Children's home in Leeds

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement 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

The judgement of improved effectiveness at this inspection reflects a considerable improvement in the effectiveness of leadership and management that has occurred in the short period since the home’s last full inspection in February 2016. This is viewed to be having a positive effect on the experiences of young people living in the home and some early progress is apparent. The manager has successfully submitted her application to Ofsted to become the home’s registered manager and is currently awaiting interview. She has settled well into her new role and is demonstrating a clear commitment to raising the quality of care that the home provides.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Six requirements were made at the last full inspection of the home. These have all been suitably addressed. In particular, staffing arrangements have improved to ensure that there are sufficient staff to provide young people with good continuity of care. The manager has been proactively involved in the recruitment and induction of new staff, ensuring that they are well supported in their new roles and are familiar with young people’s needs and personalities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s relationships with staff show some positive improvement. They are more accepting of the house rules and boundaries that their new manager has established and are less challenging as a result. Greater harmony is apparent in the home, with young people expressing confidence in many of the new staff appointments. One member of staff commented, ‘Young people see staff working together as a team and this has really improved relationships.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people understand that their views are valued. Regular house meetings have been re-established. This ensures that young people have good opportunities to raise issues as a collective, as well as individually with their key worker or manager. Staff encourage young people to contribute their ideas to improving the look and atmosphere of the home and so far this has prompted some redecoration and further plans for maintaining the homeliness of the property. This enables young people to take greater pride in their home and promotes their sense of belonging. Young people have experienced a more settled period since the last inspection. Staff have shown skill in de-escalating potentially challenging behaviour, promoting positive behaviour without identifying a need for either sanctions or physical restraint that could compromise their safety. However, the manager has provided further guidance to ensure that staff fully understand the expectations of recording

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

such matters should they occur. This ensures that the home can provide clear accounts of any disciplinary measure used.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has strengthened monitoring arrangements to ensure that greater rigour exists in evaluating the operation and activity of the home. The manager has established effective monitoring practices that she plans to use to evaluate her understanding of the home’s strengths and weaknesses further. The manager’s six- monthly review of monitoring activity is not yet due, but she has identified some areas for attention that will further inform the home’s development and improvement planning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has responded to concerns about the quality of external monitoring by appointing a new independent person to conduct the home’s monthly visit. At this time it is too early to determine the success of this new arrangement. However, all monitoring reports are now fully accessible to staff within the home. This ensures that staff have good access to reports to understand how the home’s operation is viewed, and also ensures that they have suitable information concerning any immediate actions that are required to promote improvements that will benefit young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In addition, six recommendations resulted from the last inspection. These too have been acted on and have resulted in further improvements. These include staff more proactively supporting young people making positive choices that support their developing independence. For example, young people are encouraged to contribute their ideas for meal planning, to shop with staff guidance and to prepare healthy meals that meet their dietary and nutritional needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have also been more proactive in encouraging young people to access their community, enjoying activities and outings such as ice-skating, visits to the cinema and wildlife parks. These have been successful in providing young people with extended opportunities to have fun, to socialise and, for some, to enjoy new experiences.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has also strengthened its arrangements for the safe storage of medication. A new dedicated cabinet has been installed that enables medication to be stored in a more organised fashion, making medication more accessible to staff when required. Recording practice shows improvement and the home has successfully ensured that Ofsted and other relevant parties have been kept advised of all significant events that have occurred within the home. This demonstrates the home’s commitment to ensure that there is transparency within their operation.

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Information about this children’s home

 The home is registered for up to three children.  It is operated by a private company.  It offers care and accommodation for children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

2 February 2016 Full Requires improvement

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Recent inspection history

12 March 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 children looked after 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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