Children's Home run by Highfield North East Limited in Redcar and Cleveland

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who live at this home have often experienced an unsettled and chaotic lifestyle prior to their admission. They have complex needs, some degree of challenging behaviour and poor relationships with their parents and family members. However, those that have lived here for some time continue to make progress and those newly admitted have settled very quickly into the daily routine. Staff and young people have an excellent relationship with each other that is based on mutual respect and genuine affection. Young people feel they are listened to and can influence how the home is run. For example, they suggested the further development of the home’s grounds to create a smallholding where they can keep chickens and goats. The registered manager listened to what they had to say and this has been actioned. Additionally, the smallholding has also been developed to include an area where fresh vegetables are grown. One member of staff said, ‘The

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

animals are proving to be a great success and very therapeutic. When one young person gets upset or angry they take themselves off to talk to the goats and feed the chickens. As a result, we haven’t had to deal with any negative behaviour.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff promote the involvement of young people in day to day activities, which creates a learning environment. For instance, some young people are waiting to start formal education in school. While they are waiting, staff involve them in practical tasks such as cooking and building a den. During these activities staff ensure young people learn how to measure wood, develop basic building skills, learn how to weigh ingredients and use a cooker. Involving young people in learning experiences such as these is good. It helps to keep them focussed on learning and reduces boredom. It also teaches them that learning can be fun. As a result, one young person has been successfully integrated back into school with a timetable split between academic work and practical activities. Young people that are in education attend regularly. They have career aspirations and are working toward achieving those aspirations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support and encourage young people to develop socially acceptable behaviour, to learn appropriate ways to deal with their anger and frustration and to understand the needs of others. They do this by showing commitment to them, by being good role models and by having clear, firm boundaries in place. Consistent handling helps young people to feel safe and secure and gives them a platform from which to continue making progress. One member of staff said, ‘A young person was really distressed a few weeks ago. We tried to talk to them but we weren’t having much success. Then, another young person went to have a word with them. They showed great empathy and understanding. It was lovely to see and the situation was quickly resolved.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s health care needs are met. Their health needs are recorded within individual care plans. Staff understand what the health care needs of each young person are and they fully support their attendance at all appointments. This promotes good outcomes as well as consistent care and support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following a recommendation made at the last inspection, the registered manager has reviewed the recording in the home’s communication books and daily records. Young people are encouraged to read what has been written about them and to contribute to the recording. Having an individual record for each young person helps to ensure that confidentiality is maintained and that young people and staff see the records as a ‘living document’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are encouraged to develop hobbies and interests. Staff show determination in helping them to do this and there has been some success. For example, one young person regularly attends horse riding lessons and has secured a part-time job at the stables and another, is hoping to join army cadets. This helps them to enjoy their leisure time and gives them a focus for the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff recognise the need to keep young people safe and work hard to help them understand the risks they face when they go missing. They also understand that some youngsters will, despite their best advice, place themselves at risk and continue to go missing. However, the proactive approach of staff in looking for young people when they go missing has helped to ensure there has been a significant decrease in the number of occasions when this happens.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Following a recommendation made at the last inspection, the registered manager has reviewed the documentation used by the independent visitor to record the summary of their visit to the home. The visiting officer clearly evaluates how well the home is safeguarding young people and promotes their welfare. The visiting officers decision is clearly recorded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A final recommendation made at the last inspection was in relation to the home’s premises and the suitability of its location. The registered manager has undertaken a clear, detailed locality risk assessment that shows the location of the home does not pose a significant risk to the well-being of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In addition to the progress made since the last inspection, the registered provider and the registered manager, are undertaking a feasibility study about the potential for the home to provide formal education within the home’s grounds. The feasibility study is at an advanced stage and a decision will be made in the coming weeks. Providing formal education on-site will allow young people who have been excluded from school to remain in education and to achieve their maximum potential.

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Information about this children's home

The home is provided by a private company and is registered to care for up to five young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

04/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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

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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