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

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Relationships with young people are good because staff are consistent in their approach.  Young people make good progress in their emotional and social development, taking into account their needs at the time of their admission.  Staff provide young people with meaningful experiences that increase their chances of gaining work and returning to school.  Young people take part in activities that reflect their individual interests, helping build their self-esteem and confidence.  Young people and staff benefit from direct access to the services and support of a speech and language therapist, a clinical psychologist and a specialist police officer.  Staff provide young people with clear boundaries and expectations, leading to improved behaviour.  Staff work effectively with other professionals and young people‟s families.  Leaders and managers provide staff with clear direction and effective support.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people‟s needs are central to the running of the home.

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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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

2 (a)(i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child's relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

(ii) help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

(iii) have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

(iv) manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

(v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

(vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

(vii) are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home's child protection policies; (b) that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that young people‟s known behaviours that can place other children at risk are recorded explicitly in risk assessments. Ensure risk assessments have clear actions about how to protect the young person and others. 25/11/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. 25/11/2016 (Regulation 35(3)(a)(vii)) The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once each month. 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(1) and (4)) 31/12/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  For children's homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children's homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than 'institutional' impression. In particular make clear within the home‟s statement of purpose what the home does to ensure a good standard of accommodation is maintained. („Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards,‟ page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

 Staff should continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Where there are safeguarding concerns for a child, their placement plan, agreed between the home and their placing authority, must include details of the steps the home will take to manage any assessed risks on a day-to-day basis. In particular, ensure that placing authority social workers routinely sign up to risk assessments. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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Recommendations

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. Professionally qualified staff employed by the home, e.g. teachers or social workers, should be provided with relevant professional or clinical supervision by an appropriately qualified and experienced professional. In particular, demonstrate that all staff including bank staff receive supervision as outlined with the home‟s statement of purpose. Make clear the name of the person receiving and providing supervision, the length of the session, and ensure that reflective practice is a routine element of supervision. ('Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards', page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to six children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties and for a further two children off site for up to 28 days. The home is operated by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 22/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 05/08/2015 Full Requires improvement 23/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 15/10/2014 Full Adequate

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Good

Young people make good progress, taking into account their needs when they are first admitted to the home. Staff sensitively persevere with young people to help them establish structure and routines so that they can take part in worthwhile activities. This helps young people realise their talents and achieve outcomes that raise their aspirations. For example, young people are encouraged to take part in creative music projects that engage their interest. A member of staff said: „The young person is becoming more confident and job-ready – he wants to be a DJ. He has some DJ teachers coming to teach him.‟

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Good

Relationships between staff and young people are good. Staff convey their genuine interest to young people, building trust and promoting a sense of security. They send a strong message to young people that whatever happens, they will „stick‟ with them. Over time, young people learn that staff can offer meaningful help and support. A member of staff said: „We spoke to the young person the night before about what he needed to do. He got up, got ready and went for the interview. He was really chuffed and pleased with himself.‟

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Good

Staff show that they are interested in young people. They encourage them to express their views and feelings. They listen to what young people have to say and they notice the progress they make. This was apparent at inspection when young people demonstrated their ability to speak openly and freely with staff. A member of staff said: „The young people were sat around the table at teatime asking a member of staff why they eat halal food. They were really interested and genuinely curious.‟ Such openness endorses good relationships while respecting young people‟s rights to influence the care they receive.

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Good

Young people and staff have access to additional sources of advice and guidance from a clinical psychologist known as a life coach, a speech and language therapist, known as a communication support worker, and a police intelligence officer. This increases young people‟s understanding and support to make informed choices. One of these professionals said: „The more time that I spend here, the more chance [I have] to make relationships. We can have meaningful conversations with young people while we are eating meals.‟ Independent research commissioned by senior leaders bears out the benefits of these direct links, which aid young people‟s social and emotional well-being.

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Good

Most young people attend school, although some are not in formal education. Staff develop innovative approaches in helping to direct young people towards alternative learning experiences. They access additional funding through education, offering young people opportunities to participate in practical learning experiences. For example, an education worker said: „The young person was not used to following a conventional timetable. When he is available to engage, then we can respond.‟ This increases the likelihood of young people resuming school attendance at a pace that suits their needs.

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Good

Staff work closely with families when it is in the young person‟s best interests to see them and stay in contact. This helps to preserve young people‟s place within their family and aids their developmental needs regarding identity and belonging. This promotes the resilience of young people and their families. A relative said: „Staff really tried to keep her safe. They were very flexible and the communication was really good.‟

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Good

Young people who move on from the home continue to receive support from their key workers until the age of 25. This can also include assisting young people‟s families by working with them to strengthen these relationships. This means that young people have a much better chance of living successfully within the community. A member of staff said: „The young person has moved on and is doing really well. He has stayed in touch with his key worker; he tends to go to her if he needs anything.‟

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Requires improvement

The quality of young people‟s risk assessments has improved. However, some continue to lack sufficient focus on the risks to themselves and others. Guidance to staff is not clear, which means that staff do not have a full understanding about their responsibilities in how to keep young people and others safe. This can lead to confusion about how they should respond and potentially places young people at unnecessary risk of harm. Additionally, staff do not routinely share risk assessments with young people‟s social workers. This omission undermines shared accountability and hinders a full understanding of what staff should do in response to young people‟s concerning behaviour.

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Requires improvement

Staff use restorative sanctions to help to manage young people‟s behaviour. However, these are not analysed to determine their effectiveness. This means that young people continue to receive the same disciplinary measure for smoking in their bedrooms, despite this having no impact on their behaviour. This does not support them in ways that help them to think about their own and others‟ well- being. Young people‟s bedrooms are not maintained at a good standard in line with the home‟s statement of purpose. This sends a mixed message to young people about their worth and undermines self-esteem. A young person said: „Have you seen my room? It‟s not very nice; I don‟t like it.‟

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Requires improvement

Young people‟s general risk-taking behaviour and missing-from-home incidents have reduced in comparison to when they were admitted to the home. Young people continue to go missing. However, this is not with the same frequency. Improved joint working with the police now also contributes to young people‟s safety. A senior member of staff said: „I now go to police tactical meetings and I am hoping that they get a better understanding about our young people.‟

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Requires improvement

The challenging behaviours displayed by young people have now also declined. Young people appreciate that staff have a good understanding about their underlying feelings. This reassures young people, helping them to find safer ways of expressing their complex emotions. As a result, staff rarely restrain young people, only doing so when there are significant concerns for their own or others‟ safety. Careful review of the records following on from the interventions promotes reflection and empathy and ensures that young people receive appropriate support to manage future incidents.

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Requires improvement

Young people‟s safety and well-being improve because of the actions staff take. Staff ensure that young people understand acceptable standards of behaviour and that they address any arising bullying behaviour or damage to property. Young people experience staff reinforcing these house rules without criminalising. This reduces the likelihood that they will need to test out these limits. While young people‟s friends can visit them at the home, they also have to follow these rules. As a result, a much more relaxed atmosphere exists, helping to reduce young people‟s anxious feelings. A police officer said: „We had concern about visitors and we addressed this; we went round to see the young people‟s parents.‟ This sends a clear message to young people that staff can exert an appropriate level of control.

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Requires improvement

Some young people use harmful substances, increasing their vulnerability. Staff take these concerns seriously and search young people‟s rooms if necessary. Staff also share any concerns with the police, an approach aimed at disrupting this type of risk-taking by young people. In addition to this persistent approach, staff work at engaging young people with agencies to help them to reduce this behaviour, and they involve young people in enjoyable alternative activities. While young people are currently not at risk of sexual exploitation, staff are vigilant to this possibility. They have effective communication and information-sharing systems involving safeguarding agencies and other professionals in place. This means that any concerns about young people‟s safety are prioritised and well managed. A social worker said: „We also have regular “RAISE” (risk, analysis, intervention, solutions and evaluation) meetings to discuss the risks around the young person

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Requires improvement

and consider how to manage them.‟ Judgement grade

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Good

The registered manager is suitably qualified and experienced and has been in post since 2013. However, he is currently undertaking alternative management responsibilities away from this setting. This has resulted in an acting manager overseeing the management arrangements within the home. The acting manager is a qualified social worker and has the necessary experience and skills to manage the home. In addition, increased management support from senior leaders is in place. These measures result in a more cohesive staff team that is mutually supportive. This means that young people experience a more consistent approach from staff.

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Good

Regular team and management meetings focus on improving care practice and outcomes for young people. Embedding boundaries, providing high levels of structure, supervision, consistent and sensitive responses to young people underpin managers‟ and leaders‟ development of staff. This approach means that staff feel valued by those leading the home. This approach re-energises staff, bringing a renewed focus that ensures young people‟s needs are at the forefront of all that they do. A member of staff said: „I am happier now, there is lot more structure and expectations are a lot more clear, and aspirations for young people as well.‟

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Good

Effective communication takes place between staff at the beginning and end of their shifts. Staff share important information with each other so that they stay up to date about the young people‟s day and their arising needs. This means that whichever member of staff is on duty, they will be in a position to respond to young people‟s individual needs. This builds trust and reduces any anxieties about young people‟s personal issues being overlooked, which often trouble young people. A young person said: „I can talk to the member of staff; I told him about what happened with the other young person; he used to be my key worker.‟

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Good

Joint working with other professionals is improved. A concerted effort by managers and senior staff focusing on how to further enhance communication with all stakeholders is ongoing. Professionals are noticing the impact of these recent developments that are now keeping them up to date about young people‟s needs and progress. A social worker said: „I have been sent daily contact sheets which means that I have a good understanding of any incidents which have arisen. This is working very well.‟

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Good

Some in-house bank staff do not receive supervision at the required frequency, nor do supervision records demonstrate that reflective practice is routinely undertaken. Records relating to supervision were unclear and made it difficult to clarify the details. This means that some staff do not have written outcomes that guide their future care practice and ensure accountability. Conversely, all staff are able to seek informal guidance and clinical support from senior staff and in-house specialists.

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Good

Reports carried out by the independent visitor do not meet regulatory requirements. This regular failure to express their opinion as to whether or not young people are safeguarded, and their well-being promoted, raises doubts as to their comprehension of the role.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against „Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection‟.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or that result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 who it is trying to help, protect and look after. 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

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Information about this inspection

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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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