Children's Home run by Enhanced Young Persons Care Limited in Middlesbrough

children and young people since the most recent full 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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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are encouraged to eat a healthy, balanced diet and they talk about food matters within young people’s meetings. This raises young people’s understanding about healthy eating so they are better informed about the food choices they make. This promotes improved health and wellbeing and also meets the requirement made at the last inspection. A member of staff said, ‘We have a really good cook who asks each young person what they want to eat.’ A young person said, ‘The best thing the cook makes is bacon and lentil soup and pulled pork.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff do not always consistently complete young people’s medication administration records. This can lead to misunderstanding about what medication young people have taken or refused to take and undermines staff accountability. A member of staff said, ‘We do a daily audit of medication and any issues are raised with staff in supervision.’ The requirement from the last inspection therefore remains outstanding.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Whilst references are verified for potential employees the outcome of this is not sufficiently recorded within staff recruitment files. This undermines systems aimed at protecting children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are sometimes admitted to the home with an incomplete pre- admission assessment. Less than a full understanding of young people’s needs compromises effective care planning. This also means that the impact for existing young people is not fully addressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A record of a significant restraint had not been monitored in a timely manner by the Registered Manager. Unnecessary delay with monitoring undermines the accountability of staff for safe care practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people take part in meaningful community meetings with staff. This provides them with a genuine opportunity to influence how the home is run and the care they receive. A member of staff said, ‘A young person chairs the meeting.’ A young person said, ‘We discuss things in the meetings. Young people decide. Being here has really helped me grow and mature, they give you experiences that you can learn from.’ As a result, young people feel that they have really benefitted from living at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s needs are at the centre of planned improvements. For example, a senior member of staff said, ‘Young people are going to be involved with staff recruitment, they will meet candidates and we will take this into account in making our decision.’ A young person said, ‘I think this is a really good idea, it’s the best idea I have heard of in a children’s home. They already ask what we think when they do staff appraisals.’ This level of involvement empowers young people and increases their confidence.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people live in a setting that fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, helping to build young people’s sense of belonging. This means young people routinely take part in ordinary domestic activities such as regularly eating together. This improves young people’s social skills and increases feelings of security. Young people’s transitions to independence are planned for and celebrated. This approach acknowledges young people’s feelings about loss and separation and promotes their emotional wellbeing. One young person said, ‘I’m going to Blackpool.’ Also a member of staff about another young person’s leaving event, ‘She wants to go out for a buffet meal.’ Young people move on from the home to independent living in a planned way because they receive good support from staff in helping them prepare for this. This increases the likelihood of a successful transition. Young people receive support from a consistent care team

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

when they move. For example, a member of staff said, ‘Some of the staff are going to work in the adult setting that young people are moving to.’ This approach causes the least disruption to young people and helps reduce their anxieties at times of transition.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff build trusting relationships with young people, significantly aiding their overall progress and emotional development. As a result, their confidence grows and they learn it is okay to talk openly with staff about issues that concern them. Some young people engage well in therapeutic approaches through regular meetings with a clinical psychologist who works at the home. This approach furthers young people’s self-awareness so they are more able to manage difficult feelings. Young people are confident that any concerns they raise are taken seriously. A young person said, ‘If I wanted to make a complaint, I’d just get a complaints leaflet.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager promotes a culture which is respectful of young people’s rights, wishes and feelings. For example, following any significant incident young people are asked for their views about what happened and if there was anything more staff could have done to help or prevent their distress. This approach models empathy to young people and enables staff to reflect on and improve care practices that benefit young people.

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Information about this children's home

The home may only provide care and accommodation for up to 8 children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties (EBD). The home is owned by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 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 registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of any medicines received into the children's home. (Regulation 23 (1))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure the home's procedures and systems for the safe handling of medication are effective. 31/10/2015

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Recommendations

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

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all incidents of control, discipline and restraint are subject to systems of regular scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair. In particular, that records are checked by the registered person without unnecessary delay. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 46 paragraph 9.36)

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Recommendations

 Ensure the registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs as recorded within the child's relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. In particular that pre-admission assessments are completed. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56 paragraph 11.4)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular that when references are verified the outcome of this is written down within the staff recruitment file. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61 paragraph 13.1)

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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. procedures set out in 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

regulates and inspects to 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

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Information about this inspection

Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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