Children's home run by North Yorkshire Council in North Yorkshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . The home has progressed by meeting four recommendations made at the last inspection. The statement of purpose makes clear how staff are trained and supervised, and how they access additional support. This enables parents, staff and professionals to understand how young people’s needs are met. Staff recruitment checks are improved. Written records show that references are fully verified and gaps in employment are checked. This promotes the safety and well- being of young people. Monitoring is more effective. Reports completed by the manager better identify actions to improve young people’s outcomes during their short breaks. The independent visitor now fully evaluates the quality of care that young people receive, which provides additional oversight of the home’s performance. This

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

increased level of scrutiny aids continuous improvement. Staff are highly skilled at building and sustaining meaningful relationships with young people, their parents, carers and professionals. Parents and carers see that their children enjoy their short breaks and feel reassured that these experiences are of real benefit. Staff enable young people to manage change in a positive way. Proactive joint working with other professionals takes place, particularly during young people’s transitions into new placements. Consequently, young people quickly settle into new settings. The manager of an adult short-breaks service said, ‘Transitions work really well. The staff are very good and young people’s placement plans are a great help with formulating new ones.’ Consultations with young people are a high priority. Staff create innovative and imaginative ways to engage young people, taking into account their individual

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

needs and capabilities. Involving young people gives them an opportunity to express their views and feelings about matters that are important to them. This included a day, supported by staff, designed to focus on what young people wanted. This provided an opportunity for social workers and other professional to meet young people informally. This increased understanding by professionals about young people’s views, aiding their rights to choice and to influence their own lives. A member of staff said, ‘We had a fun activities day for all the young people. Staff and social workers socialised and talked with them. [Name] was very anxious about their review meetings, but now they have better understanding and have taken part in their review. This is a great achievement.’ Young people take part in in a range of activities that stretch their abilities and genuinely enrich their lives. They are given a genuine choice reflecting their wishes

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and aspirations. A parent said, ‘I don’t think young people should be in care homes. They should be out doing things. But if you get the right staff it does work. They do lots of trips. [Name] is very active and I know she is safe.’ Young people receive care and support from exceedingly motivated staff. For example, on the day of inspection, a member of staff came in on their day off because they wanted to demonstrate first hand the progress that a young person had made. A member of staff said, ‘Communication has massively improved for [Name]. [They] brought a picture from a magazine from home that [they] used to show us what they wanted to do.’ Staff are very enthusiastic about positive difference that they are making in using an approach focussed on helping young people to progress. A member of staff said, ‘Staff are consistent. Everyone is doing the same thing. [Name]’s parents said to me that we had far exceeded what they

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

expected.’ Young people are safe. Staff form trusting relationships with young people, promoting their emotional security. Young people’s behaviour shows that they can safely express their feelings and that staff know how to help young people with any difficulties. This builds young people’s confidence and enables them to participate fully in what the home has to offer. About one young person’s experience a member of staff said, ‘[Name] went to a seaside resort again, but for two nights this time. When we asked him what he enjoyed, he says, ‘Up and down’. We know he means that he really enjoyed going to the seaside tower.’ Staff are vigilant to any safeguarding concerns and know what to do. The manager has requested additional safeguarding training that focuses on the needs of young people who have disabilities. This proactive approach helps to embed further safe care practice that protects vulnerable young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Occasionally, young people are restrained for their own and others’ safety. All incidents are thoroughly reviewed to ensure that restraints are appropriate and that care practice is safe. Consideration is also given to any underlying factors or triggers that lead to an escalation in young people’s behaviour. This protects young people’s welfare and identifies where changes to individual behaviour management plans are needed. Young people’s views about being restrained are respected and taken seriously. This promotes their rights as citizens. The manager has effective links with the local authority designated officer when there are any concerns, for example, if a young person expresses a worry about their experience. This proactive approach to addressing any issues with an independent safeguarding officer protects young people. Professionals, parents and staff are very confident in the leadership and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

management of the home. The manager is an exemplary role model whose commitment and dedication is abundantly clear. Staff are obviously inspired by this individual, whose approach has led to significantly improved outcomes for young people, including increased levels of independence, social skills and better sleep patterns. These advances are underpinned by improved and highly individualised care planning. Young people’s needs are broken down into achievable steps so that they and staff are clear about how to maximise their individual abilities. A member of staff said, ‘[Name] is doing really well. He has been to fire safety events, road safety training, and he has been to the barbers. He couldn’t manage this before.’ Staff receive regular, meaningful supervision that encourages them to make links between care practice and the positive and measurable impact that this has on young people. This values staff and their contribution to improving young people’s

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

lives. A senior member of staff said, ‘I told staff to bring young people’s files to supervision. We talk about each young person and the progress they make. We use the regulations and guidance, and we go through them so staff get to see why we are working in the way we do.’ There are no requirements or recommendations as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

The home is operated and owned by a local authority. It provides short break arrangements for up to seven children who have sensory impairment, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

31/07/2015 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 that 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 whom 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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