Children's home run by Middlesbrough Borough Council

Inspection report children‟s home: SC472381 1 SC472381 Registered provider: Middlesbrough Borough Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority home. The home provides care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 18 December 2017

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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 improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has continued to undergo a scheme of repair and renovation, with all the rooms being redecorated and furnished with a range of home comforts and resources that keep the young people occupied. One young person has been actively involved in decorating his bedroom; he has chosen the colour scheme, and the bedding and furniture. A large painted blackboard on one of the walls allows the young person to express his feelings through words and pictures. This has been particularly beneficial when the young person has become angry or frustrated, and has been a successful de-escalation technique that has led to a significant reduction in negative behaviours.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff provide a high level of care and supervision for one young person in order to promote his safety and well-being. Staff have received additional training and guidance in working within a therapeutic model of care where there are restrictions of liberty in place. The care that staff provide is informed by a clear understanding of Inspection report children‟s home: SC472381 2 individual risks and vulnerabilities, and is underpinned by high staffing rations and well- documented care and risk management plans. The young person has responded so well to this bespoke package of care that a step-down approach is now in place. The young person was visibly proud when talking about his progress and achievements, and said: „I‟m okay living here and I get on well with the staff. I have regular contact with my family and we had a big party to celebrate my birthday.‟

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have been creative in ensuring that the young person‟s time is highly structured, with a combination of learning and social activities. One member of staff is giving boxing lessons and the manager has supported this activity by purchasing a punch bag. The young person also enjoys cooking and arts and crafts. Education is very much encouraged and promoted, with the young person engaging in two hours per day home tutoring. Attendance is at 92.5% with engagement moving in the right direction. The home tutor felt that this alone was a significant achievement and the young person is now on track to gradually increase the hours to meet statutory requirements. Key to this increased engagement are the efforts made by staff to involve and consult with the young person in all aspects of his care. A professional said: „[Name] does not like us using institutionalised terminology, so with his involvement we have revised our wording

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

and instead of using for example, “timetable” we use “schedule”.‟

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The overall atmosphere in the home has considerably improved following a period of instability and upheaval. The staff team remains motivated and committed to providing high-quality care that is underpinned by close working relationships and interdisciplinary working practices. The manager is enthusiastic about these improvements, and said „The atmosphere is so positive. We have been though some very challenging times and the staff are still here. Staff have remained motivated and we work as a team, everything else falls into place.‟ Equally, the staff have described the manager as: „Dramatic and great. It‟s refreshing to see the changes that she is putting in place, she has developed a real team spirit.‟ Staff receive regular supervision that provides a holistic and reflective focus on young people‟s progress and achievements, and ensures that their areas of continued need are balanced against supporting their professional development. Team

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

meetings have concentrated on specific areas, such as regulatory requirements, notifications and safe practice. This has given staff the skills and confidence to manage and report on complex situations. The requirements and the recommendation made at the last inspection have been met.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/12/2017 Full Good 03/11/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/05/2016 Full Requires improvement 08/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children‟s home: SC472381 3

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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.

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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.

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Information about this inspection

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 address: Middlesbrough Borough Council, PO Box 99, Middlesbrough, TS1 2QQ

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Inspector

Cath Sikakana, social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC472381 4 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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