Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

Unique reference number SC033657 Inspector Pauline Yates Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

p.1

Registered person Leeds City Council Registered person address Leeds City Council 3rd Floor, St George House, Great George Street LEEDS LS1 3DL Responsible individual Stephen Banks Walker Registered manager Sylvia Bushby Date of last inspection 11/06/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 18/03/2015

p.1

Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

p.2

This inspection

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

p.2

This inspection

At the last inspection the home was judged to be good overall with two requirements and one recommendation being made. The requirements made related to the management review improving the quality of care and consultation with the young people during this process. These have now been met. The young people benefit from a committed staff team who are both flexible in their approach and continually seeking to adopt creative ways of encouraging their interests and educational achievements. For example, following consultation the young people now enjoy a wide range of individualised activities which include table tennis and yoga classes as well as the group offered activities such as cinema, meals out and craft activities within the home. Each young person is regularly consulted about their care plan and their views and wishes are clearly recorded. The manager is active in progressing the care plans for young people and acts as a supportive advocate for

p.2

This inspection

them to express their thoughts about the timescales of care plans.

p.2

This inspection

The young people are encouraged and supported to represent their views at local authority care reviews, which has for some young people resulted in significant changes such as an increased amount of contact with brothers and sisters. This good quality care and attention to the young people’s voices increases their confidence and sense of self-worth. One parent commented that she had seen a positive difference in her child’s presentation in the short time since being at the home and that ‘He seems a lot calmer, a lot happier, a lot different’ and, ‘He doesn’t stay out which was constant’. The young people of formal schooling age benefit from regular educational attendance. For those young people beyond formal schooling the staff are very active and persistent in their attempts to identify with the young people training or education which reflects their interests and skills.

p.2

This inspection

The recommendation made at the previous inspection related to ensuring that young people were given support and advice regarding e-safety. This has now been 3 of 6 achieved and, for those young people new to the home this has been identified as an area to be covered. This ensures that the young people are better prepared to recognise risk and take steps to keep themselves safe. Missing from home and unauthorised incidents have significantly reduced for the young people whilst being at the home and when this does occur the staff take steps to stay in contact, ascertain their whereabouts and actively find the young people. The young people say they feel safe and are safe at the home and this view is also held by parents and professionals involved.

p.2

This inspection

The young people benefit from nurturing and trusting relationships with staff who have good insight into the young people’s vulnerabilities and triggers for more challenging behaviour. The young people spend individual time with the staff whereby issues are discussed and advice given and explored. This makes the young people feel valued. As a result there has been a substantial drop in the need for physical intervention with the young people. The staff use de-escalation techniques and the young people are supported by the staff to reflect upon their behaviour. This assists the young people to develop more appropriate responses to set-backs and previous adversities. However, the current ‘volume’ for recording physical intervention does not differentiate between the date of the incident and date of recording, nor fully assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Although the latter assessment is monitored through internal audit, it is not included within the volume

p.3

This inspection

maintained for regulation purposes. This shortfall however does not currently affect the young people’s welfare.

p.3

This inspection

The home on the whole is well maintained and decorated and provides for good living facilities for young people to relax. Some of the young people make good use of the garden areas at the home and with staff support, grow fruit, vegetables and flowers. There are however outstanding issues regarding the redecoration of young people’s bedrooms and the replacement or significant repair of the shower room. These aspects detract from an otherwise comfortable home. 4 of 6

p.3

Information about this children’s home

This children's home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is owned and managed by the local authority.

p.4

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/06/2014 Full good 20/01/2014 Interim inadequate progress 21/08/2013 Full good 08/01/2013 Interim satisfactory progress

p.4

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.

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children's home used by children are of sound construction and kept in good structural repair externally and internally (Regulation 31(2) (d)) with particular reference to the appropriate repair of the shower room flooring and grouting in order to prevent any future damage to the porch below. 10/04/2015

p.4

Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of control, restraint or discipline in a children's home a written record is made in a volume for the purpose which includes the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure (Regulation 17B (3) (f)) 10/04/2015 5 of 6

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

Recommendations

 ensure that the home provides a comfortable and homely environment and is well maintained and decorated (NMS 10.3) in particular reference to the decoration of young people's bedrooms  ensure that the home is situated in a location that supports its aims and objectives and proposed models of care for children and young people (NMS 10.1) with particular reference to the homes location assessment taking account of other agencies information in order to fully assess risk. Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

Recommendations

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6