Children's home run by Leicester City Council

Inspection report children’s home: SC038961 1 SC038961 Registered provider: Leicester City Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home may provide care and accommodation for up to 10 children. It may provide care and accommodation for children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has declined in effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people report varied experiences of living in the home. While some young people report good experiences, others report feeling frustrated about the care that they receive. For example, one young person raised concerns that he did not have a key to his bedroom door. Another young person raised concerns about inconsistent behaviour management by staff.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person raised concerns about the mismanagement of his finances. Poor recording has resulted in money being unaccounted for. This does not set a good example, and does not help vulnerable young people to learn about the importance of careful money management, so that they can manage their finances in the future.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation made at the last inspection in relation to record-keeping when young people go missing has not been met. Although staff understand the significance of young people going missing, the recording of incidents remains poor. The records fail to Inspection report children’s home: SC038961 2 illustrate the actions taken by staff to secure a young person’s safe return home. Additionally, there is no evaluation of missing incidents. This is a lost opportunity to learn from incidents so that risks can be reduced.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Both of the assistant managers in the home have been absent for several months. Despite the fact that the staff and senior managers are very supportive, this situation has led to increased demands being placed on the manager. A requirement set at the last inspection regarding staff supervision remains unmet. Although the manager has introduced group supervision and has made efforts to arrange for other managers to supervise staff, this is not providing staff with the regular, high-quality, reflective supervision that they require.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people report having good relationships with staff members. They are able to identify key workers who they would go to if problems occurred. However, not all young people are confident that if they had a concern, staff would listen to them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite the shortfalls identified, there are a number of positive aspects to the home. Education is seen as a priority and young people are encouraged and supported to attend school or college.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A young person has recently left the home, but staff visit the young person weekly to maintain positive relationships. One member of staff said, ‘I love the job here. We build relationships with young people and get to know them and their needs. We create a family environment where they feel loved, supported and welcomed.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are prepared well for independence. A member of staff said, ‘We teach them not only the basics, but about life in the real world. If we did not do this work, young people would not cope with independence.’

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/10/2017 Full Good 15/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 29/06/2016 Full Requires improvement 01/12/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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. Inspection report children’s home: SC038961 3

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience, and have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33(3)(b)(c)) 20/04/2018

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Requirement Due date

12(1) The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— (a) that staff— (vi) take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare.

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Requirement Due date

With particular reference to action taken when a young person goes missing.

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Requirement Due date

Schedule 4 sets out the other information that the registered person must keep in relation to a children’s home. The registered person must ensure that the records are kept up to date. (Regulation 37 (1)(2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the recording of young people’s finances and documentation regarding young people missing from care. 20/04/2018

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

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. Inspection report children’s home: SC038961 4 Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Leicester City Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: City Hall, 3rd Floor, Rutland Wing, 115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FZ

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Inspector

Davinia Lawton, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC038961 5 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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