Children's home run by Leeds City Council

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC033638 1 SC033638

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Leeds City Council

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children or young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned and managed by the local authority.

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This monitoring visit

At the last monitoring inspection of this home, on 27 October 2017, there were significant shortfalls in safeguarding practice. A restriction on new admissions was imposed and four compliance notices together with three requirements were set. At this inspection, it was judged that the compliance notices and the requirements have all been met.

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This monitoring visit

The young people are now happy in this home. They feel that it is a lot calmer and they can communicate with the staff better. Bullying has stopped. The staff have undertaken additional training to help them identify the signs of bullying early. Additional measures have been put in place, such as the introduction of personal diaries, to allow the young people to express their feelings.

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This monitoring visit

The young people feel that their behaviour is improving because they are not being influenced by others and are now following house rules. Consequently, their night- time routine is improving and they are going to bed on time and sleeping better during the night. Some of the young people whose needs were not being met at last inspection have moved on. Other professionals report that the home is now much more settled. The staff feel that they have time to reflect and focus on the needs of the young people left in the home. The admissions process for new young people has been revised but is yet to be tested due to the restriction of accommodation still being in place.

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This monitoring visit

Additional training is helping the staff team to understand risk management. As a result, the staff are regularly updating young people’s risk assessments. This helps Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC033638 2 the staff to ascertain effective ways to reduce and manage risks to the young people. Additionally, the staff are shadowing senior staff and managers. This is allowing them to learn good practice and it is allowing managers to monitor the staff’s work and level of skills effectively.

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This monitoring visit

A review of the young people’s needs has ensured that young people’s plans are clear and evidence of their progress is included. The young people are benefiting from support from specialist services and the subsequent assessments. This is helping the staff team to gain a clear understanding of the young people’s needs and it is informing the young people’s future plans.

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This monitoring visit

The management team is improving focus on working with wider services, such as specialist mental health professionals, substance misuse services and education. These specialist professionals are working closely with the staff team to improve the staff’s knowledge of issues that the young people may face. This is enhancing the ‘skills staff have to ensure that they are able to identify and support the young people’.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is continually reflecting on practice. This is an experience that he is learning from. He has put additional monitoring systems in place to ensure that risk assessments and working practice are regularly reviewed. Following a review of staff’s skills, he is able to identify areas for development. Targeted training is ensuring that the staff have the skills to meet the young people’s needs.

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This monitoring visit

The young people are now enjoying a living space which is clean and tidy. The home now feels cared for and is helping young people to aspire to high standards now and in later life. The garden has been cleared and decoration of the young people’s bedrooms is under way. Other parts of the home are improved following redecoration. The house looks welcoming, with a range of Christmas decorations chosen by the young people. This is helping the young people to feel a sense of value and belonging.

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This monitoring visit

The young people are following house rules. They are handing their smoking equipment to the staff at night. This is reducing the risk of fire. Some of the young people are reducing the amount of cigarettes that they smoke. This will benefit their health now and in the future.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 31/08/2017 Full Good 20/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 25/10/2016 Full Good 30/03/2016 Interim Not judged Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC033638 3

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What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

No requirements or recommendations have been raised as a result of this monitoring visit.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC033638 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 40 Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3DL

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Inspector

Jamie Richardson, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC033638 5 to 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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