Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

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

Young people continue to make steady progress because of the stability and duration of their placements, and because they have grown up in the care of a core group of staff. Staff know the young people well; their vulnerabilities, characteristics, likes and dislikes. This helps staff to manage young people’s behaviour and minimise risk, with appropriate levels of intervention and support. For one young person, this has involved meeting up with the local fire service to understand the risks involved in fire setting.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team continues to develop innovative changes in practice to facilitate and promote young people’s engagement and participation. Care plans are now designed to encourage a more ‘user friendly’ style. This has seen an increase in the involvement of all young people and their parents in the care planning process. A ‘best practice model’ of working with the young person through key-work and group sessions has been introduced. This has seen a more restorative approach to managing negative behaviours, replacing the need to implement sanctions. All of the young people have responded positively to this approach.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy a range of extra-curricular activities and learning opportunities. For one young person, the involvement in a local filming initiative, that is due to be shown nationally, will be a life-changing experience. The home is pro-active in supporting young people to engage in education, but, for some young people, their commitment can fluctuate. Staff make every effort to re-engage and secure alternative provision for them, through close dialogue with the education department. For example, to ensure that one young person continues to receive continuity of education, the manager has independently organised off-site tuition.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has a core group of very dedicated and committed staff who have a long history of employment at the home. They have established positive and nurturing relationships with the young people and their families. The manager has been instrumental in making progress in securing more permanent staff to add to the stability of the home. This helps to improve the quality of care and outcomes for young people. Transition plans are in place for one young person to be re-integrated home as part of his independence plan. A well-planned and individualised approach is in place in conjunction with the leaving care team and other relevant services. Staff will continue to offer outreach work, parenting advice and support. For another young person, moving to supported lodgings has been identified as a ‘stepping stone’ to full independence. Staff demonstrate excellent knowledge of young people’s diverse needs and lifestyle choices to inform future planning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager’s hands-on approach, enhanced oversight and monitoring arrangements continue to ensure that young people enjoy good standards of care. Staff are encouraged to pursue continuous professional development and learning with specialist services providing on-site training and support, in areas such as sexual health and well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The recommendations made at the last inspection are met. The manager has started to recruit new permanent staff and interviews are scheduled. Behaviour management protocols are being reviewed and the induction programme for new staff is being revised to address consistency in both areas. The views of parents, young people and professionals are more visible in the care planning process.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a local authority. It provides medium- to long- term care for up to five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 24/01/2017 Full Good 14/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 09/07/2015 Full Good 25/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 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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