Children's Home run by Sheffield City Council in Sheffield

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection. This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness. Young people continue to benefit from living at the home. For example, one young person is working hard to complete her GCSEs and has been offered a place at college. Another young person is writing their own lyrics and creating songs, as well as being on track to achieve GCSE qualifications. There has been no return to offending behaviour for one young person, and another has seen a significant reduction in the number and severity of incidents. One young person said: ‘The home is good. The staff have really helped me with my education.’ Young people experience planned admissions that fully consider their needs. This ensures that young people can experience stability and receive the services that they need. To further develop a smooth transition into the home, one young

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

person was initially taken on a holiday. This gave him the opportunity to build relationships with staff and learn about the home, without the distractions of group living. The risk-taking behaviours that young people initially displayed when they arrived at the home have greatly diminished. Staff understand and analyse these risks and successfully implement clear plans to address worrying behaviours. For example, one young person initially had two additional members of staff to support his behaviour. This has now been reduced to one. Staff effectively manage the challenging behaviours of young people. Physical restraint is used appropriately, but the recording of such interventions does not always meet with regulatory requirements. Young people’s cultural needs are appropriately met. Staff consider the diversity of the young people and support them to become aware of their own cultural values and practices. Currently, the staff are supporting a young person to explore her

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

identity, as she has received conflicting information about her heritage. Young people maintain links with their families, and the staff team recognises the importance of appropriate contact . One young person’s contact with their mother has increased, and their relationship is now described as ‘really strong’. A mother said: ‘I really appreciate the staff’s hard work. It means a lot to see [X] settled and happy, and it is down to these wonderful people.’ Young people continue to be well supported when they move on to independence. There are good working relationships with leaving care and other relevant agencies. This helps to ensure that young people are supported to live independently in the community. Once they have moved on, young people can continue to access practical and emotional support from the staff, including going back to the home for Sunday dinner. Young people feel comfortable at raising concerns with senior management. For

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

example, one young person is planning to meet with the service manager to raise her concerns about the change of staffing. This demonstrates to young people that senior management is available for them to speak to, and that their views are taken seriously. Recommendations set at the last inspection are met and, as a result, young people enjoy improved standards of care. The manager is continually exploring with staff new ways to develop the care offered to young people. However, several procedural shortfalls are identified at this inspection. A number of these link to the accuracy and quality of recording, capturing the voice of the child and ensuring that notifications are fully completed. In addition, the manager should ensure that the independent visitor’s report is sent to the regulator in a timely manner. The home environment is welcoming and is decorated to a good standard. To maintain a homely feel, the manager should explore alternative methods of

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

addressing the damage to the wood flooring.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

27/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

26/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirement

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

(3) The registered person must ensure that: (a) within 24 hours of the use of the measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes: (i) the name of the child; (ii) details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure; (iii) the date, time and location of the use of the measure; (iv) a description of the measure and its duration; (v) details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure; (vi) the name of the person who used the measure (‘the user’), and of any other person present when the measure was used; (vii) the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and (viii) a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

(b) within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (‘the authorised person’): (i) has spoken to the user about the measure; and (ii) has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

(c) within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. 11/03/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Make best use of information from independent monitoring to ensure continuous improvement (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 55, paragraph 10.24). This is with specific reference to ensuring that the independent visitor’s report is sent to HMCI before the end of the month that follows the month in which the visit took place.  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. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9). This is with particular reference to maintaining a homely feel and exploring alternative methods of addressing the damage to the wood flooring.  Children should be actively encouraged to read their records and add further

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Recommendations

information to them (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.6). This is with particular reference to recording young people’s responses to documents, such as key working sessions and restraints.  Staff must also be familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4). This is with particular reference to staff ensuring that the logbook is ruled off after the final entry and that notifications to HMCI contain all the required information.

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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, work based 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

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

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