Children's Home run by Sheffield City Council in Sheffield

Unique reference number SC066747 Inspector Debbie Foster Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Sheffield City Council Registered person address Sheffield City Council, Town Hall Pinstone Street SHEFFIELD S1 2HH Responsible individual Dorne Collinson Registered manager Hazel Frances Axon Date of last inspection 18/03/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 19/03/2015

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Previous inspection good progress 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 inspection was to assess the progress made since the last full inspection conducted in January 2015. Five requirements and four recommendations were made at that time. All the requirements have been met and the majority of recommendations have been addressed.

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This inspection

The action taken means that a copy of the Statement of Purpose has been sent to Ofsted. This ensures that the regulator is fully aware of the service to be provided to young people living at the home.

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This inspection

Young people are engaging in education, alternative placements or are actively seeking employment. This is assisting them to achieve, prepare for adulthood and the world of work. Changes have been made to make sure that there are suitable arrangements for the storage, recording, handling, safekeeping, safe administration of medicines received within the home. Young people’s pathway plans are in place with a clear transition period identified. Therefore, young people are preparing for their move, planning positively for the future and leaving care.

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This inspection

As well as obtaining written references when recruiting staff, telephone enquiries to verify the references are now made to ensure staff are safe and suitable to work with children and young people. The identified shortfalls found in records have been discussed with staff. Systems have also been put in place to monitor that all records are kept up to date to provide an accurate account of events and decision making for young people.

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This inspection

A written record is held for all complaints. This includes the action taken in response and the outcome of the investigation. This demonstrates that appropriate action has been taken to address any complaint made and conclude the matter satisfactorily. Improvements have been made by the Registered Manager to address deficits and 3 of 6 concerns identified and raised with them. This includes making alterations to the process for the recruitment of staff, medication administration and updating records. As a result, the monitoring of the quality of care for young people is more effective.

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This inspection

Two recommendations have been partially met; staff continue to work with young people to develop and practice skills to build and maintain positive relationships, be assertive and resolve conflicts positively.

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This inspection

Discussion has taken place with staff about the practice of moving young people as a behaviour management strategy when there has not been significant harm to others or serious damage to property. There is no evidence this practice has ceased. This will be followed up at the next inspection.

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This inspection

Young people greatly benefit from having a stable, experienced and child focussed manager and staff team to care for them. Young people report that the staff prioritise young people’s safety. It is an area which young people say is discussed with them regularly. A young person said, ' there is no bullying in the home, it is not allowed, and staff would stop this straight away.' Staff demonstrate a good understanding of how to respond to concerns relating to young people's welfare and safety. Direct work with young people is frequently undertaken to support and meet their care, safety and wellbeing needs. Missing from care and physical intervention events have been minimal since the last inspection. Young people say 'staff are fair with us, ' and, ' they explain and talk to us about lots of things to help us.' Where there is a risk of child sexual exploitation, immediate action is taken to safeguard

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This inspection

young people. The staff have built strong links with other professionals to assist in supporting young people; these include mental health services, to endeavour to keep them safe.

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This inspection

One requirement has been made at this inspection. This relates to the regulation 33 monthly monitoring not reporting fully if the home effectively safeguards young people. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a local authority. The home is registered to look after a maximum of five young people, who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/03/2014 Interim good progress 04/12/2013 Full good 31/01/2013 Interim satisfactory progress 04/09/2012 Full good

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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

(2001) ensure that the independent visitor forms an opinion as to whether children accommodated at the children's home are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the children's home promotes the wellbeing of the children accommodated there ( Regulation 33 (8) (a) (i)) In particular that the regulation 33 monitoring report reflects if the children are effectively safeguarded. 28/06/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): 5 of 6  ensure that children develop and practice skills to build and maintain positive relationships, be assertive and resolve conflicts positively (NMS 3.5)  ensure that restraint is not used to force compliance with instructions where significant harm or serious damage to property are not otherwise likely. (NMS 3.14) 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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