Children's Home run by Hartlepool Borough Council in Hartlepool

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 people receive consistently individualised care and because of this they make progress that feels or is meaningful to them.  Staff know young people well and have a thorough understanding of their underlying needs and how best to meet them.  Young people receive high levels of structure and supervision promoting feelings of safety and security.  There are trusting relationships between young people and staff.  Young people’s admission to the home are carefully planned and sensitively managed.  Young people’s views are listened to particularly within their meetings which are purposefully carried out.  The Registered Manager is an inspiring leader who ensures care practice is underpinned by relevant theory.

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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 ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure (Regulation 35(3)(a)(vii)) 27/11/2015

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Requirement Due Date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. A notification made under this regulation must include details of the matter; the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter; must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40(4)(e)(5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b)) 27/11/2015

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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

 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. In particular that someone other than the child’s social worker be made available (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 45 paragraph 9.30)

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Recommendations

 The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular that the outcome of verification of references are recorded in full (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 61 paragraph 13.1)

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Recommendations

 The home’s records on each child represent a significant contribution to their life history. Children and their parents should be supported to understand the nature of records kept by the home and how to access them. Staff should understand their important role in encouraging the child to reflect on and understand their history, according to their age and understanding. Staff should keep and encourage children to keep appropriate memorabilia of the time spent living at the home and help them record significant life events. In particular that the home contribute a written report for the child’s looked after review that is primarily written for the benefit of the child (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62 paragraph 14.5)  The registered person should undertake a review that focuses on the quality of the care provided by the home, the experiences of children living there and the impact the care is having on outcomes and improvements for the

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Recommendations

children. Reviews should be underpinned by the Quality Standards as described in regulations 5 to 14 and specifically that reports clearly demonstrate the impact for children of any improvements (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 64 paragraph 15.2 )

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home's arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home's care. In particular that reports rigorously evaluate the quality of care and the impact of this for children. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 65 paragraph 15.5)

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Information about this children's home

The home may only provide care and accommodation for up to four children with emotional and or behavioural difficulties. The home is run and owned by the local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

26/02/2015 Interim Improved Effectiveness

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good

Young people express a strong sense of belonging in relation to the home. This is because they feel valued by staff who hold high aspirations for them. Parents and significant others are also very positive about the quality relationships they have with staff. There are also firm views from professionals that young people enjoy a good quality of life. As a result of this young people grow in confidence and their behaviour improves because staff are unphased by their challenges and they are clear about expectations. About why the home is good a young person said, ‘More boundaries and rules which help me behave better, staff here listen to me.’ Another young person said, ‘I am happy living at the home and would like to stay until I am at least 18 years old.’ A parent said, ‘My. child is very happy and there is lots of support for her, I feel happy that she is cared for well’ Young people go to school regularly and they take part in activities that reflect

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good

their talents and interests. This is because staff promote structured routines in which school is a central part; alongside making sure young people can still invest in pastimes that are important to them. Teaching young people how to achieve a school work life balance helps prepare them for adulthood and promotes their taking responsibility. A young person said, ‘I have horse, I always wanted one, I go to the stables just about every day.’ Systems to manage young people’s medication have improved. This is as a result of an effective review to establish the underlying reasons for a medication error. This approach helps allay the anxieties of those involved and maximises opportunities for improvement. About these improvements staff said, ‘We have a room that we use for dispensing medication and now we administer young people’s medication straight away and then go back and sign for it.’ When necessary arrangements are made to ensure individual review of medication

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good

prescribed to young people takes place it promotes young people’s ongoing safety and wellbeing. Young people have increased opportunities to develop their academic potential as there are additional sources of support made available to them. For example, an education tutor visits the home once a week to work with young people on a one to one basis. Whilst their participation is voluntary staff actively encourage young people to go and they do. A senior member of staff said, ‘The teacher from school does homework club it’s to provide some extra tutoring.’ Young people’s abilities to build and sustain relationships improve. This is because staff treat young people with respect helping them learn how to relate to others in similar ways. Young people know staff are invested in listening to them as this leads to their influencing how the home is run. For example, one young person enjoys outdoor work and maintains the homes gardens. A senior member of staff

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good

said, ‘He’s done a really good job to improve the lawn and he’s planted more native species of trees. He trimmed the neighbours hedges, with appropriate support, they were really pleased.’ Staff understand how important it is for young people to spend time with their families when this is in their best interest. They offer meaningful assistance with overcoming any obstacles that can get in the way; alongside this staff offer support helping strengthen or re-establish family ties. About the approach of staff, a young person said, ’They are good at talking to you about stuff. They notice you and would talk to you if you looked down.’ Young people who need specialist help receive it and staff ensure young people’s right to confidentiality regarding this is upheld. This approach gives young people and the professionals working with them the flexibility of their being seen within the home or elsewhere; increasing the likelihood of young people’s active

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good

participation. About joint working with staff a health professional said, ‘I feel very welcome, they provide an appropriate space in terms of privacy and confidentiality. I can see young people here or where I work.’ Another professional said, ‘In my opinion I think they are a good staff team they have the child’s needs at heart.’ Young people regularly take part in productive house meetings where their views are listened to and taken seriously. This empowers young people and builds trust increasing their confidence. This also helps them learn how to assert and challenge adults in appropriate ways through discussion and negotiation. A health professional said, ‘I have been to most young people’s meetings, the manager usually asks us to do a slot, about smoking, dentist, drugs and alcohol, sugar and salt. We try and keep it short and just aim to get the point across, young people like it better when we bring props along. ’Young people are informed about

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good

important issues to do with their health and wellbeing. This helps young people make informed choices about matters affecting them. Young people receive useful information about the home as part of the admission process. Staff visit them prior to their being admitted and they involve them in the decision making process. This approach helps young people make a good start to their life in the home as this is carefully planned and they are made to feel welcomed. About their first day at the home young people said, ‘They gave me a welcome pack and they bought me a football.’ ‘They were good because they explained everything and I came for a look around.’ Young people receive support from staff that they feel are trustworthy. This means they know who they can talk to when feel they want to and they are confident that staff follow through on their promises. A young person said, ‘I asked to go paintballing a month ago and they

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good

just booked it, I didn’t have to ask them about it again.’ Judgement grade

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good

Young people make progress because the registered person understands the impact of trauma on young people’s attachment behaviour and ensures staff do to. This means staff are skilled at helping address young people’s underlying needs. This helps young people manage anxious feelings because they are clear about boundaries and underpin this with high levels of supervision and structure. This builds feelings of safety and increased security and enables young people to feel more relaxed and engaged. Young people’s welfare and safety is taken seriously and when necessary the registered provider challenges other professionals to make sure they act. This increases others understanding of young people’s vulnerabilities, promotes professional accountability and the safety of young people. A police officer said, ‘I work closely with the manager and his team.’ Also, ‘We work in partnership.’ In the Ofsted survey staff said, ‘Young people are regularly spoken to in relation to

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good

safety, child sexual exploitation, missing and associated dangers.’ Promoting a culture in which staff can talk openly about risk taking encourages young people seek advice and to share any concerns. Staff offer effective support to young people with a varied range of need and levels of independence as reflected within the homes statement or purpose. For example the registered person requests specialist assessments from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS.) As a result young people’s cognitive needs are appropriately identified and agreed. Staff sensitively assist young people with their personal care needs when necessary and promote increased independence. This approach establishes trust and gives young people’s confidence about taking part in a range of activities aiding their overall progress and building self-esteem. Young people live in setting that despite its large scale is homely, domestic and

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good

decorated to a good standard. A games room provides young people with further communal space and in addition the home has substantial gardens. The building is clearly well maintained and safe and young people are able to contribute to its upkeep in meaningful ways. This type of involvement promotes a sense of belonging and aspiration. A senior member of staff said, ‘Young people helped with the veranda and they painted it.’ A young person who showed the inspector around the gardens and games room said, ‘I planted trees and pumpkins, tomatoes and sunflower, I like gardening.’ Also about the games room, he said, ‘I did all the Halloween decorations.’ Young people know what is expected of them and that they will be treated with respect. Young people feel valued because staff are interested in their whereabouts and make sure they are safe. As a result young people’s understanding about their personal safety increases. Rules and expectations help

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good

young people feel safe, provide structure and help them gain a sense of ordinary domestic life. Developing these social skills help prepare young people for adulthood. The effectiveness of any restraint measure or sanction is not fully evaluated as the consequence of this is not sufficiently considered. While the numbers and severity of these measures is low; oversight in this area is a missed opportunity to identify underlying reasons and reduce any distress. Young people’s positive behaviour is routinely noticed and rewarded by staff. This helps young people learn that staff are more invested in reinforcing appropriate behaviour than in a punitive response to challenging behaviours. Overtime these responses can help young people learn how to modify their behaviour. Missing behaviour of young people sometime occurs. While an interview following their return is conducted by a social worker an independent person is not made

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good

available. This omission compromises opportunities to ensure that any underlying reasons for this type of behaviour are fully explored. Outcome of discussions to verify references for new staff are unclear and these are not recorded or carried out by the registered person. Whilst this does not currently impact on young people’s safety; continued oversight in this area can undermine robust recruitment practice.

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good

The Registered Manager is a very experienced individual who has been in post since the home opened in 2013. This person has recently completed the appropriate level 5 qualification in addition to being a qualified social worker. This person is a highly effective manager providing strong leadership and direction to staff. Ongoing continuing professional development is an integral part of management culture and as such this is promoted within the staff team. This promotes reflective practice, helping to maintain a relaxed atmosphere and enabling young people more flexible use of their attachment strategies. While appropriate action is taken by the registered person to raise concerns with others responsible for protecting young people. Ofsted have not been notified of an incident significantly compromising the regulators ability to ensure all appropriate action is taken as required. This omission undermines systems aimed

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good

at ensuring the registered person demonstrates that the safety and welfare of young people is accorded the highest priority. Reports completed as a result of independent visits to the home do not rigorously evaluate how young people’s safety and welfare is promoted. As a result these do not effectively inform the registered persons monitoring systems. Similarly reports to review the quality of care do not demonstrate how the impact of the care improves outcomes for young people. Unsuccessful consideration of these areas reduces opportunities to build on good practice and to address any weaknesses. There is regular oversight by the registered person of young people’s case records to ensure that key workers maintain these appropriately. This ensures staff take appropriate responsibility and are accountable for their actions. Young people’s case records are well organised and structured and reflect their needs in line with

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good

the Quality Standards. The homes placement plans for each young person have also been updated and provide a thorough insight as to young people’s experiences and needs. Ensuring staff have good quality information about the overall experiences and backgrounds deepens staffs understanding of young people. While the home contributes to young people’s looked after reviews they do not compile a written record reflecting young people’s experience of living within the home. This is a missed opportunity to further young people’s understanding about a significant period in their life now and for the future. Staff have a shared understanding about the most effective ways of supporting young people. This is because the registered person ensures the ethos of the home is understood by all staff and that this approach remains at the forefront of practice. Staff who are new to the home are also expected to become knowledgeable about the homes statement of purpose. This level of oversight

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good

provides strong leadership and management and makes staff accountable for their actions. New staff receive written guidance that helps them establish a base line level of knowledge about how the home operates, their responsibilities and sources of support including mentoring. They are not given inappropriate level of responsibility to be involved in direct care of young people until they have the necessary level of understanding. This gives new staff time to learn from their peers and to observe routines and to build relationships with young people. This way of working promotes safe practice. The statement of purpose is a live document that outlines to staff and others how the home operates and the ethos and philosophy that underpins practice. This document provides helpful and clear information to those responsible for placing young people about how the home promotes good outcomes. Young people make significant progress in their overall development. This is

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good

because staff ensure they work with other professionals to secure them the necessary support; and they promote their taking part in experiences that enrich their lives. About the home an independent reviewing officer said, ‘I believe that the home provides a safe environment that young people can live in, staff are committed to their care and welfare and helping them to achieve their aspirations.’

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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. 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

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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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