Children's Home run by Middlesbrough Borough Council in Middlesbrough

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 improved effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most of the young people have lived at the home for many years. They have strong and positive attachments to staff members. Young people who have lived at the home for less time are spending more time engaging with staff. This increased time spent at home is resulting in closer relationships with staff and each other and less negative behaviour. Young people voice that they want to remain living at the home. Their use of the complaints procedure allows staff to deal with any issues, for example clothes going missing. Young people are tolerant of each other in that they recognise and accept difference, which results in them living together more harmoniously. They have good relationships with each other with no incidents of bullying.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most young people are engaging well with education. One has 100% attendance at college and another is fully engaging with a bespoke education package. Young people are due to take GCSE exams and one young person has secured a place on a college course. For those young people not attending school, staff ensure that they follow a school routine and timetable, with added incentives to encourage them back to school. Further evidencing of educational work undertaken will provide a better measurement of progress made by young people. There is close working with the virtual school and home tutors. Staff have attended education awareness training, and tasks such as shopping and budgeting provide additional educational opportunities for young people.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a significant reduction in missing-from-home episodes. However, young people recently stayed out overnight at a party. This is following several months of no missing incidents. As a result of the significant reduction in missing-from-home episodes, young people are at a lower risk of sexual exploitation and are no longer on the vulnerable, exploited, missing and trafficked register. One young person said, ‘Staff keep us safe in lots of ways. I can’t be bothered to go missing anymore.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people become more open and share information with staff either informally or in key-working sessions. Staff use these opportunities to educate young people about issues affecting them. Other professionals provide specific advice about the dangers relating to sexual exploitation. This makes young people more aware of their vulnerabilities and provides them with information about keeping safe. Young people become protective of each other, sharing safeguarding information with staff. Staff are vigilant and use intelligence provided by police and safeguarding agencies to make sure that young people are not visiting unsafe venues, people or areas. This joined-up approach keeps young people safe and protected.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people receive therapeutic support. Their emotional health improves and self-harming behaviour has significantly reduced. There is occasional negative behaviour but staff’s knowledge of young people results in good distraction techniques to calm situations. Staff maintain good links with clinical professionals for advice, which promotes young people’s ongoing emotional well-being, even after therapy has concluded.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work with young people to develop independent living skills. They become confident due to staff’s encouragement and constant reinforcement of skills learned. For one young person this includes learning to drive. Staff’s work with parents has resulted in improved relationships between young people and their families. Consequently, young people then have the opportunity of returning home or have an increased choice of independent accommodation when they reach adulthood. Staff support young people during the transition period and after they leave. This reduces anxiety, especially for those who have lived at the home for many years.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team aspires to make continuous improvements for the young people. One member of the team said, ‘We are looking at becoming an outstanding home. We want to aim for the top.’ Regular reflective supervision and team meetings help the manager identify gaps in the staff’s knowledge. The management team leads by example and promotes the staff’s professional development through training and involving them in the care planning process. Young people benefit from the staff’s newly acquired skills and knowledge in attachment theory, restorative justice and independent living skills.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Extensive renovations have taken place to the home. Staff successfully coordinated the move, with young people speaking of their enjoyment at living in temporary accommodation. Young people have personalised their bedrooms and other areas of the home, resulting in a freshly decorated, modern, homely environment. Young people benefit from more communal areas, socialising with staff and each other.

p.3

Information about this children's home

This is a local authority home. It provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/06/2016 Full Good 08/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 02/12/2015 Full Good 03/02/2015 Interim Declined in effectiveness

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Where children placed in a home are not participating in education because they have been excluded or are not on a school roll for some other reason, the registered person and staff must work closely with the placing authority so that the child is supported and enabled to resume full-time education as soon as possible. In the interim, the child should be supported to sustain or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities, specifically ensuring that progress in education is measured and evidenced. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards,’ page 28, paragraph 5.15)

p.5

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.6

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.

p.6

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.6

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.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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.7

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.7