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

Outstanding

The children's home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the home contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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The children's home provision is outstanding because:

 Staff inspire the confidence and trust of young people by quickly establishing meaningful relationships.  Young people with complex needs make exceptional progress.  Young people receive outstanding support to help them in employment.  The approach of staff helps young people to overcome significant obstacles and go on to make excellent progress.  Young people derive major benefit from direct access to clinical psychology and speech and language therapy.  Highly effective work between staff and the police improves young people’s safety.  Staff benefit from regular clinical supervision enriching their understanding of young people.  Inspirational leaders and managers sustain a very effective, cohesive and committed team that is clearly invested in young people.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The home should work in partnership with relevant people as appropriate to ensure that each child is provided with support (appropriate to their age and understanding) to communicate their views, wishes and feelings and participate as fully as possible in all aspects of their care planning and daily care. In particular, ensure that in the exceptional circumstances of a visit to a parent or carer following the outcome of a notified concern to the designated officer for the local authority in connection with an incident at the home, that a representative from the home is also in attendance. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.6)  Staff supervision must enable staff to reflect and act upon how their own feelings and behaviour may be affected by the behaviour of the children that

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Recommendations

they care for. In particular, ensure that the staff responsible for carrying out supervision, record in detail how the staff they are supervising are expected to comply with the outcome of any care practice review. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.15)  The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular make sure that a copy of any investigation about staff conduct is retained on the recruitment file and demonstrate that any ‘lessons learned’ have are shared with the staff involved. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to accommodate up to six children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is approved for a further two children or young people in off-site accommodation for up to 28 days. It is operated by a local authority and accepts both planned and emergency admissions.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 06/01/2016 Full Outstanding 06/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 13/01/2015 Full Good

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Outstanding

Highly skilled staff swiftly win the confidence of young people, sensitively helping them to manage their feelings. Establishing routines and being clear with young people about expectations promotes feelings of belonging and security. This increases young people’s self-confidence and means that they can look at their future with an increased sense of optimism. A young person said, ‘Staff go out of their way. Even when they finish at five o'clock, they hang around. They wouldn't just go, they help you. They want to make sure that you are alright.’ Staff provide a bespoke service to young people with significantly challenging and complex needs. Staff ensure that the care young people receive is highly individualised and considerate of the range of difficult circumstances that lead to young people’s admission to the home. For example, some young people are admitted from secure settings, as well as hospital and mental health provisions.

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Outstanding

Additionally, the high turnover of young people is extremely well managed in spite of there being 11 new admissions since the last inspection. The additional, responsive support afforded to the young people through an aligned outreach service means that despite this level of turnover, young people make exceptional progress. Positive outcomes include reduced self-harm, decreased substance misuse and improved relationships and behaviour. Young people are more relaxed and have trusting relationships with staff. They attend college, engage in their work experience and evidence their ability to become proud pet owners. When showing the inspector her new domesticated pet rat, a young person said, ‘It’s great. I love animals.’ Young people receive exemplary support from staff, enabling them to secure employment that genuinely enriches their lives. Staff commit to undertaking a two- hour round trip twice a day to support a young person’s full-time employment.

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Outstanding

Assuring this type of practical help alleviates young people’s worries about getting to work and helps them succeed. Young people also learn about how to take responsibility for managing their finances and staff help them to achieve independence. A member of staff said, ‘The young person wants to do driving lessons and we have told him we will go halves with him.’ The embedded ethos of the home is to ‘stick’ with young people through both challenging and positive times in daily care practice. It is because of this that young people learn that they can confidently rely on staff. This means that when young people make mistakes, staff redouble their efforts to help turn things around. As a result, young people make progress with their gradual transition to independence, while also restoring relationships with their families. One young person reflecting on his own remarkable progress said, ‘You get loads and loads of

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Outstanding

support here.’ Staff exceptionally support young people who have experienced high levels of trauma. Staff use evidence- and research-based approaches to help meet the needs of young people with complex mental health and learning disabilities including autism. A clinical psychologist develops bespoke guidance for staff that informs behaviour support plans. This increases the effectiveness of staff in reducing young people’s distressed behaviour. This also reduces young people’s anxieties, giving them time to process information and improve their communication skills. Young people benefit from regular contact with the in-house psychologist and speech and language therapist, which builds trust and helps young people communicate effectively. This gives young people tangible benefits. For example, supporting them to express their genuine feelings to their families helping increase understanding. As a result, young people learn how to calmly resolve their

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Outstanding

difficulties. A young person said, ‘If you have a fall out, they are like a middle person.’ Similarly, the home’s specialist police intelligence officer plays an important part in young people’s increased understanding of their own and other’s rights as responsible citizens. A police officer said, ‘The speech therapist went with the young person to the police station to make a statement. I made sure a police officer was there who could really take the time to help the young person understand.’ Carefully planned transitions mean that young people can move closer to their home area. The outcome of this is re-established relationships with important people and an increased sense of belonging that supports planning for their future. This also increases the likelihood that young people can return to live successfully within their communities in adulthood. A young person states, ‘Staff help you so you can see your family.’

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Outstanding

Young people take part in activities that really interest them. Staff recognise young people’s individual talents and often learn from them. They recognise the positive difference that this makes to young people when they are actually teaching staff particular skills. In addition in meeting young people’s developmental needs. This also increases their self-esteem and builds meaningful relationships. A member of staff said, ‘The young person really enjoys fishing so we make sure that we do a lot of that with him and he has taught the staff.’ Staff devote their free time in support of young people, enabling young people to resume previous hobbies like playing women’s football. With the support of other staff who unexpectedly turn up to spectate, these responses show that staff are genuinely investing in developing positive relationships and helping increase young people’s self-esteem. Judgement grade

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Outstanding

Young people’s safety and well-being improves, as this is a high priority for staff and other professionals. Staff work closely and effectively with the police. As a result, police officers have an increased understanding about the impact that young people’s difficulties have on their behaviour. The police help staff to manage challenging behaviours. They work well together and respect each other’s professionalism. This joint approach has helped in reducing the likelihood of criminalising young people. A police officer said, ‘Our job is not just about tackling crime, it is about prevention and that fits with what’s happening here.’ Staff rarely need to use any physical interventions or disciplinary measures to manage young people’s behaviour. An in-depth knowledge of young people’s needs means that staff understand what young people are communicating to them. As staff effectively respond to these needs, young people have an improved sense of

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Outstanding

their feelings, increasing their ability to express their distress through talking. Over time, young people learn how to manage feelings that previously have overwhelmed them. A member of staff said, ‘Today the young person put his television outside of his room. He is showing us that he is willing to stick to boundaries.’ Staff identify the whereabouts of young people who are occasionally absent. They make sure that young people are safe and offer support to help them return to the home. These actions demonstrate to young people what responsible adults do to protect them. Providing young people with these experiences helps them to understand now and in the future what it really feels like to be safe. Young people’s vulnerability to child sexual exploitation is well understood by staff and the police, who together effectively manage these risks. As a result, young people are safeguarded and the risk of exploitation is minimised.

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Outstanding

Young people live in a clean, comfortable and homely setting that they are encouraged to take ownership of. Ongoing investment has improved the setting, resulting in the provision of en-suite facilities for young people. Photographs of young people and staff taking part in activities and the many decorative touches, add to the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere of the home. Recruitment procedures are robust. This means that only suitable staff with relevant experience of working with young people are appointed. Established links with the designated officer for safeguarding means that there is a full investigation of any matter of concern affecting young people. Judgement grade

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Good

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced and he has been in post since 2013. He and the management team are highly regarded by young people, staff and other professionals. This is because their passion for improving the lives of young people is clearly evident in practice. The manager said, ‘All our practice is based on research. We know that relationships are what make the difference.’ Young people’s needs are the priority every day. Embedded systems are in place to ensure that staff keep young people’s needs at the forefront of everything that they do. In support of this, staff benefit from clinical supervision. This means that staff have a fuller understanding about child development, enabling them to tailor the care of young people taking into account their needs. Staff advocate for young people to ensure that they receive appropriate formal education. They recognise that young people’s behaviour is often affected by

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Good

trauma and that this can become a barrier to them attending school. As a result, staff work very closely with professionals to help them understand the underlying causes of young people’s behaviour. The clinical psychologist and speech therapist said, ‘We do case discussions for staff, signs of safety, we offer training and resources to housing providers and we do outreach work and go into secondary schools. It is really varied.’ Staff work effectively with all professionals. Established relationships between staff and the in-house clinical psychologist and speech and language therapist means that there is a cohesive team approach. This also increases the skills of staff who can easily access informal clinical guidance, resulting in a deeper understanding of young people’s needs. This promotes reflective practice, supports the well-being of staff and helps sustain empathy for young people. Established systems at the beginning and end of staff shifts mean that there is time

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Good

to pass on the details of the young people’s day. As a result, young people experience a consistent level of care that promotes an improved sense of security. This approach by staff is apparent to others and contributes to a culture of respect from all staff regarding young people. A police professional said, ‘You can hear them talking to young people. You can hear their training kicking in. I don’t think they know they are doing it. They are very skilled.’ Young people’s case records are well organised, up to date and include the required information from the placing authority. This aids planning by staff that focuses on achieving positive outcomes that prepare young people for future success. The home’s statement of purpose reflects that the home accommodates young people with mental health needs, working in partnership with child and adolescent mental health services and by utilising in-house specialist provision. This results in

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Good

young people and their families receiving support at times of crisis. Leaders and managers notify Ofsted and other agencies as appropriate, about any serious incidents. This means that Ofsted can closely monitor that the home is taking effective action to help protect young people. Reports of visits carried out by an independent person reflect that the home safeguards and promotes the welfare of young people. This additional scrutiny about how the home cares for young people promotes ongoing improvement. Staff receive reflective supervision on a regular basis. Records indicate that teamwork, additional responsibilities and the training needs of staff are all appropriately considered by supervisors with identified actions. This promotes the ongoing development and accountability of staff. However, it is unclear how any ‘lessons learned’ from the outcome of investigations against staff are shared with

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Good

them as these are not evident on their personnel file. Similarly, there is no evidence of practice issues being followed up in supervision. While these omissions do not negatively affect young people, this does undermine systems designed for retrospective scrutiny. Furthermore, in relation to a particular incident, leaders and managers have not utilised an opportunity to provide face-to-face feedback to a young person’s family following a difficult and distressing incident. This oversight is a missed opportunity to repair relationships and to reassure parents that the staff and managers are competent to care for young people with their best interests at the forefront of all that they do.

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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 children looked after 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 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

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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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