Children's home run by Northern Life Care Limited, trading as UBU in North Yorkshire

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 say that they have good trusting relationships with the staff. This has enabled them to listen to and accept advice and guidance from staff. Young people continue to make steady progress in relation to their starting points, responding to the consistent care, rules and boundaries implemented by the staff team. A parent said: ‘X has made great progress, I’m so pleased. I could not wish for a better place for him.’ All young people are safer because missing-from-care incidents and other risk-taking behaviours have reduced. This includes the use of illegal drugs and the risk of child sexual exploitation. Staff focus on what young people do well, giving incentives and rewards for their achievements and successes. Young people respond well to this approach and present with more positive and socially acceptable behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have varied attendance at their education and training placements. Some young people make good progress, but others continue to struggle. Staff support these young people to build up their emotional resilience and self-esteem. This helps them to manage and engage in their different learning environments. Young people benefit from the good working relationships that have been built between the staff, social workers, parents and other agencies. This enables young people to receive the best support and ensures that good quality of care is maintained. Improved partnership working with educational professionals is necessary, however, to improve young people’s commitment to engaging in education and training. Monitoring of the service remains suitable and is effective in identifying areas for improvement. The majority of the requirements and the one recommendation made at the last inspection are met. Staff now receive formal supervision at regular

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

intervals to monitor their work, development and well-being. Increased weekly allowances ensure that young people can access a wider variety of social and leisure activities. This broadens their life experiences and social interaction and builds self-confidence. Young people now receive return home interviews after any missing-from-care episodes. This enables staff to take suitable action to reduce or stop further incidents, and, as a result, young people are safer. One requirement remains unmet. The independent visitor does not report and give an opinion on whether young people are effectively safeguarded. The provider has started to address this matter. However, this still falls short of complying with the appropriate regulation.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children 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

02/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

09/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit, which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether – children are effectively safeguarded; and the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44(4)(a)(b)) 28/05/2017

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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

 Children should be in full-time education while they are of compulsory school age, unless their personal education plan contained with the care plan or other relevant plan states otherwise. The home must aim to support full-time attendance at school unless the child’s relevant plan indicates that this is not in their best interests. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.14) In particular, staff should work more closely with the virtual head, the specific schools or training provision and social workers to ensure that young people’s attendance and attainment improve.

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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 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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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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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