this however, the Statement of Purpose has not been suitably updated. Consequently it does not provide an accurate picture of the care to be provided.

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This inspection

Young people enjoy living in a warm and comfortable home. They are able to decorate their bedrooms to their taste and photographs of young people involved in 3 of 6 positive activities adorn the walls. Young people feel that they belong and this is their home, enhancing their sense of security. A newly admitted young person said, ‘I’m surprised at how much I like it here.’ However, coverings on the radiator in the bathroom, which were necessary to safeguard a previous young person, give the home an institutionalised feel.

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This inspection

Missing person procedures are linked with locally agreed protocols. Young people are safeguarded by individual risk assessments which robustly detail their risk level and steps taken to prevent missing episodes. A social worker reported, ‘Whilst in placement there has been an improvement in his understanding of staying safe and why the staff place expectations, such as informing of his whereabouts, who he is with and expected return time’. Young people are safeguarded by these measures. However, not all missing episodes are being recorded in line with legislation. This does not provide young people with the opportunity to reflect on their behaviours.

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This inspection

Careful planning for placements and matching of the group enhance young people’s opportunities for a successful placement. The comprehensive ‘Baseline Assessment’ clearly identifies presenting needs and how these are to be addressed. Young people are involved in their care planning, including their ‘Positive Handling Plan’. As a result young people quickly settle and engage with the staff enabling them to accept assistance they had previously refused, for example, health appointments. A social work team manager said, ‘He is safe there. Certainly the planned idea for the placement is coming to fruition. At least we know where he is every night, he’s getting back in to education and he’s engaged with health; all massive improvements for him.’

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This inspection

The energetic and enthusiastic staff team encourage young people to take every positive opportunity. This includes school attendance as well as engaging in inclusive activities in the community. This builds social and life skills as well as enhancing young people’s future life and career chances. A social worker said, ‘She is doing really really well. She has fantastic relationships with staff. She is going to school and her attendance and achievement at school is significant.’

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This inspection

Capturing young people’s views is a major strength in this home. Effective one to one sessions are complemented by the excellent young people’s meetings. These allow young people to discuss shared goals and plan positive incentives together. This provides young people with the opportunity to support and encourage each other as well as give their views on staff and how the home is run. Young people’s self-confidence and belief in their ability to express their views substantially improve as a result. A young person said, ‘I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I’m really enjoying school now. I like having the chance to have my own life now which I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t been here.’

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This inspection

Young people fully benefit from the good communication between the home and other agencies which effectively facilitates partnership working on their behalf. This includes links with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services if necessary and 4 of 6 agencies specialising in child sexual exploitation (CSE). Young people are further safeguarded by the notification of significant events to all relevant agencies. A youth justice service worker said, ‘Staff do understand CSE issues and children are safeguarded and taken care of appropriately around CSE issues.’ 5 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home offers a service for children and young people aged between five and 17 years who may have learning disabilities. The home can accommodate two young people full time.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/05/2014 Full good 07/01/2014 Interim good progress 21/05/2013 Full good 04/12/2012 Interim good progress

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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 written records kept by the home when a child goes missing detail action taken by the staff, the circumstances of the child’s return, any reasons given by the child for running away from the home and any action taken in light of those reasons. This information is shared with the responsible authority and where appropriate their parents (NMS 5.10)  ensure that the home provides a comfortable and homely environment. Risk reduction does not lead to an institutionalised feel, in particular the cover on the radiator in the bathroom (NMS 10.3)  ensure that the home has a clear Statement of Purpose which is available to and understood by staff and children and reflected in any policies, procedures and guidance. (NMS 13.1) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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