Children's Home run by Hull City Council in Kingston upon Hull

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people who go missing from care are protected by very proactive staff who go out looking for them. They use all available contacts to ensure young people’s safe and well return home. This includes the staff team’s effective partnership work with the police and social care services.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The strong relationships between most young people and staff promote trust and transparent discussions that enable the staff to safeguard young people’s vulnerabilities.  With one exception, appropriate placements have been made at the home most of the time. Young people’s care planning is individualised. Those who have lived at the home particularly between six months to two years have made significant progress. New young people to the home are slowly making relationships with staff and the other young people.  Effective behaviour management strategies and restorative practices help young people to reflect and modify aspects of their negative and risky behaviours. No young people have been physically restrained since the last inspection.  Young people are helped to develop independence skills to prepare them for adult life. The extremely good outreach support for young people is flexible and provides a lifeline to those who need it.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 The staff team is well managed, well motivated, supported and trained to deliver good care to young people. Their proactive working together practices with a range of professional agencies and families help and protect young people.

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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; upon request, the local authority for the area in which the home is located; the placing authorities of children; the registered provider and, if applicable, the registered manager; and the responsible individual (if one is nominated). (Regulation 44 (7)(a to e)) 30/11/2015

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete the a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating

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Requirement Due date

(a) the quality of care provided for children

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Requirement Due date

(b) the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

(c) any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided to children.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and the system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(2)(a)(b)(c) 4 (a) and (5)) 30/11/2015

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that after consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. Specifically comply with the homes fire risk assessment action plan to remove door wedges and fit the device 30/11/2015 as prescribed in the home’s action plan. (Regulation 25 (1) (a))

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that 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. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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Recommendations

 Children should be encouraged by staff to see the home's records as 'living documents' supporting them to view and contribute to the record in a way that reflects their voice on a regular basis. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 58, paragraph 11.19). Specifically, that young people record their views when they receive a sanction.

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Recommendations

 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 in the child's relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is run by a local authority and registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home also offers an outreach service to young people who have left care and may need additional support.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

17/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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good

Young people are welcomed into a caring environment that provides them with good opportunities to improve their life chances. Most young people have benefitted from some exceptionally good relationships with staff. This has helped them to feel safe and secure. When asked what the best thing was about living at the home, a young person said, ‘It’s this lot I think.’ Another young person said, ‘This is the best home that I’ve ever lived in’ and ‘There are people that I will go to for personal things’ with respect to talking to staff about sensitive issues. New young people to the home are slowly developing relationships with staff and the other young people. It is acknowledged that it is very early days for them and staff continue to work with these young people and their families with a view to them committing to their plans. A social worker who placed a young person at the home under similar circumstances said, ‘(Name of the young person) did not want

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good

to live at the home, but in the end he did not want to leave.’ Good placement matching has resulted in a period of stability. However, since the last inspection, one placement did not fully consider the existing group of young people and the potential for disruption. This led to some concerning incidents over the summer holidays. For example, increased missing from care and challenging, risky behaviours that on two occasions required police intervention. The Registered Manager raised concerns about the negative impact of the placement to the placing authority and Ofsted, given the similar profile of an existing young person in the home. The young person in question has since moved back with family and the current group of young people continue to progress with their individual plans at their own pace.

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good

Individualised care plans set out young people’s needs, which takes into account their culture and identity. The ‘My Plan’ document ensures that young people understand why they are living at the home and they can express their wishes and feelings about how they want to be cared for. This promotes the voice of the child. Furthermore, their regular consultations with staff and independent advocates inform about the changes they would like to see made. This respects and values young people.

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good

Young people’s education is proactively driven by the Registered Manager and staff who work very hard to ensure they support their aspirations, motivations, goals and praise their achievements. This supports the homes Statement of Purpose that states, ‘The staff will work proactively in encouraging children to gain a good education’. The good communication with education providers is strong and helps to prevent drift. Young people are at various stages of their educational attainment, taking into account their starting points. For some young people, this may mean a reintroduction into an educational provision after a period of abeyance. Other young people have excellent attendance and they are reviewing their timetables so they can focus on the subjects that interest them. Those young people who were previously missing from home and experienced risky lives are now applying themselves at college, making new friends and realising their

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good

potential. A young person said, ‘I get on with my education and get told by staff time and time again’ about the benefits of education. Young people have good opportunities to engage in after school and leisure activities enabling them to have fun experiences. A young person said that they will remember, ‘All of the days out and good times.’ Some young people say that they choose to spend time with friends and staff use their skills of engagement to reach out to these people too. Young people benefit from good, all round health support that informs and serves to protect and improve their self-esteem. The effective relationships shared between the home and health professionals clearly identify young people’s health needs and ensure their prompt access to services to support their healthy lifestyles. This is not without challenge. Some young people’s engagement in smoking substances, drugs and alcohol misuse and other behaviours that may

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good

affect their health. The open discussions between staff and young people and their prompt access to health and related professionals help young people to understand and look to reduce risk in relation to some of their habits. Young people are good at learning skills that will help them to prosper in the future. This includes them learning self-care skills, preparing meals, travelling independently and one young person is making plans to learn how to drive. Young people treat staff like family members and they relay a fantastic experience as a result of living at the home. One young person said, ‘My book is finished here. I’ve lived this chapter’ and ‘I will miss the relationships and the banter.’ The extremely good outreach support provided to the young people who have moved ensures good befriending and support. It also ensures that the young people continue to be welcome visitors to the home and remain in contact, which mimics positive

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good

family life. Young people benefit from regular contact with family and friends, which helps them to maintain their sense of identity and belonging. The staff work very hard with families to ensure positive contact and facilitate them as required. Staff have taken action in conjunction with the police to ensure young people’s safety when they have had unauthorised contact with unsuitable people. Judgement grade

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good

Young people’s safety and welfare is exceptionally well integrated into staff practices. The staff have an excellent understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities and they take their role seriously. A member of staff said, ‘We are very good at keeping young people safe.’ An effective multi-disciplinary approach ensures that everyone is working together to protect young people from a range of threats to their well-being. The good risk management systems identify potential dangers and risks associated with young people’s activities. These are kept under review to ensure the strategies remain effective. A significant improvement has been the reduction of child sexual exploitation (CSE) concerns over a sustained period. This is testament to the relentless efforts made by the staff team and professional partners to overcome these challenging barriers and keep young people safe. Young people know that staff care about them and want to keep them safe. One

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good

young person gave the home ‘Ten out of ten’ for keeping them safe. Similarly, parents, carers and professional stakeholders express confidence that young people are safely cared for. A social worker said, ‘I do think she’s safe. They always follow appropriate policy and procedures.’ A carer said, ‘I think he is safe when he is there. He mixes with different people.’ Young people are encouraged to take appropriate risks as part of their normal development, which promotes their confidence and independence.

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good

The positive and nurturing relationships shared between staff and young people are based on mutual respect and positive adult role modelling. This enables young people to talk to staff should they have any concerns or worries. A young person said, ‘I can tell them absolutely anything. It makes you get on better.’ New young people to the home are showing tentative signs of engagement; however, it is accepted that this may take time to fully embed. A social worker said, ‘We need to work on him to try and get him to buy into the home. I think that staff are getting the trust.’ Bullying behaviour is not identified as an issue that currently affects the lives of the young people. Young people speak warmly about each other. One young person described their peer as a ‘sister’ figure to them. Another young person ‘I like the kids.’

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good

Young people who go missing from home are protected by the robust protocols and individual missing person action plans that contribute to their safe return. Staff actively go out searching for young people and they use all of the available intelligence to assist in this process. They contact young people on their mobile phones which enable them to speak to them and encourage them to return home. A staff member said, ‘We are quite on the ball ringing them up asking “where are you”, “when are you back”, “we are going to ring you back”.’ Young people understand that staff are concerned about them when they do not return when they should and understand the need for them to make better choices that keep them safe. A young person said that the staff are ‘Trying to stop me from going missing and they try to keep me as safe as I can.’ Young people are visited by a representative from the police service when they return home. However, the

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good

Registered Manager has not alerted the local authority to prompt them to convene missing from home interviews with young people. It is a missed opportunity for young people to express to an independent person their reasons for going missing. Good relationships with the local police community support officers allow young people to see the approachable and friendly face of the police service. In the event of challenging or risky behaviours that some young people have presented; the police are only used when other strategies have been fruitless. This helps to avoid criminalising the young people.

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good

Good staff recruitment and vetting processes protect young people from unsuitable adults that may wish to cause them harm. Staff demonstrate a good awareness of the action they would take in the event of a safeguarding concern. A member of staff said, ‘The most important thing is the safety of the young people.’

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good

Behaviour management strategies are successful and young people respond positively to the reasoning behind the discussions regarding some of their risky lifestyles. This allows young people to consider and make informed choices. No young people have been restrained since the last inspection. Instead, the team has adopted a restorative approach, which helps young people to think about the impact of their behaviours on themselves. A young person said, ‘It hurts to think I hurt them.’ On the occasions that sanctions have been imposed, the sanction records do not follow their own instructions. This does not enable young people to express their views about the sanction. However, this does not have a negative impact on their good help and protection.

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requires improvement

The Registered Manager has managed the home since October 2011. He holds a social work degree and level 4 qualification in Leadership and Management. He has a clear child focus, shows good knowledge of the young people and is committed to delivering care that is aspirational for all young people to succeed, irrespective of their starting points.

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requires improvement

The manager demonstrates a good appreciation into the needs of the individual young people and he can articulate the difference that living at the home has made to their life chances. He is also aware of the negative impact that accommodating a challenging placement has meant for the existing group of young people and he is keen for this not to happen again. The manager understands the strengths and weaknesses of the home and their plans intend to drive forward improvements. The manager regularly monitors practices in the home to ensure that young people’s plans are followed. He is not adverse to challenging professional stakeholders when they are slow to step up to their agreements in a timely fashion. However, the manager’s review of the quality of care lacks sufficient evaluation of the care practices monitored. Feedback in relation to consultation with young people, parents, placing authorities and staff is not evaluated, so the impact of the

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requires improvement

homes interventions to improve outcomes is not explicit. Furthermore the recent ‘quality of care review’ report has not been received by Ofsted. Reports following the monitoring visits to the home that are conducted by the independent visitor have not been received by Ofsted for several months, until recently. The report includes positive consultations with young people, staff and stakeholders, but it was not sent by the independent visitor. This does not comply with the regulations. These omissions do not immediately impact upon the welfare of the young people but they do inhibit a clear overview of care practices in the home. The manager has a clear vision about how he wants the service to progress and said, ‘I’m still motivated to do my job.’ Positive changes in the staff dynamics, consisting of some departures and new appointments have created a positive energy that has improved staff morale. A member of staff said, ‘We have a good

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requires improvement

strong team. We are all very different, but we respect each other’s views and we listen to each other’ and ‘The kids know that we do care and we are not just here for the pay packet. It’s a way of life for me.’ Staff view the manager positively and appreciate his support, which empowers them to use their initiative when caring for young people. A member of staff said that the manager ‘Has always been there completely and is utterly empowering.’

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requires improvement

Young people live in a pleasant environment that is due to benefit from new carpets and some redecoration in the near future. Regular health and safety checks and fire drills, to a large extent, maintain a safe environment for young people. However, the current practice of propping doors open with wooden wedges on the ground floor has not complied with the homes fire risk assessment action plan. This presents a potential health and safety hazard for all occupants. These shortfalls, although not impacting negatively on young people’s welfare require improvement. Good levels of staff support and supervision both formally and informally enables the staff to discuss the young people and any practice and individual issues. Their professional development is enhanced through a range of training courses that staff value and learn from. This enables them to transfer their learning into caring for the young people. A member of staff said, ‘Attachment training. It made me

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requires improvement

think an awful lot, I felt self-aware. I got a lot out of this training.’ Regular communication between all staff, such as daily handovers and sharing e-mails ensures a well-informed staff team who are well appraised about events in the home. Regular team meetings complement the established support systems. This is further strengthened by visits by the clinical therapist who regularly consults with staff in team meetings about their care of the young people. The previous requirement and recommendations have been addressed. These were in relation to the manager reporting significant events to Ofsted, the recording of restraints and the manager exercising effective leadership of the home’s staff and operation. The home is popular with professional stakeholders who majorly credit the team with the young people’s improved outcomes. Social workers comments that the staff go ‘Above and beyond’ their duties and the manager was described as being

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requires improvement

‘Hands on.’ One social worker said that the home are, ‘Really on the ball and ensure they attend core groups.’ Good partnership relationships with health, education and the police enable the staff team to call upon their services to ensure they continue to meet young people’s relevant plans. An education representative said, ‘I think we are all singing from the same hymn sheet.’

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 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

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Information about this inspection

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

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

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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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