Children's Home run by Doncaster Children‟s Services Trust Limited in Doncaster

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 .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home has changed its remit since the last full inspection. It closed as a shared care and emergency placement at the end of 2016, and after a full refurbishment reopened on 1 March 2017. The newly appointed manager has over 17 years’ managerial experience in children’s homes. The staff team were specifically appointed because of their skills and ability. This wealth of experience has allowed young people to be returned from out-of-county placements to live safely in their home locality. This enables young people to sustain and improve their cultural and familial links as they grow towards maturity.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The management team has met the requirement and both recommendations raised at the last inspection. This demonstrates the home’s ability to improve. New recording methods for any physical interventions and the updated, comprehensive locality assessment offer further protection for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s refurbishment has included repairs, redecoration and the addition of shared spaces for young people to participate in activities with each other. For example, the ‘gym room’ allows young people to exercise together. This promotes bonding and an understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Young people speak very positively about the home improvements, with one saying, ‘this is the most comfortable bed I’ve ever had.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The change in focus from a short-break emergency provision to a long-stay care home means that all of the young people are new. The experienced and resilient manager planned their admissions very carefully and matched young people with each other to afford maximum opportunities for success. The first young person moved into the home on 1 March 2017, and the most recent, one week before the inspection. Consequently, at the time of the inspection the three residents were still in the process of forming relationships with staff and each other.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is prioritising young people’s swift access to education provision. She proactively arranged planning meetings with relevant professionals, including the virtual headteacher, to facilitate this, prior to young people’s admission. Young people’s individual education plans provide time within a formal classroom setting and promote their participation in more practical subjects. This aims to enhance their opportunities for academic success as well as future job prospects.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s care plans are detailed and comprehensive. Thorough risk assessments provide safeguards for each young person’s individual and diverse needs. In addition, the child-friendly, brightly-coloured personalised care plans, developed together with young people, inform them of the plans for their future. This promotes their sense of identity and encourages choice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have not been any physical interventions or missing episodes since the home reopened. None of these young people are considered at risk of child sexual exploitation. Nevertheless, the well-trained and experienced staff team know what to do if these concerns should arise, if a restraint is necessary or if a young person is ever absent without permission. Young people are safeguarded as a result.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Clear ‘House Expectations’ supplement the home’s robust ‘Behaviour Management Policy’. These documents, underpinned by the exemplary role modelling set by staff, promote young people’s respect for themselves and each other. However, young people’s individual crisis management plans are either insufficient in detail or are not in place. This does not support young people in managing their own vulnerabilities nor does it provide specific guidance for staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people can learn how to moderate their actions by way of the home’s reward and sanctions system. Although no rewards have been recorded as yet, young people are in receipt of chosen treats, for example ice skating lessons. The one sanction received was of a financial nature, and is not recorded sufficiently to reflect whether the young person has learned from the experience. In addition, a number of incidents have occurred without young people receiving a sanction. This does not promote consistency or provide young people with the opportunity to understand consequences, make reparation and learn more appropriate ways of behaving.

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Information about this children’s home

A children’s trust operates this home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children and young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 02/08/2016 Full Good 11/01/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 13/05/2015 Full Good 29/01/2015 Interim Not judged

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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

11: The positive relationships standard In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure – That by developing and implementing clear behaviour management plans with children, staff encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding. (Regulation 11 (2) (a) (iii)) 01/05/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Any sanctions used to address poor behaviour should be restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. In some cases it will be important for children to make reparation in some form to anyone hurt by their behaviour, and the staff in the home should be skilled to support the child to understand this and carry it out. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)

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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 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 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, workbased 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

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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