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

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceeds the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people are happy. As a result of the excellent support, help and protection in all aspects of their lives, a number of them considerably thrive from their starting points.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people‟s safety and well-being is central to the homes strong safeguarding ethos and values. This gives parents and professionals peace of mind that children are safe and protected in the care of suitable, caring and resilient adults.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Young people regularly engage in a diverse range of interesting activities both at the home, in the community and further afield. This boosts their confidence in their abilities, integrates them socially and places fun times at the heart of their time spent at the home.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Strong leadership and management is driven by high aspirations for the young people. It is also supportive to the staff team, most of whom carry out their role and responsibilities with competence skill and flair.

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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 produce a report about a visit (“the independent person‟s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person‟s opinion as to whether— (a) children are effectively safeguarded; and (b) the conduct of the home promotes children‟s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b)) 29/02/2016

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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

 All children‟s case records must be kept up to date and stored securely whilst they remain in the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 62, paragraph 14.3). Specifically ensure prompt updates of risk assessments, care plans and maintain a record of all complaints made to the home.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should oversee the welfare of the children in their care through observation and engagement with: each child; the home‟s staff; each child‟s family/carers where appropriate; and professionals involved in the care and protection of each child including their social worker, Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO), teachers, clinicians and other health professionals etc. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, Page 54, paragraph 10.23). Specifically consult with staff and social workers to inform the management review of service improvements.

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Information about this children's home

This local authority home is registered to care for and accommodate up to eight children and young people at any one time, of either gender, with learning disabilities. Some children also have physical disabilities and complex health needs. The vast majority of children and young people have short breaks at the home. Three young people are currently accommodated on a long-term basis.

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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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outstanding

Young people who visit this home for their shorts breaks or are looked after longer term are adored by the staff and they are treated with dignity and respect. A member of staff said, „I am privileged to work with these children.‟ A social care professional said, „They offer the kids a wonderful experience when they are here.‟

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outstanding

Highly individualised care planning is exceedingly responsive to identifying and meeting young people‟s diverse and unique needs. Effective communication with parents, social care professionals, health and education providers enable young people to promptly access the services they need. Consequently, a number of young people‟s life chances have improved with momentum. Their excellent care helps them to thrive from their starting points. For example, support from the homes sleep practitioner has helped a young person with irregular sleeping patterns to remain asleep for longer periods. This is with the help of a special clock. A social worker said, „He has come on amazingly.‟ Young people that are looked-after progress from strength to strength in all aspects of their lives. This includes a young person who has lost weight due to healthy eating and regular exercise. An independent professional said, „The difference between then and now

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outstanding

is outstanding.‟ A social care professional said, „She is doing wonderful. There is something new every day.‟

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outstanding

Highly intuitive and caring staff share excellent quality relationships with the young people. This helps them to settle into their short breaks away from their parents and carers. Their individual personalities are fully appreciated by staff members, whose support and vigilance reinforces their high levels of nurturing. This cultivates the interpersonal relationships over time. A parent said, „He loves it here and he loves the staff.‟

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outstanding

Young people‟s increasing ability to communicate their needs is strengthened by the recently introduced and improved communication methods. For example, the personalised pictorial exchange communication system stimulates verbal and non- verbal exchanges that enable young people to make choices. It also informs and helps them to interact and participate in daily activities. One parent said, „Staff understand his communication needs and understand him. They use Makaton to communicate. They get to know the young people.‟ Young people‟s rights are robustly protected by the manager and the staff team. Where possible, their attendance at statutory reviews has enabled young people to speak up about their plans. Independent advocates are regular visitors to the home and their discussions with young people inform practice. A social care professional said, „The staff are able to represent the child. (Name of registered manager) is passionate

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outstanding

about the child‟s voice coming through their paperwork.‟

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outstanding

Those young people who experience significant health improvements do so resultant of the proactive measures taken by the staff. Effective partnerships with a range of health professionals ensure that all young people access the immediate and routine health services they need. Exceptionally good medication management has resulted in no medication errors. This safe practice promotes young people‟s welfare.

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outstanding

Young people‟s education is highly promoted and the staff team take their corporate parenting role very seriously. Those who visit the home on short breaks are supported to attend school, which prevents gaps in their learning and development. Young people who are looked after longer term make exceedingly good progress and blossom. The professional interface between the home, parents and educational providers ensures effective communication. This keeps the staff up to date and involved in young people‟s progress. Similarly, the manager fiercely defends young people who by no fault of their own have been treated differently in the school environment. His vehement challenge has delivered the desired child centred outcome. As a result, the young person‟s re-engagement in their school activities has resumed after this time.

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outstanding

Young people‟s engagement in a range of fun and exciting activities provide a plethora of opportunities they enjoy. This supports their social development, integrates them in community life and promotes friendships. For example, young people have been on a summer holiday to the coast, a seaside spa and swimming. Some have used the adapted cycles at the park, enhancing their confidence. Two young people attend the disco, do wheelchair dance every weekend and now incorporate disco dancing into their repertoire. Young people have visited the theatre and plans for some of them to see the Christmas pantomime is confirmed. A parent said, „The staff are so good, they always make sure they have activities and use the mini bus.‟ In the home, young people engage in lots of different activities of their choice. For example, listening to music, playing games, watching DVD‟s, and helping staff to make homemade Christmas decorations.

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outstanding

Young people‟s enjoyment at the regular theme nights allows them to dress up and experience the religious, cultural and culinary delights of faraway places from the comfort of their home. The newly refurbished sensory room is a valuable resource. Its completion has come about as a result of a generous fundraising event. This provides young people with a superb chill out and stimulating space.

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outstanding

Young people‟s contact with their families is viewed by the team as a significant feature of their development and progress. Every effort is made by the staff to ensure this is maintained wherever possible. Young people maintain their family bonds through these interactions. Young people are developing meaningful skills that enable them to do more for themselves, no matter how big or small the task. For example, washing hands and teeth and eating without help. A young person can now navigate their wheelchair independently. A relative said, „She is more confident and she can articulate herself.‟

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outstanding

A decoration programme is planned which intends to freshen up young people‟s rooms and communal areas. A major improvement has been the refurbished rooms that belong to young people looked after longer term. These have been decorated by staff in consultation with the young people to an excellent standard. The „wow‟ factor prevails, which is a haven for young people to relax and enjoy their personalised, aesthetically pleasing environments.

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good

Young people are safely cared for within an exceptionally good safeguarding culture. Their safety and well-being is central to the homes ethos and values. In relation to this aspect of strength, a social worker said, „I have absolutely no concerns whatsoever.‟ Another who asked if the home is a safe place to live said, „Oh yeah, definitely.‟ Excellent relationships between the staff team and social care professionals allow for the prompt sharing of safeguarding concerns. Consequently, the decisive action taken as a result of this good level of staff vigilance has strengthened young people‟s safety and protection.

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good

Young people are shielded by high supervision levels, which mean that they cannot leave the home without staff assistance. The nature of their additional needs warrants such attention. A parent said, „He‟s safe. I know he is watched all the time. They are absolutely brilliant. He is never left unattended. There is no safety issue.‟ Those young people who require closer supervision are monitored and supported to ensure that no harm is caused to themselves or others.

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good

Good risk management plans identify young people‟s health needs and vulnerabilities and the risk reduction strategies are realistic. However, not all of the written risk assessments have been regularly reviewed to monitor the effectiveness of the measure. This shortfall does not negatively impact on young people‟s welfare.

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good

Good behaviour management strategies focus on providing young people with consistent routines and boundaries that grow familiar to them. This is coupled with nurturing and positive reinforcements that young people are responsive to. These are, to varying degrees effective in managing young people who present with challenging behaviours. No sanctions or physical interventions have been used. This demonstrates the staff team‟s positive implementation of behaviour management training, the mutually strong relationships with young people and communication skills. A social worker said, „The staff manage him really well.‟

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good

Regular checks on the fire equipment and gas and electrical appliances ensure suitably safe health and safety systems that keep everyone safe.

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good

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2010. He holds both a social work and level 4 management qualification, which makes him suitable to manage the home. He provides strong, yet approachable leadership that is driven by high aspirations for the young people. Senior managers take an active interest in the young people, which help them to provide the right level of support to the manager. The well-established staff team share the same child-focussed, caring ethos. That is, to place young people at the centre of their practice. The staff team‟s care, hard work and commitment have without a doubt, made significant life changes for a number of young people. This is due to the team‟s detailed knowledge about the young people, a full appreciation of their progress, coupled with their willingness to go above and beyond their duties. These positive aspects support an efficient and effectively managed service where children and young

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good

The home achieves its aims and objectives as set out in its statement of purpose. It states that the aim of the home is, „To provide a safe and homely environment which is stimulating, engaging and enjoyable for the children with whom we work with.‟ As a corporate parent, this is a positive assertion that is taken seriously and acted on by the home. This is particularly with respect to promoting young people‟s social inclusion, advocacy and overall boosting their life chances irrespective of their disability.

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good

Good recruitment procedures ensure that young people are not cared for by unsuitable adults who may pose a risk to their vulnerabilities. New staff are inducted into their roles and their training supports them to deliver high quality care and protection to young people. New staff have introduced a fresh perspective and compliment current practices. In addition to their childcare qualifications, staff are trained in other areas that support care practices. For example, youth mental health and safeguarding with a disability focus. This ensures that staff knowledge and practice remains current and informs their good work. Staff are well supported through regular supervision, appraisals, team meetings, daily and detailed handovers to ensure they continue to deliver a high quality service. The manager said, „I fundamentally believe this is a really caring team.‟

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good

Internal and external quality monitoring shows the impact that the service has on young people‟s progress. Although informative with good evidence of consultations with parents, professionals and young people; the independent visitors report do not meet the regulations. This is because it does not make explicit that young people are effectively safeguarded and the conduct of the home promotes their well-being. The manager‟s quality of care review report does not include how the views of staff members and social workers influence service developments. The manager is developing his future monitoring reports to ensure a consistently evaluative document. These shortfalls do not have a negative impact on young people‟s progress.

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good

Although compliments significantly outweigh complaints, the manager is realistic about receiving complaints when services fall short of the expected high standards. He said, „We don‟t always get it right.‟ Two complaints have been promptly addressed to the complainant‟s satisfaction. The remedial action taken intends to prevent a repeat incident from happening again. However, of the two complaints made, only one copy is available.

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good

Not all young people‟s records, such as a care plan has been promptly updated. This does not ensure an available and robust audit trail for staff reference regarding a specific issue. Young people‟s safety and welfare has not been disrupted by these minor omissions.

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good

Effective links with social care professionals, health and education agencies and parents stimulate good working together practices. This provides a strong safeguarding structure, challenges poor practice and promotes continuity of care. A social care professional said, „We work closely together.‟ The manager and staff are highly regarded by parents and professionals who are sufficiently confident to leave young people at the home for their stay. One parent described staff as having, 'Great communication‟ and said, „I seriously cannot fault this place.‟

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good

One requirement that was raised at the last inspection has been addressed. The provider has taken adequate precautions against the risk of fire by installing self- closing fire doors where required. This safeguards everyone in the home.

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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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