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

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

Young people benefit from good care, help and protection in a supportive environment. Since the last inspection, the young people who were resident at the time have successfully moved back to their families or to alternative placements, where they are doing well. Outreach support from dedicated staff acts as a lifeline to young people and their families, helping them to maintain their lives in the community. Shortfalls in meeting the requirements from the last inspection have resulted in the sustained improvement judgement. Although the independent person’s reports are now sent to Ofsted, the contents do not meet the regulations. This is because the visitor does not give their opinion of whether young people are safeguarded and their welfare is promoted. There is no registered manager’s oversight in the reports because this task is delegated to a senior staff member. It is therefore not clear whether the manager endorses or challenges the findings. Similarly, the manager’s

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

review report of care practices has also been delegated to a senior staff member. It does not make explicit how the views of the young people, staff and stakeholders inform service delivery. Furthermore, the report does not include an action plan to improve or maintain the quality of care provided to the young people. Not all of the fire doors have been fitted with restrictors to prevent the propping open of the doors. A restrictor fitted on one of the doors does not close properly, which, if left unattended, may present a fire safety hazard. This was reported for repair at the time of the inspection and continues to be work in progress. The manager has progressed with the recommendations raised, which need time to embed fully. These are with respect to conducting return-home interviews and consistently ensuring compatible placement matching. The recording of young people’s views following a sanction has not been fully resolved and is therefore

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

carried over to the next inspection. The outcomes for the current group of young people are variable. A contributory factor is their short periods of time at the home. Of the three current placements, one young person is spending more time with his family. Although the staff team supports the principle of him spending time with his family, some of his stays are discouraged and recorded as unauthorised absences, pending the completion of a viability assessment. A young asylum seeker went missing not long after his arrival at the home. The appropriate action taken by the staff in response to this concern alerted other agencies to search for him. A third young person placed a few weeks ago is building relationships with staff. His progress is recognised by the team. Staff said, ‘He is getting to know the staff’ and ‘Without the relationship, you have nothing.’ Those young people who have been unable to sustain an education placement are

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

limited in fulfilling their educational potential. Staff respond and challenge these issues with education partners and providers to agree on the plans that promote young people’s regular school attendance. This enables young people to access education and to be exposed to opportunities that help them to aspire. The staff team who are trained in safeguarding children understand young people’s vulnerabilities. They work effectively with other safeguarding agencies to maintain this objective, as a result of which young people’s safety is increased. For example, neighbours visited by staff were advised to discontinue inviting the young people into their homes. Missing from care incidents have reduced and there are no child sexual exploitation concerns, although staff are alert to dealing with these matters. Risk management strategies are discussed and agreed in the staff team. This ensures that they remain current and continue to promote young people’s safety

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and welfare. Young people continue to challenge the boundaries of acceptable behaviour. Staff provide positive role models and they show a firm but fair response to young people’s challenging behaviours. The routines help young people to feel safe. Young people who present with extreme aggression are responded to with restorative sanctions that are imposed as appropriate. Restraint does not happen often and it is used as a last resort. Young people’s identities are fortified by their regular contact with family and friends. Staff make it their business to build relationships with those involved in young people’s lives, which shows their concern and interest in young people’s welfare. Partnership working remains effective. Staff provide good levels of challenge and assistance to help young people to engage in the services that they need. For example, a breakthrough has been made to reintroduce a young person back into

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

education after some time away. Improvements made to the home environment through a redecoration programme make for a warm and homely place for young people to spend their time. A motivated, supported and well-established staff team has a good understanding of the young people and their individual plans. The manager and staff team remain committed to improving the young people’s outcomes, irrespective of their starting points. This is supported by the introduction of research-based training, effective team communication and staff practice. The manager describes the staff team as, ‘A good, balanced team.’

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is run by a local authority and registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home also offers an outreach service to young people who have left care and may need additional support.

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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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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 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 - children are effectively safeguarded, and; the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44(4)(a) and (b)) 31/05/2016

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete the quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating- the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided to children. The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(2)(b)(c) and (5)) 31/05/2015

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Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must- take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. Specifically, repair the deficient fire doors and ensure that the appropriate fire prevention devices are fitted as prescribed in the home’s action plan. (Regulation 25 (1) (a)) 31/05/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Children should be encouraged by staff to see the home’s records as ‘living documents’ supporting them to view and contribute to the record in a way that reflects their voice on a regular basis. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 58, paragraph 11.19). Specifically, that young people record their views when they receive a sanction.  The processes the registered person puts in place to enable such a review to take place, should allow for a report to be generated at least once every six months. The generated report should be sent to Ofsted and the placing authority of all children in the home who are looked-after children. Specifically ensure that the registered manager endorses the review reports. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 65, paragraph 15.3).  Any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent

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Recommendations

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. Specifically, ensure that the registered manager directly responds to the independent visitor’s reports. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 65, 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

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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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