Children's Home run by Derby City Council in Derby

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 continue to make progress at this home. Staff know them well and there are positive relationships. One young person said: ‘I like it here. We are well looked after. It is a nice home.’ Staff demonstrate a high level of commitment and resilience in their care and support of the young people, some of whom present significant challenges. This results, over time, in young people developing relationships based on trust. A social worker commented: ‘I am very impressed. I am pleased with the work they have done. They have done as well as they possibly can.’ Young people’s religious and cultural needs are well met. For example, young people attend the mosque and gurdwara, staff ensure that they have culturally appropriate food, and any additional needs, such as an interpreter for important appointments, are met as far as possible. Young people’s interests are also encouraged, such as membership of football clubs and gyms, and attendance at

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the local Championship team football matches. Contact with family and friends is promoted and every effort is made to make this positive. For example, staff purchased a suit for a young person so that he was appropriately dressed for an important family occasion. This had a positive impact on promoting his self-esteem, as well as supporting the development of positive relationships with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

However, not all the young people have educational placements. One young person has not had a school placement for over four months, despite the best efforts of staff to pursue this. This has a negative impact on his daily routines, as well as his future life chances. Another young person had made very good progress overall since being at the home, but this has recently declined in some areas. Some young people are involved in substance misuse. Staff address this through discussion on an individual basis, as well as the use of specialist agencies. The police have also been involved on an informal basis to advise on the consequences of such activity.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has left the home since the last inspection. This was a planned move to a more appropriate placement. Other than a short emergency placement, two young people have been admitted to the home. The manager made a considered and thorough assessment of the home’s capacity to meet their needs, and he has been supported by senior managers in limiting the number of young people accommodated in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff ensure that young people are as safe as they can be at this home. Although no young people are currently deemed at risk of sexual exploitation, staff are fully aware of the indicators and know how to support and protect them. Similarly, they are aware of the risks posed by extremism and radicalisation, and have appropriate tools to assist them in identifying these issues and providing the necessary support. Some young people have unauthorised absences and occasionally go missing from care. This is increasing for one young person, and the staff are in the process of arranging a multi-agency meeting to discuss the risks and actions to take. There are clear protocols to follow when a young person is absent or missing, and staff are diligent in trying to find young people who are not where they should be. They try to find out as much as they can about friends and associates to help them make an accurate assessment of risks. Staff work well with the local police community

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

support officer, who said: ‘Staff are quick and appropriate in dealing with absences. They also get me involved to avoid more formal action. I provide back up to support the home.’ This prevents young people from becoming unnecessarily criminalised by their behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although there are challenges, young people’s behaviours are managed well. There are clear plans to reward good behaviour, prevent escalation and respond appropriately and safely. There has only been one physical intervention since the last inspection, which demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff work well in partnership with a number of agencies. This includes social workers, the police, health professionals and education colleagues. There are monthly planning meetings, which include relevant professionals involved in the young person’s life. This ensures that issues are discussed regularly and actions are highlighted at an early stage to promote a young person’s safety and well-being. A social worker said she is kept well informed and also commented on how well the staff work with families. This promotes consistency.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. He takes part in regular handovers and team meetings, monitors records, follows the recommendations of the independent visitor and talks to young people. The manager and staff are reflective and they adapt their practice as a result of this learning. Staff feel well supported by him and comment that communication is good. However, staff training is an area for improvement. Not all staff have had refresher training in physical intervention, safeguarding or first aid. Consequently, their competence in these areas cannot be assured. Staff training is recorded in three different places, which makes it difficult to have a clear understanding of where the shortfalls lie and where staff need further development.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements and three recommendations were made at the last inspection. One requirement, relating to the qualifications of staff, is not due for completion until the end of March 2017 so the requirement remains, although the home is on target to meet this. The other requirement concerned the recording of physical interventions. This has been met. The one physical intervention that has been carried out was appropriately recorded and subject to the necessary managerial oversight. Of the three recommendations, one remains outstanding. Although some action has been taken, the record of staff training is confusing, not up to date and is not reflected in the workforce development plan. The other two recommendations have been addressed. The frequency of staff supervision has improved, and staff therefore have more opportunity to reflect on their practice. Young people are now offered a return home interview following any incidents

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

where they are absent or missing from the home and, as a result, opportunities to minimise such events are increased to keep young people safer.

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for five children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/08/2016 Full Good 02/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 23/09/2015 Full Good

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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(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that any individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification. (Regulation 32 (4)) 31/03/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees undertake appropriate continuing professional development, with particular reference to maintaining up-to-date mandatory training such as first aid, safeguarding and physical intervention. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)) 31/03/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:

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Recommendations

 The registered manager should have a workforce plan which is updated to include any new training and qualifications completed by staff while working at the home, and should be used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional development needs of the staff. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)

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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 0300 123 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, work- based 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 at 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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