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 Outstanding 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

The home has met the recommendation raise at the previous inspection. Reports from the independent visitor evaluate the quality of care and how this helps young people make very good progress. This level of scrutiny ensures that opportunities for further improvement are identified. While consent for the independent visitor to view case files is agreed by young people; one placing authority have refused to allow this. The registered provider has raised this with the local authority concerned as has the regulator.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The impact of admitting another young person for existing young people to the home is not assessed in a credible way. Absence of a meaningful assessment by the home undermines placement stability and accountability of those responsible for placing and agreeing to accept new young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people receive highly individualised support from staff helping them make very good progress so they can move on with their lives. This is underpinned by warm and meaningful relationships with staff. Young people feel just how much staff are willing to invest in them building trust and promoting an increased sense of security. Improving young people’s self-esteem gives them the confidence to reinvest in their education and develop their independent living skills. A member of staff said, ‘(Name) is now more independent, she can do her own washing, make her meals, and tidy bedroom.’ And about another young person, ‘She is doing fantastic she has had taster day at art college and she has been offered an unconditional place. She is also doing volunteer work in a charity shop.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are happy living at the home they are confident that staff want the best for them; they feel safe and very well supported. Staff make clear to young people what is expected of them and what they can expect from staff, they provide them with high levels of structure and supervision promoting a calm atmosphere. This helps reduce young people’s anxieties so they can take part in activities and pastimes that interest them. A member of staff said, ‘We don’t use sanctions, or restraints. All the young people make progress. We give them plenty to do, things that they enjoy.’ A young person said, ‘I never really get bored. I got a guide to the home when I moved in, what is great is you can add tips to it for other young people. There are no rules really, just respecting each other.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff increase young people’s understanding about a range of relevant topics. Once a month staff arrange to spend the evening with young people focussing on a particular theme. This is aimed at increasing young people’s understanding. For example, topics include bullying; the effects of smoking and how to stay safe in sexual relationships. Young people learn that there are no taboo subjects increasing the likelihood of their being able to speak about any matter that might be troubling them. This helps young people reflect on their risk taking behaviour and the outcome of the choices they make. A young person said, ‘I can talk to staff if anything is bothering me. I’d give them 9 out of 10 for safety.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from very good partnership working by staff with other professionals. This means young people’s needs are well represented by the home enabling social workers and others to act in young people’s best interests. For example, the registered manager challenges teaching staff when young people are unjustly excluded from education. Making sure that young people’s right to go to school is upheld improves their chances of future success. A social worker said, ‘I would highly recommend the home, the care they provide is what you would want for your own child.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

While reports completed by the registered manager clearly review the impact of the care young people receive demonstrating sound progress and improvements; arising actions for the subsequent review period are absent. So it is unclear how ongoing improvement is to be measured and achieved. The registered manager knows when to notify Ofsted including informing the regulator when matters of safeguarding young people have been concluded. This means that the regulator has appropriate overview of what action has been taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people.

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Information about this children's home

The home may accommodate up to four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is owned and operated by an independent provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 Interim Improved Effectiveness

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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

 Ensure 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. In particular to reflect the impact for existing young people of any newly admitted young person within the homes pre-admission assessment proforma (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56 paragraph 11.4)

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Recommendations

 Ensure the registered person to identify areas of strength and possible weakness in the home’s care, which will be captured in the written report. The report should clearly identify any actions required for the next 6 months of delivery within the home and how those actions will be addressed. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for continuous improvement in the home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 64 paragraph 15 .5 ) 

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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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