Children's Home run by St Hill Establishments Ltd in Kingston upon Hull

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last full inspection and sustained progress at the interim inspection that was conducted in February 2015. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements raised last time have been fully remedied. One requirement and one good practice recommendation have been raised at this visit. Independent visits that are undertaken by the Regulation 44 visitor comply with the regulations. However, the subsequent reports have not been forwarded by them to the regulatory body, Ofsted. This does not assure transparency and independence. Improvements to ensure that notifications are sent to Ofsted in a timely fashion enable Ofsted to monitor the provider’s actions and outcomes without delay.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, some young people who have left the home have had positive outcomes, whilst others have had a decline in outcomes. For instance, a young person’s wish to return to their hometown was championed by the Registered Manager because it was in their best interest to do so. This contributed to their successful return home and it was considered to be a positive departure. A serious incident in the home resulted in the unplanned departure of a young person. This followed a period of escalating and challenging behaviours. Despite the interventions from the staff team and professional partners, including the drug and alcohol and youth offending teams, this was not effective in keeping both the young person and others safe. Despite the emotional effect of the incident on the group dynamics, the staff team remain fully supportive by providing outreach support. This commitment towards young people experiencing trauma clearly

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

shows how staff value and care about them unconditionally. Similarly, young adults who have moved on remain in touch with the staff and appreciate what they have done for them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who are new to the home have settled in very well. Established young people make good progress and their needs continue to be reviewed and met. The young people have built a good rapport with the staff team, which helps them feel at home, develop in confidence and thrive. A social worker said, ‘The positive change in x has been massive, so it’s been lovely to see.’ Young people indicate that the home is a good place for them to live. A young person said, ‘It’s alright.’ They say they feel safe and know that staff listen to them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s safety, welfare and vulnerabilities are protected by the homes joint partnership work with safeguarding professionals. This culture is promoted by the Registered Manager. She said, ‘We offer a safe, calm environment.’ Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities. Although they know about reporting concerns to the local authority designated officer (LADO), they have not had cause to contact them. Staff talk to young people about the dangers of going missing. A member of staff said they, ‘Always talk to the kids all the time, we have to, you got to let them know.’ In a number of instances, young people were staying unauthorised with family or in the local vicinity. Staff follow the young people’s missing from home action plans and search for them in known areas. However, welfare visits are not routinely carried out on behalf of the local authority. This does not help the home to accurately assess risk when such interviews are not

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

routinely undertaken. There are no active child sexual exploitation concerns.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people live in a home that values their education and future aspirations. With respect to young people tutored in the home, an educational professional said that staff, ‘do their absolute best to ensure the student is present at the beginning of the lesson and ready to learn. They always provide a suitable work area for us that is quiet and conducive to learning.’ Young people in full-time education have high attendance and progressive attainment levels. Those young people who have taken exams and are waiting to hear the outcome of their results have plans to go onto further education. This improves their future employment prospects. A social worker said their, ‘Education was deteriorating (prior to this placement) but x has got their head back down. Staff support x with their education, it’s nice to see.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The diverse range of leisure activities over the summer holiday enables young people to enjoy their free time and have different experiences. A member of staff said they like to take the young people on trips, ‘so they can start to act like kids’ when in different environments. A social worker said about a young person’s activities, ‘x never stops! X is always doing something.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour management strategies and skilful interventions from staff and professional partners have been effective in helping young people to regulate some of their outbursts and risky behaviours. This keeps everyone safer. Sanctions are few and there have been no restraints because the staff team prefer to de-escalate situations wherever possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements made in the home, such as the installation of fire doors ensure a safe environment in the event of a fire. Young people’s rooms are personalised and provide a pleasant space for them to spend their time. A decoration programme is underway. It has so far resulted in a new kitchen and other improvements in an effort to create a more homely place for young people to live.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager has a visible presence in the home. This enables her to observe staff practice and maintain positive relationships with the young people. She leads a stable and cohesive team of skilled staff who promote consistent care practices. They also continue to raise their awareness through training and regular team communication. Staff are enthusiastic about caring for the young people, despite the challenges. A staff member said, ‘It aint just a job’ and ‘It takes a real stable crew. That’s great for our kids because they see us all on the same page.’

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Information about this children's home

The children's home is run by a private company. The home is registered to provide a service for up to five children or young people, male or female, with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/02/2015 Interim sustained effectiveness

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to HMCI; (Regulation 44(7(a)) 30/09/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  When a child returns to the home after being missing from care or away from the home without permission, the responsible local authority must provide an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. Homes should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 45 9.30)  

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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