Children's Home run by Pebbles Care Limited in North Yorkshire

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 judged that it has improved effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The four requirements and six recommendations made at the last inspection are now met. Young people’s accommodation is good. Work to redecorate the home, refurbish the kitchen, replace damaged furniture and ensure that the internal and external premises are safe is now complete. This means that young people live in clean, comfortable and homely surroundings. Young people’s welfare, particularly through the night, is a high priority for staff. Their increased level of vigilance, care and support help young people to adjust to bedtime routines. A member of staff said, ‘We sit on the upstairs landing, all night if necessary.’ Staff practice has improved with reviewing the effectiveness of any sanctions used in response to young people’s behaviour. As a result, a restorative approach is now used. This approach promotes trust and enables young people to self-regulate, helping them to learn to take age-appropriate responsibility for their actions.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff notify Ofsted about any serious matter affecting the welfare of young people. This means that the regulator can maintain oversight and ensure that appropriate measures are in place to protect young people. These developments meet the requirements from the previous inspection. Staff are now more effective at taking action to escalate any concerns with young people’s placing authority, for example, by swiftly addressing any concerns about lack of school provision. This promotes good educational outcomes and preserves young people’s right to an education, helping them to re-establish a daily routine in which going to school is expected. A young person said, ‘I am starting college in January. Done my tests and everything and I am looking for a job right now.’ Staff have an increased understanding of young people’s cultural needs. This means that staff are clear about how best to support young people from a diverse

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

range of backgrounds, helping them to strengthen their identity. The statement of purpose now makes clear what the home does to maintain standards in the home. This promotes accountability and means that stakeholders are clear about the responsibilities of the registered provider. Revised risk assessments and behaviour support plans mean that records are up to date and staff are clear about the actions to take in response to young people’s behaviours. This approach helps staff to recognise what young people communicate through their actions and how best to address this. A senior member of staff said, ‘We are looking at risk assessments more and I am getting staff to think about young people’s underlying behaviour.’ There is improved understanding of young people’s needs prior to their admission. This means that staff can plan how best to support those already living in the home and those who are moving into it. This results in a more settled atmosphere

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that is better for young people. A young person said, ‘Everything is fine. It feels safer than last time you were here.’ These improvements meet previous recommendations. Staff build trusting relationships that improve young people’s safety and well-being. This means that young people talk to staff, and staff listen to what they have to say, helping them to reflect on their behaviour and to make better choices. As a result, young people do not go missing and are rarely absent. A member of staff said, ‘[Name] was going absent sometimes. I sat down and talked to him about how pointless it was and he has done it a lot less since.’ Similarly, staff rarely need to restrain young people and do so only as a last resort to keep them safe. These records are now also subject to careful review by the manager, so staff are accountable for their actions. Young people’s behaviour and emotional well-being improve. For some young

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

people, this leads to a reduction in prescribed medication. This is because they gain more insight, enabling them to make age-appropriate choices and to influence decisions affecting their health. Senior staff take decisive action when they are no longer able to meet young people’s needs. This results in effective working with the placing authority and other professionals. This means that, despite the upheaval for the young people concerned, they can move on in a planned way, increasing the likelihood of settling in well to their future placement. A member of staff said, ‘We have spoken to staff [at the new home] and [Name], who is doing well.’ Leaders and managers know what to do if there are any concerns affecting young people’s welfare. This means that they act in accordance with the home’s child protection procedures, including working with the designated officer for the local authority. Only those staff who are safe to care for young people continue to do so.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A member of staff said, ‘I know when to blow the whistle; if something is not right I will voice my opinion.’ There is an improved focus on monitoring the quality of care and ensuring that staff understand the statutory guidance and legislation. This ensures that staff keep young people’s needs at the forefront of their care practice. Communication between staff at the beginning and end of shifts is not robust. This means that staff are not consistently aware of any changes affecting the way in which they should care for young people. About these handover meetings, a member of staff said, ‘I think we need to improve communication. There is not enough written down about young people.’ Current staffing issues have left some staff working excessive hours to ensure that young people receive the necessary support. Appropriate use of agency staff has met some of these shortfalls, and new staff are now recruited, although they are

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

not yet in place. A member of staff said, ‘It is hard at present because of staffing, but it will turn round. It feels miles better than it was.’

p.4

Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private company.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

18/02/16 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The registered person must demonstrate every effort to achieve continuity of staffing so that children’s attachments are not overly disrupted, including ensuring that the employment of any temporary staff will not prevent children from receiving the continuity of care that they need. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 51, paragraph 10.1)  The registered person is responsible for ensuring that all staff consistently follow the home’s policies and procedures for the benefit of the children in the home’s care. Everyone working at the home must understand their roles and responsibilities and what they are authorised to decide on their own initiative. There should be clear lines of accountability. Each home must have clear arrangements in place to maintain effective management when the manager

p.6

Recommendations

is absent, off duty or on leave. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20) In particular, ensure that robust systems are in place so that all staff are informed about any changes in young people’s needs as part of the handover process at the beginning of their working shift.

p.6

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’.

p.7

Information about this inspection

Inspectors 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 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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8