Children's Home run by Derby City Council in Derby

Inspection report children’s home: SC488596 1 SC488596 Registered provider: Derby City Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children and young people who need support with emotional and/or behavioural problems. There is no registered manager at this home.

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Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people generally make positive progress during their time living at this home. Staff continue to encourage young people to identify education and training options, with some success. There is a clearer focus now on ensuring that young people have education or training provision in place as soon as possible.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people report that they feel well cared for and supported by staff. One young person said: ‘I like this home more than the one I was in before. The staff listen to me and take any concerns I have seriously. I want to stay here until I finish my exams next year.’ Inspection report children’s home: SC488596 2 Young people feel supported to keep in touch with family members and significant others. Staff understand the importance of such relationships and provide practical and emotional support to ensure that young people can keep in touch with people who matter to them.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A new manager came into post earlier this year. They have recently applied to Ofsted for registration. The manager is realistic about the needs of the young people and the work required to improve their experiences and outcomes. She is working closely with staff and senior managers to improve the services that they provide.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have mostly been met. The statement of purpose has been reviewed, updated and forwarded to Ofsted.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The previous registered manager did eventually formally notify Ofsted of their resignation.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have ensured that clearer risk assessments are in place for young people. Internal case file audits enable managers to consider all documentation regularly to ensure that information remains relevant and up to date.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers continue to work on improving the electronic and paper case recording systems in the home. It is now easier to identify how young people’s health needs are being considered and met.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff now challenge the placing authority more robustly. This ensures that young people have all necessary plans and assessments in place in a timely manner.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers now use consequences and sanctions more frequently with young people. They are also piloting a new scheme to prevent the criminalisation of young people. This innovative work is being done with colleagues within the police and youth offending service.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff and managers now have better systems for ensuring that young people are offered a return home interview following any missing from care incidents.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Case records present a clearer sense of what support is being provided to young people and their daily activities.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One requirement set at the last inspection has not been met. This relates to the placement of young people in the home. Senior managers had made the decision to limit the number of young people to be placed in the home at the time of the full inspection. This reflected the complex needs of the young people placed at that time and pressures on staff and managers. Since that inspection, there have been several new placements made to the home, increasing the numbers of young people living at the home at various times. The manager is clear that they are now able to accommodate more than two young people at any one time. There is a need for senior managers and the home’s manager to reassess their position on new admissions, to ensure that their internal Inspection report children’s home: SC488596 3 placement schedule accurately reflects their ability to meet the needs of currently and newly placed young people.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/04/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 10/10/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 12/06/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

 The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. This specifically relates to the placement schedule being regularly reviewed to reflect any changes to beds being blocked. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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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 Inspection report children’s home: SC488596 4 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: Becket Children’s Centre, 35 Stockbrook Street, Derby DE22 3WR

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Inspector(s)

Tracy Murty: social care regulatory inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC488596 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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