Children's Home run by Leicester City Council in Leicester

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 . The registered manager has met three of the five recommendations set at the last inspection. The manager has made improvements to the record-keeping of sanctions. The documentation now includes an evaluation. This ensures that sanctions are proportionate and provides a clear overview of their effectiveness. When children go missing, the staff implement the home’s protocols and now ensure that all children receive a return to home interview within the correct timescales. Staff recognise patterns associated with children going missing and work with them to help them gain an understanding of the risks. Consistent monitoring and joint working with the police have achieved a reduction in missing- from-home episodes. The manager now confirms that all recruitment checks of new staff are satisfactory

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

prior to them starting employment in the home. This ensures that children are cared for by thoroughly vetted staff and minimises any potential safeguarding risks. The staff work hard to create a homely environment for the children. They encourage children to personalise their bedrooms, and display pictures and photographs around the home. However, the much needed improvement work, to provide a less institutionalised environment for the children, has not yet commenced. This recommendation is repeated. A previous recommendation regarding the lack of effectiveness in sanctions is not met. Sanctions continue to predominately involve financial reparation. For example, fines are given or pocket money is delayed. This is ineffective in supporting children to develop more appropriate behaviour and understand the impact of their behaviour. Since the previous inspection, one young person has had a planned move to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

independent living. The young person spoke positively about the support they received through this process: ‘If I ever feel down I go to staff. They are the best, and I can always rely on them to be there for me.’ The staff continue to work closely with other professionals to achieve a successful transition. The social worker said, ‘I couldn’t be more pleased with the care given. A bespoke support service is offered, and staff go above and beyond.’ Staff understand the importance of transitions into the home and the impact that these may have on existing children in placement. Robust impact risk assessments are completed prior to new admissions to ensure that the safeguarding of all children is considered. The staff team has a good awareness of children’s ethnic and cultural backgrounds. They show innovative practice by using pictures and apps to achieve successful communication when working with children who speak limited English. This

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

ensures that the child’s wishes and feelings are established and results in them being fully included in their care plan. The manager is in the process of recruiting, due to several staff vacancies at the home. The rota remains fully staffed as existing staff and locums, who know the children, cover any shortages. The children continue to receive good-quality care from the staff at this home. Regularly held staff meetings are structured and informative. The staff use this time to discuss the children and to monitor their own interactions. This ensures that the children receive a consistent response. Staff supervision is of good quality, with discussions in relation to workload issues, personal issues and training needs. This means that staff are well equipped to care for children safely. The staff work closely with education professionals to maintain and improve attendance. A teacher said, ‘I cannot praise the staff highly enough; they attend all

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

meetings and are very thorough. The staff at this home do everything they can to motivate and encourage the children in their care to gain an education.’ When children are reluctant to engage in formal education, the staff are proactive in their attempts to source alternative provisions. This encourages the children to learn and acquire skills which will enhance their future prospects.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to six children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is owned and managed by a local authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

21/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

12/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  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. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene, etc.); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  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. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph

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

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