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

Unique reference number SC034189 Inspector Jacqueline Malcolm Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered manager Simon Keran Saxton Date of last inspection 15/10/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 23/02/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

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

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, the Registered Manager has taken positive steps to address the six requirements made at the time. They have also met the majority of the eight recommendations. This is with the exception of one recommendation that relates to respecting young people’s confidentiality regarding their records, which remains in place. In spite of this, the overall effectiveness of the home has improved and no breaches of regulation have been identified.

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This inspection

Three short term admissions made to the home since the last inspection did not significantly impact on the group dynamics. Young people benefit from living in a home that has been recently decorated. This makes for a more aesthetically pleasing environment for them to live. Young people’s relationships with staff are positively embedded and they are experiencing a settled period. Young people's educational progress is variable but the staff team have invested a lot of time, energy and resources, in consultation with the young people and education providers, to improve young people’s educational outcomes. Despite some setbacks and delayed engagement, staff remain determined to match young people with educational packages that they will commit to. Their aspirational and proactive actions to find solutions are a testament to their investment in young people’s success.

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This inspection

Young people who are administered medication are better protected by the improved systems that are now implemented. These are regularly scrutinised to promote young people’s health needs. Although some young people are still reluctant to attend their specific health appointments, staff continue to make appointments and encourage them to go. Good communication with the child and adolescent mental health service continues to provide the staff team with valuable advice which helps them to support young people’s emotional well-being. Young people are helped to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Their involvement in meal planning is in its infancy, but otherwise they demonstrate good independence skills. 3 of 6 Young people also benefit from the positive relationships and support from their pathway workers. These interventions go some way to help young people as they move into adulthood.

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This inspection

Risk management practices have improved with respect to young people who present with highly challenging and risky behaviours. The improvements made ensure that all risk taking behaviours that are noted at the point of admission and during placements are included in young people’s plans. Those young people who show signs of anger outbursts that may be triggered by visitors are sensitively risk managed to protect individuals and the wider environment. A significant improvement is the effective work pursued by the home, together with other agencies, which has disrupted young people’s anti-social activities with unsuitable people in the community. Although there have been some incidents of criminal activity and breaches of bail conditions, young people are making better choices about the people they socialise with. This includes them participating in community venues, such as attending the local youth club. Friends are made welcome to the

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This inspection

home. This promotes an open environment that would be typical in most family households. The installation of close circuit television (CCTV) on the outside of the premises minimises opportunities for uninvited people to enter the premises. This safeguards everyone’s health and safety.

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This inspection

There has been a reduction in young people going missing from home. Staff follow the missing from care protocol and they make every effort to secure young people’s safe and well return home. A further development relates to the introduction of individual missing persons’ case files. These contain detailed information that is intended to inform and minimise risk. In the majority of instances, staff now know where young people are located when they do not return to the home as planned. A member of staff said, ‘We all know where our babies are and know they are safe.’ No young people are believed to be at risk of sexual exploitation.

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This inspection

Staff are trained in a behaviour management approach that recognises the young person’s individual personalities and traits and is also informed by their care plan. The de-escalation skills of staff diffuse challenging situations. As a result physical intervention is rare and the police are involved less frequently. Young people’s good engagement with the youth offending team is helping to divert them from criminal activities. They are supported to address drug and alcohol issues and act in socially acceptable ways. This is showing positive signs in those young people who are learning to modify their behaviours. Bullying is not condoned by staff and such behaviour is responded to in a way that ensures all young people feel safe.

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This inspection

Overall improved management oversight tackles weakness quickly. This includes informing Ofsted of significant events in a timely fashion which enables the regulator to carry out its safeguarding duties. The Regulation 34 reports and other internal monitoring systems used by the Registered Manager, including unannounced visits, have been effective in driving forward the improvements raised at the last inspection. The Registered Manager and staff consult young people to seek their 4 of 6 views about the running of the home and their own plans. The Registered Manager has identified during his monitoring that staff need to do more to show the impact of their consultations with young people. The Regulation 34 reports now make reference to missing from care events and the independent visitor confirms that the home offers young people a safe environment to live. These interventions enable young people to experience a better quality of child focussed care and progressive

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This inspection

outcomes that enhance their quality of life. 5 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/10/2014 Full adequate 17/01/2014 Interim good progress 13/06/2013 Full good 20/02/2013 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 information about individual children is kept confidential and only shared with those who have a legitimate need to know the information. (NMS 22.3) 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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