Children's home run by Horton Establishments Ltd in Kingston upon Hull, City 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 improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Building on the strengths from the last inspection, the manager has taken action to improve all but one of the shortfalls that required addressing. In addition, his plans for other areas of development are starting to come to fruition. Young people benefit significantly from the quality of care that they receive, and this has a strong impact on their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has made significant progress and is preparing to move out to live with foster carers. He has made great strides in developing his maturity, resilience and independence. Staff are working closely with the placing authority of another young person to support him to move back home with his family.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team is stable and provides young people with a caring environment, consistent boundaries and clear expectations. The structure and nurturing care help young people to bond with their adult carers, improve their behaviour, go to school every day and achieve well. This gives young people a firm foundation to build on to make good progress. While there are blips in behaviour and progress is not always linear, staff are persistent in helping young people to overcome the challenges in their lives. A social worker said: ’I am very impressed with what the home offers, and the staff are committed and caring.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has reviewed staff practice and trigger points for young people, such as Monday afternoons. Staff now take young people out directly after school for a physical activity. Young people have the opportunity to opt out if they wish, and some do. However, the impact on the home environment is very positive and the previous level of disruption at this time has diminished.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are now more aware of young people’s educational attainment and targets than at the last inspection. Young people have access to books to read and a home computer which they did not have before. The manager has worked closely with the school in planning the use of the pupil premium money to have the most impact on young people’s learning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff plan young people’s care thoroughly and in a way that respects their individual needs and wishes. This includes risk management, and the dangers of missing from home, self-harm and child sexual exploitation are managed robustly. This is achieved with sensitivity that avoids blaming any young person. Missing from home practice is good and there are individual risk assessments and strategies for each young person which were not available at the last inspection. These documents inform staff practice and contribute to the protection of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding is a priority, and the manager is knowledgeable and experienced in assessing the impact of external issues such as relatives and friends. His actions to safeguard young people contribute significantly to the care and placement plans that are agreed with placing authorities. A social worker said: ‘The manager has been insightful in identifying concerns and has played a key part in safeguarding this young person.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new key-working system is in place and promotes young people’s wishes and feelings more systematically. This system also focuses on improving young people’s safety, health and independence skills. It is not yet used consistently, but senior staff aim to make further improvements. Similarly, staff are creating new handmade memory books for young people to keep as a memento of their time at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is new decor and furniture. This helps make the building feel more homely. The manager plans to develop the games room, but has not yet secured a budget for this. This is part of the improvement plan for the home, which also includes better systems for recording young people’s progress and monitoring the quality of care. The manager and provider recognise the need to improve monitoring systems further, better to evaluate the impact of the quality of care on young people. The manager’s six-monthly reviews have not improved since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff have good working relationships with parents, carers and other professionals. The manager promptly addresses any issues as they arise. There is regular communication and a strong focus on promoting the best interests of young people. The feedback from these people is complimentary about the quality of care given to young people. One carer commented: ‘I have noticed how much he has matured and settled down.’

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately run. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for eight children and young people, irrespective of gender, who have emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities. There is a main building which accommodates up to six children. In the grounds there is a separate building, called The Lodge, which accommodates up to two children and young people who have needs that are more autistic. All children at the home are currently boys. The provider runs two schools for children with special educational needs and all the boys attend one of these, alongside day pupils.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 25/04/2016 Full Good 27/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 19/10/2015 Full Good 04/03/2015 Full Adequate

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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

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45(5)) 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(s):  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) In particular, complete the plans to refurbish the games room.

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

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