Children's home run by Hartlepool Borough Council in Hartlepool

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 Sustained Effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements and three of five recommendations made at the previous inspection are not met. As a result, records of sanctions now include the effectiveness of the measures used. This means the registered manager and staff can actively evaluate the impact of using sanctions in determining whether or not this helps young people to progress. However, these records do not now consistently make clear the details of young people’s behaviour, leading to the use of the disciplinary measure. This omission raises uncertainty about what actually happened and means records would not stand up to retrospective scrutiny if further investigation was required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager now ensures that Ofsted is notified of any matter that seriously affects a young person’s welfare, in response to the second requirement. This provides the regulator with an opportunity to monitor what action is taken to safeguard young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who have been missing are now offered an opportunity to speak to an independent person on their return. This is in line with statutory guidance, meaning that if there is anything troubling them, they have someone other than the staff or their social worker to talk to. This promotes young people’s safety and welfare. A social worker said, ‘I think the home do all they can to keep (Name) safe.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager now takes responsibility for verifying and recording the outcome of all references sought for new staff. This additional safeguard maximises the opportunity to clarify and gain further details about the suitability of prospective employees.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Independent scrutiny of the home is now more evaluative. The resulting reports clearly demonstrate the positive impact of the home on the lives of young people. Ensuring a rigorous overview of young people’s care means good practice can be further developed and any slippage in standards can be more readily identified. A member of staff said, ‘We have looked at other homes’ reports and I can see how they have driven improvement. I have sent them to our independent visitor.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

While the recommendation to improve the home’s reports for looked after reviews is not yet fully complete, a promising start has been made, aimed at ensuring all young people’s documentation is more child friendly. A member of staff said, ‘The whole team have had training about person-centred planning. Young people’s reviews are coming up and we are going to be using the tools we were given from the training.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendation that reports by the registered manager demonstrate how the care young people receive helps improve their overall outcomes has not yet been addressed. This is because the reports are only required at six monthly intervals. Significant steps have been taken to address this and assurance has been given that an improved report will be sent to Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people live in a home that is well run and organised. At the start and end of any shift, a meaningful discussion takes place in which essential information is passed onto staff taking over from their colleagues. This means young people receive consistent support because their needs remain central to the running of the home. All young people make good progress. Staff nurture and develop young people’s individual interests, thereby broadening their horizons and aspirations.. A young person said, ‘When I pass my scuba diving exams, I want to join the local club.’ A member of staff said, ‘We got a £1,000 from the staff lottery so we can buy (Name) the horse she has on loan. I think it’s really important that she gets to own it.’ Staff described support to another young person, ‘He made a bid to revamp the allotments for other young people, and he got a £1000 for this.’ Skilled staff recognise how best to respond to young people with a diverse range of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

needs. The impact of this is that young people live in a home that provides them with stability and predictability. As a result, the same group of young people continue to reside at the home as at the last inspection. Excellent support from the registered manager ensures that staff receive effective help, enabling them to reflect on how young people communicate their needs through behaviour. This means that relationships between staff and young people are very good. Staff advocate for young people’s right to an education that meets their needs and achieve this through effective partnership working. This results in young people moving on to educational settings more suited to their individual abilities which increases the likelihood of academic achievement by them. Staff rarely need to use physical intervention in response to young people’s behaviour. Records demonstrate that this measure has been employed once since

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the previous inspection and it is clear that only the minimal amount of force necessary was used. Young people learn that staff can help them find alternative ways of managing difficult feelings and how to modify their behaviour. Staff ensure parents and social workers are well informed about young people’s progress and any changes in their needs. This builds trust, and demonstrates how how important the welfare of young people is for staff. A social worker said, ‘The communication is very good, in fact it’s almost too much. I get loads of e-mails.’ A parent said, ‘He’s really settled down here it’s different to when he was in other places before. They bend over backwards, he has been to two football matches as VIP how many places do that.’ Meaningful pathway plans are not in place for older young people. While it is evident that the registered manager has raised this with placing authority senior managers, it is unclear what, if any, action is being taken as a result. This seriously

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

undermines effective long term planning for young people The registered manager and staff do provide young people with good opportunities to develop their social and independent living skills. This goes some way towards preparing young people for the transition to adulthood.

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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 owned and operated by a 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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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

In order to meet the care planning standard with particular reference to ensuring the provision of pathway plans the registered person must:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(b)(iii) ensure that arrangements are in place to plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child's placing authority. 29/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should 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 ensure that the details of the incident leading to the use of any measure are fully recorded. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 46 paragraph 9.36)

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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 children.

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Recommendations

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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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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